Our picks: for most homes, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus is the best place to start because it can grow from 1 kWh to 5 kWh. The Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 is the best fixed-size 1 kWh unit, with more output and the fastest recharge. For a full day of refrigerator backup, step up to the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus (2 kWh); for hurricane-country outages, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus (3 kWh, expandable to 11 kWh).
| Pick | Best for | Fridge + essentials (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Best overall: start at 1 kWh, expand to 5 kWh | ~9 hours |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | Most output and fastest recharge in 1 kWh | ~9 hours |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | A full day without recharging | ~18 hours |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus | Multi-day outages and bigger appliances | ~27 hours |
How we chose: research-based picks from official manufacturer specifications and our transparent runtime math, not hands-on tests. See How We Research.
Start here: how long are your outages?
| Typical outage where you live | Capacity to aim for | Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| A few hours, occasionally overnight | About 1 kWh | DELTA 3 Plus or C1000 Gen 2 |
| Up to a full day | About 2 kWh | DELTA 3 Max Plus (or DELTA 3 Plus + extra battery) |
| Several days (hurricanes, ice storms, rural lines) | 3 kWh or more, plus solar | DELTA 3 Ultra Plus |
For an exact number based on your own appliances, use our 4-step sizing guide.
Mainly worried about the refrigerator? See our best power stations for a refrigerator, with runtimes for mini, average and large fridges.
Our picks compared
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1,024 Wh | 1,024 Wh | 2,048 Wh | 3,072 Wh |
| Expandable | Yes, to 5 kWh | No | Yes, 2–10 kWh | Yes, 3–11 kWh |
| AC output (surge) | 1,800 W (3,600 W) | 2,000 W (3,000 W) | 3,000 W (6,000 W) | 3,600 W (7,200 W) |
| Max AC charging | 1,500 W; full in 56 min | 1,600 W; full in ~49 min | About 1,800 W (15 A outlet) | About 1,800 W (15 A outlet) |
| Max solar | 1,000 W | 600 W | 1,000 W | 1,600 W |
| UPS | Under 10 ms | 10 ms | Under 10 ms | Fast switchover |
| Average fridge alone | ~12 hours | ~12 hours | ~24 hours | ~36 hours |
| CPAP, humidifier on | ~1.7 nights | ~1.7 nights | ~3.3 nights | ~5 nights |
| Weight | 27.6 lb | 24.9 lb | 48.7 lb | About 74.3 lb |
1. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus: best overall for home backup
The DELTA 3 Plus covers the basics of an outage, a refrigerator overnight plus Wi-Fi, lights and phones, with 1,800 W across six AC outlets and 13 ports in total. It recharges from the wall in 56 minutes, accepts 1,000 W of solar and switches over in under 10 ms. What makes it our top pick is that you can add EcoFlow extra batteries to reach 5 kWh, so it grows with your needs instead of being replaced.
- Choose it if: you want a sensible first purchase that can grow into multi-day backup.
- Skip it if: you need to carry it often; it’s the heaviest 1 kWh unit we’ve analyzed.
Full details: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus review.
2. Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2: best fixed-size 1 kWh unit
The C1000 Gen 2 matches the DELTA 3 Plus on capacity but adds more output (2,000 W) and the fastest recharge of our picks: about 49 minutes from empty with HyperFlash. That makes it ideal when a storm is forecast and you only have a short window of grid power. It also runs a microwave or kettle alongside the fridge. The trade-off: it can’t be expanded, and it accepts 600 W of solar.
- Choose it if: your outages are short and you want the most power in a compact, lighter box.
- Skip it if: you think you’ll need more than 1 kWh later.
Full details: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 review.
Deciding between it and Jackery’s 1 kWh model? See Jackery vs Anker SOLIX: Explorer 1000 v2 vs C1000 Gen 2.
3. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus: best for a full day
With 2,048 Wh, the Max Plus keeps an average refrigerator running for about a day on its own, and its 3,000 W output (6,000 W surge) handles bigger appliances like a microwave while the fridge keeps going. It charges from the wall at up to 1,800 W, accepts 1,000 W of solar and includes a 12 V, 30 A Anderson port for RV and DC gear. EcoFlow lists a 3-year warranty plus 2 more years with registration.
- Choose it if: you want a full day of backup in one box, without managing add-on batteries.
