How to choose an outdoor power supply for $500

Why should you buy a portable power station?

Bring big backup power with you with these expert-recommended portable power stations, which can store enough power to charge electronics, appliances, and more.

What should you consider when choosing a portable power station?

Choosing a portable power station depends on your specific needs and lifestyle. A few things to consider: Capacity: Think about what you’ll need to power when the lights go out and do a little research on the devices’ wattage requirements so you can calculate what watt-hour capacity you’ll need in a portable power station.

What can a portable power station power during a blackout?

A portable power station isn’t a whole-house power solution, but it will make your next blackout a lot more comfortable by powering your essential devices and appliances. Like power capacity, the size of these stations varies, but they’re generally much smaller than gas generators, making them easy to store until you need to break them out.

What can a portable power station power?

Portable power stations are enormous batteries that can store electricity and power a range of devices and appliances when the lights go out. If you can’t run a gas generator or want power that’s a little more portable than those 100-pound behemoths, this is a no-brainer.

Can you use a portable power station indoors?

Unlike a gas generator, you can operate portable power stations indoors safely. There are no fumes or other concerns. Even if you have outdoor space to run a generator, brief blackouts might not warrant the effort if you can just plug in a few lamps and keep your devices charged with a power station.

What is the cost of a portable power station?

Portable power stations vary in cost, with popular models like the Bluetti EB55 retailing for about $500. This station has a 537 watt-hours capacity and a max output of 700 watts, allowing it to run a wide range of devices.