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If you’re looking for a way to make your camping experience feel a little bit less like a field exercise, buying one of the best generators for camping is a huge first step. Instead of cooking dehydrated camping food and having the last song you listened to stuck in your head all night, you’ll have the option to bring fresh food and crank up your favorite playlist.
It’s time to learn what retirees in 40-foot motorhomes have known for decades: Bringing along a little bit of civilization goes a long way. At the very least, a compact camp generator can keep handheld devices powered up for days or more. With a larger generator, you can power refrigerated coolers, space heaters, and electric grills. Your campsite will be a true oasis.
Camping generators have a bonus benefit, too. If everything goes to hell in a handbasket, you’ll have a backup source of electricity to power survival necessities like radios, flashlights, and GPS devices. A big enough gas-powered generator can power your whole house. A solar-powered generator can keep you mission-capable almost indefinitely. So, which one should you choose? I’m glad you asked.
Methodology
I started my market research by considering why people need generators for camping, to begin with. If all we needed to power was a phone and Bluetooth headphones, we’d use a pocket-sized power bank. Campers in the market for a generator probably need enough energy to power larger devices like a laptop, some lighting, and maybe an electric grill — so that’s where my search began. My picks for this list have power capacities from 200 to 3,000 watt-hours.
I researched how different styles of generators work to understand the advantages and disadvantages of fuel-burning and solar-powered generators. I crowd-sourced reviews of popular models and turned to sources ranging from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to Home Depot to understand where our power comes from and how we use it.
I prioritized solar generators because they’re more environmentally friendly, simpler to operate, and don’t constantly consume increasingly expensive fuel. I also focused on manufacturers I know to consistently build quality products. The result is a short but carefully curated list of some of the best generators for camping you can buy right now.
Best Overall
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X and Boulder 100
Pros
- Power station is weather-resistant; solar panels are waterproof
- Charge with your home, car, or the sun
- Increase power capacity with expansion batteries
- Powerful enough for appliances like refrigerators and microwaves
Cons
- Solar charging can take up to 24 hours
- Briefcase solar panels take up a lot of room
Product Specs
- Storage: 983 watt-hours
- Maximum regulated output: 1,500 watts
- Maximum surge output: 3,000 watts
- Weight: 58 pounds
Best Value
Jackery Explorer 500 and SolarSaga 100
Pros
- Great balance of power and portability
- Thin solar panels fold in half when not in use
- Wide selection of charging ports
- One of the most affordable solar generators on the market
Cons
- Limited ability to power larger appliances
- Solar charging takes all day
Product Specs
- Storage: 518 watt-hours
- Maximum regulated output: 500 watts
- Maximum surge output: 1,000 watts
- Weight: 24 pounds
Honorable Mention
Honda EU3000is
Pros
- Excellent power output for demanding applications
- Get that famous Honda reliability
- Refueling is quick and easy with no downtime
- Protected by a carbon monoxide sensor and automatic shutoff
Cons
- Plan ahead and bring enough gas
- Too heavy for one person to move
Product Specs
- Storage: 3.4 gallons of gasoline
- Maximum regulated output: 2,800 watts
- Maximum surge output: 3,000 watts
- Weight: 131 pounds (dry)
Best Portable
Goal Zero Yeti 200X and Nomad 20
Pros
- Bridge the gap between power banks and generators
- Stay operational as long as you have access to sunlight
- Weather-resistant and built for adventure
- Monitor charging status with the LED display
Cons
- Less charging port variety than our other picks
- Long charging times from solar panels and wall outlets
Product Specs
- Storage: 197 watt-hours
- Maximum regulated output: 120 watts
- Maximum surge output: 200 watts
- Weight: 7 pounds
Our verdict on generators for camping
The combination of a Goal Zero Yeti 1000X and Boulder 100 is the best generator for camping in most cases. If that’s out of your budget, the Jackery Explorer 500 and SolarSaga 100 offer an affordable entry-level alternative. Did we miss your favorite camping generator? Let us know in the comments section.
What to consider when buying a generator for camping
Camping can take a lot of different forms, so it stands to reason that the best generators for camping come in a variety of shapes and sizes, too. Once you add up your electrical needs with a thorough gear audit, you’ll need to think about how you want to generate and store that amount of power.
Types of generators for camping
Fuel-burning generators
People have been converting combustible fuel into electricity since 1884. Most of us use gas, diesel, and propane to light up our campsites, but coal still provides 22 percent of the electricity in the United States. There are a few reasons fuel-burning generators have stood the test of time. First, combustible fuel is relatively cheap and abundant. For just a few dollars, you can run a gas-powered generator for hours. Refilling your generator’s tank takes a few seconds, and modern internal combustion engines are extremely reliable.
