A man and a woman are sitting outdoors by a ten with a solar panel, a portable solar power station and a few camping devices.

Camping Adventures

Camping power needs range from minimal (phone charging and a headlamp) to comfortable (electric cooler, blender, camp lights, and a speaker). The right setup depends on how you camp: backpacking limits weight, car camping allows more gear, and overlanding can support full comfort systems. Unlike RV camping, tent and car camping rarely involve built-in appliances, so your power station and accessories are the entire system.

The trend in camping is toward electric coolers over ice chests, rechargeable lanterns over fuel, and induction cooking over open fire. These upgrades make camping more convenient but require planning for power. A well-sized power station and solar panel can keep everything running through a long weekend without needing to start the car.

Practical note: An electric cooler typically uses 40 to 60 watts while running, cycling on about 30% of the time, or roughly 300 to 500Wh per day. LED camp lights use 5 to 20 watts. Phone and camera charging adds 50 to 100Wh per day. A weekend car camping trip with an electric cooler needs roughly 1000 to 1500Wh total capacity.

Keep in mind that battery ratings are “ideal” numbers. In real use, inverter losses and temperature affect performance. That’s why we calculate runtimes conservatively, so you know what to expect in the field.

Tip: Match your system size to your heaviest load — and let smaller devices fill in the gaps.

Recommended bundles: Three Levels of Setup

Level 1: Minimalist Camping

For backpackers, bikepackers, and minimalist car campers. Phone charging, camera batteries, headlamp recharging, and a small speaker.

Power stations: EcoFlow RIVER 3. At 7.4 pounds, it's light enough to bring on trips where weight matters.

Solar panels: EcoFlow 110W Portable Panel or RICH SOLAR 100W Portable Briefcase for ground deployment at basecamp.

LevelProductsWhy It FitsLevel 1: MinimalistEcoFlow RIVER 37.4 lbs, phones/cameras/lightsEcoFlow RIVER 3 PlusWeekend devicesEcoFlow 110W Portable PanelGround deployment at basecampRICH SOLAR 100W BriefcaseBudget portable panel

Level 2: Comfort Camping

For car campers who want creature comforts: electric cooler, camp lights, blender for drinks, and all devices charged. The classic weekend setup.

Power stations: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Max or DELTA 3. The DELTA 3 runs an electric cooler for a full weekend with room for everything else.

Solar: EcoFlow 110W or 160W Portable Panel, or RICH SOLAR 100W Briefcase.

Add: EcoFlow GLACIER portable fridge for cold food and drinks without ice.

Level 3: Extended and Overland

For week-long trips, overlanding, and glamping. Full camp kitchen, refrigeration, lighting, and possibly heating or cooling.

Power stations: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, DELTA 3 Max, or DELTA 3 Ultra for longer trips.

Solar: 200W or more. RICH SOLAR 200W Briefcase or multiple portable panels.

Climate comfort: EcoFlow WAVE 3 portable AC for hot-weather camping. Paired with a DELTA 3 Max or larger, it can take the edge off tent temperatures for a few hours.

Expansion: Add an Extra Battery to double your capacity. The DELTA Pro supports up to 25kWh of total storage with multiple batteries.