Portable power stations are essential equipment for charging and running devices such as medical equipment, radios, appliances and smartphones in an emergency. Many power stations have both standard AC outlets and USB ports for powering 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. Not only does this save money and time spent on engine maintenance, it also makes using battery backup indoors much safer.
The power station also offers a wider range of output options than traditional generators. If you just want to keep your phone charged and your radio on, a handheld inverter is available. But if you need to keep high power items running, such as CPAPs, oxygen machines, or even kitchen appliances, you can buy power plants with outputs that rival traditional generators.
The portable power station is quieter than traditional generators and features push-button start and instant-on capabilities. No more struggling with pull starts or warm-up cycles. If you want to know more about the difference between portable generators and traditional generators, read our special features. We cover everything from cost and energy needs to the impact of weather and earthquakes on emergency power options. Also, see our list of the best home generators for emergency power throughout your home.
Also: Extreme weather technology at its best: blackout gear
- liquid crystal display
- One button start
- solar panel
Feature: 1000 Watts | 110 Volts | 7 ports total
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is designed to provide safe and reliable power in emergency situations. With 1000 watts of output, you can do everything from charging your phone or tablet to keeping your mini fridge running or setting up a space heater to keep you warm during winter storms. It features 3 standard AC outlets, 2 USB-C ports for connecting lamps, heating blankets, medical equipment, and 2 USB Type-A ports for charging electronic devices.
An easy-to-read LCD display lets you quickly see how much power is left in your generator. You can also purchase solar panels for eco-friendly recharging. Solar panels are also great for providing steady power during blackouts during summer storms. One-button push start gives you instant power and it’s battery powered so you don’t have to worry about keeping fuel in the battery pack or emitting harmful exhaust fumes.
You can also read a review of this generator and the upgraded Jackery Solar Generator.
- solar and battery power
- wheels for portability
- heavy duty use
Feature: 2,000 Watts | 120 Volts | 106 lbs
This home battery backup is designed for heavier use. Offering an impressive 2,000 watts or 120 volts of output, and with seven different outlets, it can power just about anything in your home. Goal Zero claims this generator can keep a standard refrigerator running for over 100 hours, a CPAP machine for over 90 hours, and a lamp for about 550 hours.
The generator itself has a compact form factor, but weighs a hefty 106 pounds. Fortunately, it’s mounted on a wheeled trolley for easy placement wherever you need it. There is an input of Installing a solar panel allows you to quickly charge the unit from a wall outlet, keeping your generator in top shape during extended power outages.
- Quick charge function
- available solar panels
- Charge up to 15 devices at once
Feature: Up to 5,000 Watts | Up to 100 Volts | 6 Stores
The Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 is one of the fastest charging home battery backups on the market. Charging from 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 ideal for sudden emergencies such as summer storms and winter weather. You can quickly refill your generator battery while watching news alerts. With a staggering 5000 watts of output, you can charge and power up to 15 devices at once, including refrigerators, CPAP machines, and even electric or inductive ranges.
Ecopower also claims that multiple Delta Max 2000 units can be daisy chained together for even more power for your home. And with the companion app, you can easily monitor your power levels and spot problems before they become big problems. Like other battery backups on the market, this model can be charged via a solar panel for greener power.
Find out more about the Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 in our in-depth review.
- compact design
- 1600W peak
- lots of outlets
Feature: 1600 watts | £29 | 8 stores
The Generac GB1000 is a great option if you are looking for a more compact portable power station. It measures just 14 x 12 x 10 inches, which means it’s small enough to fit on a table or shelf, and weighs in at 29 pounds, which is a bit heavy, but you can take it with you on camping trips or at work. It offers a peak power output of 1600 Watts and a steady continuous output of 1000 Watts. This means you can charge mobile devices, run medical equipment, and even things like mini-fridges and air conditioners during power outages. There is also his 12V outlet for specialized devices and car accessories.
- cheapest option
- lightweight
- LCD Screen
Feature: 600 Watts | £6.35 | 7 Stores
Westinghouse’s iGen300s are one of the more affordable options when it comes to buying home battery backup. For less than $300, you can get this 300 continuous watt generator to power your critical equipment. Along with both standard AC outlets and USB ports, it has a built-in flashlight for navigating dark areas or providing emergency lighting. The unit can be charged via a wall outlet or solar panel, with options for both intermittent and continuous power for emergencies.
Westinghouse claims the unit can power a CPAP machine for up to 23 hours and fully charge a smartphone up to 31 times. The integrated LCD screen provides important information at a glance. You can check battery capacity, charging status, temperature warning, and electrical input and output. In addition, it can monitor USB ports, so you can detect problems before they become dangerous problems.
The portable power station of choice is the Jackery Solar Generator 1000. With an output of 1000 watts, it’s enough power to charge a mobile device, run a small refrigerator, or run the medical equipment you need during a camping trip or during a power outage. It also has a solar panel for continuous power even when an outlet is not available.
|
Power plant |
price |
Wattage |
number of ports |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
$1649 |
1000 watts |
7 |
|
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X |
$4800 |
2000 watts |
7 |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
$1599 |
5000 watts maximum |
6 |
|
GENERAC GB1000 |
$999 |
1600 watts |
8 |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
$279 |
600 watts |
7 |
Both of these portable power stations are great options for power when you need it. Ultimately it depends on how many watts you need, how many ports you want, and what price you are willing to pay.
|
Choose this portable power station… |
if you want… |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
Best option overall. |
|
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X |
It is a power plant that is active in an emergency. |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
A portable power station capable of rapid charging. |
|
GENERAC GB1000 |
Compact yet powerful portable power station |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
A budget-friendly portable power station. |
After a thorough research of product categories, we have selected these portable power stations. We compared factors such as price, reviews (both good and bad), wattage, number of outlets, and weight of each power station.
Generators are typically used to restore power to an entire house, or at least most of the house, as long as there is fuel to power the generator.
Battery backup does not have the same energy capacity, so it is best used to keep critical equipment such as CPAP machines, sump pumps, and space heaters running until power is restored. The battery backup system does not require the use of kerosene, gasoline, or propane, making it much safer for indoor use. This also means you don’t have to worry about engine maintenance.
This depends on the power capacity of the backup unit and the number of devices connected to it. A lower wattage unit will only provide up to about 10 hours of emergency power, while a higher wattage unit may provide several days of power. Many new battery backup systems can be charged via solar panels, providing continuous charging during extended power outages.
The best way to determine your emergency power needs is to make a clear list of devices that you want to keep running in the event of a power outage. Just want to keep the radio on to charge your phone and listen to the weather forecast? You should opt for a low wattage backup. Need to use medical equipment, standard appliances, or a pellet stove? Invest in a much higher wattage backup system.
Once you have the list of devices, sum their voltage and wattage. That number is the minimum amount of power that a battery backup system should have. It’s better to have a backup that gives you more energy than you need than one that struggles to keep up.
The two listed below are pretty much on the list and are also good choices.
