Portable Power Station Guides
34 practical guides to help you size correctly, avoid compatibility mistakes, and pick the right portable power station for real devices.
Start Here
4The 4 pillars — read these first to understand how we evaluate compatibility.
Surge Watts vs Running Watts: The Complete Guide to Power Station Startup
Startup surge, not running watts, causes most overload trips. Real OEM data from 49 devices, LRA math, motor physics, and a practical sizing visual.
14 min read120V vs 240V: Which Power Stations Support Split-Phase and Why It Matters
Only 5 of 33 portable power stations output 240V. Learn how US split-phase power works, which devices need it, and what your real options are.
12 min readHow to Size a Portable Power Station: The Complete 5-Step Workflow
Running watts, surge watts, runtime, voltage, and budget: the 5-step sizing cascade with real OEM data from 49 devices and 33 generators.
14 min readSoft-Starters for Power Stations: The Complete Guide to Reducing Startup Surge
A $50 soft-starter can cut compressor surge by 55%, turning FAIL into SAFE. Which devices qualify, how they work, and real before/after data from 11 eligible devices.
12 min readEmergency Preparedness
4Power outage planning for storms, floods, and evacuations.
Hurricane Power Outage Preparation: Battery Backup Guide (2026)
Average hurricane outage lasts 3-7 days. Here's exactly what to run, how much battery you need, and which power stations handle a fridge + phone + fan.
Winter Storm Power Backup: Heating Your Home on a Portable Power Station
A 1,500W space heater drains a power station in 1-2 hours. Here's the honest math on battery-powered heating, plus smarter alternatives that actually work.
Sump Pump Battery Backup: Power Station Sizing for Flood Protection
A 1/2 HP sump pump surges to 3,243W at startup. Here is how to size a power station that will not trip when it matters most.
Wildfire Evacuation Power Kit: What to Pack and How to Size It
When evacuating for wildfire, you need communication, medical devices, and lighting — not a whole-house backup. Here is the minimal battery kit that actually works.
Medical Backup
3Keeping life-critical and daily-use medical devices running on battery.
CPAP Machine on a Portable Power Station: The Complete Battery Backup Guide
A CPAP needs 39-56W and 312-449 Wh per night. Here's exactly how to size a battery backup, which models work, and what settings extend runtime.
Oxygen Concentrator on Battery Power: Sizing Guide for Power Outages
A stationary oxygen concentrator draws 310-350W continuously. That is 7,440-8,400 Wh per day. Here is the honest math on battery backup sizing.
Medical Device Power Outage Planning: A Caregiver's Battery Backup Checklist
From CPAP to oxygen concentrators, here is a practical checklist for keeping medical equipment running during power outages. Includes sizing math and emergency contacts.
Device Guides
5Can a portable power station run this? Real data, not guesswork.
Running a Refrigerator on a Portable Power Station: The Complete Guide
A french door fridge draws 195-207W with a 40% duty cycle. Here's how long your power station will keep it cold, with real numbers from OEM-verified models.
Running a Window AC on a Portable Power Station: Complete Sizing Guide
Inverter ACs draw up to 710W running. Standard ACs surge to 2,010W at startup. Here is exactly which power stations can run each type, with OEM data.
Inverter AC vs. Standard AC on Battery Power: The Surge Difference That Matters
An inverter AC surges at 800W. A standard AC surges at 2,010W. Same BTU, but the inverter gives you 30-70% more runtime from every charge.
EV Charging with a Portable Power Station: How Much Range Can You Get?
A Level 1 EVSE draws 1,440W for 2-5 miles/hour. A 4,000 Wh power station gives you 4-10 miles. Here is the honest math on emergency EV charging.
Running Power Tools on a Portable Power Station: Jobsite Sizing Guide
A pancake compressor surges to 6,800W. A 15A circular saw hits an estimated 5,400W. Here is how to size a power station for your jobsite, with OEM data.
Outdoor & RV
4Powering your campsite, RV, and off-grid adventures on battery.
Best Portable Power Station for RV and Camping (2026)
For RV and camping, you need solar compatibility, USB-C for devices, and enough watts for a mini fridge or CPAP. Here are the top picks from our database.
