How we pick
Outage Ready helps households size backup power and food storage for outages, using plain math and published specs.
Who's behind this
Wes Harlow runs Outage Ready from the North Shore of Massachusetts, where nor'easters take the power out most winters. He built the calculator to answer the question every storm raises: what size power station does a house actually need? Picks here are based on published specs and plain math, not paid placement.
Our method
- Specs come from manufacturer listings, cross-checked against independent reviews.
- Runtimes assume 85% usable capacity and typical appliance draw, including the on-off cycling of fridges and freezers.
- Picks are based on how each model's capacity, output, weight and expandability fit common outage needs. We haven't run lab tests ourselves, and we say so.
- Brands can't pay to be included or ranked higher.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links, including links to EcoFlow, Jackery, Anker SOLIX, BLUETTI, ReadyWise and Mountain House. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That's how the free tools are paid for. Commissions never change our math or our picks.
Safety
Never run a fuel-burning generator indoors or in a garage. Connecting any power source to house wiring requires a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. For medical devices, follow your doctor's and the manufacturer's guidance.