Best portable power station for outages: how to choose
The best power station for home backup is a LiFePO4 unit with enough watt-hours to cover your typical outage, enough AC output for your largest appliance, and UPS pass-through. We don't test units; this guide explains how to size one.
What to compare for home backup
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| Spec | Why it matters for home backup |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh) | Sets runtime. Watts used × hours needed, plus about 20% headroom. |
| AC output (W) and surge | Must exceed your biggest load; fridges and pumps need surge at start-up. |
| Outlets | Count AC, USB-C and 12V ports against what you plug in. |
| UPS / pass-through | Keeps a modem or CPAP running when the grid drops. |
| Expansion batteries | Lets you add capacity later for longer outages. |
| Transfer switch input | Some units can feed home circuits through an installed switch. |
Size it to your outage
Example: a fridge averaging about 150 W for 8 hours needs about 1,200 Wh, so a 1,500 Wh unit leaves headroom. Check your state's outage minutes to set the hours.
Brands to compare
Listed A–Z, unscored. Check each model's spec sheet on the maker's site.
- Anker SOLIX
- Bluetti
- EcoFlow
- Jackery
Need to recharge without the grid for days? See solar generator panel and recharge sizing.