Portable Power Stations for Outages: How to Size One for Your Home (Texas Grid and Winter Storm Focus)
The short answer: Add up the watt-hours your must-have devices use while the power is out, and then buy a station rated about 20–25% bigger. That extra covers inverter losses. A ~1 kWh station is the realistic floor for Wi-Fi, phones, lights and a CPAP overnight. A ~2 kWh station is where a refrigerator starts to make sense. The math is below, so you can run your own numbers before spending anything.
Texans remember February 2021. Since then, plenty of households have bought a power station before they really knew what it could run. This guide is meant to fix that. We haven't tested these units hands-on. Every spec below comes from the manufacturer's own product page, with the date we checked it. We don't list prices, because they change too often; each model links to its brand's page, where you can see today's price.
Step 1: Figure out your watt-hours
A power station is a big battery with outlets. Its size is measured in watt-hours (Wh), which is how much energy it stores. Your devices draw watts (W). The formula comes from Virginia Cooperative Extension's energy-use guide (source):
Watts × hours of use = watt-hours (divide by 1,000 to get kWh)
Look for the wattage on the device's label or power adapter. If the label only lists amps, multiply amps by 120 volts to get watts, as the same guide explains.
Make a short list of what you truly need during an outage, then fill it in from your own labels:
| Device | Watts (from your label) | Hours you need it | Watt-hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router + modem | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| Phone charging | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| CPAP (see note below) | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| LED lamp | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| Refrigerator (see below) | — | 24 | ___ |
| Total | ___ Wh |
Refrigerators are different. A fridge's compressor cycles on and off, so its label wattage times 24 hours will overstate what it uses. Use the yellow EnergyGuide label instead, which lists estimated kWh per year. Divide that number by 365 for a daily figure. Example only: a fridge labeled 600 kWh/year uses about 1.6 kWh (1,600 Wh) a day. Use your own label's number. Compressors also pull a short startup surge, so check the station's surge rating too, not just its continuous output. BLUETTI notes on its AC180 page that its simple runtime formula "is NOT suitable for inductive loads with compressors, like refrigerators" (BLUETTI).
Then add a buffer. You won't get every rated watt-hour out of the battery, because converting battery power to AC outlet power costs some energy. BLUETTI publishes its own assumptions for the AC180: 90% usable depth of discharge × 85% inverter efficiency, plus about 15 W of self-consumption (BLUETTI AC180 FAQ). That works out to roughly 75–80% of the rated capacity at the outlet. Our rule of thumb, which is an estimate rather than a spec, is to divide your total by 0.8. So 1,600 Wh of needs points to a station of about 2,000 Wh.
Size calculator
Fill in watts from each device's label or adapter (amps × 120 = watts) and the hours you need it.
Estimate: we divide your total by 0.8 because converting battery power to AC outlet power costs some energy. Check the station's surge rating for anything with a compressor.
CPAP users: The FDA advises checking your user instructions, or calling your distributor or manufacturer, to find out whether your device can run on batteries or a generator. It also advises telling your electric company that you have a medical device that needs power (FDA). Test your exact setup on the station before storm season, not during it. Ask your clinician before changing settings like the heated humidifier. Treat any CPAP use as something you verify with your clinician and the brand, not as a claim from us.
What about a space heater?
Some stations can run one, but not for long. BLUETTI says the AC180's Power Lifting Mode can run heating devices up to 2,700 W (BLUETTI). Here's the math with an example 1,500 W heater: a 2,048 Wh station × ~0.8 usable ÷ 1,500 W ≈ about 1 hour. In a multi-day freeze, use the battery for the fridge, Wi-Fi, medical devices and lights, and use blankets and one warm room for heat.
Step 2: LiFePO4 vs. NMC batteries
Most power stations use one of two lithium chemistries:
- LiFePO4 (LFP, lithium iron phosphate) is heavier for the same capacity, but it lasts far more charge cycles and is more thermally stable. In a Sandia National Laboratories study of commercial cells, the LFP cells lasted 2,500 to 9,000 equivalent full cycles, compared with 200 to 2,500 for the NMC cells, under the conditions tested (OSTI/DOE).
- NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) packs more energy into less weight. The DOE describes NMC and LFP as the two dominant lithium-ion chemistries, chosen for "energy density and safety characteristics, respectively" (DOE).
