Best Portable Power Station for Photography & Videography in 2026
Best portable power stations for photography and videography in 2026. Top 5 picks for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators with real-world runtime tests for cameras, drones, laptops, and LED lights.
Why Photographers and Videographers Need Portable Power
Outdoor shoots drain batteries fast. Between camera bodies, drones, laptops for tethered shooting, LED panels, and gimbal stabilizers, a professional photo or video setup can easily pull 200-500W continuously. Swapping camera batteries and hunting for outlets kills your creative flow.
A portable power station solves this by giving you a mobile power hub that charges everything simultaneously. But the wrong unit will slow you down — too heavy, too few ports, or too little capacity. Here's what actually works for creative professionals.
What Matters for Photo/Video Work
- Weight and portability: You're already carrying camera gear. Every pound matters.
- USB-C PD (100W): Modern laptops, cameras, and drones charge via USB-C — you need high-wattage PD ports
- Multiple USB ports: Charge 3-5 devices simultaneously between setups
- AC outlets: For battery chargers, studio lights, and monitors
- Pure sine wave: Essential for sensitive electronics — prevents interference with monitors and audio gear
- Capacity (500-2000Wh): Depends on shoot length — a half-day needs 500Wh, a full day on location needs 1000Wh+
- Fast recharging: Top up during lunch breaks or between locations
Our Top 5 Picks
1. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro — Best Overall for Photographers
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 768Wh |
| AC Output | 800W (X-Boost to 1000W) |
| USB-C | 1× 100W PD |
| USB-A | 3× 12W |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs |
| Wall Charge | 0-80% in 50 min |
The RIVER 2 Pro hits the sweet spot for most photographers: light enough to carry on location (17.2 lbs), enough capacity for a full day of shooting, and the fastest recharging in its class. The 100W USB-C port charges a MacBook Pro at full speed while simultaneously topping off camera batteries via USB-A.
The X-Stream fast charging is a game-changer between locations — plug it into your car's inverter or a wall outlet and you're at 80% in under an hour. For weddings, events, and multi-location shoots, this flexibility is unmatched.
Read our full EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro review.
2. Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus — Best for Full-Day Shoots
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1264Wh |
| AC Output | 2000W (4000W surge) |
| USB-C | 2× 100W PD |
| USB-A | 2× 18W QC |
| Weight | 31.5 lbs |
| Wall Charge | 0-80% in 55 min |
When you need to power studio strobes, large LED panels, or run a full editing station on location, the 1000 Plus delivers. The 2000W output handles professional lighting rigs that the RIVER 2 Pro can't touch. Two 100W USB-C ports let you charge a laptop and drone simultaneously at full speed.
At 31.5 lbs it's heavier, but still manageable with two hands or on a cart. The 1264Wh capacity easily covers a 10-12 hour shoot day with typical photo/video gear. The 4,000+ cycle LFP battery means this is a long-term investment.
See our Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus review.
3. Anker SOLIX C800 Plus — Best Value
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 768Wh |
| AC Output | 1200W (1600W surge) |
| USB-C | 2× 100W PD |
| USB-A | 2× 18W |
| Weight | 24 lbs |
| Wall Charge | 0-80% in 43 min |
Anker's C800 Plus delivers more output power (1200W) and two USB-C ports at a lower price than the RIVER 2 Pro. The trade-off is 7 lbs more weight. If you're driving to locations rather than hiking, that weight difference is irrelevant and you get significantly more versatility.
The built-in LED light bar is surprisingly useful for packing up gear after sunset shoots. The 43-minute charge to 80% is the fastest on this list.
4. EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max — Best for Video Production
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2048Wh |
| AC Output | 2400W (4800W surge) |
| USB-C | 2× 100W PD |
| USB-A | 4× (2×18W QC, 2×12W) |
| Weight | 50.6 lbs |
| Wall Charge | 0-80% in 43 min |
Video production demands more power than photography — continuous LED panels, monitors, audio recorders, and laptop editing stations add up fast. The DELTA 2 Max's 2048Wh capacity and 2400W output handles a full video production kit for an entire day, including power-hungry LED fresnel lights.
At 50.6 lbs it's not something you carry far, but it replaces a gas generator on set without the noise that ruins audio takes. Expandable to 6144Wh for multi-day remote shoots.
Read our EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max review.
5. Bluetti AC200L — Best for Studio on Location
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2048Wh (expandable to 8192Wh) |
| AC Output | 2400W (3600W surge) |
| USB-C | 2× 100W PD |
| USB-A | 2× 18W |
| Weight | 62.4 lbs |
| Solar Input | 1200W |
For photographers who shoot on location for multiple days — destination weddings, commercial campaigns, or wildlife photography — the AC200L's 1200W solar input and expandability to 8192Wh is unmatched. Pair it with solar panels and you have unlimited power without grid access.
The wireless charging pad on top is a nice touch for keeping your phone topped up during shoots. Read our Bluetti AC200L review.
Power Consumption by Device
| Device | Typical Power Draw | 768Wh Runtime | 2048Wh Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirrorless camera (USB charging) | 10-15W | ~45 charges | ~120 charges |
| DJI drone battery | 60-90W (charging) | ~8-10 charges | ~22-28 charges |
| MacBook Pro 16" | 65-100W | ~7-10 hours | ~18-27 hours |
| LED panel (Aputure 300d) | 300W | ~2 hours | ~5.5 hours |
| LED panel (small bi-color) | 25-50W | ~13-26 hours | ~35-70 hours |
| External monitor (7") | 10-15W | ~43-65 hours | ~116-174 hours |
| Gimbal stabilizer | 15-25W (charging) | ~26-43 charges | ~70-116 charges |
| Audio recorder + mixer | 5-15W | ~43-130 hours | ~116-350 hours |
| Laptop + edit station | 100-200W | ~3-6 hours | ~8-17 hours |
Tips for Creatives
- Charge during downtime: Meal breaks, travel between locations, client meetings — keep the station plugged in whenever possible
- USB-C first, AC second: Charging devices via USB-C is 10-15% more efficient than using AC outlets with wall chargers
- Bring a power strip: One AC outlet + a 3-way splitter = charge 3 battery chargers simultaneously
- Solar for multi-day remote shoots: A 200W panel adds 600-800Wh back per day — often enough to offset usage
- Label your cables: When you have 6 devices plugged in, knowing which cable goes where saves time
- Test before the shoot: Run your exact gear setup at home to verify runtime and compatibility
Our Recommendation
For most photographers, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro is the best balance of portability, capacity, and fast charging. Videographers and studio shooters should step up to the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus or EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max. For extended remote shoots with solar, the Bluetti AC200L is the clear winner.
Whatever you choose, a portable power station eliminates the anxiety of running out of battery mid-shoot. That peace of mind alone is worth the investment.