Overview
Choosing among compact power stations is harder than the spec sheets suggest. Capacity around 250 to 300Wh sounds similar everywhere, yet one model may have no AC outlet at all, another may weigh a kilo more, and a third may handle a higher-wattage appliance that others cannot. This comparison looks at five small units for camping trips and short outages. We judge them on three things: what ports and AC output they actually offer, how much battery you get for the weight you carry, and how well each fits the devices you plan to run, from phones and laptops to a small fan or lights.
| Product | Rating | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station 288Wh | ★ 4.6/5 (1,971) | Camping with AC and USB-C | View → |
| BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station 268Wh | ★ 4.1/5 (6,087) | Higher AC power, small size | View → |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station 245Wh | ★ 4.5/5 (921) | Smallest footprint, light camping | View → |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station 256Wh | ★ 4.3/5 (4,567) | Slightly more capacity, EcoFlow | View → |
| Jackery Explorer 300D Portable Power Bank 288Wh | ★ 3.1/5 (5) | USB-C and 12V gear only | View → |
It combines 288Wh, 300W AC with surge headroom, USB-C and a car socket in one unit, so it fits the widest range of camping and backup uses, though it is heavier than the EcoFlow pair.
Check Price on Amazon →Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station 288Wh
The SOLIX C300 AC is a 288Wh lithium iron phosphate power station with AC outlets rated at 300W continuous and 600W surge, plus USB-C and USB-A ports and a car socket. It suits campers and remote workers who want laptop-capable USB-C and a few AC outlets in a small body. Listings give a weight of about 4.1 kg, wall recharging to 80 percent in under an hour, and solar input of up to 100W. The trade-offs are plain: 288Wh is still small, so a loaded 300W appliance empties it in under an hour, and it is heavier than the two EcoFlow units here. Note that this listing is the AC model; a separate DC-only version exists with no AC outlets, so check the model before buying.
BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station 268Wh
The EB3A is a 268Wh lithium iron phosphate power station with two AC outlets rated at 600W total and 1,200W surge, which is double the continuous AC output of most rivals in this size. It also has a built-in wireless charging pad rated up to 15W, and the battery is rated for 2,500 or more cycles to 80 percent. That makes it a good match for people who want to run a small appliance such as a blender or a pump in addition to phones and laptops. The trade-offs are weight, at about 4.6 kg the heaviest unit in this group, and a modest 268Wh tank, so high-wattage loads only run for a short time before the battery is empty.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station 245Wh
The RIVER 3 is the newer of the two EcoFlow models here, a 245Wh lithium iron phosphate unit with AC output rated at 300W and X-Boost for loads up to 600W. It is listed as roughly 20 percent smaller than the RIVER 2, which makes it easy to fit in a car boot, a bag or beside a bed. It suits light campers, commuters and anyone who wants a small backup for a router, phones and a laptop. The trade-offs are the lowest capacity in this comparison, 245Wh against the RIVER 2 at 256Wh, and no extra AC power over its older sibling, so the gain is mainly in size and newer features rather than runtime.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station 256Wh
The RIVER 2 is the older EcoFlow compact unit, a 256Wh lithium iron phosphate power station with AC output rated at 300W and X-Boost for loads up to 600W. Compared with the RIVER 3 it has slightly more capacity, 256Wh against 245Wh, but a larger body and an older design. It suits buyers who want a proven small station for camping, a router or a laptop during an outage, and who care more about a few extra watt-hours than about size. The trade-offs are that its AC output is no higher than the newer model, the capacity gain is only about 4 percent, and its body is bigger, so check the current price gap before choosing it over the RIVER 3.
Jackery Explorer 300D Portable Power Bank 288Wh
The Explorer 300D is a 288Wh lithium iron phosphate unit built around DC output, and it has no AC outlet. Its listed ports are a 12V car-style DC port, three USB-C ports, one of which also accepts input, and a USB-A port, with up to 300W total output described in listings. It can be recharged from a wall adapter, solar or a car. It suits people who only charge phones, tablets, laptops with USB-C and 12V gear such as a car fridge or lights, and who want to skip the weight of an inverter. The big trade-off is that anything with a standard wall plug, such as a small fan, a lamp or a laptop with only a barrel charger, will not run on it directly.
Conclusion
Choose the SOLIX C300 AC over the others if you want a balanced all-rounder with several AC outlets, strong USB-C and quick wall recharging. It beats the Jackery 300D on versatility, but gives up weight and size to the EcoFlow pair and AC power to the EB3A. Read More →
Choose the EB3A over the others if you need to run more than 300W from the wall outlet, such as a small appliance, or you want a wireless charging pad. It has the most AC output here, but it is also the heaviest, so skip it if every kilo in your pack counts. Read More →
Choose the RIVER 3 over the RIVER 2 if size and newer design matter more than a few extra watt-hours. It is the most compact of the AC models in this group, but the lowest in capacity, and it offers the same 300W rating as its older sibling. Read More →
Choose the RIVER 2 over the RIVER 3 if you want the extra 11Wh of capacity and can accept a larger body and an older design. It makes most sense when the price is lower than the RIVER 3, since AC output is the same, and it is not the pick for ultra-small carry. Read More →
Choose the Explorer 300D over the AC models only if all your gear runs on USB-C or 12V and you have no need for a wall outlet. It matches the 288Wh of the SOLIX C300 but cannot power anything with a standard plug, which rules it out for backup of mains devices. Read More →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Jackery Explorer 300D have an AC outlet? +
No. The Explorer 300D is a DC-oriented unit with a 12V car-style port, three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, with up to 300W total output listed. Anything that needs a standard wall plug will not run on it directly, so pick an AC model if you need that.
What is the difference between the EcoFlow RIVER 3 and RIVER 2? +
Both are lithium iron phosphate units with 300W AC output and X-Boost up to 600W. The RIVER 3 is newer, listed as about 20 percent smaller, with 245Wh. The RIVER 2 offers 256Wh in a larger body, so the main gap is size and design, not power.
Which compact power station gives the most AC power? +
The BLUETTI EB3A, rated at 600W continuous with 1,200W surge across two AC outlets. The SOLIX C300 AC and both EcoFlow models are rated at 300W continuous with surge or X-Boost headroom up to 600W, so they suit smaller loads.
How long will a 288Wh power station run my devices? +
Divide capacity by the device draw, then allow for conversion losses. A 288Wh unit running a 300W load lasts under an hour, while phones, a router or LED lights use far less and can last many hours. Check each device's wattage first.
Which power station is best for camping versus home backup? +
For camping, the SOLIX C300 AC is the most flexible, and the RIVER 3 is the lightest-footprint option. For short outages the EB3A handles higher-wattage items, but at this size all five only cover small loads such as phones, laptops and a router.