At this point, we know the ins and outs of solar power and managing a battery backup system. We’ve spent the last decade living in a solar and wind powered home on a remote 30 acres here in Vermont. Ten years ago, we moved to an off grid home in rural Vermont and we’ve never really looked back. Out West, where my parents live, people are facing roving blackouts, especially in the summer months during peak utility usage and wildfire season. We learned just how often the power goes out, both in the summer thunderstorm season and winter blizzards. First an ice storm in January knocked out power (including heat and water) for nearly 10 days, and then a hurricane took out power again for more than a week mid summer. Our first year as a young couple together, the power went out in our small home for more than a week at a time…not once, but twice. We’ve always had a keen interest in off grid living and battery backup power, but as widespread power outages (and planned brownouts) become more common, there’s never been a better time to invest in a little energy independence.

Whether you’re looking for emergency backup power for your home or apartment, or a way to charge devices and run small appliances while camping or RVing, these are the best options for portable off grid power. Sorting through all the options can be daunting, but we’ve done the research to find the absolute best portable power stations and solar generators on the market today. The best portable power stations can be hard to find, as there are literally dozens of fly by night brands that have come onto the market lately.

Portable power station reviews