Are you looking for a reliable and eco-friendly way to power your home during an emergency? A portable power station is a better alternative to gas powered generators that is safer, non toxic and more efficient for home emergency backup.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. You have to consider the unique requirements a portable power station for home use needs to have.
To help narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a list of 4 awesome portable power stations for home use, exploring their best features, pros and cons. If you’d like to learn more about how we selected our favorite models, read our guide on how to choose a portable power station.
Best Portable Power Stations for Home Use
- EDITOR’S CHOICE: BLUETTI AC200MAX
- BEST RUGGED DESIGN: Anker PowerHouse 767
- BEST FOR ENERGY HUNGRY APPLIANCES: EcoFlow Delta Pro
- BEST TO TRANSPORT: Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000
Editor’s Choice: BLUETTI AC200MAX
PROS
- LiFePO4 battery
- Extra long lifespan
- 17 outlet ports, including wireless charging
- Pass through charging so you can charge devices while you recharge the battery
- Expandable up to 6,144Wh (sold separately)
- Fast recharge with AC + solar combo
CONS
- Heavy
The BLUETTI AC200MAX is a powerhouse, built on state-of-the-art LiFePO4 battery technology. The LiFePO4 is designed to last for 3,500 charge cycles! This means that the battery will charge to 100% for 10 years, even if you use it every day, and 23 years if you use it 150 days out of 365.
This is our favorite model on the list because it surpasses the competition on capacity, output, outlets, and lifespan, all at a reasonable price.
The battery has a capacity of 2,048 watt hours, delivers an output of 2,000 watts, with a surge boost up to 4,400 watts. Keep in mind that the surge power will be very important when running high power appliances. You can also expand the capacity of up to 6,144 watt hours by adding additional battery packs.
You also get a whopping 17 outlets: (5) AC, (1) USB-C fast charge, (4) USB-A, (4) DC, and (2) wireless charging pads (our favorite!). The recharge time on the BLUETTI AC200MAX is a respectable 6 hours via an AC outlet, 4 hours via solar, and only 2.5 hours if you combine AC with solar.
The main drawback for us about this model is that it weighs a hefty 61 pounds. But, since this is intended for home emergencies, we don’t anticipate needing to carry it around.
The portable power station comes with all the add-on features you’d expect like a battery management system (BMS), MPPT controller to optimize solar charging, and a mobile app for remote control.
In terms of safety considerations; this model has pure sine wave delivery to ensure your appliances don’t get fried, short circuit protection as well as overcharge protection. Additionally, there’s an LCD display that shows the remaining battery life & charging status in real-time – allowing you to stay informed about their energy usage without having to guess how much juice they have left.
DETAILS:
- Cost: $1,599
- Outlets: 17
- Capacity: 2,048Wh
- Output: 2,200W
- Surge: 4,800W
- Recharge: 6 hours (AC) / 4 hours (Solar) / 2.5 hours (AC + Solar)
- Lifespan: 3,500 cycles
- Weight: 61lbs (28kg)
- Warranty: 4 years
POWER TIME PER CHARGE CYCLE:
(NOTE: These times are based on charging each individual device alone. If you’re charging multiple devices at the same time, the power time will be less)
- LED Light (15 Watts): 136 hours
- iPhone Charger (20 Watts): 102 hours
- 50 inch LCD TV (150 Watts): 13 hours
- CPAP with humidifier (100 Watts): 20 hours
- Refrigerator (150 Watts): 10 hours
- 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner (700 Watts): 3 hours
- The BLUETTI will be able to support more output in surge boost
Best Rugged Design: Anker PowerHouse 767
PROS
- HyperFlash recharge
- LiFePO4 battery
- Rugged design
- Easy to transport
CONS
- No surge power
- Less expansion power than the BLUETTI AC200MAX
- Less outlets than the BLUETTI AC200MAX
In terms of capacity and output, the Anker PowerHouse 767 has a capacity of 2,048 watt hours, output of 2,400 watts and is also built on the amazing LiFePO4 battery to deliver 3,000 charge cycles.
The Anker PowerHouse 767 differs dramatically from the competition in its rugged design and optimization for different types of weather situations. It’s shock and flame resistant, and even “drop-proof”.
