Recommendation of portable power bank for camping

SQUIRREL_13077877 If you're planning an extended trip, Anker's PowerCore 337 is one of the best power banks for camping, thanks to its huge 26,800mAh capacity. According to the makers, it can top up your phone more than six times, or recharge tablets at least twice – about enough to last you a week.

It only takes one dead phone battery to make you realize the importance of a power bank for camping. Whether it's snapping a picture of the local flora and fauna, setting an alarm for your sunrise hike, or pulling up directions for the drive home, it's essential that you have enough juice to last to the end of your trip.

The vast majority of car campers are using their power bank for just one thing: keeping that phone charged. And even though you're off the grid (at least we hope), free from the YouTube autoplay and Facebook algorithm, you'll probably still need to use your phone for at least a couple of things. Photos. Alarm clock. Offline maps.

If you plan to charge big devices, you might want to think about the power bank's voltage. While laptops and larger electronics usually need 12V-20V to charge, phones, tablets and other small gadgets will use 5V. Compare our test power banks at a glance: We evaluated these power banks on their day-to-day usability.

In damp, humid conditions or on expeditions you might need a waterproof and rugged power bank, which can cope with moisture or even complete immersion as well as bumps and knocks. If so, look for a product with a certified IP (International Protection) rating, which is usually expressed as two letters or numerals, e.g. IPX6 or IP67.

This will dictate what size power bank you need in terms of battery capacity, which is usually measured in milliamp hours (mAh). To help you out, note that it typically takes 2,500 to 3,500mAh to charge a modern smartphone (though many factors can affect power consumption).