- Skip it if: you need to move it often; at roughly 48 lb it’s a two-hand lift.
Full details: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus review. Not sure between 1 and 2 kWh? Read 1 kWh vs 2 kWh.
Lighter 2 kWh alternative: the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 has the same 2,048 Wh capacity at 41.7 lb, a 9 W idle draw and a TT-30 RV outlet, but less output (2,400 W) and expansion only to about 4 kWh. Read our Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 review.
Also taking it on the road? Its TT-30 outlet can feed an RV’s 120 V system; see our best power stations for van life and RV.
4. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus: best for long outages
For hurricane country and rural homes, the Ultra Plus starts at 3,072 Wh with 3,600 W of output (7,200 W surge) and runs resistive devices up to 4,600 W with X-Boost. It has a 30 A outlet alongside its standard 20 A outlets, accepts up to 1,600 W of solar and can be expanded from 3 kWh up to 11 kWh. On its own, that’s about a day and a half of refrigerator backup; with solar or extra batteries, much longer. At about 74 lb, it’s built to stay put.
- Choose it if: multi-day outages are a real risk where you live.
- Skip it if: your outages are short; you’d be paying for capacity you won’t use.
What portable power stations can’t do
- Central air conditioning, electric ranges and dryers: these draw more power, often at 240 V, than portable units are designed to supply.
- 240 V well pumps: many well pumps run on 240 V, which the 120 V units here don’t provide. Check your pump’s label.
- Heating a house: space heaters drain even a 3 kWh battery in about two hours. See can a power station run a space heater.
On a private well? Some shallow well pumps do run on 120 V; see can a portable power station run a well pump to check yours and connect it safely.
Safety note: to power circuits in your home instead of plugging appliances in directly, you need a proper transfer switch or panel installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed power through a wall outlet; it can electrocute utility workers and start fires.
Your home backup checklist
- List your must-run devices: refrigerator, medical devices, Wi-Fi, lights, phones.
- Pick a capacity for your typical outage length, using the table above.
- Keep it plugged in as a UPS, or top it up every few months.
- Add solar panels if outages can last more than a day; see how many panels you need.
- Test it once: run your fridge from it for a few hours before you need it.
Preparing for storm season? Use our hurricane power outage checklist. Weighing a gas generator instead? Read solar vs gas generator.
Heating with gas? A gas furnace still needs electricity for its blower and controls. See can a portable power station run a gas furnace for runtimes by battery size and how to connect it safely.
Deciding between the two 2 kWh favorites? See our side-by-side Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus comparison: specs, runtimes and who should buy which.
Not sure how big to go? See power outages by state for how many hours homes in your state lost in 2022–2024 and the battery size that rides out a bad year.
Frequently asked questions
Can a portable power station back up my whole house?
Not a whole house in the usual sense. The units here cover essentials: refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, medical devices and small appliances. Whole-home backup needs a much larger battery system or a standby generator, professionally installed.
Weighing an installed system instead? Read home battery backup vs portable power station, including the 240 V question and the end of the federal battery tax credit.
Is it better to buy one big unit or start small and expand?
Starting with an expandable 1 kWh unit like the DELTA 3 Plus spreads the cost and lets you learn what you really need. Buying a single 2–3 kWh unit is simpler if you already know your outages are long.
Can I leave it plugged in all the time?
Yes. All our picks support UPS-style operation: plug the power station into the wall and your devices into it, and it takes over automatically when the grid fails.
That automatic switchover matters most for a basement sump pump, which has to run while you sleep. Pumps have a big starting surge, so check yours first: can a portable power station run a sump pump.
How much solar do I need for a multi-day outage?
Enough to replace what you use each day. If your essentials use about 2 kWh per day, plan on roughly 500–900 W of panels depending on your sun; see our solar panel guide.
The bottom line
Match capacity to your outages. For short outages, choose the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus if you might expand or the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 for more power in a fixed size. For a full day, the DELTA 3 Max Plus. For multi-day outages, the DELTA 3 Ultra Plus with solar panels.
Sources
- EcoFlow, DELTA 3 Plus (official product page).
- Anker SOLIX, C1000 Gen 2 (official product page).
- EcoFlow, DELTA 3 Max Plus specifications (official).
- EcoFlow, DELTA 3 Ultra Plus and specifications (official).
- StorageReview, DELTA 3 Max Plus and Ultra Plus review.