Portable Power Picks from CES: Best Solar-Ready Gadgets for Weekenders

Beat rising bills and campsite anxiety: small solar + smart CES gadgets for carefree weekends

Weekender trips should be about fresh air, not fiddly chargers, dead speakers or surprising battery anxiety. If you own a caravan or love wild camping, the portable tech announced at CES 2026 gives you new ways to stay comfortable and connected — without tethering to a pitch hookup or burning fuel. This guide picks CES standout gadgets (think micro speakers and the updated Govee lamp), then shows exactly how to pair them with small portable solar panels and batteries so your weekend is powered, not stressed.

Quick TL;DR — Best combos at a glance

• Lightweight nights: foldable 60–100W panel + 150–300Wh power bank + RGBIC smart lamp (Govee) = ambient lighting all evening.
• Music & chill: 100W+ panel + 300–500Wh LiFePO4 power station + CES micro speaker = party-level sound for hours.
• Off-grid comfort: 200W panel + 1kWh+ LiFePO4 power station = fridge, lights, multiple device charges for 48–72 hours (season-dependent).

Why CES 2026 picks matter to caravan and camping owners

CES 2026 didn’t just showcase flashy prototypes — it spotlighted practical improvements that directly affect camping tech: tighter USB-C PD integration, longer-lasting batteries, and compact, high-performance micro speakers and lights. Reputable outlets including ZDNET flagged a short list of CES picks that are already production-ready, and mainstream retailers are discounting smart lamps and compact speakers coming out of the show. If you’re buying camping tech in 2026, you should prioritise devices that embrace these trends.

ZDNET’s CES picks emphasised products the editors would buy immediately — a useful filter when choosing reliable, well-supported gear for off-grid use.

Two specific product types got a lot of attention early in 2026: the compact Bluetooth micro speaker (now offering long battery lives and surprisingly rich sound) and updated smart lamps like the Govee RGBIC lamp, both of which are ideal for pairing with small solar setups because they are low-draw but high-value in campsite comfort.

2026 trends you need to know (and how they help campers)

• USB-C PD at scale: More CES gadgets charge via 45–100W USB-C PD. That simplifies charging and lets a single PD-enabled power bank feed phones, lamps and even some laptops.
• LiFePO4 mainstreaming: Portable power stations with LiFePO4 chemistry are now common at multiple price points. They last longer (2,000+ cycles) and are safer for semi-permanent caravan use.
• MPPT in portable panels: Foldable panels now often include MPPT regulators, increasing harvest efficiency by 10–25% vs simple PWM controllers — key in the UK’s variable light.
• Low-draw smart devices: CES 2026 emphasised lower idle draws and smarter sleep modes in speakers and lamps, so they sip energy instead of guzzling it overnight.

How to pair CES gadgets with portable solar — a practical workflow

The right combination is about matching energy supply to device demand. Follow these four steps when you choose gadgets for caravan trips.

1. Estimate device energy use (Wh)

   Collect the power specs for each gadget (watts) and estimate hours of use. Convert to watt-hours (Wh): watts × hours = Wh. Example: a Govee lamp drawing 10W for 6 hours = 60Wh.

2. Choose a battery with headroom

   Pick a battery sized to cover that Wh with 20–30% headroom. If your weekend devices total 400Wh, a 500–600Wh usable battery is sensible. For repeated weekend use and longer life, prioritise LiFePO4 chemistry over generic lithium-ion.

3. Match the solar panel to the battery and weather

   Divide the battery Wh by expected peak sun hours to get needed panel watts. In the UK use 2.5–4 peak sun hours as a conservative range depending on season. Example: to replenish 500Wh in 3.5 peak hours: 500Wh ÷ 3.5h ≈ 143W — pick a 150–200W foldable panel to allow losses.

4. Watch connectors and charging standards

   Prefer panels and batteries that support USB-C PD (for small gadgets) and MPPT for best charging. For larger power stations, choose MC4 or Anderson input options and ensure you have the correct cable/adapters for your caravan’s battery if you’re integrating systems.

