A big part of emergency preparedness deals with how well you are able to stay up and running when the power goes out.
Most people are completely dependent on a connection to the power grid, and when that goes, their entire way of life goes.
If you’ve got backup power, though, you’re in a much better position.
Here are some of the best power stations for emergencies.
When the Lights Go Out, These Portable Power Stations Shine the Brightest
1. EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 – Best Overall
- 7X faster charging, 0-80% in 50 mins.
- Expandable capacity from 1-3kWh.
- 1800W output, powers 90% of appliances.
The Delta 2 is a portable power station designed for both outdoor power generation and home backup power.
With a 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery, it provides super reliable power for camping, RVs, and emergency use.
Capacity: 1024Wh (expandable to 3kWh with additional batteries)
Power Output: 1800W continuous, 2700W surge
Weight: 27 lbs
Dimensions: 15.7″ x 8.3″ x 11.3″
This is a high-quality portable power station that can charge 80% in 50 minutes via AC. It also supports solar charging up to 500W, making it ideal for off-grid scenarios.
With 1800W output, the Delta 2 can power up to 90% of household appliances, which makes it a true power generation alternative for emergency situations.
I also love how robust the LiFePO4 battery is. You get 3000+ cycles out of it, which is equivalent to years of reliable use.
I personally have and use one of these and it works great for my needs.
2. Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 – Best Budget
- 2-hour recharge, 80% via USB-C.
- Powers 6 devices, 300W output.
- Compatible with Jackery SolarSaga 100.
The Jackery Portable Power Station 300 is a reliable and versatile energy solution designed for both outdoor use and emergency preparedness.
You get a 293Wh lithium-ion battery that delivers consistent power for small appliances, electronics, and personal devices, meaning it’s great for camping and road trips or power outages.
- Capacity: 293Wh lithium-ion battery
- Power Output: 300-500W
- Weight: 7.1 lbs
- Dimensions: 9.1”L x 5.2”W x 7.8”H
For its size and portability, this charger really packs a punch. Its multiple output ports allow you to simultaneously charge devices like phones, laptops, and cameras.
Despite being smaller, it provides enough power for several hours of usage, so you get a handy companion for off-grid living or backup power.
I like that it can be charged through multiple sources, including solar panels, a wall outlet, or a car charger, adding flexibility to how and where you use it.
It also only weighs just over seven pounds, so it’s definitely portable, but you still get a lot of power.
A perfect portable charger for keeping your devices charged and functional in any scenario.
3. The VTOMAN Jump 1800 Portable Power Station
- 1.548kWh capacity, expandable to 3kWh.
- Powers 12 devices, 1800W AC output.
- 100% recharge in 4 hours.
The VTOMAN Jump 1800 Portable Power Station provides a strong 1800W output (3600W peak) and features a 1548Wh battery, which can be expanded to a whopping 3kWh with an additional battery (sold separately).
- Capacity: 1548Wh (expandable to 3kWh)
- Power Output: 1800W (3600W peak)
- Weight: 38.6 lbs
- Dimensions: 14.1″ x 10.6″ x 11.1″
The unit features LIFEBMS technology, providing 10-layer protection for safety and 3,000+ charge cycles for extended battery life.
It also supports pass-through charging, so you can use it while it recharges, which is something I’m always on the lookout for when shopping around for new power stations.
4. Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station
- 80% charge in 43 minutes.
- 2400W output, 11 versatile ports.
- 600W solar recharge in 1.8 hours.
The Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station uses a 1056Wh LiFePO4 battery, making it a great backup power companion for power outages, outdoor use and emergencies.
- Capacity: 1056Wh
- Power Output: 1800W continuous, 2400W peak
- Weight: 27.6 lbs
- Dimensions: 14.8″ x 10.39″ x 8.07″
The SOLIX C1000 uses UltraFast charging technology which allows the unit to reach 80% charge in just 43 minutes and full capacity in under an hour.
You can also charge it via the solar panels up to 600W, so it’s not totally dependent on AC power and works well for outdoor use.
When I’m looking at potable power stations, I always want to know the battery cycle life, and the heavy-duty battery in the Solix C1000 has a lifespan of 3,000 battery cycles (which is quite standard for larger, more heavy-duty stations).
Not to mention 99% appliance compatibility, so it’s built for long-lasting, reliable power.
5. The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station
- 2200W output, 2042Wh capacity.
- 66 minutes to 80% charge.
- Whisper-quiet operation at 30dB.
I’ve always liked Jackery and the v2 is fantastic for backup, emergencies, and outdoor use.
- Capacity: 2042Wh
- Power Output: 2200W continuous, with a 20ms UPS for uninterruptible power
- Weight: 39.5 lbs
- Dimensions: 13.2″ x 10.4″ x 11.5″
As you would expect from something this advanced, the v2 is fast charging, going from 0 to 80% in 66 minutes via AC power, or in about 6 hours using 400W solar panels.
I’m also a big fan of how light this station is 41% lighter than other 2kWh power stations.
Another major selling point for me is how quiet it is. Silent mode ensures it operates quietly at less than 30dB, which is great if you’re running it at night, or trying to minimize your sound profile.
The Explorer 2000 v2 gives you 10 years of durability thanks to the long-lasting LiFePO4 battery and features smart temperature control and advanced safety features.
