As you’ve no doubt been hearing lately, it’s not a question of whether the electricity will go out, it’s a matter of when. Power stations are large — but still portable — batteries that can pitch in to keep a few essentials running when the lights go out. Most have AC outlets in addition to USB ports and many are powerful enough to run a microwave or even power a fridge. I set them up as the power source for my home office and they didn’t sweat. Of course, these chonkers aren’t just for emergencies. You can also use them for fun stuff like camping or powering up your next picnic. Whatever you decide to do with them, here are the best portable power stations we tested.
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Best portable power stations for 2026
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
Capacity: 1,070 Wh | Maximum output: 1,500 W | Surge output: 3,000 W | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Recharge speed (est): 1.58 h | Weight: 23.8 lbs | Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 10 in | AC outlets: 3 | USB-C ports: 1 x 100W, 1 x 30W | USB-A ports: 1 x 18W | Additional ports: 12V DC | Solar charging port: DC 8mm | Warranty: 3 yrs (+2 yrs with registration)
The whole time I was testing these power stations, I had it in my head that the Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 cost $600. Which I thought was a decent price for what you get. When I went to enter the testing results and saw that it was actually $499, I was impressed.
The Explorer 1000 is small and light and notably mighty. It handled a ten-hour work day, running my laptop, monitor, LED light and Wi-Fi gateway (in my imagined blackout scenario, my local ISP is still up and running). By the end of the day, it still had a good third of its battery remaining.
When I used it to microwave some food (after refiling the battery) it handled my 1,000 W appliance like it was happy to do so. When the microwave was going, the Explorer’s display indicated that it could keep providing that load for around 45 minutes. That’s a whole lot of power-outage Cup Noodles. It powered my fridge for forty minutes and estimated it could do so for at least eight more hours (and much longer when the fridge's compressor wasn't running).
I like that it’s one of the more colorful units — it even comes with a bright orange charging cable. And it has a (very bright) handy light on the front to help orient you in a blackout. It, like all power stations, has buttons to turn on the unit itself as well as the DC/USB and AC ports. Just be sure you tap those before expecting any output.
- Good array of ports
- Lightweight yet powerful
- Great per-watt-hour value
- Side handles would be more ergonomic
- Could use one more USB-C port
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
Capacity: 1,024 Wh | Maximum output: 2,000 W | Surge output: 3,000 W | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Recharge speed (est): 49m (with app-enabled feature) | Weight: 24.9 lbs | Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 10 in | AC outlets: 5 | USB-C ports: 2 x 140 W, 1 x 15 W | USB-A ports: 1 x 12 W | Additional ports: 12V DC | Solar charging port: XT-60 | Warranty: 5 yrs (with registration)
If there’s one thing that bugs me about Anker is that their sale prices are confusing. The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 has an MSRP of $799. But none of the price history tools I use have put it anywhere near that price for the past six months. As of this writing, it’s listed from Anker and at Amazon for $429 — that makes for a very good deal. Of course, if you happen upon it when it’s at full price, I suggest waiting a few days for the price to come down — or going with our top pick from Jackery.
The C1000 has a bevy of ports, with five AC plugs and three USB-C — of which two are rated at 140 W. That makes it a particularly good home office backup. When I used it as one, it handled a ten-hour workday without complaints and had about 20 percent of its capacity left over.
The fridge and microwave tests went equally well, making my leftovers hot, then seeing the fridge through multiple compressor cycles. I left it plugged into the fridge for a couple hours and by the end the battery was still three-fourths full. .
Of all the models, this one has the sleekest, most modern design with a minimalist black display panel and blue accents. I also prefer its side handles to the pop up handle on the Jackery. While those side loops make the unit wider overall, it allows me to carry it closer to my body. That’s better for the back if you find yourself moving it around a lot.
- Excellent port array, including three USB-C
- Handles small setups and big appliances with ease
- Ergonomic side handles
- High MSRP (but it's usually on sale)
- Side handles make it wider
Rick Broida / Yahoo Tech
Capacity: 288 Wh | Maximum output: 300 W | Surge output: 600 W | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Recharge speed: 70 m | Weight: 9.1 lbs | Dimensions: 6.5 x 6 x 9.5 in | AC outlets: 3 | USB-C ports: 2 x 140 W, 1 x 15 W | USB-A ports: 1 x 12 W | Additional ports: 12V DC | Solar charging port: USB-C | Warranty: 5 yrs (with registration)
This pick comes from Yahoo Tech’s senior tech writer, Rick Broida’s guide to power stations for less than $250. If you’re looking for super budget options for keeping the lights powered up, check out that guide. He named the Anker Solix C300 the best overall in that category.
It has three AC outlets, which is more than some larger power stations, and also comes with three USB-C ports and a single USB-A. At nine pounds, it’s not something you’d carry on a hike (despite what the marketing materials may show).
There’s even an integrated light — nice to have during a power outage as you get things plugged in. Rick’s main disappointments were with the power cord that’s far too short and the lack of printed instructions. But its 288 Wh capacity should be enough to keep a light on and your phone or laptop from dying when the power goes out.
