Whether we’re spending a few nights at a national park or heading off-grid for longer, we rely on a mix of portable power options to keep our devices charged. This is the gear we personally use (or recommend as a close alternative) for charging phones, running a fridge, and powering lights or cameras.
You can read more about our solar and battery setup and why we made these choices.
Folding solar panels with an MPPT solar controller
Why we love it: These panels keep our battery topped up during the day and fold flat for easy packing. The MPPT controller is more efficient than the cheaper PWM options, which means better charging, especially in low light. We also love the Bluetooth feature – it lets us check the charging status from our phone without needing to open the bonnet.
Our tip: Angle the panels towards the sun and adjust their position once or twice a day – it really boosts performance.
Slim 100Ah AGM Battery
Why we love it: It’s compact and fits neatly behind our car seat, which is perfect when you’re tight on space but still need solid battery capacity.
Our tip: We went with an AGM for budget reasons, but if you can stretch for it, go lithium – it’s lighter, handles deeper discharges better, and is less likely to get damaged if you forget to recharge it.
Power bank with 12V output
Why we love it: It powers our fridge for several hours using a cigarette plug – perfect for day trips or weekends when we don’t want to bring the full solar setup. Compact, reliable, and easy to pack.
Our tip: Recharge it while driving using a high-output USB port plugged into the car’s cigarette socket.
USB car charger (fast charging)
Why we love it: Even though our car has built-in USB ports, this charger adds extra options – including USB-A and USB-C – and delivers much faster charging. Ideal when multiple devices need power at once.
Our tip: Check the number of watts (W). A higher wattage means faster charging, especially for modern phones and tablets.
DC-DC MPPT solar battery charger
Why we love it: This charger keeps your auxiliary battery topped up while driving – perfect when you can’t use solar panels, like during long driving days or cloudy weather. It’s a great way to stay powered on road trips.
Our tip: Make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle before buying – especially if you have a hybrid. We decided not to install one in our setup to avoid any potential issues.
Compact power bank
Why we love it: It’s small, lightweight, and easy to recharge. We can also carry with our phones – perfect for topping up on the go, during short walks away from camp, or to bring into the tent for charging at night.
Our tip: Choose one that’s airline-friendly and check the capacity (mAh). If it’s too low, you won’t be able to fully charge your phone more than once.
Battery charger
Why we love it: We use this charger at home to maintain and recharge our AGM auxiliary battery between trips, as AGM batteries shouldn’t drop too low in power. It keeps the battery in top condition without overcharging, giving us peace of mind before our next adventure.
Our tip: Unplug it once the battery is fully charged to extend its lifespan.
