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Beat the blizzard: Save $1000 on portable power stations and generators

Power stations are the perfect off-grid or blackout power source. Pick up amazing holiday deals on backup power stations from top brands like EcoFlow, Jackery, and more.
Written by Taylor Clemons, Staff Writer and  Rebecca Isaacs, Staff Writer
Vtoman Jump 1500 | Save $1,000 with coupon
Two Vtoman Jump 1500 power stations connected together in a campsite with an orange tent
Vtoman Jump 1500
Save $1,000 with coupon
View now View at Amazon
EcoFlow Delta 1000 | Save $900
A man in a tent using an EcoFlow Delta 1000 generator and solar panel to power his laptop in the desert
EcoFlow Delta 1000
Save $900
View now View at Walmart

Power outages from extreme weather is a year-round threat, but with a portable gas or battery-powered generator, you can keep essential medical equipment, appliances, and mobile devices running. When shopping for a portable generator, make sure you know how many watts you'll need to run things like lights, phone chargers, and electric ranges and add around 10 percent to ensure that there will be enough energy to go around. 

And when you get your generator, remember to never use a gas or liquid propane-powered engine indoors and never plug a generator into your home's electrical system without first installing a transfer switch to prevent fires and other electrical damage. I've combed the web to find the best deals on portable generators so you can save a little money while prepping for extreme weather situations.

Battery and solar power stations

  • Current Price: $1,450
  • Original Price: $2,450

The Vtoman Jump 1500 can boost up to a 3096Wh capacity when you connect the included Jump 1500 expansion battery. It can power a 1500W appliance. Plus, it features 12 output ports for AC outlets, USB-A and USB-C, and more. Click the coupon before adding it to your cart to get the $1,000 discount.

  • Current Price: $699
  • Original Price: $1,599

Add some solar panels to your off-grid life with the Delta 1000 portable power station. The fast charging hits 80% in under an hour, but you can also use it was as clean solar charger for a 400W output with MPPT optimization. 

Other power station holiday deals

Gas, diesel, and flex-fuel generators

What is the best portable power station?

It depends on your needs. If you have access to plenty of sunshine, you may want to invest in a solar power station. Areas that are prone to clouds and rainy skies will more likely require a fuel-based generator to keep the power going during an outage.

Is a power station worth it?

If you're in a disaster prone area of living, a portable power station is probably a solid choice for keeping the lights on. As someone who lives in the Midwest, I've had my fair share of power outages from snowstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, and derechos. In those events, the power station serves as peace of mind to keep my fridge running and my phone charged when I need it.

However, you'll have to review the pros and cons of investing in one. Even with these deals, they can still cost a couple hundred to a few thousand dollars.

What's the difference between a battery backup and a generator?

A generator is typically can restore power to parts of your home, if not the entire space, for as long as you have fuel to power the generator or solar energy stored and available on the panels.

A battery backup lacks the energy capacity of a generator. It's designed to keep essential equipment like CPAP machines, sump pumps, and space heaters functional until the lights come back on. While much smaller in capacity, battery backup systems also don't require gas to run, and they're safer to use indoors. Another perk? You won't have to worry about maintenance on a backup battery, either.


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