Start with what matters.
List the appliances you want to keep running, then work out their energy needs.
Estimate your runtimePortable power. Practical answers.Keep the
Keep the
essentials on.
A cold fridge. A working router. A little light. Find out how much backup power you actually need.
Source-led guides. Clear assumptions. A plan you can understand.
AI-generated editorial illustration. Not a product test.
Source-led comparisonsPublished specifications, in context.
Useful calculationsLosses and reserve included.
Made for US homesUS-market products and context.
Before you buy
A little clarity goes a long way.
Choose the right size, understand the limits, and put your budget where it matters.
Compare the right numbers.
Capacity, continuous output and charging inputs answer different questions.
See the comparisonMake a practical plan.
A portable battery can cover selected essentials. It isn't automatically whole-home backup.
Explore the guidesOutage season
Open spec database ↗Storm season plans, with the arithmetic shown.
Hurricane power outage plan: what a portable power station can cover
A worked 24-hour essentials budget and the safety rules that do not change.
Read the guide ↗Winter storm outages: why a power station won't replace your heat
A 1,500W heater empties a 1kWh battery in about half an hour. What to do instead.
Read the guide ↗CPAP backup power: sizing a battery or power station
Why the humidifier and the inverter decide most of your battery size.
Read the guide ↗The field notes
All seventeen guides ↗Useful answers, without the noise.
Watts vs. watt-hours: the two numbers that matter
One describes power. The other describes stored energy. You need both to choose a battery.
Read the guide ↗How to plan refrigerator backup power
Measure energy over time, then check whether the compressor can start.
Read the guide ↗How to choose a portable power station
A useful buying checklist, starting with your appliances rather than a discount.
Read the guide ↗Plan the whole cycle
Use it. Recharge it. Understand it.
How long will it last?
Choose your appliances and estimate runtime with losses and reserve included.
Read the guide ↗Can solar cover your day?
Compare a daily solar assumption with a battery-side energy budget.
Read the guide ↗What will a recharge cost?
Calculate the electricity cost using your own US-dollar rate.
Read the guide ↗More decisions, made clearer.
500Wh or 1,000Wh: what does the extra capacity buy?
Compare energy, portability and your actual load before moving up a size.
Read the guide ↗Build a weekend camping power budget
Add up energy by task, including the quiet loads that stay on.
Read the guide ↗Why a small load can empty a battery sooner than expected
Internal power consumption matters most when your appliance load is small.
Read the guide ↗