Power outages are more than just an inconvenience; they can disrupt your work, damage sensitive electronics, and leave you in the dark. Having a reliable backup battery at home is a simple yet effective way to protect your devices and maintain peace of mind during unexpected blackouts or electrical fluctuations.
From uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) that keep your computer running long enough to save your work, to high-capacity portable power stations that can run essential appliances for hours, there’s a solution for every need and budget. This roundup highlights ten of the most reliable power options to keep your home powered and protected.
Our Recommended Home Backup Power Solutions
- APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, 600VA
- APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA UPS Battery Backup
- APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector, 425VA
- Amazon Basics UPS Battery Backup 600VA/360W
- CyberPower EC850LCD UPS Battery Backup
- Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
- Anker 521 Portable Power Station with LiFePO4
- T POWER 19V Charger for Westinghouse Power Station
- Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel
- BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station
APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, 600VA
This APC unit is a solid foundation for protecting your essential home electronics. It provides 600VA / 330W of battery backup power, ensuring your modem, router, computer, and other sensitive devices stay on during a short outage and giving you time to save work and shut down properly. With seven outlets—five with battery backup and surge protection plus two with surge protection only—it offers flexible connectivity for your setup.
The inclusion of a 1.5A USB charger port is a convenient addition for keeping a cell phone or small portable electronics powered. This model is an excellent choice for anyone needing reliable protection for a home office or entertainment center without a massive power draw.
APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA UPS Battery Backup
For users with more demanding power needs, the APC Back-UPS Pro 1500VA is a high-performance solution. Its 1500VA / 900W capacity can support larger setups, such as a gaming PC with multiple monitors, a NAS device, and a networking station, providing significantly longer runtime during an outage. The ten outlets are split evenly, with five offering battery backup and surge protection and the other five providing surge protection only.
This unit also includes valuable data line protection for your network, safeguarding connected equipment from surges traveling through Ethernet cables. For advanced management, the Powerchute software allows for automated system shutdowns and monitoring, making it a professional-grade choice for serious home users and power users.
APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector, 425VA
This compact 425VA / 225W APC UPS is designed for protecting smaller but critical devices in your home. It’s an ideal choice for your Wi-Fi router, modem, and streaming sticks, ensuring your internet connection remains active during a brief power interruption. The unit features six outlets, with four providing full battery backup and surge protection.
Its space-saving design can be placed on a shelf or mounted on a wall, offering installation flexibility. While the battery is service-replaceable by a technician, its reliability makes it a set-and-forget solution for core networking equipment that needs to stay online.
Amazon Basics UPS Battery Backup 600VA/360W
The Amazon Basics 600VA/360W UPS brings reliable backup power protection at an accessible price point. As a standby uninterruptible power supply, it is perfectly suited for home networks, IoT devices, and home entertainment centers. It provides enough runtime to keep your devices operational during short outages or to allow for a proper shutdown during longer ones.
With a total of eight outlets—four with battery backup and four with surge protection—you have ample space to plug in your essential gear. This unit offers a straightforward, no-fuss approach to keeping your digital life running smoothly when the lights go out.
CyberPower EC850LCD UPS Battery Backup
The CyberPower EC850LCD strikes a great balance between capacity, features, and value. With 850VA / 510W of simulated sine wave output, it can safeguard a workstation or a substantial home entertainment system. A key feature is its multifunction LCD panel, which provides clear, immediate information on battery status, load capacity, and power events.
It offers an impressive twelve outlets, with six providing battery backup and six offering surge protection. Three of the surge-only outlets are ECO-controlled, meaning they can be automatically powered down to eliminate standby power waste, helping you save on energy costs.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station
For whole-home emergency power that’s also portable, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a top contender. Its substantial 1070Wh capacity and a 1500W (3000W surge) pure sine wave AC outlet can power everything from refrigerators and medical devices to power tools. Remarkably, it can be fully recharged in about one hour via a wall outlet, making it incredibly convenient.
Built with a long-life LiFePO4 battery, this power station is designed to last for over a decade, maintaining more than 70% capacity after 4,000 charge cycles. Whether for emergency home backup, camping, or RV trips, it provides versatile and substantial off-grid power.
Anker 521 Portable Power Station with LiFePO4
The Anker 521 is a compact yet powerful portable power station ideal for shorter outages or powering smaller appliances and devices. Its 256Wh capacity is backed by a robust 600W output thanks to SurgePower technology, allowing it to handle demanding startup loads from equipment like mini-fridges. The use of a LiFePO4 battery and Anker’s InfiniPower technology promises a lifespan of up to 10 years.
With six diverse ports, including two AC outlets, USB-A, and a 60W USB-C PD port, it can charge a laptop, phone, lights, and a small appliance simultaneously. Its balance of portability, durability, and power makes it a reliable companion for both home and outdoor use.
T POWER 19V Charger for Westinghouse Power Station
This product is a dedicated accessory for maintaining your power investment. The T POWER 19V Charger is a reliable replacement AC adapter designed specifically for various Westinghouse portable power station models, including the iGen200s, iGen300s, and iGen600s. It ensures your power station can be efficiently charged from a standard wall outlet, keeping it ready for the next outage or outing.
Compatibility is key, so it is crucial to verify your Westinghouse model number before purchasing. Having a spare or replacement charger is a simple way to guarantee your emergency power source remains functional.
Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel
To create a truly sustainable and long-lasting backup power system, the Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel is an excellent addition. With industry-leading 25% efficiency from its N-Type cells, it generates more power from the same amount of sunlight compared to many standard panels. This means you can recharge a compatible power station like the Jackery or Bluetti faster, even on less sunny days.
