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How to Buy a Portable Power Station

How to · Tech

How to Buy a Portable Power Station

Get off-grid power for camping without blowing your whole savings account at once.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $50.00/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $900 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You want a high-performance portable power station so your phones stay charged and your camp fridge keeps running all weekend. Buy a good one now and you'll only buy it once instead of replacing a cheap one next year.

Timing matters here. Spring outdoor gear sales are the sweet spot because brands dump last year's model to make room for new releases. That older model has the exact same battery life you need, just with a lower price tag.

Remember that the 0% intro window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 18 months are up, regular interest kicks in on whatever you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Wait for spring sales

    Outdoor brands and camping retailers drop prices on gear every spring. Look for last year's battery models to save a chunk of cash without losing any real performance.

  2. 02

    Match the capacity to your trip

    Figure out what you actually need to plug in before you shop. A weekend of phone charging takes a lot less juice than running an electric cooler for four days straight.

  3. 03

    Check the weight and size

    Big power stations get heavy fast. Make sure it actually fits in your trunk next to the tent and coolers before you commit to hauling it around.

  4. 04

    Set up the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card

    If you want to spread out the cost of a $900 station, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening to pay for it over time.

  5. 05

    Test it at home

    Don't find out your unit is defective on the first night of your trip. Charge it to 100% in your living room and run a fan or lamp off it for a few hours.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How many watts do I actually need for camping?

Around 500 to 1000 watts handles phones, lights, and small devices easily. If you want to run a coffee maker or heavy heater, you need to look past 1500 watts.

Can I charge these with solar panels?

Most units let you plug in portable solar panels while you're at camp. It takes longer than a wall outlet, but it keeps you off the grid indefinitely.

Do these batteries go bad if I don't use them?

Lithium batteries slowly lose their charge sitting in a garage. Plug yours in every few months to top it off so it is ready when you are.

How does the monthly math work on the card?

If you spread the typical $900 cost across the 18-month window, you are looking at about $50.00 per month. Just make sure that payment fits your monthly budget.