For home backup, a unit sits in a closet for months and then has to work in a storm, so LFP is the better fit. All five stations below are LFP. Their makers rate them at 3,500 to 4,000 cycles. Check what a rating is measured to: a cycle count to 80% of original capacity and one to 70% aren't the same claim.
Step 3: Solar charging, honestly
A solar panel lets you recharge when the grid is down, but keep your expectations realistic:
- Panel ratings are lab numbers. Panels are rated under Standard Test Conditions (1,000 W/m² of sunlight at 25°C). Cloudy, short winter days give you less.
- Check the station's solar input limit. Among the models below, maximum solar input ranges from 500 W to 1,000 W. A bigger panel than the station accepts won't charge it any faster.
- The winter catch for Texas: every station below lists a minimum charging temperature of 32°F (0°C) on its spec sheet. Keep the station indoors. Run the panel cable outside, not the battery.
Step 4: Compare five LFP power stations
Specs come from each brand's official US store, checked October 14, 2026. We don't list prices, because they change often. Use each model's link to see the current price on the brand's page.
| Model | Capacity | AC output (surge) | Max solar input | Weight | Cycles (maker's rating) | Warranty | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLUETTI AC180 Out of stock. US store restock expected late November. | 1,152 Wh | 1,800 W (2,700 W surge) | 500 W | ~35.3 lb (35.27 lb in the spec table; 37 lb in the page text) | 3,500 to 80% capacity (3,500+) | 5 years | Check price at BLUETTI (opens in a new tab) |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh (expandable to 5 kWh with DELTA batteries) | 1,800 W (3,600 W surge) | 1,000 W (2 inputs, 500 W max each) | ~27.6 lb | 4,000 to 80%+ capacity | 5 years | Check price at EcoFlow (opens in a new tab) |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500 (2026, LiFePO4) | 1,505.28 Wh | 2,000 W (3,600 W surge) | 900 W (combined across two inputs) | ~52.75 lb | 4,000 to 80% capacity | 5 years | Check price at Goal Zero (opens in a new tab) |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | 2,048 Wh | 2,400 W (4,800 W surge) | 500 W | ~44.8 lb (20.3 kg) | not listed EcoFlow estimates a ~10-year lifespan | 5 years (3 + 2 with app registration) | Check price at EcoFlow (opens in a new tab) |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | 2,048 Wh (expandable to 4 kWh with the BP2000 battery) | 2,400 W (4,000 W peak) | 800 W | ~41.7 lb | 4,000 | not listed not shown in the page specs; verify with Anker | Check price at Anker SOLIX (opens in a new tab) |
Sources: BLUETTI AC180 · EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus · Goal Zero Yeti 1500 (2026, LiFePO4) · EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max · Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 . Specs accessed 2026-10-14. Prices change often, so we don't print them; check the brand's page.
~1 kWh: Wi-Fi, phones, lights, CPAP overnight
BLUETTI AC180: This one has the most capacity of the 1 kWh group (1,152 Wh) and a 1,800 W inverter. Turbo charging from the wall takes about 1.3–1.8 hours, according to BLUETTI. BLUETTI's FAQ says it doesn't support expansion batteries for extra capacity (you can charge it from some BLUETTI batteries in Power Bank Mode, but that is not the same as growing onboard capacity). The page also lists two different weights, 35.27 lb in the spec table and 37 lb in the body text. As of the Oct 15 evening check, the US product page banner said the AC180 was out of stock with a late-November restock.
Check price at BLUETTI (opens in a new tab)
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus: Unlike the AC180, this is the 1 kWh unit you can grow. EcoFlow says it expands from 1 kWh to 5 kWh with add-on DELTA batteries, and it lists a UPS switchover under 10 ms. Its app includes time-of-use and storm-warning features.
Check price at EcoFlow (opens in a new tab)
~1.5–2 kWh: a fridge plus essentials
Goal Zero Yeti 1500: This is Goal Zero's new 2026 LiFePO4 model. Goal Zero rates it IPX4 weather-resistant and says it was tested to meet UL 2743 requirements. It takes up to 900 W of solar combined across two inputs, and you can cap its wall-charging draw so it doesn't trip a household circuit. It's also the heaviest station here.