On the other hand, there’s something about venturing into the quiet wilderness and firing up a noisy, exhaust-belching generator that doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. Fuel-burning generators also require you to carry all the fuel you’ll need, which can get heavy and potentially messy. If you need a whole lot of power with little to no downtime, the pros outweigh the cons. Otherwise, the next category might be what you need.
Solar generators
Solar generators are experiencing rapid growth in popularity, partially as a result of technological improvements that are making them more efficient and easier to carry than ever before. Unlike fuel-burning generators, solar-powered energy banks are very quiet or completely silent, produce no emissions, and can draw power directly from the sun. They’re just as popular with environmentally conscious campers and off-grid preppers.
The biggest drawback of solar generators is the amount of time it takes to recharge the battery. Instead of spending a few seconds pouring fuel into a tank, you’ll need several hours of intense sunlight and large, expensive solar panels. If you have plenty of sun and time to wait, a solar generator is probably your best bet for camping.
Power banks
Full-size generators are great for camping trips that involve an overlanding vehicle, RV, or boat, but they’re way too big and heavy for backpacking or carrying into the field for personal use. If you weigh your gear in ounces, a power bank is all you can afford to carry.
For short-term use, the Goal Zero Venture 75 or Anker PowerCore III are ideal. These high-quality power banks can keep your phone and rechargeable flashlight, GPS watch, and other gadgets charged for a few days with mindful battery use. For longer stints in the field, you might want to look at something with an integrated solar panel, like the Blavor solar power bank.
Key features of generators for camping
Power reserve
Generators are classified by their wattage. No matter what a generator’s power source is, you’ll be drawing power from it in the form of an electrical current. Check the devices you plan on using for a label that indicates how much power they draw (both in constant operation and during startup). The total power figure will help guide you toward the right size of camping generator.
In general, portable generators for camping might be rated at 1,000 watt-hours or less. They can be used for smaller devices like your phone, GPS, flashlight, camera equipment, laptop, and Bluetooth speakers. A camping generator rated at 2,000 watts should have enough electricity for power tools, fans, heaters, and lighting. If you want to use high-consumption household appliances like a refrigerator and microwave, look for a generator rated at 6,000 watt-hours or more.
Outlets
All that power has to go somewhere, either in the form of alternating current or direct current. Generators come with a variety of outlets ranging from USB ports to 240-volt outlets, and it’s important to buy one that’s compatible with the devices you want to use.
If you need to power small devices like a phone, flashlight, GPS, and smartwatch, even a compact power bank may be sufficient. Things like camping refrigerators, heaters, and air compressors warrant upgrading to a midsize camping generator with 120-volt outlets and a substantial power supply. Powering an RV will require a 240-volt plug and involve a higher rate of fuel consumption.
Convenience features
There are a lot of manufacturers competing to sell the best generators for camping, and many of them choose to offer value-adding features to make a certain product more marketable. Some of these features might not matter to you, but others could be worth prioritizing.
Look for convenience features like an array of charging docks; 120-volt outlets, 12-volt outlets, and various sizes of USB ports are common. Larger generators for camping at more established campsites may include a 240-volt outlet. Some solar generators can be daisy-chained with additional batteries to increase storage capacity. More modern inverter generators can adjust engine speed to match power demand and reduce fuel consumption.
Generators for camping pricing
Camping generator pricing varies and is primarily dependent on the power capacity. A good sub-500-watt generator will set you back about $400. Most of the best generators for camping offer 1,000 to 2,000 watts and cost around $1,500. Camping generators for RV camping or home backup will cost several thousand dollars. The most expensive generator on this list, the Honda EU3000is costs $2,500.
FAQs about camping generators
You’ve got questions, Task & Purpose has answers.
Q: Why would you need a generator while camping?
A: Generators can power things like refrigerated coolers, grills, lights, fans, and heaters to make your campsite feel more like home. Backpackers will have to make do with a power bank, but car and RV camping can get a serious upgrade from a generator.
Q: What size generator do I need for camping?
A: That depends on how much power you use. Add up the power consumption of each device you plan on plugging in, factor in how much time you’ll be using it, and go from there. Think about how much access you’ll have to fuel or solar energy, too.
Q: What’s the difference between inverter generators and portable generators?
A: Inverter generators are more efficient because they can adjust engine speed depending on electricity demand. Traditional portable generators run at a constant engine speed; that makes them very reliable but loud and thirsty.