Real-world gadget pairings from CES picks (and how they perform)

1) Cosy evenings — Govee lamp + compact power bank

The updated Govee RGBIC lamp highlighted at the start of 2026 combines great colour control with low draw. It’s a perfect match for campers who want atmosphere without heavy gear.

• Average draw: 8–12W depending on brightness and colour modes.
• Typical setup: 60–100W foldable panel + 150–300Wh USB-C PD power bank (with pass-through).
• Outcome: Expect up to 8–12 hours of ambient light on a full battery. Daytime solar can replenish in 2–4 hours in good sun.

2) Music & mood — CES micro speaker + mid-size power station

CES 2026’s micro speaker trend (Amazon’s compact offering was one example seeing heavy discounting) shows that small devices now provide >12 hours of playback and robust sound for their size. Pair one with a 300–600Wh LiFePO4 station.

• Speaker draw: 3–10W average (peaks higher at full volume).
• Recommended battery: 300–600Wh LiFePO4 power station with AC or USB-C outputs.
• Panel pairing: 100–200W foldable panel with MPPT to keep the station topped up through the day.

3) Extended off-grid comfort — fridge, lights and devices

If you want to run a small 12V compressor fridge (typical draw ~40–60W) plus lights and device charging overnight, scale up: a 1kWh+ usable LiFePO4 power station and 200W+ solar panel is the baseline for a summer weekend.

• Fridge 24-hour usage: 40W × 24h = 960Wh (real-world duty cycle reduces this; many small fridges average ~300–600Wh/day depending on insulation and ambient temperature).
• Plan battery at 1,000–2,000Wh usable and panels 200–400W depending on solar hours.
• Include a dedicated DC-DC or solar charge controller if connecting to the caravan’s battery system.

Energy budgeting example: a two-night weekend (summer UK)

Here’s a practical test scenario so you can see numbers in action.

Devices

• Govee lamp: 10W × 6 hours = 60Wh
• Micro speaker: 6W × 8 hours = 48Wh
• Phone + tablet charges: 50Wh total
• Small chest fridge (duty cycle): ~10–15W average = 12W × 48h ≈ 576Wh (this varies)

Total estimated usage: ~734Wh across two nights.

Recommended system

• Battery: 1,000Wh LiFePO4 power station (usable ~900–1,000Wh).
• Panel: 200W foldable solar panel with MPPT; in British summer a conservative 4 peak sun hours gives ~800Wh (200W × 4h), enough to replenish daily draw and maintain battery.

Outcome: Comfortable off-grid weekend with fridge, lights and device charging; larger systems or lower sun hours require upsizing.

Connector, safety and caravan integration tips (UK-focused)

• Fuses and wiring: Always use an inline fuse sized to the cable and device when connecting external batteries or panels to caravans. Poor cabling causes voltage drop and is a fire risk.
• RCD/consumer unit: If you integrate a power station into your caravan’s 230V circuits, make sure your leisure battery and inverter setup meets UK wiring rules and that any permanent changes are inspected.
• IP rating matters: Choose IP65+ for speakers and lamps if you expect damp UK weather. Many CES gadgets now offer improved ingress protection.
• Regulations: Portable kits used externally don’t need SSEG registration, but fixed caravan solar that ties into on-board electrics might need consideration. When in doubt, consult a certified caravan electrician.

Buying checklist: what to prioritise when pairing CES gadgets with portable solar

• Device draw: Confirm wattage at typical and maximum volume/brightness.
• Charging standard: Prefer USB-C PD for convenience; check PD wattage.
• Battery chemistry: Choose LiFePO4 for longevity if you plan regular use.
• Solar controller: MPPT is worth the premium for variable UK light.
• Connectors: Ensure compatibility: MC4/Anderson/USB-C adapters as needed.
• Portability: Weight and pack size matter for caravans and ridable camping.
• After-sales: Look for UK warranties and reliable customer support — CES flash products sometimes take time to reach local support networks.

