Power outages can be a real hassle, especially when they occur unexpectedly. It’s frustrating when you’re in the middle of something important and the power suddenly goes out. That’s where backup power sources come in. These devices can keep your essential appliances running during a power outage, ensuring that you don’t miss a beat.
There are several types of backup power sources available on the market, but the best one for a power cut depends on your specific needs. Some backup power sources are portable and can be used to power small appliances, while others are designed to power entire homes. The most common types of backup power sources are generators, batteries, and solar panels.
When choosing a backup power source, it’s important to consider the type of appliances you want to power during an outage. For example, if you only need to power a few lights and a small refrigerator, a portable generator may be the best option. On the other hand, if you need to power your entire home, a standby generator may be a better choice. You should also consider the fuel source of the backup power source, as well as its runtime and noise level.
Ultimately, the best backup power source for a power outage is one that meets your specific needs. Whether you need to power a few appliances or your entire home, there is a backup power source out there that can help you stay connected during an outage.
Best Backup Sources for Power Outages
Power outages can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re not prepared. Having a backup power source can help you stay connected and powered up during an outage. In this article, we’ve rounded up the best backup sources for power outages to help you stay prepared and connected. Whether you need to keep your phone charged or power up your home, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the best backup source for your needs.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240
If you’re looking for a reliable backup power source for your outdoor adventures, the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is a great option.
Pros
- Can power up to 4 devices at the same time with its AC outlet, USB-A ports, and DC car port
- No fuel or gasoline needed, making it eco-friendly and quiet
- Solar ready, making it easy to recharge with a solar panel
Cons
- Low placement of the AC outlet can be inconvenient
- Not suitable for powering high wattage devices
- Expensive compared to other backup power sources
The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is equipped with a 240 watt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, making it a reliable source of power for your outdoor electronics. It’s also eco-friendly and quiet, making it a great choice for camping trips.
One of the standout features of the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is its ability to power up to 4 devices at the same time. With its AC outlet, USB-A ports, and DC car port, you can charge your laptop, mini-cooler, drone, and other outdoor electronics with ease.
The Explorer 240 is also solar ready, which means you can easily recharge it with the efficient solar panel, making it a great choice for off-grid adventures. Additionally, it provides temperature protection, short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overpower protection, and overcharge protection to ensure device safety.
However, the low placement of the AC outlet can be inconvenient, especially if you’re using a device with a short cord. It’s also not suitable for powering high wattage devices, so keep that in mind when using it.
The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240 is a reliable and eco-friendly backup power source for your outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for a backup power source that can power multiple devices at once, this is a great option.
BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A
If you’re looking for a reliable backup source for a power outage, the BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A is a great option.
Pros
- The 600W AC inverter and 268Wh LiFePO4 battery pack provide enough power to keep your essential devices running during a power outage or when you’re on the go.
- The EB3A charges quickly, and you can recharge it from 0-80% in just 30 minutes when using both PV+AC together (solar charging cable sold separately).
- The built-in MPPT controller supports up to 200W of solar input, making it easy to harness the power of the sun and create an ideal solar generator with BLUETTI PV120/PV200 solar panel.
Cons
- The EB3A has a relatively small capacity, so it may not be sufficient for larger devices or extended use.
- The solar charging cable is sold separately, which may be an inconvenience for some users.
- While the EB3A is a reliable UPS, it may not provide enough power to protect all of your sensitive devices from data loss or damage.
The BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A is a great choice for those looking for a reliable backup source for a power outage. With its powerful inverter and battery pack, fast charging, and solar input capabilities, it’s a versatile and convenient option for powering your essential devices. However, its relatively small capacity and limited UPS capabilities may not be suitable for all users.
If you’re looking for a portable, reliable power source for emergencies or outdoor adventures, the BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB3A is definitely worth considering.
What You Get: BLUETTI EB3A portable power station, AC charging cable, solar charging cable, user manual, 24-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
ABB PowerValue 11LI Up Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
If you’re looking for a reliable UPS for modest IT applications, the ABB PowerValue 11LI Up is a great choice.
Pros
- Intervenes within 2 to 6 ms when the main power is lost, ensuring continuous power supply
- Filters out input power disturbances such as surges, line noise or brownouts, ensuring a clean, regulated and reliable voltage
- Internal enhanced-runtime batteries designed to give you stable, low-maintenance performance over many years of service
Cons
- Loud fan noise, which can be off-putting, especially in a home office environment
- No Windows driver available to shut down the PC before the battery runs down, which could lead to hard disk corruption
- Some users have reported issues with the battery needing to be reconnected or not charging properly
The ABB PowerValue 11LI Up UPS is a line-interactive power supply that is ideal for users with lower power requirements, from 600 to 2,000 VA electrical power. It intervenes within 2 to 6 ms when the main power is lost, ensuring continuous power supply. It also filters out input power disturbances such as surges, line noise or brownouts, ensuring a clean, regulated and reliable voltage for your connected equipment.
The UPS’s internal enhanced-runtime batteries are designed to give you stable, low-maintenance performance over many years of service, and if the battery eventually needs replacing, this can be done easily. An intuitive touchscreen LCD display allows parameters to be read with the minimum of fuss, and there is a USB interface to charge smaller electronic devices. However, some users have reported issues with the battery needing to be reconnected or not charging properly, and the loud fan noise can be off-putting, especially in a home office environment.
