Power station
For several devices, longer outages, camping, or anything with a wall plug.
Simple backup power planning
Know what battery you need before you buy.
Tell us what you need to keep running. We’ll show you a sensible battery size and likely runtime — without making you learn the jargon.
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- About one minute
Start here
Choose the sentence that sounds like you.
You do not need to understand watts or battery jargon to begin.
Recommended
I’m not sure what I need
Answer six simple questions and get a practical starting setup.
Help me chooseI own a batteryHow long will it last?
Enter Wh or Ah × V, one device load, and visible planning assumptions for a realistic runtime.
Check runtimeSeveral devicesPlan a whole outage
Add your internet, lights, fridge, medical gear, and other essentials.
Build my loadBest by use
Shop by situation
Start with the device or setting that cannot fail. Each guide shows the sizing math before comparing products whose published specifications fit the job.
CPAP overnight
Size a full night of therapy, including humidifier draw and medical caveats.
Starlink & home internet
Compare an evening, a workday, and all-day connectivity plans.
Sump pump
Check motor surge first, then size capacity from actual pump-on time.
RV & vanlife
Build a daily energy budget for fridges, lights, fans, devices, and recharging.
Want a specific calculator?See all six free planning tools
All free planning tools
Pick the one question you want answered. Each tool explains its result.
PF-01Calculator
Battery Runtime Calculator
Best for: Convert Wh or Ah × V into runtime for one device.
PF-02CalculatorPortable Power Station Calculator
Best for: Check capacity, continuous watts, and optional startup demand for one device type.
PF-03CalculatorSolar Recharge Calculator
Best for: See whether a solar panel can refill your battery.
PF-05CalculatorMulti-Device Load Builder
Best for: Add every device in your outage plan.
PF-07Mission plannerCamera & Drone Power Planner
Best for: Size a remote shoot from batteries, laptop time, and lights.
PF-04Decision wizardGear Finder
Best for: Get a setup suggestion without knowing the specs.
Start from your situation
What are you trying to keep running?
Pick a common situation. We will pre-load the typical devices for you.
Router & modem backup
Keep home internet up during an outage
ClassUnder 300WhApartment outage kit
Ride out a multi-hour outage in an apartment: lights, phones, internet, and a fan
Class1,000–2,000WhWeekend camping power
Run lights, phones, and small electronics at a campsite for a weekend
Class500–1,000WhSmall fridge backup
Keep a mini fridge or compact refrigerator cold through an outage
Class500–1,000WhWhich kind of battery do you need?
Start with the job. You can compare exact specifications later.
UPS battery
For a computer or internet gear that cannot turn off, even for a second.
USB power bank
For phones, tablets, and other devices that charge directly over USB.
Ready to shop? Start with three sensible sizes
Use the Gear Finder first if you do not know your size. If you do, these are our quick budget, mid-size, and extended-outage picks.
Some links on this page may be paid links. If you buy through them, Cynosure LLC may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not claim to have personally tested products unless clearly stated.
Best budget
EcoFlow
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station
- 245Wh
- 300W AC
- $149–$219
Keeps internet, phones, and lights alive through an evening outage for the least money.
See current priceBest mid-size
Jackery
Jackery Explorer 600 Plus Portable Power Station
- 632Wh
- 800W AC
- $300–$500
A full work-from-home day — laptop, router, phones — at a weight you can still carry.
See current priceBest for big outages
Jackery
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station
- 2,042Wh
- 2,200W AC
- $700–$1,100
Days of essentials, or a full-size fridge in duty cycles, when the outage runs long.
See current priceThese three are the shortcut — not the whole catalog.
Browse all 27 picks, including power stations, UPS units, solar gear, charging accessories, and outage essentials.
Prices last checked between 2026-07-08 and 2026-07-09; review overdue — verify current listings. We have not hands-on tested these units — verify capacity, output, and current price on the listing. Not sure which size fits?Size your load first ortake the Gear Finder.
Get the free Emergency Power Planning Checklist
The printable checklist now — then short, occasional notes when one of our recommended picks changes or we spot a real price drop. Nothing on a schedule, unsubscribe anytime.
Learn before you spend
Latest buying guides
Plain-English guides on sizing, comparing, and avoiding the usual backup-power mistakes — with the math shown, not hidden.
Beginner basics
Generator vs Battery Power Station: An Honest Decision Framework
An honest comparison of gas generators and battery power stations: CO safety, noise, cost per kWh both ways, maintenance, and which one fits your outage.
Calculators & sizingHow Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use? Sizing Battery Backup for Your Fridge
A fridge has three wattage numbers: running, surge, and average. Learn what yours really draws, how to measure it, and what battery capacity keeps food safe overnight or for 24 hours.
Home outage setupsHurricane Season Power Prep: Buy Calm, Not in the Cone
What hurricane outages actually look like, a realistic power priority list, honest sizing math before the storm, and a day-by-day countdown once a storm is named.
How Power Preflight works
Estimate. Compare. Buy once.
We publish our formulas and assumptions, we don't write fake reviews, and we'd rather you buy the right size than the biggest one.
Estimate
Add up your real device watts, then use thefree calculators to turn them into runtime and capacity numbers.
Compare
Put capacity classes and setup types side by side so the trade-offs are clear before you shop.
Buy once
Verify the specs that matter and buy the size you actually need — nothing bigger. Ourmethodology is public.
Calculations are estimates. Verify manufacturer specs. Some links may earn commissions.