It also has an internal temperature regulation system to make sure the battery cells don’t get too hot or cold. This is an invaluable feature in bad weather, especially since lithium ion batteries are often very sensitive to temperature changes.
The next standout feature is its amazing “HyperFlash” recharge time of 1.4 hours. Portable power stations at this capacity level usually require about 4-6 hours to replenish, so the Anker Powerhouse 767 blows the competition out of the water in this regard.
You get 12 outlets (5 less than the BLUETTI AC200MAX): (4) AC, (2) USB-C, (3) USB-A, and (3) DC. However, this is still enough to plug in essential devices you need during a power outage.
In our opinion, the Anker 767 falls short in two important areas: it doesn’t have surge power and you can only expand the battery pack up to 4,096Wh (2,000Wh less than the BLUETTI AC200MAX).
This means that you’ll need to monitor devices and battery levels more closely when high power appliances are plugged in.
In terms of size and weight, the Anker PowerHouse 767 weighs about 45lbs (20.7kg). It comes with wheels and a little handle, which makes it easier to cart around compared to the BLUETTI. However, one design flaw in the handle is that it doesn’t extend very far. So you have to awkwardly bend over while rolling the Anker along. Not sure why they didn’t make this a full telescopic handle, like the Vanpowers 2000.
The power station comes with all the expected features like BMS, MPP controller, mobile app, short circuit protection, low voltage protection, overload protection – ensuring your safety while using the device.
DETAILS:
- Cost: $1,999
- Outlets: 12
- Capacity: 2.048Wh
- Output: 2,400W
- Surge: n/a
- Recharge: 1.4 hours via AC HyperFlash / 2.5 hours with SolarPeak
- Lifespan: 3,000 cycles
- Weight: 45lbs (20.7kg)
- Warranty: 5 years
POWER TIME PER CHARGE CYCLE:
- LED Light (15 Watts): 136 hours
- iPhone Charger (20 Watts): 102 hours
- 50 inch LCD TV (150 Watts): 13 hours
- CPAP with humidifier (100 Watts): 20 hours
- Refrigerator (150 Watts): 10 hours
- 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner (700 Watts): 2 hours
Best Capacity for Energy Hungry Devices: EcoFlow Delta Pro
PROS
- Powerful capacity to support any household appliance
- LiFePO4 battery
- Plug and play integration with your home power grid
CONS
- Expensive
- Heavy
The EcoFlow Delta Pro was built for disasters. When you buy a mega system like this, you almost wish for the power to go out so you can flex the amazing muscles of this portable power station.
The EcoFlow Delta Pro is designed to support heavy duty, high power household appliances. It can support entire systems, like multiple air conditioners, heaters, and any other appliance you can think of.
It has a battery capacity of 3,600Wh, expandable up to 25,000Wh!! This is mind blowing and far exceeds the others on our list in this regard. The Delta Pro has an output of 6,500W and surge X-boost of 4,500W.
It’s powered by an LFP battery that delivers 3,000 charge cycles, like the BLUETTI and Anker.
The Delta Pro comes with 11 outlet ports, (5) AC, (2) USB-A, (2) USB-C, (2) DC. For a portable power station of this capability, the recharge time is a speedy 1.9 hours using an AC wall outlet.
The EcoFlow Delta Pro is the only backup battery on our list that’s built for plug and play home integration. This means that it comes with a generator cable that you can connect directly to your home circuit box. This will send power directly to designated outlets in your house, allowing you to plug devices up as normal. Consult with an electrician before doing this to make sure everything is configured correctly.
If you want to create a seamless backup system that automatically activates when the power goes out, pair the Delta Pro with the EcoFlow Smart Generator. This way you won’t even notice when the power goes out in your neighborhood because your house will be working as normal.
This is also the only power station on our list that you can recharge at electric vehicle charging stations.
The downside of the Delta Pro is the huge $3,699 price tag. While this portable power station can deliver everything and more, the cost makes it inaccessible for a lot of people.
However, it is cheaper, safer and more eco-friendly when compared to a gas powered generator backup. Those can cost anywhere from $15,000+ to provide the similar capabilities, but they are noisy, polluting and more dangerous. The Delta Pro is also very heavy at 99 lbs (45 kg).
