.png)
German (DE) 
English (US) 
Spanish (ES) 
French (FR) 
Hindi (IN) 
Italian (IT) 
Russian (RU) 
3 hours ago
6
With fall comes hurricanes, and with hurricanes come power outages. Traditionally, gas-powered generators have been the backup plan, but they're expensive, loud and smelly — not a great combination. In recent years, electric power stations like those made by Jackery and EcoFlow have become the new standard. They're quiet and fume-free, but the high price tag is still a reality. Or at least it was — a number of these ace power stations are on sale, ranging from the ultra-portable Jackery Explorer 240 and EcoFlow Delta 2 to the power-your-whole-house Jackery HomePower 3000. Depending on your needs and budget, there's a power station for you, and you can snag it for less.
Best deals on power stations
If all you're worried about is keeping your phone, iPad or laptop juiced up during an outage, then this is the unit you're after. For less than $200, this is way more powerful than that charging brick you got as a stocking stuffer last year. It can charge a phone 12 times, a camera 11 times or keep your laptop going for days, turning your campground into a mobile office or keeping the TV on during an outage.
The Explorer 300 offers a step up from the 200 with increased capacity and output, making it more versatile for powering multiple devices simultaneously or handling slightly more energy-demanding gadgets. It also has more ports and faster charging options, enhancing its convenience for on-the-go use when camping or powering your devices during an outage.
When it comes to dealing with power outages, I think of two things: the food in my fridge and my HVAC. Although this isn't enough to power your entire house — for that you'll have to look at some of the larger options below — it can power a mini cooler for up to nine hours, long enough to keep your food good for a while. If wintertime food spoilage isn't an issue in your part of the country, the 500 will also power a TV for seven hours or a laptop for 30.
With its expandable battery and a generous 15 ports and outlets, this rugged helper can keep essential appliances and devices running smoothly during both short outages and extended breaks from the grid. Plus, it's easy to use and charges incredibly fast, going from 0% to 80% in just 50 minutes and fully charging in 80 minutes with AC input.
I've been lucky to avoid power outages in my most recent home, with one exception: During the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. My wife and I were watching the Colorado Avalanche when the power went out. Bummed that I was going to miss the rest of the game, I looked out the window and saw that my neighbor had the game going via his outdoor projector, which was plugged into an Explorer 1000 v2. Lesson learned.
Its two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port, and three AC outlets mean you can charge your tech as well as run a space heater. For an extra $190 you can add solar panels, which can charge this from 0-80% in just 2.4 hours. At close to 45% off, this is a very good deal.
The Delta 3 is fast, flexible and tougher than it looks. A full recharge takes just 56 minutes (30 if you only need 80%), and the 1.6-kilowatt-hour capacity can expand to 5kWh with extra batteries. It's built with LiFePO4 cells rated for 10 years of daily use and wrapped in a waterproof, IP65-rated shell that laughs off dust and splashes. With 13 ports and X-Boost tech that handles appliances pulling over 2600 watts, it's a compact powerhouse that can keep your gear humming whether you're on the road or waiting out a blackout.
This is no mere step up from the Jackery Explorer 1000 in name only. The Explorer 2000 dwarfs the 1000 in terms of power and capacity, making it ideal for long-term use, off-grid living or powering high-energy appliances like refrigerators or power tools. Its expanded port selection and higher wattage make it far more adaptable for demanding scenarios.
"A solid competitor to the Jackery Explorer 3000 Plus, EcoFlow's Delta 2 Max offers similar capacity and expandability, but with even more AC outlets and USB ports: half a dozen of each," says Yahoo Tech Senior Writer Rick Broida in his power station roundup.
"However, they're relegated to opposite ends of the unit, which is a little inconvenient — especially considering that this 50-pounder lacks wheels and is therefore harder to maneuver. It would definitely be preferable to have all the power ports grouped together (a change EcoFlow wisely made in the Delta Pro 3).
"Like that model, the Delta 2 Max charges quickly: 80% in just 43 minutes, a full charge in a little over an hour."
At 99 pounds, the EcoFlow Delta Pro is built more for serious backup than casual portability, but the feature set makes up for the bulk. You get a massive 3,600-watt hour LFP battery (expandable up to 25kWh), 15 output ports and enough juice to run just about anything — thanks to 3,600 watts of AC power that can hit 4,500W with X-Boost. Recharge it in as little as 1.8 hours, top it off at an EV station or let solar panels do the work in under three. And with the EcoFlow app, you can monitor and control everything right from your phone.
All things considered, this solar generator is the best deal of the bunch, especially now that it's 40% off. The 3000 is a complete power-outage solution for your home, able to power 99% of your appliances, including HVAC and your refrigerator, for hours. It also comes with two solar panels, so you can keep it charged when you're off the grid.
Okay, vacuuming probably isn't the first thing we'd have on our minds during a power outage, but you get the idea.
(Amazon)
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.
Comments