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Power Stations and Generators

Portable power stations, solar generators, backup power stations and solar chargers compared by watt-hours, output watts, outlets, solar input and battery type.

What to compare in power stations and generators

Battery-based power ranges from a pocket bank to a unit that backs up a freezer. The child pages split the topic by size and by job, so settle the numbers below first.

  • Wh capacity: This is the stated storage and the cleanest figure for comparing brands. Treat Ah with caution unless the listing also shows the voltage it applies to.
  • Output ratings: Continuous watts and surge watts are separate lines. A unit can start a motor briefly on surge but still be unable to hold it on continuous output.
  • Chemistry: LiFePO4 and standard lithium-ion are named on the listing, usually with a stated cycle figure. Compare those as written, not as promises.
  • Solar input: Maximum input volts and watts decide which panels can feed the unit, so check them before shopping for a panel.
  • Where it will live: Carrying it to a campsite, keeping it in a vehicle and holding it ready for an outage call for different sizes. Use the pages below to narrow that down.

Pick the child page that matches where the unit will live, then read its numbers against the loads you actually have. A small unit well matched beats a large one bought for a hypothetical need.

Guides to read first