Learn about backup power
Guides, comparisons, and sizing tips to help you choose the right UPS or portable power station.
How Our Calculator Picks Your Recommendation
A transparent look at the exact steps PowerLasts uses to size your backup power, so you can trust the recommendation or double-check the maths yourself.
Best Power Station for Working From Home (2026) Updated Sep 2026
Choose a work-from-home power station by real desk load, outage duration, USB-C output, noise and transfer behaviour. Includes 4-hour and 8-hour sizing.
Best UPS for Home Office in 2026 Updated Sep 2026
What actually makes a good home-office UPS in 2026, and how to pick the right size based on capacity, runtime, and reliability.
Can a UPS Run a Gaming Laptop? Updated Sep 2026
Yes, and more easily than a desktop gaming PC. Size by output watts first, then verify runtime on the exact UPS model's load curve.
Can a UPS Run a Gaming PC? Updated Sep 2026
A UPS can run a gaming PC if its watt output clears the measured load. See what a 600W PC needs, real runtime examples, and how to size it.
Can a UPS Run an Office Laptop? Updated Sep 2026
Yes. An office laptop is a light UPS load, but runtime must come from the exact model's load curve rather than its VA rating.
How Long Can a UPS Run a Router and Modem? Updated Sep 2026
A router and modem are a light backup-power load. Estimate rated-capacity battery runtime, and use the exact model curve for a traditional UPS.
How Long Will a UPS Run? Runtime by Load, Not VA
UPS runtime can range from minutes to hours depending on the load. Use measured watts and the exact model's runtime curve, not its VA label.
What Size UPS Do I Need for a Home Office? Updated Sep 2026
Size a home-office UPS from measured watts, 20 to 25% output headroom and the exact runtime curve. Includes laptop, desktop and network examples.
UPS vs Portable Power Station: Which Do You Need? Updated Sep 2026
Learn the key differences between UPS systems and portable power stations, and find out which backup power solution fits your needs.
Watts vs VA: How Many Watts Is a UPS? Updated Sep 2026
Convert 600VA, 700VA, 1000VA, 1200VA, 1500VA and 2000VA to watts, understand power factor, and size a UPS without guessing.
What Are Watt-Hours? Wh, Watts and Battery Runtime Updated Sep 2026
A watt-hour is one watt used for one hour. Learn Wh vs W, convert mAh and Ah to Wh, and see what a 1000Wh battery can really run.
What Size UPS Do I Need for a Router and Modem?
A 1500VA UPS holds about 170Wh, which runs a router and modem for roughly 3 hours, not 12. The VA rating sets the load a UPS can carry, never how long it lasts.
Can a Portable Power Station Run a Freezer? Updated Aug 2026
Yes, a portable power station can run a freezer, but chest freezers and upright freezers behave differently during an outage.
Can a Portable Power Station Run a Refrigerator? Updated Aug 2026
Yes, but some of the models we track cannot start one. What a fridge actually draws, which power stations can start the compressor, and how long each lasts.
Can a Power Station Run an Oxygen Concentrator?
For a few hours at a low flow setting, yes. No power station we track runs a home concentrator through a full night at a high setting, and that gap matters more than any product recommendation.
Can a Portable Power Station Run a PC? Updated Aug 2026
Learn what size portable power station you need to run a desktop PC, including monitors and peripherals, during a power outage.
Can a Power Station Run a Sump Pump?
A power station can run a sump pump through a short outage, but only if it clears the 2000W startup surge and only while the pump cycles intermittently.
Can a Portable Power Station Run a CPAP Machine? Updated Aug 2026
Yes, and most models manage a full night. What changes the answer is your humidifier and whether you run from DC, which adds about a quarter more runtime.
Will a 1000W Inverter Power a Fridge?
A 1000W inverter can power many fridges, but only if its surge rating can handle the compressor startup spike.
Best Portable Power Stations for Apartments (2026)
The best portable power stations for apartment dwellers in 2026: quiet, indoor-safe, and practical for outages.
Best Power Station for RV Camping (2026)
How to choose a portable power station for your RV. We cover capacity, charging options, and what actually matters for van life and weekend camping.
A Bigger Battery Isn't Always Better
Oversizing your backup power wastes money, adds weight, and can even cause problems. Here's how to find the sweet spot.
How Long Will a 1000Wh Power Station Run a Fridge?
A 1000Wh power station can run a typical fridge for 8 to 16 hours. Here's how to estimate runtime for your specific setup, with real-world scenarios and calculator links.
How Long Will a Power Station Last?
Learn how to calculate portable power station runtime based on capacity, device wattage, and real-world efficiency losses.
How to Size a Power Station for Camping
Figure out exactly what size portable power station you need for car camping, from phone charging to running a mini fridge.
LiFePO4 vs Lithium-Ion vs Lead-Acid: Battery Types Explained
The three main battery types in backup power, compared on lifespan, safety, weight, cost, and real-world performance.
Power Station vs Generator: Which Is Better?
Compare portable power stations and gas generators across noise, cost, runtime, maintenance, and use cases to find the right backup power solution.
Your Power Strip Is Probably Not a Surge Protector
Most people think their power strip protects their electronics. It probably doesn't. Here's the difference and why it matters.
Can You Charge a Power Station With Solar Panels?
Yes, but it is slower than many people expect. Here is how solar charging works, what affects speed, and when it is worth adding panels.
What Is Startup Surge? Why Your Power Station Needs Extra Watts
Some devices need a burst of extra power to start up. Here's what startup surge means, which devices have it, and why it matters for backup power sizing.
What to Do When the Power Goes Out: A Step-by-Step Checklist
A practical checklist for power outages: what to do first, what to unplug, and how to make your backup power last as long as possible.
You Only Get Half the Battery (Here's Why)
That 1000Wh battery doesn't actually give you 1000Wh. Depth of discharge, inverter losses, and battery chemistry quietly steal your runtime.
Your Fridge Uses Less Power Than You Think
That scary wattage number on your fridge label is misleading. Here's what your fridge actually draws and how long a battery can run it.