It includes the bells and whistles we expect, BMS, MPPT controller, Wi-Fi, LCD screen, mobile app, pure sine wave delivery, and an MPPT controller. It also has two wheels for easier transport, although the handle does not extend.
DETAILS:
- Cost: $3,699
- Outlets: 11
- Capacity: 3,600Wh – 25,000Wh
- Output: 6,500W
- Surge: 4,500W
- Recharge: 1.9 hours via AC
- Lifespan: 3,000 cycles
- Weight: 99 lbs (45 kg)
- Warranty: 5 years
POWER TIME PER CHARGE CYCLE:
- LED Light (15 Watts): 240 hours
- iPhone Charger (20 Watts): 180 hours
- 50 inch LCD TV (150 Watts): 24 hours
- CPAP with humidifier (100 Watts): 36 hours
- Refrigerator (150 Watts): 11 hours
- 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner (700 Watts): 5 hours
Best to Transport: Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000
PROS
- 8 ways to recharge
- LiFePO4 battery
- Easy to transport
CONS
- Short warranty
- Less surge power than the BLUETTI AC200MAX and EcoFlow Delta Pro
The Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000 delivers a lot of versatility in an affordable, easy to transport package. In terms of capacity and output, it’s on par with the BLUETTI and Anker. It has a battery capacity of 2,096Wh, output of 2,000W and surge power of 3,000W. It also delivers a respectable 14 ports: (6) AC, (4) USB-C, (3) DC, (1) car outlet.
What makes the Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000 standout is that it provides 8 different options for fast recharging. This feature makes it a great solution for home emergencies, because it’s easy to keep the battery juiced up.
It also comes equipped with wheels and a long, luggage-style telescopic handle.
It also includes nice features like MPPT controller, BMS, pure sine wave delivery, Wi-Fi, temperature regulation, an LCD screen, and a mobile app.
The downside of the Vanpowers Super Power Pro 2000 is that it doesn’t include USB-A ports, (although they do provide adapters) and you cannot expand the battery pack. Their warranty is also the lowest on our list at 2 years.
While we can’t recommend this over the BLUETTI AC200MAX, it is a solid choice for people that want a home backup solution that they can move around easily and use for activities like camping or tailgating.
DETAILS:
- Cost: $1,599
- Outlets: 14
- Capacity: 2,096Wh
- Output: 2,000W
- Surge: 3,000W
- Recharge: 1 hour (AC + Solar), 1.5 – 2 hours (Solar)
- Lifespan: 3,000 cycles
- Weight: 46.5lbs (21.2kg)
- Warranty: 2 years
POWER TIME PER CHARGE CYCLE:
- LED Light (15 Watts): 139 hours
- iPhone Charger (20 Watts): 104 hours
- 50 inch LCD TV (150 Watts): 13 hours
- CPAP with humidifier (100 Watts): 20 hours
- Refrigerator (150 Watts): 13 hours
- 8,000 BTU Air Conditioner (700 Watts): 2-3 hours
How we test
When reviewing the best portable power stations for home use, we look at key factors like battery capacity, output, outlet ports and lifespan. We consult the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Website and the California Energy Commission’s Energy Conservation Website to get information on appliance wattage and amperage usage.
We also take into consideration the unique issues you’ll encounter in a home emergency situation, like needing to power large appliances and the ability to quickly recharge the battery.
We analyze each portable power station and ask the following questions:
- What types of devices and appliances can you power? This is extra important for home emergencies when you have critical systems to support like kitchen appliances and medical gear.
- How long does it take to recharge? You want to be able to get the battery up and running as soon as possible in an emergency.
- How many different outlets do you get? You need a bigger variety of devices to charges, so you want as many outlets as possible.
- What’s the estimated lifespan? A portable power station is a big investment. You want that battery charging up to 100% as long as possible.
- What special features do you get? Features like remote management, pass through charging
- What type of warranty is offered? Again, with such a big price tag you want the assurance of knowing the manufacturer will give you repairs and support for as long as possible.
- What safety protocols are in place? You want to keep your devices fully juiced as safely as possible, with the peace of mind that nothing will get damaged.