Additionally, there is no Windows driver available to shut down the PC before the battery runs down, which could lead to hard disk corruption. Overall, the ABB PowerValue 11LI Up is a reliable UPS that is well-suited for modest IT applications.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500
ackery Explorer 500 portable power station – the perfect solution for all your power needs while enjoying the great outdoors. With its standard PURE SINE WAVE AC outlet, this power station can cover most home appliances, providing stable power to a wide range of AC-reliant devices like TVs. It also features a 12V/10A carport and 3*5V/2.4A USB ports to power/charge all your car appliances and small electronic devices like car coolers, air pumps, car vacuums, laptops, and phones.
Pros:
- Versatility: The Explorer 500 can power a wide range of AC-reliant devices, car appliances, and small electronic devices like laptops and phones. It can also be recharged by solar panels or a wall outlet, making it a versatile and eco-friendly option.
- Portability: The Explorer 500 is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and store, especially for camping or outdoor activities.
- Safety features: The power station has multiple safety features like temperature protection, short circuit protection, and overcharge protection, ensuring the safety of your devices and the power station itself.
Cons:
- Price: The Explorer 500 is relatively expensive compared to other portable power stations on the market.
- Limited power output: The power station has a maximum output of 500 watts, which may not be enough to power larger appliances or devices.
- Limited battery life: The battery life of the Explorer 500 may not be enough for extended use, especially if powering larger devices or appliances
This versatile green power station can perform as a solar generator and can be recharged by Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel, wall outlet, car outlet, and generator. It also has a lighting function that can be converted to SOS in case of emergency.
The Explorer 500 portable power station provides temperature protection, short circuit protection, overcurrent protection, overpower protection, and overcharge protection to ensure device safety.
SWAREY Portable Power Station S500 PRO
The S500 portable generator is a newly upgraded product that offers a larger capacity of 518Wh and a high-power 500W output, making it suitable for a variety of equipment. Its compact size, sturdy hidden handle, and carrying bag make it easy to carry in a backpack or backseat on long road trips. With multiple output ports, including a 500W AC power socket, 30W USB-C port, 2 USB-A ports, 1 QC3.0 port, 1 car socket, and 2 DC ports, the S500 can charge up to 8 devices at the same time.
Pros:
- High Capacity and Multiple Output Ports: The SWAREY Portable Power Station S500 PRO has a high capacity of 518Wh and multiple output ports, including a 500W AC power socket, 30W USB-C port, 2 USB-A ports, 1 QC3.0 port, 1 car socket, and 2 DC ports, making it suitable for charging a variety of devices.
- Multiple Charging Methods: The S500 PRO can be charged via wall sockets, car chargers, and solar panels, providing flexibility and convenience for users.
- Safe and Reliable: The S500 PRO has a battery management system that provides temperature protection, voltage protection, and short-circuit protection, ensuring the safety and reliability of the product.
Cons:
- Expensive: The SWAREY Portable Power Station S500 PRO is relatively expensive compared to other portable power stations on the market.
- Heavy: The S500 PRO weighs around 14.3 pounds, which makes it relatively heavy and less portable than some other models.
- Solar Panels Not Included: Although the S500 PRO can be charged via solar panels, the panels are not included with the product and must be purchased separately.
The S500 can be charged via wall sockets, car chargers, and the SWAREY 100W solar panels (not included). Its built-in MPPT charge controller maximizes the power generation efficiency of the solar panel and shortens the charging time. The S500 is an eco-friendly and safe option for camping or emergency backup off-grid power. It has LEDs with SOS mode and a battery management system that provides temperature protection, voltage protection, and short-circuit protection. With PSE, METI, FCC, CE, ROHS certification, the S500 is a reliable and secure option for all your power needs.
Buying Guide
Choosing the best backup source for a power outage can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the different types of backup sources available. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best backup source for your needs:
Power Capacity
The power capacity of the backup source is a factor to consider. You should choose a backup source that has enough power to run your essential appliances during a power outage. Consider the wattage of your appliances and choose a backup source that can handle the load. A backup source with a higher power capacity will be more expensive, but it will provide peace of mind during an outage.
Battery Life
The battery life of the backup source is another important factor to consider. You should choose a backup source that has a long battery life, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power during an extended outage. Look for a backup source with a battery life of at least 8 hours.
Portability
Portability is a factor to consider if you want to use your backup source for outdoor activities or camping. You should choose a backup source that is lightweight and portable, so you can easily carry it around. Look for a backup source with a built-in handle or wheels for easy transportation.
Additional Features
Some backup sources come with additional features such as USB ports, solar panels, and built-in inverters. These features can be useful if you want to charge your mobile devices or run your appliances more efficiently. Consider your needs and choose a backup source with the features that are essential to you.
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Power Capacity | Choose a backup source that can handle the wattage of your appliances |
| Battery Life | Choose a backup source with a battery life of at least 8 hours |
| Portability | Choose a backup source that is lightweight and portable |
| Additional Features | Consider your needs and choose a backup source with the features that are important to you |
