Portable power, measured
Find the power station that actually runs your stuff. Independent reviews and buying guides built around runtime, with the math shown and honest verdicts. No paid placements.
Start with your need
The right station depends on the job. Each guide names a pick for it, shows the runtime math for the devices involved, and says who should choose something else.
OutagesHome backupKeep the fridge, router and lights on through an outage.Top pickEcoFlow Delta 3 PlusSizes compared1 kWh to 5 kWhWhat mattersCapacity, output and switchover timeSee all 4 picks →
Nights of runtimeCPAP & medicalKnow exactly how many nights your machine will run.Top pickEcoFlow Delta 3 PlusSizes compared286 Wh to 2 kWhWhat mattersA 12 V DC socket, capacity and low weightSee all 4 picks →
PortableCampingLight, quiet power for phones, lights and a 12V cooler.Top pickEcoFlow Delta 3 PlusSizes compared288 Wh to 1 kWhWhat mattersWeight, capacity and solar inputSee all 4 picks →
BoondockingRV & van lifeBoondock with power for the microwave, fridge and fans.Top pickAnker SOLIX F3800 PlusSizes compared1 kWh to 3.8 kWhWhat mattersRV outlets, output and capacitySee all 5 picks →
Up to 240 VWhole-home systemsExpandable 240 V systems that back up your home circuits.Top pickJackery Explorer 5000 PlusSizes compared3.6 kWh to 5 kWhWhat matters240 V output, capacity and expansionSee all 5 picks →
Under 11 lbSmall & lightStations you can carry one-handed for devices, CPAP and day trips.Top pickBluetti Elite 30 V2Sizes compared286 Wh to 293 WhWhat mattersOutput, battery chemistry and weightSee all 4 picks →Runtime finder
Pick a size and the devices you'll run. We'll show the runtime and the capacity you really need.
1 · Station size
2 · What you'll run at the same time
Estimated runtime
10.0 hours
Average load 87 W. To cover a full day you'd want about 2,400 Wh.
See home backup power stationsEstimate: capacity × 85% on AC (92% on DC or USB) ÷ average load. Typical device draws; check your own labels. Use the full calculator
Sizing in 30 seconds
Most buying mistakes are sizing mistakes. Start with the class that matches how you'll use it, then compare models within it.
Under 1 kWh
Day trips, a night of CPAP, charging devices
1 to 1.5 kWh
Weekend camping, short outages, RV basics
2 to 3 kWh
A full day of home essentials, RV boondocking
3.5 kWh and up
Multi-day outages and 240 V home circuits
Runtimes: capacity × 85% on AC outlets (92% on a DC or USB cord) ÷ average load. Weights are typical ranges for each class, not specific models.
Mid-size shortlist
The mid-size models from EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX and Jackery with their key specs and estimated runtimes. Each has a full review.
EcoFlow
A fast-charging, quick-switching 1 kWh station that's easy to grow.
Best for: Home backup for essentials, weekend trips and home offices that want a fast-charging, quick-switching 1 kWh station.
Est. runtime
Anker SOLIX
The fastest-charging 1 kWh station, with class-leading output.
Best for: Essentials backup, home offices and car camping where fast recharging and 2,000 W of output matter more than room to grow.
Est. runtime
Jackery
A light, fast-charging 1 kWh station for essentials and camping.
Best for: Camping, car trips and essentials backup where low weight and a quick recharge matter more than output or expansion.
Est. runtime
Read a spec sheet like a pro
Spec sheets list dozens of figures. These six decide whether a station will do the job you're buying it for.
Watts vs watt-hours, explainedHow we work
No paid placements and no guesswork: just the data that decides whether a station will do the job you're buying it for.
Read our methodologyEvery number comes from the product's official specifications and is re-checked whenever we update a page.
We turn watt-hours into hours for the appliances you care about, with the same efficiency assumption on every page.
Every review says who should skip it, and our guides include the models we didn't pick.
New generations, firmware and price shifts change recommendations; we update guides when they do.
Outage prep
A power station only helps if it's charged, sized right and tested. Run through this list once.
Home backup picksLearn
Best Value Portable Power StationsThe EcoFlow Delta 3 is the best value portable power station for most people.
Brands we cover
Quick answers
Add up the watts of everything you'll run at once (that sets the output you need), then multiply each device's watts by the hours you'll use it (that sets the watt-hours). Allow roughly 15% for conversion losses. Our runtime calculator does the math for you. Sizing guides →
Usually, yes. A typical fridge averages far less than its running wattage because the compressor cycles on and off, but it needs a short burst of extra power to start. Check the station's surge rating as well as its capacity. Fridge runtime, in full →
They don't burn fuel, so unlike gas generators they produce no carbon monoxide. Follow the manual: keep vents clear, avoid heat and water, and use quality cables. Never run a gas generator indoors. Indoor safety, in full →
"Solar generator" is a marketing term for a portable power station sold with, or able to charge from, solar panels. The battery and inverter are the same idea. Solar generator vs power station →
Tell the calculator what you need to power and get a capacity recommendation in under a minute.