A portable power station is an essential device for keeping devices such as medical equipment, radios, home appliances and smartphones charged and running in the event of an emergency. Many power stations have both a standard AC outlet and a USB port to power a variety of devices at once. Portable power plants have an advantage over traditional generators in that they don’t need gasoline, kerosene or propane to run. Not only will this save you money and time spent on engine maintenance, but it will also make it a lot safer to use backup batteries in your home.
Generating stations also give you more output power options than traditional generators. If you just want to charge your phone and run the radio, portable inverters are available. But if you need to keep high-powered devices like CPAP or oxygen ventilators running and even kitchen appliances, you can buy a power station that has an electrical capacity equivalent to your own. traditional generator.
Mobile generating stations are also quieter than traditional generators and feature push-button start and instant on; no more struggling with pull-and-start cycles. If you want a more in-depth explanation of the difference between portable power plants and traditional generators, you can read our Special Features, which includes everything from cost and energy needs to the effects of weather and even earthquakes on your emergency power options. You can also check out our list of best home generator for emergency power to the entire house.
Also: The best extreme weather technology: Power outages
- LCD screen
- One-button start
- Solar power panels
Featured: 1000 watts | 110 volts | total 7 ports
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is designed to provide you with safe, reliable power in the event of an emergency. It has 1000 watts of power, meaning you can do everything from charge phones and tablets to keep your mini fridge running or set up space heaters to stay warm during a winter storm. It has 3 standard AC outlets for plugging in things like lights, heating blankets and medical devices, 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB Type-A ports for charging electronics.
The easy-to-read LCD display allows you to quickly see the remaining power of the generator, and you can purchase solar panels for more environmentally friendly recharging; Solar panels are also great for stable power during a power outage caused by summer storms. One-button start gives you instant power, while battery-powered means you don’t have to worry about keeping the battery pack refueled or releasing harmful emissions.
You can also read our reviews of this generator as Upgraded Jackery Solar Generator.
- Solar power and battery
- Wheels for mobility
- Heavy use
Featured: 2,000 watts | 120 volts | 106 pounds
This home power bank is designed for heavier duty use. It gives you an impressive 2,000 watts or 120 volts of output power and comes in 7 different socket types to power almost anything and everything in your home. Goal Zero claims that this generator can keep a standard refrigerator running for over 100 hours, a CPAP machine for over 90 hours, and lights for almost 550 hours.
The generator itself is compact, but weighs 106 pounds. Fortunately, it is mounted on a trolley with wheels for easier placement where you need it. Along with standard AC outlets and USB ports, the Yeti 6000X has an input for connecting Goal Zero solar panels. Mounting solar panels helps you charge your devices faster through wall outlets and ensures that you can keep your generator running at its best during extended outages.
- Fast charging feature
- Solar panels available
- Charge up to 15 devices at the same time
Featured: Up to 5,000 watts | Up to 100 volts | 6 stores
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 is one of the fastest charging power banks on the market. When charged via a standard wall outlet, you’ll get up to 80 percent battery in just 65 minutes and a full charge in less than 2 hours. This makes it perfect for unexpected emergencies like summer storms or winter weather; you can quickly recharge the generator battery while following the news announcements. With a truly outstanding 5000 watts of power, you can charge and power up to 15 devices at once, including your refrigerator, CPAP machine, and even your electric or induction range!
Ecopower also claims that you can connect multiple Delta Max 2000 units together to generate even more power for your home. And the companion app makes it easy to monitor your energy levels and catch problems before they can become major problems. Like other power banks on the market, this model can be charged via solar panels for a more eco-friendly power source.
You can read more about Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 in our article In-depth review.
- Compact design
- 1600W . peak
- Tons of stores
Featured: 1600 watts | 29 pounds | 8 stores
Generac GB1000 is a great choice 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 at 29 pounds, it’s a bit heavy but still can carry you on camping trips or to the office. school . It provides a maximum output power of 1600 watts and a steady, continuous power of 1000 watts. This means you can charge your mobile devices, run medical equipment, and even run things like mini-fridges and air conditioners in the event of a power outage. It even has a 12V outlet for specialized appliances and car parts.
- Cheapest option
- Light
- LCD Monitor
Featured: 600 watts | £6.35 | 7 stores
The Westinghouse iGen300s is one of the more affordable options if you’re shopping for a power bank at home. For under $300, you can buy this continuous 300-watt generator to power essential appliances. It has both standard AC outlets and USB ports as well as a built-in flashlight for navigating dark areas or providing emergency lighting. The device can be charged via a wall outlet or solar panel, giving you options for both intermittent and continuous power in the event of an emergency.
Westinghouse claims the device can power a CPAP machine for up to 23 hours, and it can fully charge your smartphone up to 31 times. The built-in LCD display gives you important information at a glance: you can see battery capacity, charging status, temperature alerts, and electrical inputs and outputs. Plus, you can even monitor USB ports so you can catch problems before they become dangerous.
The best portable power station is the Jackery Solar Generator 1000. This station has 1000 watts of power, enough power to charge your mobile devices, run a mini-fridge or essential medical equipment during a camping trip. or power failure. It also has solar panels to provide uninterrupted power when there is no wall outlet.
|
Power station |
Price |
Wattage |
# gate |
|
Jackery solar generator 1000 |
$1649 |
1000 watts |
7 |
|
Target Zero Yeti 6000X |
$6000 |
2000 watts |
7 |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
$1600 |
Up to 5000 watts |
6 |
|
Generator GB1000 |
$999 |
1600 watts |
8 |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
$279 |
600 watts |
7 |
Any of these portable power stations are great options to give you power when you need it — the bottom line depends on the wattage you need, the number of ports you want, and the price you pay. willing to spend.
|
Choose this portable power plant… |
If you want… |
|
Jackery solar generator 1000 |
The best overall options. |
|
Target Zero Yeti 6000X |
A power plant will come in handy in an emergency. |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
A fast charging mobile power station. |
|
Generac GB1000 |
Compact but powerful mobile power station |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
A budget-friendly mobile power plant. |
We have selected these portable power stations after thorough research on the product portfolio. We compared factors like price, rating (both good and bad), capacity, number of outlets and weight of each power station.
Generators are typically used to restore power to your entire home, or at least most of your house, as long as you have the fuel to power the generator.
Backup batteries do not have the same energy capacity and it is best used to keep essential equipment such as CPAP machines, sump pumps and space heaters running until power is restored. Backup battery systems also don’t need kerosene, gasoline or propane to run, making them much safer to use indoors; This also means you don’t have to worry about engine maintenance.
It depends on the power capacity of the backup device and the number of devices you have connected to it. Lower wattage units will only give you about 10 hours of emergency power at most, while higher wattage units can give you a few days’ worth of electricity. Many newer battery backup systems allow charging via solar panels, giving you continuous charging options during extended outages.
The best way to determine your emergency power needs is to make a specific list of the equipment you want to keep running during a power outage. You just want to charge your phone and turn on the radio to hear weather alerts? You should choose a low capacity backup. Do you need to run medical equipment, standard equipment or pellet stoves? It is better to invest in a redundant system with much higher capacity.
After you have a list of devices, add their voltages and wattages; That number is the bare minimum your battery backup system should have. It’s better to have a backup that gives you more power than you need than a backup that struggles to keep up.
The two lists below almost made it to our list and are great choices as well:
