Your first big decision: should you build a traditional DIY electrical system, or go with an all-in-one power station?
This used to be an easy call - DIY was clearly better despite being more complex. But power stations have gotten way better and way cheaper in the last few years, and they're now a genuinely good option for some people.
A power station is an all-in-one box that contains a battery, inverter, charge controller, and outlets. You charge it up (from solar, your vehicle, or shore power) and plug your devices in. Think of it as the "prebuilt computer" of van electrical systems, while a DIY system is building your own PC from components.
Neither option is universally "better." It depends on how you use your van, how long you plan to live in it, and how comfortable you are with basic wiring.
Let's compare what you actually get for your money at ~2,500Wh of usable capacity - roughly what a full-time van lifer needs for moderate use.
No DC-DC charging from alternator. No native DC output for van-specific devices.
Includes alternator charging, native 12V DC circuits, roof-mounted solar, and full expandability.
At similar capacities, the total cost is actually pretty close. The power station looks cheaper upfront, but once you factor in missing alternator charging and DC output, the DIY system is the better value. Where power stations genuinely save money is at the lower end - a $300-500 unit for weekend phone/laptop charging is hard to beat.
This is the single biggest disadvantage of power stations for van life, and it doesn't get talked about enough.
The three biggest power draws in a typical van are a 12V fridge, a diesel heater, and a roof vent fan. All three are 12V DC devices designed to run directly off a battery.
A power station converts stored DC to AC, then your device converts it back to DC. This double-conversion wastes 15-25% of your stored energy as heat.
Worse, most power stations have very limited 12V output - usually just a cigarette lighter port maxing at 10-12A. Not enough for a diesel heater at startup (15+ amps), and you can't run both fridge and heater simultaneously.
That wasted energy is energy your solar panels have to work harder to replace.
If you're just charging phones, running a laptop, and using USB lights, power stations are great. But if you're building out a real living space with a fridge, heater, and fan, this is a real efficiency hit.
A common story: you start with a modest setup, then realize you want more. Maybe you add a fridge, start working remotely, or discover winter van life requires way more power.
Someone buys a $600 power station, realizes they need more capacity, buys an expansion battery for $500, then realizes they need DC output for their fridge, and ends up building a DIY system anyway - now they've spent $1,100 on a power station that sits in the closet. If you think there's a good chance you'll outgrow a power station, consider going DIY from the start.
I haven't personally used a power station in any of my builds since I've gone DIY for everything. But if I were going to use one, here's what I'd look for.
There are a lot of brands to choose from at a wide range of price points. Some of the original, more popular brands like Jackery and Goal Zero are significantly more expensive than brands like Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Vevor - but it's not clear they're actually any better. The power station market has matured to the point where you're mostly paying for the brand name with the premium options.
2,160Wh LiFePO4 | 2,400W inverter | 10 output ports | Expandable
If I were going to use a power station, this is what I'd get. 2,160Wh of LiFePO4 capacity with a 2,400W inverter, 10 output ports, and adjustable input power. It's expandable, and it packs a lot of power and capacity for the price compared to similar units from the bigger-name brands.
Link to the Vevor 2400W power station →Power station prices fluctuate a lot and they go on sale frequently - it's common to see 30-40% off. Don't pay full retail if you can help it.
An underrated option: use a power station for AC loads, and build a small 12V DC system for your big DC draws (fridge, heater, fan). You get the simplicity of the power station for laptops and chargers, plus the efficiency of direct DC for 24/7 devices.
Weekend warrior / occasional trips: Get a power station in the $400-800 range. Pair it with a portable solar panel and go camping. Don't overthink it.
Extended trips with a fridge and heater: Go DIY or hybrid. The DC device efficiency matters a lot when you're living off your battery for days. The hybrid approach is a great middle ground if full DIY feels overwhelming.
Full-time van life: Go full DIY. You'll want the expandability, efficiency, and repairability. When something breaks at a Walmart parking lot in New Mexico, you want to swap a fuse or charge controller - not ship your entire power station to a repair center.
Totally overwhelmed: Power station now, figure it out later. A working van this summer is better than a perfect van next year.
Ready to go DIY?
Head to the Power Audit to figure out how much power you actually need, then check out our component guides for batteries, solar panels, and inverters.