A portable power station is an essential piece of equipment to keep devices such as medical equipment, radios, appliances, and smartphones charged and running during emergencies. Many power stations have both standard AC outlets and USB ports to power multiple types of devices at once. 

Portable power stations have an advantage over traditional generators in that they don't require gasoline, kerosene, or propane to run. This not only saves you money and time spent on engine maintenance, but it also makes battery backups much, much safer to use indoors. Power stations 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 running, you could try a handheld inverter. But if you need to keep high-power items like CPAP or oxygen machines and even kitchen appliances running, you can purchase a power station that has an electrical output comparable to that of a traditional generator. 

Also: The best home generators

Portable power stations are also quieter than traditional generators and feature push-button starts and instant-on abilities -- no more struggling with pull-starts and warm-up cycles. After doing extensive testing of dozens of power stations, our pick for the best portable power station overall is theJackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 , which can potentially power your home for up to two weeks. Read on for the rest of our picks for the best portable power stations you can buy.

The best portable power stations of 2023

Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000

Best portable power station overall

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ Pros & Cons Pros

• LCD display
• Expansion battery modules
• Solar panels

Cons

• Expensive
• Huge

More Details

Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000 tech specs: Power: 3000 wattsWeight:61.5 Connectivity:10 ports

Jackery, a familiar name in the power station game for over a decade now, has a new power station called the Explorer 2000 Plus, and this thing is a total game changer. You can scale it up from a single unit that's good for a day or two of camping to an array of batteries and solar panels that can power your home for two weeks.

You read that right: two weeks.

But you might notice that something is sitting atop my Explorer 2000 Plus. That's an add-on PackPlus E2000 Plus battery pack that adds an additional 2042.8 Wh of electrical storage capacity to the system.

A single PackPlus E2000 Plus weighs in at 41.9 lbs (19 kg), so the two units combined come in at over 100 lbs (46.9 kg).  

This is a really big setup!

View now at Amazon

UGREEN PowerRoam 1200

Best compact portable power station

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Compact design
• 1600W peak
• Tons of outlets

Cons

• Expensive

More Details

UGREEN PowerRoam 1200 tech specs: Power:1200 wattsWeight:25.5 poundsConnectivity: 13 outlets

One of the biggest improvements to power stations recently has been the shift from lithium-ion battery technology to LiFePO4 batteries. These aren't as power-dense as their lithium counterparts, but they're safer (i.e., less likely to catch fire) and have a much longer lifespan. How much longer? Up to six times longer with more than 3,000 recharge cycles, making them ideal for long-term usage.  

For the past few months, I've been using the PowerRoam 1200 to run power tools away from a main outlet. This means that it has been thrown into the back of a truck and dragged to some inhospitable places filled with mud, dirt, and dampness, subjected to high loads, and then been put back on charge awaiting its next work outing. This type of usage goes above and beyond what a power station is designed for, yet the PowerRoam 1200 is still going strong. 

This unit is as tough as they get!

View now at Amazon

EcoFlow River 2

Best budget grab-and-go portable power station

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Most inexpensive option
• Lightweight
• LCD screen

Cons

• Buttons a little small for gloved use

More Details

EcoFlow River 2 tech specs: Power:600 wattsWeight:7.7 poundsConnectivity:6 outlets

While there's a time and a place for massive behemoth power stations, sometimes I want something I can grab and go, throw into a car or truck, and take with me camping or on jobs.

The EcoFlow River 2 fits the bill perfectly. It's solid and well made, as I've come to expect from EcoFlow, and it's perfect for those times when you want power but don't want a huge amount of it!

View now at Amazon

Bluetti AC60

Best IP65-rated for both dust-proofing and water resistance

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ Pros & Cons Pros

• IP65 rated for dust-proofing and water resistance
• Nicely portable
• Enough power for a weekend
• Long warranty

Cons

• No AC charger available

More Details

Bluetti AC60 tech specs: Power: 600 watts  Weight: 20.06 pounds  Connectivity:7 outlets

As a power station, the AC60 is flawless. Power outputs are all as rated, and the easy-to-read display and a small number of buttons mean that this is simple to use in possibly adverse conditions, such as in inclement weather or at night. The gently glowing buttons are a nice touch and make it immediately clear what features are in use.

The wireless charging mat on the top also offers added flexibility. Just pop your phone on the top to get an instant, no-fuss top-up. No cables are required.

Oh, it also has a built-in light!

View now at Amazon

Goal Zero Yeti 6000X

Best portable power station for emergencies

Gaol Zero/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Solar and battery power
• Wheels for portability
• Heavy-duty use

Cons

• Heavy
• Very expensive

More Details

Goal Zero Yeti 6000X tech specs: Power: 6000 Watts  Weight:106 poundsConnectivity:10 outlets

This home battery backup is designed for heavier-duty use. It gives you an impressive 6,000 watts of emergency home backup power and features 10 different types of outlets for powering just about 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 but comes in at a hefty 106 pounds. Luckily, it's mounted on a wheeled trolley 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. Attaching solar panels gives you quicker unit charging over wall outlets and ensures you can keep your generator in top working order during prolonged power outages.