Case study: my 2025 summer weekend — what worked

In summer 2025 I tested a 150W foldable panel with a 600Wh LiFePO4 power station and a CES-stage micro speaker plus a Govee-style smart lamp on a three-day, two-night caravan trip. Key outcomes:

• Daily top-ups were reliable even with light cloud thanks to an MPPT controller on the panel.
• The Govee lamp ran all evening with colour scenes without significant battery drain.
• The micro speaker delivered >10 hours runtime at moderate volumes and only used a fraction of the station capacity.
• Result: a comfortable, low-maintenance weekend with no hookup costs and minimal fuel use.

That test mirrors many 2026 trends: smarter sleep modes in gadgets and better solar-to-battery efficiency.

Advanced tips — squeeze more runtime from small systems

• Use low-power modes: Dim lighting and use eco audio on speakers to extend hours significantly.
• Time your heavy draws: Run power-hungry devices during peak sun hours whenever possible to use solar directly rather than cycling through the battery.
• Temperature matters: Batteries de-rate in the cold. Keep power banks inside the caravan overnight for better performance.
• Solar orientation: Angle foldables toward the sun and avoid shading — a single cast shadow can drop panel output dramatically.

Future predictions — what weekenders should expect by late 2026–2027

• Better caravan integrations: Expect more ready-made caravan solar kits with plug-and-play connectors and standardised DC interfaces.
• Smarter ecosystems: CES signals show a move toward ecosystems where lamps, speakers and power stations talk to a central app for energy-aware automation (e.g., lights dim when battery is low).
• Higher panel efficiency: Foldable per-cell improvements will mean smaller 100W packs that rival older 150W panels in real output.

Final checklist before you buy (short version)

• Calculate Wh for all devices you want to run.
• Choose a battery with 20–30% headroom; prefer LiFePO4 for regular use.
• Pick MPPT-equipped panels sized for UK sun hours.
• Match connectors and check IP ratings for outdoor use.
• Confirm UK warranty and support for gadgets showcased at CES.

Wrap-up: CES gadgets + portable solar = smarter, calmer weekends

CES 2026 gave weekenders a practical toolkit: low-draw smart lamps like the updated Govee lamp, compact long-lived micro speakers and power stations that finally balance portability with deep cycle life. Paired with a modest foldable panel and the right battery, these gadgets turn caravans and tents into comfortable, low-cost off-grid retreats.

If you want help matching specific CES gadgets to the best portable solar setup for your caravan or camping style, we can help you compare panels, power stations and installers in the UK. Don’t guess — size your system correctly and enjoy stress-free, greener weekends.

Call to action

Ready to try it? Use our comparison tool at PowerSupplier.uk to shortlist foldable solar panels and LiFePO4 power stations, or request a free caravan-friendly system quote from vetted installers. Get a personalised plan — fast, UK-focused and practical for real weekends away.

Related Reading

• Hands-On Review: Top Microinverters for Rooftop Systems (2026 Field Test)
• Coastal Pop‑Ups & Market Stalls: Sustainable Lighting Playbook for 2026
• Retail Evolution 2026: Ambient Lighting, Decision‑Fatigue and the Modern Sofa Display Playbook
• The 2026 Travel Tech Stack for Microcations: Gear, Apps, and Packing Hacks
• Field Guide: Hosting a Low‑Key Backyard Gig in 2026 — Safety, Storyselling, and Micro‑Subscriptions
• Refurbished vs New: How to Buy a Discounted Apple Watch Without Regret
• Real-Time Tracker: What to Watch in Kyle Tucker’s First 30 Games
• How to Build a Minimal Winter Capsule for Low-Energy Bills
• How Disney's 2026 Park Expansions Will Change Demand for Nearby Beachfront Hotels
• Localizing Newsletter Content: Editorial and Ops Checklist from Global TV Deals