Portable micro-hydrokinetic turbines are designed and characterized using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The two equation k-omega shear-stress transport (SST) turbulence model is employed to predict quasi steady flow structures for a wide range of tip-speed ratios. Seven input design parameters selected a priori are used to create preliminary turbine rotor designs by using a hydraulic design methodology. Various blade designs are characterized and compared in terms of torque and thrust over a range of operating conditions. Performance characteristics of two, three, and four blade designs are shown to be similar. The results indicate that a maximum power coefficient of 0.43 with a 73.7% efficiency relative to Betz limit is achieved. The portable hydrokinetic turbines, designed and characterized here, do not require large civil structures, making this technology an attractive alternative to conventional hydropower. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.