A portable power station is an essential piece of equipment to keep devices such as medical equipment, radios, appliances, and smartphones charged and running during an emergency. Many power stations have both standard AC outlets and USB ports to power multiple types of devices at once. Portable power stations have an advantage over traditional generators, in that they do not require gasoline, kerosene, or propane to operate. This not only saves you money and time spent on engine maintenance, but makes battery backups much safer to use indoors.
Power stations also give you a wider range of power output options than traditional generators. If you just want to keep your phone charged and a radio running, there are portable power inverters. But if you need to run high-powered devices such as CPAP or oxygen machines and even kitchen appliances, you can buy a power station whose electrical output is comparable to that of a traditional generator.
Portable power stations are also quieter than traditional generators and feature push-button starts and instant start capabilities; no more struggling with pull starts and warm up cycles. If you want a more in-depth explanation of the differences between portable power stations and traditional generators, you can read our a special function, which covers everything from energy costs and needs to the impact of weather conditions and even earthquakes on your backup power options. You can also consult our list of best home generators for whole-house backup power.
Also: Best technology for extreme weather conditions: equipment in the event of a power failure
- LCD display
- One button start
- Solar panels
Features: 1000 watts | 110 volt | 7 ports in total
The Jackery 1000 Solar Generator is designed to provide you with safe and reliable power in an emergency. It has a 1000 watt output which means you can do everything from charging your phones and tablets to running a mini fridge or setting up a heater to keep warm for a while. winter storm. It has 3 standard AC outlets for plugging in things like lamps, electric blankets and medical devices, 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB Type-A ports for charging electronic devices.
The easy-to-read LCD screen lets you quickly see the generator’s remaining power and you can purchase solar panels for more environmentally friendly charging; solar panels are also great for stable power during summer storm outages. A one-button start gives you instant power, while battery power means you don’t have to worry about keeping the battery charged or venting harmful exhaust fumes.
You can also read our reviews on this generator as good as Upgraded Jackery Solar Generator.
- Solar and battery power
- Wheels for portability
- Intensive use
Features: 2,000 watts | 120 volt | 106 pounds
This home backup battery is designed for heavy duty use. It gives you an impressive 2,000 watts or 120 volts output and has 7 different outlet types to power just about anything and everything in your home. Goal Zero claims that this electric generator can run a standard refrigerator for over 100 hours, a CPAP machine for over 90 hours, and lights for nearly 550 hours.
The generator itself has a compact shape, but weighs 106 pounds. Luckily, it’s mounted on a wheeled dolly for easy placement where you need it. In addition to standard AC outlets and USB ports, the Yeti 6000X has inputs for connecting Goal Zero solar panels. Attaching solar panels allows you to charge the unit faster at wall outlets and ensures that you can keep your generator in top working order during extended power outages.
- Quick charge function
- Solar panels available
- Charge up to 15 devices at once
Features: Up to 5,000 watts | Up to 100 volts | 6 outlets
The Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 is one of the fastest backup batteries on the market. When charged on a standard wall outlet, you’ll get up to 80% battery in just 65 minutes and a full charge in just under 2 hours. This makes it perfect for sudden emergencies like summer storms or winter conditions; you can quickly recharge the generator battery while keeping an eye on news alerts. With a truly remarkable output of 5000 watts, you can charge and power up to 15 devices at once, including refrigerators, CPAP machines, and even your electric or induction cooker!
Ecopower also claims that you can daisy chain multiple Delta Max 2000 units to create even more power for your home. And the companion app helps keep tabs on power levels and spot issues before they become massive problems. Like other backup batteries on the market, this model can be recharged via solar panels for more environmentally friendly power.
You can read more about the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 in our thorough review.
- Compact design
- 1600W peak
- Tons of outlets
Features: 1600 watts | 29 pounds | 8 outlets
The Generac GB1000 is a great option if you’re looking for a more compact portable power station. It’s only 14 x 12 x 10 inches which means it’s small enough to fit on a table or shelf, and at 29 pounds it’s a bit heavy but still able to travel with you on the go. camping or on construction sites. It provides 1600 watts peak power and 1000 watts continuous stable output. This means you can charge your mobile devices, run medical equipment, and even run mini-fridges and air conditioners in the event of an outage. It even has a 12V socket for specialized devices and car accessories.
- Cheapest option
- Lightweight
- LCD screen
Features: 600 watts | 6.35 pounds | 7 outlets
The Westinghouse iGen300s is one of the more affordable options if you’re looking for a home battery backup. For less than $300, you can get this 300 continuous watt electric generator to power essential equipment. It has both AC outlets and standard USB ports, as well as a built-in flashlight for navigating dark areas or providing emergency lighting. The unit can be charged via a wall outlet or solar panel, giving you intermittent and continuous power options in an emergency.
Westinghouse claims this device can power a CPAP machine for up to 23 hours and can charge your smartphone up to 31 times. The built-in LCD display gives you vital information at a glance: you can see battery capacity, charging status, temperature warnings, and electrical input and output. Moreover, you can even monitor USB ports to detect problems before they become dangerous problems.
The best portable power station is the Jackery Solar Generator 1000. It has 1000 watts of power which is enough to charge your mobile devices, run a mini fridge or essential medical equipment during a camping trip or power outage. fluent. It also has solar panels for continuous power when a wall outlet is not available.
|
Power plant |
Price |
Powerful |
# of ports |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
$1649 |
1000 watts |
7 |
|
Yeti 6000X Zero Lens |
$6000 |
2000 watts |
7 |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
$1600 |
Up to 5000 watts |
6 |
|
Generic GB1000 |
$999 |
1600 watts |
8 |
|
Westinghouse iGen300 |
$279 |
600 watts |
7 |
Each of these portable power stations is a great option for providing you with power when you need it – it ultimately comes down to how much power you need, how many ports you prefer and how pricey you are. ready to spend.
|
Opt for this portable power station… |
If you want… |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
The best overall option. |
|
Yeti 6000X Zero Lens |
A power station that will come in handy in an emergency. |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
A fast charging portable power station. |
|
Generic GB1000 |
A compact yet powerful portable power station |
|
Westinghouse iGen300 |
An economical portable power station. |
We chose these portable power stations after extensive research into the product category. We compared factors such as price, reviews (good and bad), power, number of outlets and weight of each power station.
A generator is typically used to restore power to your entire home, or at least most of your home, as long as you have fuel to power the generator.
A battery backup does not have the same energy capacity and is best used to keep essential equipment such as CPAP machines, sump pumps and heaters running until power is restored. Battery backup systems also don’t need kerosene, gasoline, or propane to operate, making them much safer to use indoors; it also means you don’t have to worry about engine maintenance.
This depends on the power capacity of the backup drive and the number of devices you have connected to it. Lower wattage units will only give you up to about 10 hours of backup power, while higher wattage units can give you several days of power. Many newer battery backup systems allow charging via solar panels, giving you continuous charging options during long power outages.
The best way to determine your emergency power needs is to make a specific list of the devices you would like to keep running during an outage. Do you just want to keep your phones charged and a radio on to hear weather alerts? You should opt for a low power backup. Do you need to operate medical equipment, standard household appliances or a pellet stove? It is better to invest in a much higher power backup system.
Once you have a list of devices, add up their voltage and wattage; this number is the amount of output your battery backup system should have, at a minimum. It’s better to have a backup that gives you a little more juice than you need than one that struggles to keep up.
The two listed below almost made our list and are also great choices: