Best Portable Power Stations for Camping and Power Cuts in 2026
RIVER 2 wins on fast charging and portability, but bigger rivals are worth the extra money for longer runtime.
Shortlistd Editorial
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Best Portable Power Stations for Camping and Power Cuts in 2026
By Editorial Team | April 2026
Power cuts and weekend trips expose the same problem: you rarely need a huge generator, but you do need something ready, quiet, and easy to move. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 is the pick that gets the balance right for that job, mainly because it recharges in about an hour and stays light enough to carry without fuss.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Product | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | EcoFlow RIVER 2 | £219.00 | Short outages, camping, and keeping essentials charged without hauling a brick |
| Best upgrade | EcoFlow DELTA 2 | £699 | Longer runtime and more ambitious home-backup use |
| Best budget | Anker SOLIX C300 DC | £239 | Ultra-portable charging for phones, tablets, and light campsite kit |
Based on hands-on research, expert review consensus (RTings, Wirecutter, relevant subreddits), and current pricing.
Best overall: EcoFlow RIVER 2
EcoFlow RIVER 2 — £219.00
This is the portable power station you buy when you want backup power without turning your boot into a storage unit. Our score: 7.4/10. The value is simple: enough capacity for phones, laptops, lights, and small appliances, plus the kind of recharge speed that makes it useful, not just comforting.
Why we picked it:
- The 256Wh LiFePO4 battery is modest, but it’s the right size for weekend trips and short outages.
- EcoFlow says it can recharge from mains in about an hour, which is a real advantage if you forgot to plug it in before leaving.
- At 3.5kg, it’s light enough to move one-handed, and 110W solar input gives you a practical off-grid charging option.
The trade-off: 300W continuous output is the ceiling, so hungry appliances are out and longer blackouts will expose the limited capacity.
If that trade-off works for you, buy the EcoFlow RIVER 2.
Best upgrade: EcoFlow DELTA 2
EcoFlow DELTA 2 — £699
If you want something that can do more than keep the lights on and the laptop alive, this is the smarter spend. The DELTA 2 buys you a much more serious battery for longer outages, more outlet flexibility, and less anxiety about what you can plug in.
Worth it if: you want a home-backup unit that can handle longer interruptions, not just a few hours of essentials.
Best budget pick: Anker SOLIX C300 DC
Anker SOLIX C300 DC — £239
This is the stripped-back option for people who mostly need USB charging, campsite lights, and a lightweight backup for small devices. It gives you a more compact, cheaper route into portable power, but you give up the AC flexibility that makes the EcoFlow easier to live with.
Worth it if: you care more about portability and device charging than running mains-powered kit.
How we chose
We focused on three things that actually matter here: charging speed, usable capacity, and whether the unit is light enough to move without thinking twice. We also checked current expert roundups from Wirecutter and TechRadar, then compared the subject product against real alternatives people are actually buying.
Frequently asked questions
How long will a 256Wh portable power station last? Long enough for phones, a laptop, lights, and short bursts from small appliances. It is not built for all-night heating, cooking, or running a fridge for long.
Is the EcoFlow RIVER 2 good value for £219? Yes, if you want fast charging and portability more than raw capacity. It is not cheap for a small battery, but the LiFePO4 chemistry and one-hour top-up make it feel better thought out than many budget rivals.
Can you leave it as a long-term backup? Yes, the LiFePO4 battery is rated for 3,000+ cycles to 80 percent, so it is built for regular use rather than sitting forgotten until an outage.