Running an RV Rooftop AC on a Portable Power Station
RV rooftop ACs demand 1,450-1,788W running and up to 8,856W surge. Find out exactly which portable power stations can handle them, with and without a soft-start module.
Boondocking Power Guide: Sizing Solar + Battery for Off-Grid RV
How much battery and solar do you actually need for boondocking? Real load profiles from coolers to CPAP machines, with station and panel recommendations from our database.
Portable Cooler vs Refrigerator on Battery: Runtime Comparison
A Dometic CFX3 averages 20W. A french door fridge averages 83W. See exactly how long each runs on popular power stations, with solar pairing recommendations.
Buying Guides
2Spec-based recommendations — no paid placements, no guesswork.
Best Portable Power Stations for Home Backup (2026): Outage-Ready Picks
For home backup, you need surge capacity for fridge compressors and enough Wh for multi-day outages. Here are the best options from our database of 33 stations.
Best Portable Power Stations Under $1,000 (2026): All Models Compared
We ranked all 12 power stations under $1,000 in our database against 49 devices. Here are the 3 best picks by price tier, backed by OEM-verified specs.
Battery, Solar & Charging
5Battery chemistry, degradation, charging speed, and solar panel sizing.
LFP vs NMC Batteries in Portable Power Stations: Which Is Better?
LFP lasts 3,000 to 4,000 cycles. NMC offers lighter weight. Here is the real-world trade-off for portable power stations, with verified data from our database.
Battery Degradation in Portable Power Stations: How Long Do They Actually Last?
Manufacturers claim 3,000 to 6,000 cycles. But what does that mean in real years? Here is the degradation math with data from 33 power stations and peer-reviewed research.
Power Station Charging Speed: Wall, Car, Solar, and Generator Compared
Wall charging is fastest (1-2 hours). Solar takes 4-8 hours. Car charging is slowest. Here is the real-world comparison for every method.
Solar Panels for Portable Power Stations: The Complete Compatibility Guide
Not all solar panels work with all power stations. MPPT voltage ranges, connector types, and real-world charge times from our database of 20 panels and 33 stations.
Series vs. Parallel Solar Panels for Portable Power Stations
Series adds voltage. Parallel adds current. Here is when to use each configuration with your power station, including MPPT voltage ranges, safety limits, and real examples.
Power Station Basics
7Foundational knowledge — units, safety, comparisons, and how our data works.
Watts vs Watt-Hours vs Amps: What They Mean for Portable Power Stations
Watts = speed of power. Watt-hours = total energy stored. Amps = current flow. Here is the no-jargon guide to reading power station specs.
Why Most Generator Wattage Charts Are Wrong (And Dangerous)
Generic wattage charts underestimate compressor surge by over 70%. Here are the specific numbers that prove it — and what to use instead.
True Surge Protocol: How We Test Power Station Compatibility
Our three-gate methodology for evaluating portable power station and device compatibility, using OEM data, NEC standards, and conservative load-profile buffers.
Our Data Sources: Why OEM Specs Beat Guesswork
Generic wattage charts are dangerously wrong for compressors and motors. Learn how OEM data, NEC tables, and ENERGY STAR cross-validation produce reliable compatibility results.
Portable Power Station Safety: Indoor Use, LFP vs NMC, and What Certifications Actually Mean
Can you use a power station indoors? Is LFP safer than NMC? What do UL certifications actually mean? A safety guide based on battery chemistry, standards, and CPSC data.
Power Station UPS Mode: Automatic Backup for Medical Devices, Servers, and Sump Pumps
UPS mode switches to battery in 0 to 20ms. Eight power stations in our database support it. Here's which ones handle your load and how to set it up.
Portable Power Station vs Gas Generator: Which Do You Actually Need?
Battery power stations are silent and indoor-safe. Gas generators deliver more watts per dollar. Here's the honest comparison with data from our database of 33 stations.
Tools
3Interactive calculators to run your own numbers.
Power Station Calculator
Add your devices, see total watts, and find which power stations can handle the load — with safety buffer included.
LRA to Surge Watts Calculator
Convert Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) into startup surge watts with voltage, phase, and safety buffer controls.
Solar Charge Time Estimator
Estimate how long a solar panel takes to charge your power station, with real-world derate and MPPT matching.