How we rank power stations
Every score on Backup Rank is computed from published specs and prices, with the same steps for every model.
Where the data comes from
Backup Rank compares 59 power stations from 9 brands. Every spec comes from the maker's or a shop's own page, and its model page links to that page with the date we checked it. Every price shows the date it was checked. The latest price check was November 9, 2026.
We do not test products in person and we hold no user ratings. When a page does not state a value, we show "Not listed" instead of guessing, and the model leaves any list that needs that value.
How a score is worked out
- Each best list picks a few points that matter for it, such as price, size or warranty, and gives each one a weight. The weights add up to 100.
- Each point is scored against the best model in that list: the best gets the full weight, and a model with 80% of the best value gets 80% of it. Where lower is better, such as price, the lowest value gets the full weight and one 25% higher gets 80%.
- The points are added up to a score out of 100. Models with the same score share a rank.
- A model is ranked only if it has its own page here and a value for every point the list weighs. Where a maker gives a range (such as 6 to 8), the lower number counts.
Every list and what it weighs
Each list shows its own breakdown under the ranking.
| List | Models ranked | What it weighs, out of 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Best Power Stations for Home Backup | 18 | Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); AC output 25 (higher is better); Max with extra batteries 25 (higher is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
| Best Power Stations Under $1,000 | 34 | Battery capacity 35 (higher is better); AC output 25 (higher is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better); Price per Wh 20 (lower is better) |
| Best Power Stations Under $2,000 | 16 | Battery capacity 30 (higher is better); AC output 25 (higher is better); Max with extra batteries 25 (higher is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
| Best Expandable Power Stations | 21 | Max with extra batteries 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 25 (lower is better); AC output 25 (higher is better) |
| Best Power Stations for Solar | 54 | Max solar input 50 (higher is better); Battery capacity 25 (higher is better); Price per Wh 25 (lower is better) |
| Best Lightweight Power Stations | 57 | Capacity per pound 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); AC output 20 (higher is better) |
| Best UPS Power Stations | 42 | UPS switchover 50 (lower is better); Battery capacity 25 (higher is better); Price per Wh 25 (lower is better) |
| Best Fast Charging Power Stations | 47 | Charge W per Wh 50 (higher is better); Battery capacity 25 (higher is better); Price per Wh 25 (lower is better) |
| Best Power Stations for a Refrigerator | 50 | Battery capacity 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
| Best Power Stations for a Well Pump | 36 | Battery capacity 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
| Best Power Stations for a Space Heater | 48 | Battery capacity 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
| Best Power Stations for a Furnace | 50 | Battery capacity 50 (higher is better); Price per Wh 30 (lower is better); Warranty 20 (higher is better) |
What the scores leave out
Scores reward a low price per watt-hour, high output, room to expand and long warranties, all as the makers state them. They don't measure real-world efficiency, noise or app quality, so use them to shortlist, then read the model pages.
A score compares a model with the others in the same list only: a 70 in one list and a 70 in another do not mean the same thing.
Strengths, weak spots and head-to-heads
Model pages list a model's strengths and weak spots. These are worked out from the same data: a strength is a point where at most 20% of the other power stations with that data do better and the model beats at least half of them, and a weak spot is the reverse. With fewer than 5 power stations to compare, nothing is said.
Head-to-head pages say which model wins on each point, using the same directions (for example, a lower price is better).
Money
Shop buttons are affiliate links, and a shop may pay us when you buy. That has no effect on any score: the formula above is all there is, and nobody adjusts a score or a rank by hand.