A portable power station is an essential piece of equipment for keeping devices such as medical equipment, radios, appliances and smartphones charged and running in emergency situations. Many power plants have both standard AC outlets and USB ports to power multiple types of devices at once. Portable power plants have an advantage over traditional generators in that they do not require gasoline, kerosene, or propane to run. Not only does this save you money and time spent on engine maintenance, it makes battery backups much, much safer to use indoors.
Power plants 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 going, there are handheld inverters available. But if you need to keep high-powered items like CPAP or oxygen machines and even kitchen appliances running, you can buy a power plant that has an electrical output comparable to a traditional generator.
Portable power plants are also quieter than traditional generators and have push-button start and instant-on 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 plants and traditional generators, read ours special function, which covers everything from costs and energy needs to how weather and even earthquakes affect your emergency power options. You can also check our list of best home generators for emergency power throughout the home.
Also: Best Extreme Weather Technology: Power Outage Equipment
- LCD display
- Start with one button
- Solar panels
Features: 1000 watts | 110 volts | 7 ports in total
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is designed to provide you with safe, reliable power in the event of an emergency. It has a power output of 1000 watts, which means you can do everything from charge your phones and tablets to keep a mini fridge running or set up a space heater to stay warm during a winter storm. It has 3 standard AC outlets for connecting things like lamps, heated blankets and medical equipment, 2 USB-C ports and 2 USB Type-A ports for charging electronics.
The easy-to-read LCD display lets you quickly see how much power the generator has left, and you can buy solar panels for more environmentally friendly charging; the solar panels are also great for constant power during summer storm outages. A one-button push start gives you instant electricity, while battery operation means you don’t have to worry about keeping the battery pack topped up or venting noxious exhaust.
You can also read our reviews of this generator as well Upgraded Jackery Solar Generator.
- Solar and battery power
- Wheels for portability
- Heavy use
Features: 2,000 watts | 120 volts | 106 pounds
This backup battery for the home is designed for tougher use. It gives you an impressive output of 2,000 watts or 120 volts, and it has 7 different types of sockets to power almost anything and everything in your home. Goal Zero claims this electric generator can keep a standard refrigerator running for over 100 hours, a CPAP machine for over 90 hours and lamps for almost 550 hours.
The generator itself has a compact form factor, but comes in at a hefty 106 pounds. Fortunately, it is mounted on a rolling cart to make it easier to place where you need it. Along with standard AC outlets and USB ports, the Yeti 6000X has inputs for connecting Goal Zero solar panels. Installing solar panels gives you faster charging of the device via sockets and ensures that you can keep your generator in top condition during extended power outages.
- Fast charging function
- Solar panels available
- Charge up to 15 devices at once
Features: Up to 5,000 watts | Up to 100 volts | 6 outlets
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 is one of the fastest charging home batteries on the market. When you charge via a regular socket, you get up to 80 percent 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 weather; you can quickly top up the generator’s battery while keeping an eye on news alerts. With a truly remarkable 5000 watts of power, you can charge and power up to 15 devices at once, including refrigerators, CPAP machines, and even your electric or induction range!
Ecopower also claims that you can chain multiple Delta Max 2000 units together to create even more power for your home. And the companion app makes it easy to keep an eye on power levels and catch problems before they turn into massive problems. Like other battery backups on the market, this model can be charged via solar panels for more environmentally friendly power.
You can read more about Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 in our in-depth review.
- Compact design
- 1600W peak
- Tons of business
Features: 1600 watts | 29 pounds | 8 outlets
The Generac GB1000 is a great option if you’re looking for a portable powerhouse that’s more on the compact side. 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 able to travel with you on camping trips or to workplaces. It provides a maximum power of 1600 watts and a stable, 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 an outage. It even has a 12V output for specialized devices and car accessories.
- The 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 backup battery for the home. For under $300, you can get this 300 continuous watt electric generator to power essential equipment. It has both standard AC outlets and USB ports, as well as an integrated flashlight for navigating dark areas or providing emergency lighting. The device can be charged via an outlet or solar panel, giving you options for both intermittent and continuous power in case of emergency.
Westinghouse claims this device can power a CPAP machine for up to 23 hours, and it can fully charge your smartphone up to 31 times. The integrated LCD screen gives you vital information at a glance: you can see battery capacity, charging status, temperature warnings and electrical input and output. In addition, you can even monitor the USB ports, so you can catch problems before they become dangerous problems.
The best portable power station is the Jackery Solar Generator 1000. It has an output of 1000 watts, which is enough power to charge your mobile devices, run a mini fridge or important medical equipment during a camping trip or power outage. It also has solar panels for continuous power when an outlet is not available.
|
Power plant |
Price |
Watts |
# of ports |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
$1649 |
1000 watts |
7 |
|
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X |
$6000 |
2000 watts |
7 |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
$1600 |
Up to 5000 watts |
6 |
|
Generac GB1000 |
$999 |
1600 watts |
8 |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
$279 |
600 watts |
7 |
Any of these portable powerhouses are great options to give you power when you need it—it ultimately comes down to the wattage you need, how many ports you prefer, and what price you’re willing to use.
|
Choose this portable power station… |
If you want… |
|
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 |
The best overall option. |
|
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X |
A power plant that will come in handy in emergency situations. |
|
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 |
A fast-charging portable powerhouse. |
|
Generac GB1000 |
A compact yet powerful portable powerhouse |
|
Westinghouse iGen300s |
A budget-friendly portable powerhouse. |
We selected these portable power plants after extensive research into the product category. We compared factors such as pricing, reviews (both good and bad), wattage, number of outlets and the weight of each power plant.
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 run the generator.
A battery backup does not have the same energy capacity and is best used to keep important equipment such as CPAP machines, sump pumps and space heaters running until power is restored. Battery backup systems also don’t need kerosene, gasoline, or propane to run, making them much safer to use indoors; it also means you don’t have to worry about engine maintenance.
It depends on the power capacity of the backup device and how many devices you have connected to it. Lower wattage units will only give you up to about 10 hours of emergency power, while higher wattage units can give you several days of electricity. Many newer battery backup systems allow for charging via solar panels, giving you the option of continuous charging during extended power outages.
The best way to determine your emergency power needs is to make a clear list of devices you want to keep running during a power outage. Just want your phones charged and a radio on to hear weather alerts? You should choose a low-watt backup. Do you need to run medical equipment, standard appliances or a pellet stove? It is better to invest in a much higher wattage backup system.
Once you have a list of devices, add up their voltage and watts. that number is how much output your battery backup system should have as a minimum. Better to have a backup that gives you a little more juice than you need than one that struggles to keep up.
The two below almost made our list and are also excellent choices:
