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Portable solar generators & home backup

The power went out. Now what?

Most backup power advice is written by people who have never opened a warm fridge and thrown out $300 of food. Work out what you actually need, buy once, and stop watching the forecast.

  • Every review names what not to buy
  • Runtimes calculated, never copied from a box
  • Unverified claims are marked on the page

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If you only read one thing

In a hurry? Find your row and go. The details are below if you want them.

  • Best Overall

    Most people, most outages

    EcoFlow DELTA 2

    1,024 Wh · 1,800W · 27 lb

    Link not set
  • Best Budget

    Phones and a CPAP, nothing more

    EcoFlow RIVER 3

    245 Wh · 300W · 7.8 lb

    Link not set
  • Best for RV

    Fits the bay, survives the road

    Anker SOLIX C1000

    1,056 Wh · 1,800W · 28.44 lb

    Link not set
  • Best Whole-Home

    Well pump, furnace, 240V circuits

    EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3

    4,096 Wh · 4,000W · 113 lb

    Specs unverified
    Link not set

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Home Outage & Backup

Best Budget Power Stations Under $500

At this money you are buying a convenience, not a backup plan. Here is what that actually covers, and who should save up instead.

3 min read

How we decide what to recommend

We name the product you shouldn't buy in every review, and who it's wrong for. We publish the cheapest thing that does the job, not the one that pays best. And any claim we haven't confirmed against the manufacturer's own documentation is marked on the page, so you can see exactly how solid each sentence is.

Read our full editorial process