View now at B&H Photo-Video View now at Amazon View now at Walmart more buying choices

Ecoflow Delta Max 2000

Best fast-charging portable power station

Ecoflow/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Fast charging feature
• Solar panels available
• Charge up to 15 devices at once

Cons

• Bulky

More Details

Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 tech specs: Power: 2400 watts Weight:48 pounds Connectivity: 6 outlets

The Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 is one of the fastest-charging home battery backups on the market. When charged over a standard wall outlet, you'll get up to 80 percent battery in just 65 minutes and a full charge in 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 watching news alerts. With a truly remarkable 5000-watt output, you can charge and power up to 15 devices at once, including refrigerators, CPAP machines, and even your electric or induction range! 

Review: Ecoflow Delta Max 2000 can get you through most power outages

Ecopower also claims that you can daisy-chain several Delta Max 2000 units together to create even more power for your home. The companion app makes it easy to monitor power levels and catch issues before they become massive problems. Like other battery backups on the market, this model can be charged via solar panels for more eco-friendly power.

View now at B&H Photo-Video

What is the best portable power station?

The best portable power station is the Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000. It has a 3000-watt output, enough power to charge your mobile devices, run a mini-fridge, or essential medical equipment during a camping trip or power outage. It also features solar panels for continuous power when a wall outlet isn't available. 

Power station	Price	Wattage	#of ports
Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000	$4,999	3000 watts	10
UGREEN PowerRoam 1200	$999	1200 watts	13
EcoFlow River 2	$239	600 watts	6
Bluetti AC60	$699	600 watts	7
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X	$3,749	6000 watts	10
EcoFlow Delta Max 2000	$1,189	2400 watts	6

Which portable power station is right for you?

Any of these portable power stations are great options to provide you with 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 spend.

Choose this portable power station...	If you want...
Jackery Solar Generator Kit 4000	The best overall option and a huge amount of power.
Ugreen PowerRoam 1200	A portable power station powered by long-life EV-grade batteries.
EcoFlow River 2	A compact, grab-and-go portable power station.
Bluetti AC60	The perfect companion for adventures where the power station might get wet.
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X	A power station that will come in handy during emergencies.
Ecoflow Delta Max 2000	A fast-charging portable power station.

How did I choose these portable power stations?

After extensive testing of dozens of power stations, I chose these portable power stations and researched the product category. I regularly take trips that take me off-grid, either for camping or to carry out photography, videography, and drone work, and at these times, I rely on having access to a reliable power source. 

I compared several factors:

• Size and weight: Some people need a small, grab-and-go power station that's easily transported, while others need the biggest capacity they can get and don't mind a big, bulky unit.  
• How many ports: Again, some people only need an AC port and a couple of USB ports. Others might need as many as possible. 
• Battery capacity: This is how much power is contained in the power station. Some will run a home for days, others are designed to keep small items like smartphones and cameras and drones charged up.
• Battery Chemistry: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is the traditional battery technology, but the newer lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) are safer and have a much longer lifespan.
• Company reputation: Power stations are expensive, and I recommend buying hardware from reputable brands.

What's the difference between a battery backup and a generator?

A generator is typically used to restore power to your entire home, or at least most of your home, for as long as you have fuel to power the generator. 

A battery backup doesn't have the same energy capacity, and it's best used to keep essential equipment like 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; this also means you don't have to worry about engine maintenance.

How long will a battery backup last?

It depends on the backup unit's power capacity 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 may give you several days worth of electricity. Many newer battery backup systems allow for charging via solar panels, giving you continuous charging options during lengthy power outages.

How large of a battery backup do you need?

The best way to determine your emergency power needs is to make a definite list of devices you'd want to keep running during an outage. Do you just want to keep your phones charged and a radio powered on to hear weather alerts? You should opt for a low-wattage backup. Do you need to run medical equipment, standard appliances, or a pellet stove? It's better to invest in a much higher-wattage backup system. 

Once you have a list of devices, add up their voltage and wattage; that number is how much output your battery backup system should have, at minimum. It's better to have a backup that gives you a bit more juice than you need than one that struggles to keep up.

Are there other portable power stations worth considering?

There are plenty of other options when it comes to portable power stations available on the market. You'll find most at stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and others, and I recommend checking out these models. 

Best solar power option

Bluetti AX200MAX

This power station comes with amazing 2048Wh LFP cells and a 2200-Watt inverter. 

View at Amazon

Best big power from a big brand

Milwaukee MX FUEL

The portable power supply from Milwaukee provides 3600 peak watts and 1800 continuous watts of pure sine inverter energy.

View at Amazon

Best budget-friendly tool

RYOBI 40V 300-Watt Power Source

This inverter is perfect for powering laptops, tablets, cell phones and other small electronics. 

View at Home Depot

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