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Amazon has the Anker Solix S2000 portable power station for $599.99 right now, down from its $1,199 list price, and price trackers show this is the lowest it has gone so far. For that price, you are getting a 2kWh battery (meant for the things you would miss fast during an outage, like a refrigerator, router, lights, fan, laptop, or CPAP machine) in a unit that weighs 35.7 pounds. That is still heavy enough that you won’t want to carry it across a campsite all afternoon, but it’s much easier to store in a closet or move around the house than many large backup batteries.
It delivers 1,500W of continuous output, which is enough for most everyday devices and many household appliances. Anker says it can keep a refrigerator running for up to 35 hours, though your real runtime will depend on the fridge, the room temperature, and how often the door opens. Its outlet layout is also more practical than it looks at first, with eight power outlets split between the front and rear, so you can keep always-on appliances plugged in at the back while using the front ports for devices you connect and unplug often. That said, this is not the battery I would buy for running multiple high-wattage devices like microwaves and hair dryers at the same time.
Once the battery runs low, you have several ways to recharge it. The S2000 accepts power from a wall outlet, solar panels (up to 400W), a generator, a vehicle, or a combination of AC and solar. As for its management, you can keep an eye on everything via its companion app, which lets you monitor battery levels, control individual outlets, and adjust power settings over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. One potential drawback is the missing 12V DC car socket, which could bother van campers or anyone with car-powered accessories. For most homes, though, the Solix S2000 is a compact emergency backup battery that is easier to justify at $599.99 than at full price.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 1070Wh LiFePO4 Battery Portable Power Station
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$429.00
(List Price $799.00)