- Higher capacity than most in its price range
- An abundance of outputs, including three AC
- Four ways to recharge, including USB-C
- Poorly labeled buttons
- Short power cord
- Small print on status screen
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
Capacity: 3072 Wh | Maximum output: 3,600 W | Surge output: 4,500 W | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Recharge speed: 2h | Weight: 63 lbs | Dimensions: 19 x 11.5 x 11 in | AC outlets: 5 | USB-C ports: 1 x 100 W, 1x 18 W| USB-A ports: 2 x 18 W | Additional ports: 12V DC, RV | Solar charging port: XT-60 | Warranty: 2 yrs (+3 yrs with registration)
I’m a reasonably fit person, and lugging the Pecron F3000LFP around was rough. At 63 pounds, it's at the upper limit of my personal carrying capacity and forced me to make very unpleasant cries of effort as I hoisted it off the floor and carried it into testing areas.
That said, this is the lowest per-watt price of anything on this list. The other power stations we tried cost between $0.40 and $1 per watt-hour; this Pecron unit comes in at $0.26. It ran my office setup for nearly 11 hours and had enough left in the tank to do it again the next day.
Running my microwave for five minutes only shaved off a few percentage points. Same for powering my fridge. During use, the unit got warm, but never hot and the fan, while audible, wasn’t terribly loud when it occasionally kicked on.
The design is very tech-basic with a black matte plastic shell and some orange printing. The screen is easy to read and the buttons and ports are clearly labeled. The AC input port is on the front — I’d prefer it on the side or back. I’m also not sure why there’s a protective flap over the input AC and solar ports, but not on any of the output ports.
- Huge capacity for the price
- Good array of ports
- Extremely heavy
- Pretty basic design and looks
- AC input port is on the front
Amy Skorheim / Yahoo Tech
Capacity: 677 Wh | Maximum output: 600 watts | Surge output: 1,000 W | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Recharge speed: 2 - 3 h | Weight: 20.3 lbs | Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 8.5 in | AC outlets: 2 | USB-C ports: 1x 100W, 1 x 30 W | USB-A ports: 18 W | Additional ports: 12V DC | Solar charging port: DC 8mm | Warranty: 5 years
The first thing to note is the Goal Zero YETI 700 has the highest per-watt cost — more than double some of the others on this list. But it also features a few perks that make it ideal for camping.
For one, it’s super compact and relatively lightweight at 20 pounds. It reminds me of a traditional car battery — except much better looking and comes with a fold-down handle. Also, it has an 18-month shelf life, so even if you don’t go camping right away after charging it, it won’t be dead when you get to your campsite.
It’s the only power station I tested with an IP rating for water resistance. It’s rated IPX4, which means it can handle a good splashing (not submersion) so it can be out in the rain for a bit without getting damaged. There’s a rubber flap over the ports that seals out water when closed and acts as a little umbrella when something is plugged in. It’s also the only station tested to withstand vibration — I opted not to toss it around, but that’s another point for the Yeti in terms of ruggedness.
The operating temperature range is wider than the other stations, too, with a listed working range between -4°F and 100°F. In addition to the AC and USB ports, there’s also a 12V 6mm port to power specialised camping equipment, like coolers and lights, many of which (unsurprisingly) Goal Zero also makes. And of course, it pairs up nicely with the brand’s portable 100 and 200 W solar panels.
Finally — and I know this will only matter to persnickety people like me — but it smelled the least terrible. All other units gave off a pretty strong off-gassing plastic odor when they were running, but the Yeti was the least offensive by far.
Note that this is a smaller battery. With just 700 Wh on board, it was only able to run my work setup for six and a half hours. Its 600 W output wasn’t enough to run my microwave, though it did respectably well on the fridge. If you don’t need the extra ruggedness and camping compatibility, I’d opt for one of the other options on our list.
- Water-resistant design
- Broad operating temperature range
- Lightweight and easily portable
- Expensive per-watt-hour price
Other power stations we tested
EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic
The EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic is a solidly built and sleek-looking unit and I like that, unlike most power stations, the plugs and display are on the narrow edge which feels more versatile in terms of where you can set it up. But it was a little more expensive per-watt-hour than our other picks and in my tests didn’t last quite as long, either. I’ve been impressed with EcoFlow products and this is in no way a bad option. If you find it on sale, you won’t be disappointed.
What to consider when buying a power station
What the numbers mean
Every power station out there lists its capacity in watt-hours (Wh), wattage output (W) and peak output (W). The watt-hour is the battery’s overall capacity — or how many watts it can deliver over time. A power station that’s about the same size as a standard car battery often hits the 700Wh mark. Units slightly larger than that fall in the 1,000WH (or 1kWh) range. Go as big as a small carry-on duffel bag and you could be looking at something in the 3,000Wh (3kWh) range.
For reference, here are a few watt-hour usages:
A small house: 18kWh per day
An average fridge: 2kWh per day
A 50-inch 4K LED TV: 100Wh per hour
A box fan: 75Wh per hour
Fully charging an average smart phone: 18Wh
Fully charging a newer 13-inch MacBook Air: 55Wh
So the capacity you need depends on what you want to keep running when the power goes out. My tests involved keeping my work setup alive (monitor, laptop, Wi-Fi gateway and an LED lamp). Power stations with 1,000 Wh capacity were plenty for a full eight or even ten-hour shift.