It’s lightweight and features a convenient magnetic closure for easy setup and storage. Beyond its MC4 output for charging power stations, it includes USB-C and USB-A ports, allowing you to charge phones and laptops directly from the sun, making it incredibly versatile for emergencies and outdoor adventures.
BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200P is a high-capacity power station designed for serious home backup and off-grid power needs. It boasts a large 2000Wh battery capacity and a 2000W pure sine wave AC inverter, providing enough power to run multiple high-wattage appliances simultaneously for an extended period. This makes it suitable for powering essential home systems during prolonged outages.
It features a wide variety of output ports, including multiple AC outlets, USB-C with Power Delivery, and standard USB ports, offering unparalleled charging flexibility. With multiple recharging options, including AC, solar, and even car charging, the AC200P ensures you can keep it powered up through almost any situation.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Backup Batteries for Home Use
When my power flickers out, the first thing I think about is my refrigerator’s contents and my phone’s battery life. That’s why I decided to look into getting a proper backup battery for my home. It wasn’t as simple as just picking the biggest one, though. I had to figure out what I really needed it for. Let me walk you through what I learned so you can find the right reliable power options for your situation.
First, you need to consider capacity. This is usually measured in watt-hours (Wh). Think of this as the size of the battery’s gas tank. A higher number means it can power your devices for longer. I made a list of the essential items I’d want to keep running during an outage—like my modem, a few lights, my phone, and maybe a small fan. Then, I added up their wattages to get a rough idea of the capacity I needed. For just charging phones and running a laptop, a smaller unit around 300Wh might be fine. But if you want to keep a refrigerator cycling on and off, you’re likely looking at 1000Wh or more.
Next, pay close attention to the output options. How many AC outlets does it have? Are there USB-A and, more importantly, USB-C ports? I found that having multiple AC outlets is crucial for powering household items, while a variety of USB ports is perfect for all my gadgets. Also, check the peak and continuous wattage of the AC outlets. Some devices, like refrigerators or power tools, have a high startup surge that the battery needs to be able to handle momentarily.
The battery chemistry is another big one. Most of the best backup batteries for home use these days use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4). I learned that these are generally safer, last much longer (think thousands of cycles), and are more stable than older lithium-ion models. While they might be a bit more expensive upfront, their longevity makes them a better investment for something I plan to rely on for years.
Finally, think about the practical stuff. How heavy is it? If you need to move it around, a lighter model with a handle is a lifesaver. How do you recharge it? A unit that can recharge from a wall outlet quickly is standard, but having solar charging compatibility is a fantastic bonus for extended emergencies. Also, look for a clear display that shows input, output, and remaining battery time. This information is incredibly helpful when you’re managing your power usage during a real outage. Taking the time to consider these points will help you find a unit that truly fits your home’s needs.
FAQ
What is the difference between a portable power station and a gas generator?
The main difference is how they make power. A gas generator burns fuel (like gasoline or propane) to generate electricity. A portable power station is essentially a large, sophisticated battery that you pre-charge from a wall outlet or solar panels. For me, the biggest pros of a power station are that it’s silent, produces zero fumes (so it’s safe for use indoors), and requires very little maintenance. The trade-off is that its power is limited to its battery capacity, whereas a generator can run continuously as long as you have fuel.
Can a backup battery really power my refrigerator?
Yes, but you have to choose the right one. First, check the starting wattage (also called surge power) of your refrigerator. This initial jolt of power is much higher than its running watts. Your backup battery needs to have a peak power rating that exceeds this surge. Then, look at the battery’s capacity in watt-hours to see how long it can run the fridge. A standard fridge might use about 100-200 running watts. A 1000Wh battery could theoretically run it for 5-10 hours, but remember, it won’t be the only thing you’re powering.
How long do these home backup batteries typically last?
This depends heavily on the battery chemistry and how you use and maintain it. Most modern units using LiFePO4 batteries are rated for 3,000 to 5,000 charge cycles before they degrade to 80% of their original capacity. That means you could theoretically use it almost daily for a decade. Older lithium-ion models might be rated for 500 to 1,000 cycles. Proper care, like not constantly draining it to zero and storing it in a cool, dry place, will also help maximize its lifespan.
Is it safe to use a backup battery inside my house?
Absolutely. Unlike gas generators, which emit deadly carbon monoxide and must be placed outdoors and far from windows, portable power stations are designed to be used indoors. They have no emissions and operate silently. You should still follow basic safety precautions: keep them in a dry location, avoid covering them while in use to prevent overheating, and do not attempt to open or modify the unit.
What can I realistically power with a mid-sized backup battery?
A mid-sized unit, which I consider to be in the 500Wh to 1000Wh range, is a very versatile option. In my experience, you can expect to power a combination of devices like: a laptop for 8-15 hours, a TV for 5-10 hours, a modem and router for 15-20 hours, LED lights for a very long time, and charge phones dozens of times over. You could also keep a mini-fridge running for several hours. It’s all about managing your energy use and prioritizing your most critical devices during an outage.
How important is the solar charging capability?
For occasional home use where outages are short, it might not be essential. You can just recharge from a wall outlet. However, if you are preparing for longer emergencies, live in an area prone to multi-day outages, or want to use it for camping, solar charging becomes incredibly valuable. It allows you to recharge your power station without needing a functional grid, turning it into a truly independent power source. When looking at these reliable power options, I see solar input as a feature that greatly increases the utility and resilience of the entire system.