6. The BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station
- 2073Wh capacity, 2600W output (5200W peak).
- 80% charge in 50 minutes.
- 17-year lifespan, 6000+ cycles.
I love Bluettis, and this is definitely one of the most rugged and long-lasting high-capacity portable solutions out there.
- Capacity: 2073.6Wh
- Power Output: 2600W (5200W peak)
- Weight: 53.4 lbs
- Dimensions: 13.78″ x 9.84″ x 12.74″
The Elite 200 V2 is built to last and contends it has a 17-year lifespan, supported by auto-grade LFP batteries capable of over 6000 cycles.
You also get TurboBoost technology that lets you charge to 80% in just 50 minutes when using dual AC and DC charging.
This device also integrates MPPT modules for fast solar charging, and an app provides real-time power monitoring and control.
7. The AFERIY Portable Power Station
- 2048Wh capacity, 2400W inverter.
- Fully charges in 1.5 hours.
- 16 ports, UPS with 0.1s response.
With a strong 2400W output (4000W peak) and 2048Wh LiFePO4 battery, the AFERIY can power most appliances for extended periods.
- Capacity: 2048Wh
- Power Output: 2400W (4000W peak)
- Weight: 48.5 lbs
- Dimensions: 19″ x 14.5″ x 16.9″
You get fast recharging in just 1.5 hours with combined AC and solar input and an ability to power up to 16 devices at once with the 6 AC outlets, USB and Type-C ports, etc.
The LiFePO4 battery provides 3500+ life cycles and integrated BMS protection and I’m especially impressed by the Intelligent UPS for automatic power backup within 0.1 seconds.
This Aferiy power station also comes backed by a 5-year warranty with a 10-year service life, which is the kind of thing you want to see when you’re investing $1000+ in a portable power station.
8. BLUETTI EB3A Portable Power Station
- 30-minute charge to 80%, 600W output.
- 268Wh capacity, 9 versatile outlets.
- 3000 cycles, 10-year LiFePO4 lifespan.
This Bluetti model, the EB3A gives you 600W of power with a 268Wh capacity, offering a stable power source for small appliances, smartphones, and more.
- Capacity: 268Wh
- Output: 600W (1200W surge)
- Weight: 10.14 lbs
- Dimensions: 10.0”L x 7.1”W x 7.2”H
One of the standout features of the BLUETTI EB3A is its fast-charging ability, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes using a combination of AC and solar charging, which is ideal for emergency scenarios when you need power fast.
9. EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 3
- 1-hour charge, powers 600W appliances.
- Auto-switching UPS with <20ms response.
- Lightweight, waterproof, and drop-resistant.
The RIVER 3 Portable Power Station is a fast-charging portable power station designed to let you power your devices on the go.
- Capacity: 245Wh LiFePO4 battery
- Power Output: 300W rated, 600W peak (AC output)
- Weight: 7.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 9.1″ x 7.3″ x 7.9″
You can charge up to 6 devices at once, which is less than some of the other portable power stations on the list, but I’m really impressed by the long runtime and its ability to keep noise under 30 dB.
From an emergency perspective, the RIVER 3 also really shines with its built-in UPS function to keep essential devices running during power outages.
10. Westinghouse 155Wh 150 Peak Watt Portable Power Station & Solar Generator
- Powers 9 devices simultaneously
- 155Wh battery charges smartphones 17x
- Lightweight, compact, with built-in flashlight
The Westinghouse 155Wh Portable Power Station is a compact and reliable power solution for outdoor adventures, home backup, travel, and emergency power generation.
Designed to charge multiple devices simultaneously, this is easily your go-to camping, RV, or emergency power generator.
- Capacity: 155Wh lithium-ion battery
- Power Output: 100W rated, 150W peak (120V AC)
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Dimensions: 10″L x 5.2″W x 10.8″H
While it provides hours of power to devices like smartphones, tablets, cameras, laptops, and even small household appliances like box fans and LED TVs, this is all it is suited to.
It is capable of charging smartphones up to 17 times, tablets up to 9 times, and cameras up to 16 times.
The Westinghouse’s iGen160s has technology which they’ve designed for sensitive electronics, with built-in safeguards for low voltage protection, overload protection, and temperature controls.
This is something to consider in an emergency scenario because if you fry a phone or flashlight, you could be in serious trouble.
11.EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2
- Powers 6 devices with 600W output
- 7-hour solar recharge with 45W panel
- Long-lasting LFP battery, 3000+ cycles
The EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2 is the progenitor model to the River 3 we covered earlier, and it’s a compact and efficient solar generator designed for outdoor adventures, camping, and home use during power outages.
- Capacity: 256Wh
- Power Output: 600W continuous, 1200W peak
- Weight: 10.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.4 x 5.5 inches
The RIVER 2 supports simultaneous charging of up to six devices, including small consumer electronics like laptops, cameras, and small appliances, has multiple ports for versatility and can recharge through an AC outlet, car, or solar panel.
With a robust LiFePO4 battery, the RIVER 2 can be recharged more than 3000 times before reaching 80% capacity, so it’s perfect for years of regular use, especially for those who depend on it for camping, off-grid living or emergency situations.
If you are looking for a solar generator that comes with solar panels then I highly recommend reading our article on that.