Another number to pay attention to is wattage (W). That’s how much oomph a power station can deliver. A unit rated at 1,500 W should be able to run a 1,500W appliance (how long it can run that appliance depends on the Wh capacity).
Many also list a “peak” wattage output. That’s how much of a boost the station can deliver when an appliance is first plugged in. An appliance like a microwave or a power tool might need a surge of power for a few seconds to properly kick on. But that higher wattage number is just a short (two to five second) boost, don’t count on it as a true gauge of a power station’s output.
A port for every device
Count up the devices you want to run when the lights go out and make sure your chosen station has what you need. For my work setup, I needed three AC plugs and a USB-C capable of delivering 100W. Note that most stations only have one or two higher-powered USB ports, others are rated at 30 or even 18 W.
If you’re camping, you may also want a 12V aux connection (aka a car port) so you can run accessories that would otherwise plug into your car. Some of those car ports also let you charge your power station from your car’s battery. Just be sure you don’t leave yourself stranded by sucking out all of your car’s juice.
Balance power with bulk
It seems silly to point out, but keep in mind that the higher the capacity, the bigger (and heavier) the power station will be. While it’s nice to have an extra 2 kWh hanging around, remember that a 60-pound power station is pretty tough to carry around for anyone who’s not a weightlifter. (Yes, that's why the even bigger power stations have integrated wheels.)
Good handles are important too. Smaller power stations have fold down handles that stay nicely out of the way when you’re not carting it around. Mid-sized stations tend to have rigid handles on either side of the body, which help you keep the weight close to your body for more ergonomic power (heh) lifting.
Take advantage of the sun
If the power goes out for more than a day or two, you might want an alternative way to recharge your power station. Of course, the fastest way to charge these batteries is through the AC port connected to your wall outlet. But nearly all power stations allow for a secondary input from portable solar panels and even the 12V accessory socket in your car.
If you opt for solar panels, you can refill your units (just more slowly than from the wall outlet). Of course, if the outage you’re dealing with is due to a storm, sunlight might be in short supply. But if the sun comes out for at least a few hours, you might be able to refill. How quickly you can do so depends on the wattage of your panels, how many you have, and how large your power station is.
Jackery provides a handy calculator for its products. It estimates it would take about nine hours to refill a 1kWh powerstation with a single 200W panel. Anker estimates one of its 1kWh stations can refill in just 1.8 hours with three 200W panels chained.
Just be sure to check that the solar panel and the power station are compatible. If you get both from the same brand, you should be set. But if you’re mixing panel and station brands, you may need to get a different adapter cable, as some use 8mm barrel connections and some use XT-60 ports and plugs.
Lifespans and warranties
Most power stations use a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry. That’s slightly different from what you’ll find in standard lithium ion cells, say, in your smart phone or laptop. Those smaller lithium ion batteries are more energy-dense so they work well in small electronics. Since power stations have more room to work with, they opt for LiFePO4 cells because they’re safer (less prone to the overheating and fire hazards found with lithium ion cells).
They also have a much longer lifespan, with most rated to last through 4,000 charging cycles while maintaining 80% capacity. Power station batteries can last up to ten years, whereas lithium ion cells last less than half that.
After making sure you’re going with a LiFePO4 battery, it’s also a good idea to make sure your power station comes with a warranty. Most of the ones we tested offer a five-year warranty, though some require you to register your battery to get the full five years. It’s an annoying extra step but probably worth it in this case.
UPS and app control
Some power stations can also be used as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and have very quick switching times (on the order of milliseconds). To use it, you would plug the power station into the wall and the device you want to always stay on into the AC outlet. Turn the AC ports on and, when the power goes out, the station should automatically take over powering the device.
Nearly every power station brand offers its own companion apps. These will connect your phone to the unit so you can check battery levels and how much power is being used. You can also turn the ports on and off from your phone. Personally, I find the apps pretty inconsequential, but they could help orient you as you’re getting used to the power station.
How we test power stations
Before we test anything for Yahoo Tech, we research what’s out there. My colleague Rick Broida has tested batteries and power stations extensively, so I got his input on which brands would be wise to check out. I also read professional and shopper reviews before actually getting a hold of the power stations.
To test the stations out, I first used them for what I want to be able to do in a power outage: Work. After charging each unit to 100%, I used one per day to power my personal work setup consisting of a 16-inch MacBook, a 27-inch Dell LED-backlit LCD monitor, a Wi-Fi gateway and a small LED lamp. I used that setup for around 10 hours each day. (No, I don't work 10 hours every day; I played a YouTube video after I finished working.)
I then recharged them and had each one run my 1000 W microwave for five minutes, followed by a 27 cubic-foot fridge for a half an hour. I noted the power consumption, saw how each performed, how easy they were to use and how well they managed their power capacity.
After comparing the results to the price, build, ergonomics and aesthetics, I picked our winners. As new power stations come out that are worthy of testing, I’ll put them through their paces and update this guide.
