Senior Outdoor Editor
Maya Rodriguez
Maya covers camping, RV, and outdoor power setups for The Power Pick. A full-time van-dweller since 2022, she has spent the last three years boondocking across 34 states while testing portable power gear in real conditions. Before joining us, Maya spent six years as a backcountry guide in Colorado and Utah and writes the monthly Van Life Power newsletter.
Full-time van-lifer since 2022, former NOLS-certified backcountry guide
Articles by Maya
seasonal
The Spring Camping Power Checklist: Everything You Need to Pack in 2026
Spring camping is back. Our complete power checklist covers what to pack, how to size your power station, solar panel essentials, and the gear that keeps a family of four running for a weekend without hookups.
Apr 5, 2026
guides
How to Set Up a Complete Off-Grid Solar Power System (Step-by-Step)
A step-by-step guide to building your own off-grid solar power system with a portable power station. Covers sizing, panel placement, wiring, and optimization for camping, RV, or cabin use.
Mar 30, 2026
emergency
Power Outage Survival Guide: What to Do in the First 10 Minutes, 1 Hour, and 24 Hours
A practical, step-by-step guide for what to do when the power goes out. Covers immediate actions, food safety, communication, medical devices, and how to make your backup power last as long as possible.
Mar 28, 2026
guides
A Family of Four's Complete Camping Power Setup: Real-World Tested Across 12 Trips
We took four different power stations on 12 camping trips with a family of four. Here's exactly what worked, what didn't, and the specific setup we recommend after a year of real-world testing.
Mar 22, 2026
rv
The Complete Boondocking Power Guide: How to Go Off-Grid in Your RV
Everything you need to know about powering your RV while boondocking — from calculating your daily energy budget to choosing between power stations, lithium batteries, and solar setups.
Mar 1, 2026
guides
How to Power an Outdoor Event With a Portable Power Station
A complete guide to powering outdoor events — weddings, parties, markets, and festivals — with portable power stations. Includes wattage calculations, equipment recommendations, and setup tips.
Feb 22, 2026
camping
The Complete Campsite Power Guide: How to Power Any Camping Setup
How to power a campsite for car camping, overlanding, or glamping. Covers device wattage, solar charging, station sizing, and campsite etiquette.
Feb 21, 2026
guides
Best Power Station for Outdoor Events: Movies, Parties, Tailgating, and More
How to power outdoor movie nights, backyard parties, tailgates, and vendor booths. Wattage breakdowns, runtime math, and top picks by event type.
Feb 21, 2026
seasonal
Best Power Gifts for Outdoor Enthusiasts 2026: Camping, RV & Off-Grid Picks
The best power-related gifts for outdoor enthusiasts in 2026. Portable power stations, solar panels, and accessories at every budget from $30 to $2,000+.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Portable Air Conditioners for Camping in 2026
Can you really run AC while camping? Yes — the EcoFlow Wave 2 and Zero Breeze Mark 2 are battery-powered portable ACs designed for tents, vans, and off-grid cooling.
Feb 20, 2026
seasonal
Best Power Station for Summer Camping 2026: Our Top Picks by Trip Type
The best portable power stations for summer camping in 2026, organized by trip type: weekend car camping, week-long RV trips, and minimalist backpacking.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Portable Power Stations for Tailgating & Outdoor Events (2026)
The best portable power stations for tailgating, outdoor parties, and events in 2026. Power your TV, blender, speakers, and mini-fridge without a noisy generator.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Power Stations for Van Life & Camper Vans (2026)
The best portable power stations for van life in 2026. We compare the EcoFlow DELTA 2, Bluetti AC180, Jackery Explorer 1000 v2, and EcoFlow RIVER 3 for daily van living — fridge, cooking, laptop, and more.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Lithium RV & Marine Batteries in 2026
Upgrading from lead-acid to lithium is the single best RV upgrade. Compare Battle Born vs. Renogy — the two most popular LiFePO4 batteries for RVs, boats, and off-grid solar.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Solar Generators for Off-Grid Living (2026 Guide)
The best solar generator systems for off-grid cabins and homesteads in 2026. Complete solar panel and power station combos tested for real-world off-grid use.
Feb 20, 2026
rv
Complete RV Power System Guide: Batteries, Solar, and Power Stations
How to build a complete RV power system using LiFePO4 house batteries, solar panels, and portable power stations. Budget examples from $500 to $3,000+.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Portable Power Stations for Camping in 2026 (Tested & Ranked)
What's the best portable power station for camping? We tested and ranked the top 7 camping power stations by weight, capacity, and value. Our #1 pick is the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Power Station for CPAP Machines: Sleep Anywhere Off-Grid
Need a power station for your CPAP machine? Here's exactly how much battery you need, which models work best, and how to sleep soundly off-grid.
Jan 12, 2026
Comparisons by Maya
Comparison
EcoFlow Wave 2 vs Zero Breeze Mark 2: Best Portable AC for Camping in 2026
A detailed comparison of the two leading portable AC units for camping: the EcoFlow Wave 2 (5,100 BTU, heating + cooling) vs Zero Breeze Mark 2 (2,300 BTU, ultra-portable). We compare cooling power, portability, noise, battery life, and value.
Feb 22, 2026
Comparison
Battle Born 100Ah vs LiTime 100Ah: Which RV Battery Is Better?
Comparing the Battle Born 100Ah and LiTime 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 batteries for RV use. We evaluate price, warranty, weight, and support to determine which lithium battery is the better buy.
Feb 20, 2026
Comparison
Renogy 200Ah Smart vs Redodo 200Ah: Which RV Battery Is Better?
Comparing the Renogy 200Ah Smart and Redodo 200Ah 12V LiFePO4 batteries. We analyze Bluetooth monitoring, self-heating BMS, weight, and price to find the best 200Ah battery for RV and off-grid use.
Feb 20, 2026
Comparison
Best Power Station for RV and Van Life: EcoFlow vs Jackery vs Bluetti
Comparing the EcoFlow Delta 2, Jackery Explorer 1000 v2, and Bluetti AC180 for RV and van life. Which power station is best for life on the road?
Feb 19, 2026
Comparison
Best Portable Power Stations for Camping in 2026
We tested the top portable power stations for camping. Here are our picks for the best camping power stations in 2026, ranked by portability, capacity, and value.
Feb 18, 2026
Comparison
Bluetti AC70 vs Anker SOLIX C1000: Best Budget Power Station for Camping
Bluetti AC70 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 — which budget-friendly LiFePO4 power station is better for camping? We compare specs, portability, and value.
Feb 18, 2026