When tornado season rolls in, so do the power outages. Whether you're hunkered down in a basement or waiting out a blackout from the couch, having a reliable backup power system can make all the difference.
From budget-friendly power stations that can help you keep the lights on and your electronics charged to much more powerful units that you can use to run appliances for days at a time, this guide will show you where to spend your hard-earned cash, so you’ll be ready the next time the power goes out.
Let’s be honest—unless you live in Tornado Alley, most storms aren’t going to level your house. But what actually happens often? Downed power lines, blown transformers, and entire neighborhoods left in the dark for hours or days. That’s when basic backup power comes into play.
Here’s what most people actually need during an outage:
You don’t need to power your whole house—just enough power to stay safe, comfortable, and connected.
If you’re just looking to cover the basics for a day, a compact but capable portable power station is a great place to start.
We're not talking tiny units you can fit in a backpack—look for something in the range of the Anker SOLIX F2600, the original EcoFlow DELTA Pro, the sleek DJI Power 1000, or even the more budget-friendly Pecron E3600LFP.
All of these units are powerful enough to:
Most have a huge variety of USB and AC plugs, and some also support 12V car sockets, which is ideal for running more energy-efficient appliances like 12V fridges.
NOTE: Smaller units like those in the EcoFlow River series or the Anker C300 are great for road trips, camping, or really light home backup tasks, like charging phones, but they won’t cut it for legit home backup.
If power outages in your area usually last longer than a day—or you just want the power required for a more comfortable power outage experience—the next step up is a big power station. These come with high-wattage inverters, higher capacity batteries, faster charge rates, and a larger array of plugs and ports.
Most also include wheels and extendable handles for easy transport, so even though they’re pretty heavy due to their larger batteries, they’re still super easy to pull out of storage when you need them.
Expansion batteries are also available for all these systems, and in the case of the Delta Pro Ultra, you can scale all the way up to 7 extra batteries if needed, which is where you start getting into serious whole-home backup power.
Another good thing about expandable power stations is that you have the option to buy the standalone unit now, then expand and upgrade your system in the future when your power needs grow and your budget allows it.
Why go bigger?
We actually released a video a while back where we used an Anker SOLIX F3800 for backup power during a simulated 24-hour power outage. If you want to see how you would use one of these power stations, you should check it out: Can You Survive a 24-Hour Outage with a Power Station?
PRO TIP: Stick with foldable solar panels if you’re focusing entirely on backup power. You can store them safely indoors during a storm and deploy them afterward to recharge your system. Rigid solar panel arrays are great, but they have a tendency to be the first thing that flies away during a serious storm.
For most people, we usually just recommend going with a power station, as these all-in-one units are easy to store, affordable, and very beginner-friendly. However, if you want something more permanent, and potentially more economical over time, a solar battery kit with or without panels could be your best bet. These systems rely on grid or solar power to charge and can:
Peak shaving is when you charge your batteries with grid power at night, or whenever the utility rate for electricity is cheaper, then run your home’s appliances from those batteries during the expensive daytime hours. It helps you save some cash in the short-term, and even pay off your entire system with the savings in the long-term. You can even do this with the right portable power station setup.
Remember, you don’t necessarily need solar panels to get started with these kits, as you can just charge your batteries with grid power when you have it, then pull from those batteries when you need it. But they are compatible with solar panels if you decide you want them now, or you plan on adding them later.
If you're loyal to gas or propane, dual fuel generators are still a viable option. They're loud, they smell, and they require setting them up outside in potentially rough conditions—but for some, they’re still an appealing option.
Just be aware of the downsides:
If you go this route, prepare in advance and store enough fuel in a safe location.
You don’t need to go full “doomsday prepper” to stay comfortable during a power outage. Even a small portable power station can keep your lights on and your food from spoiling. The key is choosing a solution that fits your available space, budget, and realistic power needs.
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