Backup power decision support

Portable Power Station Selector

Start with the loads and outage you need to cover. Build a minimum capacity and output brief, then see where current manufacturer specifications fit, conflict, or leave a question unanswered.

No paid ranking: Product links lead only to cited manufacturer records. Home Resilience Hub has not hands-on tested these models, and affiliate partnerships are not active.

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Bring verified load totals

Use appliance labels, a watt meter where appropriate, and the exact manual. The Essential-Load Worksheet helps record running watts, daily energy, and the unresolved starting surge without sending those values anywhere.

Turn verified loads into a requirements brief

The result compares hard requirements with dated manufacturer specifications. It does not infer missing surge demand or rank products.

Power requirements

Running watts and starting watts solve different problems. Use the largest simultaneous running load and the highest relevant starting requirement.

Simultaneous running load (W)

Total watts expected to run at the same time.

Maximum startup load (W)

Peak total while the hardest device starts, including other loads that stay on. Enter 0 only when unknown.

Energy and duration

Daily watt-hours capture how long devices run. The outage duration is the number of days the battery must cover without relying on a recharge.

Required energy per day (Wh)

Add watts × hours per day for each essential load.

Outage duration without recharge (days)

Use 1–14 whole days. Recharge is evaluated separately.

Capacity held in reserve (%)

Conversion efficiency (%)

A conservative AC-delivery assumption; verify a documented figure where available.

Optional hard constraints

Leave an optional numeric constraint at 0 when it is not a requirement. Expansion is treated as a caveat, never as included base capacity.

Maximum product weight (lb)

0 means no weight limit. Include lifting, stairs, storage, and transport.

Minimum documented solar-input ceiling (W)

0 means no minimum. This compares input ceiling, not real solar production.

The planned load requires 240 V outputA hard incompatibility for a model documented as 120 V only. Qualified electrical work may be required.I prefer a system with directly attached expansionA preference, not a hard failure; unknown or unavailable expansion is shown as a caveat.

Research basis

Manufacturer-documented records used by the matcher

These values come from current manufacturer product pages, manuals, or support records checked on August 20, 2026. They are not hands-on test results, prices, ratings, availability claims, or affiliate offers. Open the cited record and confirm the exact US model before relying on it.

Model	Capacity	Continuous / surge	120/240 V	Solar input	Weight	Evidence
EcoFlow DELTA 2	1,024 Wh	1,800 W / 2,700 W	120 V only	500 W max	27 lb	Source record Checked 2026-08-20
BLUETTI AC180	1,152 Wh	1,800 W / 2,700 W	120 V only	500 W max	35.27 lb	Source record Checked 2026-08-20
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2	1,070 Wh	1,500 W / 3,000 W	120 V only	400 W max	23.8 lb	Source record Checked 2026-08-20
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3	4,096 Wh	4,000 W / 8,000 W	Yes	2,600 W max	113.54 lb	Source record Checked 2026-08-20

Use the result well

Use the match as a verification queue

A useful result makes the unknowns visible. Confirm the exact appliance demand, model manual, connection method, recharge path, and safety limits before relying on any portable battery during an outage.

Step 1
Record simultaneous running watts, daily watt-hours, and the largest starting demand from exact labels, manuals, or appropriate measurements.
Step 2
Treat each red conflict as a stop and every gray or amber item as work still required—not as permission to assume compatibility.
Step 3
Check the current US manual and perform a supervised real-load test within manufacturer and electrical-safety limits.

Questions about this estimate

Does a fit mean the product will run every listed device?

No. A fit means the compared manufacturer specifications do not conflict with the values you entered. Confirm exact device labels, startup behavior, outlets, transfer needs, temperature limits, charging, and the current manual, then test the setup safely.

Why does the tool ask for both watts and watt-hours?

Watts determine whether the inverter can deliver enough power at one time. Watt-hours determine whether the battery stores enough energy for the planned duration after reserve and conversion losses.

Are these product recommendations or hands-on tests?

No. The records are dated manufacturer-specification research. The tool explains compatibility and missing evidence; it does not rank products, use prices, claim hands-on testing, or include compensated purchase referrals.