Ultimate Guide

Portable power for outages

Size the load before choosing the battery.

Estimate the capacity, continuous inverter output and startup surge your essentials require. Then compare systems in the right capacity class.

Editable appliance loads Efficiency and reserve included No paid placement in the math

Step 1

Build your outage load plan

Replace presets with the labels on your own appliances. A planning estimate cannot guarantee runtime, but it exposes the assumptions a product page often hides.

Step 1

Build your essential load

Add a common device

Step 2

Choose the next capacity class above your result

Capacity is only one gate. The system must also meet your continuous inverter and startup-surge result. Recharge time, expansion, weight, warranty and returns still matter.

Step 3

Compare current systems from approved merchants

Merchant links stay locked until each program approves this traffic path and current terms are verified. Availability here is not a ranking or endorsement.

BLUETTI

Verify usable capacity, continuous output, surge rating, recharge path, warranty and return terms against your plan.

Approval pending

Jackery

Verify usable capacity, continuous output, surge rating, recharge path, warranty and return terms against your plan.

Approval pending

EcoFlow

Verify usable capacity, continuous output, surge rating, recharge path, warranty and return terms against your plan.

Approval pending

When active, these are affiliate links and we may earn a commission without changing your price. The calculator result does not change based on merchant relationships. Full disclosure.

The estimate is a starting point.

Confirm appliance labels, simultaneous loads and manufacturer specifications. Fuel generators, transfer equipment and home electrical work require separate safety planning.

Review the methodology