I first heard about the Goal Zero Yeti Power Stations years ago from one of my favorite YouTubers, Elsa Rhae & Barron. They live in a Scamp trailer, and at the time were powering the Scamp with a Goal Zero Yeti 1000 and Goal Zero Yeti 400 power station. My T@G teardrop has an onboard battery and solar panel, so I have no need for a large power station.
So why do I use a Goal Zero Yeti Power Station if I have an onboard battery? I am always concerned about conserving power. If you don’t have a lot of sun to charge the battery and if you are using a lot of power, it’s easy to run low. Once I left the outside light on my teardrop on overnight, and was very surprised how much power it sucked up from my onboard battery.
The best goal zero yeti power stations for Camping
For normal camping trips I have a Goal Zero Yeti 150 and Yeti 400, and I recently picked up a Goal Zero Yeti 200X. I use these for different applications, which I will explain here. This is not meant to be a technical review of the Goal Zero Yeti Power Stations, just me showing you how I use them for camping.
If you don’t have an onboard battery, Goal Zero makes several high powered power stations. I do have a Goal Zero 1250 and generally keep that plugged in at home in case of a power outage – I rarely bring it on trips because it weighs about 100 lbs.
Goal Zero Yeti 150 Power Station
The Goal Zero Yeti 150 is the Goal Zero Yeti power station I use the most. It fits nicely in the cabinet in my teardrop trailer over my air conditioner, and I normally just keep it there when camping. When I don’t have shore power, I use this to power my USB Fan all night, power my lights and charge my phone and laptop. It’s heavy at 12lbs, however in this case the weight is a benefit to keep it from sliding around in the cabinet. I like that the power input is front facing – so if I have shore power I can easily plug it into my camper A/C outlet to recharge.
Goal Zero Yeti 150
- Lead Acid Battery
- 167 Watt Hours
- Weighs 12lbs
- No USB C output
Goal Zero Yeti 200X Lithium Power Station
I recently purchased the Goal Zero Yeti 200X power station, at first I thought it would be a replacement to my Yeti 150, but I will probably keep both of them. The Yeti 200X is a lithium ion battery, and only weighs 5lbs, which makes it extremely portable. This makes it great for powering lights or charging your phone and other electronics outside the camper, the Yeti 150 is heavier so I never take it out of the cabinet. I also like that the Goal Zero Yeti 200 has 2 USB C outputs, my GoPro, Rodes Microphones and phone all use USB C. This power station will come in very helpful when filming. I also take it with me if I am staying at someones house or at a hotel, there are never enough power outlets, and I can keep this next to the bed and power my phone and watch.
Goal Zero Yeti 200X Lithium
- Lithium Ion Battery
- 187 Watt Hours
- Weighs 5lbs
- USB C output
200-Watt-Hours Power Station with AC Inverter and Fast-Charging USB-C PD, Portable Solar Generator
Goal Zero Yeti 500 Lithium Power Station
I bought the Goal Zero Yeti 400X power station to help run my 12v refrigerator. Used along with a Goal Zero Nomad 50 solar panel, it can run the refrigerator for days. Even without the solar panel I was able to run my ICECO Go 12 refrigerator for over 2 days with no input. The Goal Zero Yeti 400 is no longer available – it’s replacement is the Goal Zero Yeti 500X Power Station.
This power station’s 505 Watt Hours pack a punch. Complete your overlanding rig or prep for extended camping trips – this station will power everything from portable fridges to phones.
Other Goal Zero Products I use in my Camper
Here are the Goal Zero Products that I currently either use in my
Goal Zero Nomad Solar Panels
The Goal Zero Nomad Solar Panels are light weight and easy to stow in your
Goal Zero Lighthouse 600 Camping Lantern
I love this lantern for several reasons; the legs fold up, it can be used for 360 degree lighting or you can light one half to save power, it’s dimmable, it has a crank to charge it and it can also power your phone!
YETI 12V CAR CHARGING CABLE
You can use this 12v charging cable to charge your Yeti Power Station from your car or other source. I typically use this on the 5V setting as it can get hot.
Goal Zero 30′ Extension Cable
I use this extension cable to attach my solar panel to the Yeti Power Station that I want to charge. They also have a 15′ version, but I want as much flexibility as possible to move my solar panel into the sunniest spot. If I am leaving camp to hike or something, I discretely put my solar panel on top of my roof and run the cable through the window opened only wide enough for this cable to fit through. Then I can lock my power station in the vehicle and the solar panel on top is barely noticeable.
8 mm 9 m Or 30 Extra Feet to Connect Solar Panels to Each Other Or Can Be Used to Connect Panels to Yeti Or Sherpa 100ac for Charging
Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma
This cute little light is perfect for your
Bonus! This is very similar the USB Fan I use in my camper, (just a different name) it can run all night, it’s very quiet and barely uses any power.
6 Inch Portable Fan with Cord, 3 Speeds Strong Airflow, Small Fan with Sturdy Clamp, Quiet Personal Desk Fan & Clip Fan
I hope this has been helpful in deciding what goal zero items to use for camping, let me know in the comments below what your favorite Goal Zero products are!