Check price at Goal Zero (opens in a new tab)
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max: It has 2,048 Wh and the highest surge rating in the table (4,800 W). EcoFlow says it can reach 80% from the wall in 68 minutes. Its "Storm Guard Mode" charges ahead of severe weather. EcoFlow notes it has only an XT60 port, so some EcoFlow accessory features don't work with it. Check that before you buy add-ons.
Check price at EcoFlow (opens in a new tab)
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2: It also has 2,048 Wh, plus an expansion port that takes it to 4 kWh with the BP2000 battery. It has a TT-30 outlet, the kind RVs use, and a 10 ms UPS. Anker claims about 32 hours of runtime on a dual-door fridge. That's Anker's own test, so your fridge will differ.
Check price at Anker SOLIX (opens in a new tab)
If you need more than 2 kWh, for multi-day outages or a connection to your home's panel through a transfer switch, you're shopping a different category. A licensed electrician should handle any panel connection. We'll cover larger systems in a separate guide.
Step 5: What it costs to recharge on your electricity plan
This is the part most power station reviews skip. Refilling the battery costs:
Capacity in kWh ÷ charging efficiency × your rate per kWh
Example only: refilling a 2,048 Wh station from empty takes about 2.4 kWh from the wall, if you assume roughly 85% charging efficiency. At an all-in rate of 15¢/kWh, that's about 36 cents. A 1 kWh station costs under 20 cents to refill at the same rate. Your real number depends on your plan's all-in price, delivery charges included, so check your Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
Recharge cost calculator
Use your plan's all-in price, delivery charges included. It's on your Electricity Facts Label (EFL).
Two ways this connects to your plan:
- Time-of-use features. EcoFlow says the DELTA 3 Max app can schedule charging "during off-peak hours" and discharging during peak periods. Anker lists a Time-of-Use mode on the C2000 Gen 2. If your Texas plan has cheaper or free nights, charge overnight. Read your EFL for the exact hours first.
- Your contract still matters more. A power station only covers outages. Your monthly bill comes from your rate, and a plan that rolls onto a high month-to-month rate when your contract ends can cost far more than any battery saves.
Compare Texas electricity rates →
Safety basics
- Never run a gas generator indoors. The FDA warns never to run a generator or any gasoline-powered engine "inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open," or outside an open window or door where exhaust can get inside (FDA). A battery power station has no exhaust, which is the main reason people use one indoors.
- Follow the manufacturer's manual for storage. Anker, for example, recommends recharging to 100% if the battery drops below 30% and fully charging every 3 months (Anker C1000 FAQ). BLUETTI recommends recharging the AC180 to 40–60% every 3–6 months.
- Don't plug a power station into a wall outlet to "back-feed" your house. Panel connections need a proper transfer switch and an electrician.
How we picked
We chose LFP models from major brands at two common sizes (~1 kWh and ~2 kWh), and we compared them only on the specs published on the brands' own US stores. We have not tested these units hands-on. Brands can't pay to be included or to change the order. If a brand ever sends us a unit, we'll say so.
FAQ
- How big a power station do I need to run a refrigerator?
- Take the kWh/year from your fridge's EnergyGuide label, divide by 365, and divide again by about 0.8 to cover losses. Many fridges land in the ~2 kWh station range for one day, but use your own label. Also check that the station's surge rating can handle the compressor starting up.
- Can a portable power station run a space heater?
- Some can, but only briefly. An example 1,500 W heater would drain a 2,048 Wh station in about an hour. Save the battery for the fridge, Wi-Fi, lights and medical devices.
- Is LiFePO4 worth it over NMC?
- For home backup, usually yes. LFP cells last far more charge cycles in DOE-funded testing and are more thermally stable. NMC is lighter, which matters more for backpacking than for a hall closet.
- Will solar panels recharge a power station in a Texas winter storm?
- Some, but less than the panel's rating. Days are short, skies are often overcast, and panels are rated under ideal lab conditions. Keep the station itself indoors, because these units list 32°F as their minimum charging temperature.
- Can I charge a power station on cheap overnight electricity?
- Yes. Charging a 1–2 kWh station from empty uses roughly 1.2–2.4 kWh. Several models can schedule charging. If your plan has cheaper night hours, set the schedule to match your EFL.
- Do you get paid if I buy one?
- We may earn a commission from the brand if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never comes from electricity suppliers and never affects plan rankings. Details
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