Portable Generator Sales November 2024: Save on Emergency Power

You can find discounts on devices from the top brands on the market, including Jackery, Goal Zero, EcoFlow.

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We’re in the home stretch of this year, and temperatures are dropping fast. With the threat of winter storms knocking the grid offline, now is a perfect time to pick up a portable generator or power station. These devices can keep the lights on and your space heaters powered, ensuring your safety when there’s no electricity. With many retailers offering holiday sales during this period, it’s possible to save hundreds of dollars on generators before severe weather hits.

For instance, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is available for 43 percent off, matching the all-time low we saw during Prime Big Deal Days. The editor-favorite portable power station provides a perfect mix of size and power, with six ports and an output of 1,500 watts. That’s enough to power devices with higher loads, such as larger appliances. It’s also an ideal device for powering small electronics during camping trips.

Investing in a portable generator or power station now will prepare you for the future. Whether it’s a blizzard that knocks out the power in your neighborhood or a trip to the backcountry where no electricity is available, these devices can come in clutch. Remember: Investing in one before an emergency happens will ensure you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Below are the best deals from the top brands on the market, including Jackery, Goal Zero, EcoFlow, and more.

Portable power stations have become increasingly popular as an eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered generators. Not only do they produce no emissions, but they’re much quieter, allowing you to use them indoors. They can also harness the sun’s power by connecting a compatible solar panel, giving you a sustainable way to generate electricity during an extended power outage. Additionally, you can top up a power station’s battery via wall outlets and carports—and some models can even charge via USB-C.

The Explorer 1000 v2 provides the perfect balance of size and power. With an output of 1,500 watts and six ports, it’s an ideal companion for indoor and outdoor use. It’s also 18 percent smaller than the previous version, making it easier than ever to transport. You can get the full discount by clipping the on-page coupon.

The Explorer 100 Plus is one of Jackery’s smallest power stations. It weighs just 2.1 pounds and is carry-on approved, making it the ideal companion to top off your phone or portable gaming console. Clip the on-page coupon for the full discount.

The River 3 is one of EcoFlow’s newest power stations. It boasts an output of 300 watts and six outlets, allowing you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. It also features a built-in handle and weighs just 7.8 pounds, making it easy to carry around your house. The on-page coupon takes $70 off the already discounted price.

The River 2 Max has 11 ports and delivers an output of 1,000 watts. While it’s a little larger at 13 pounds, it’s still easy to carry thanks to its built-in handle. Plus, it supports four recharging methods, including AC, car, USB-C, and solar.

The Anker SOLIX C800 is unique for its built-in storage. The top opens up to give you a small space to store cables, batteries, and small electronics, so you always have what you need. Beyond that, the C800 boasts an output of 1,200 watts and ten ports, including five AC outlets.

The Anker 521 is about the size of a lunchbox, yet it still delivers a peak of 600 watts of power. It’s the perfect getaway companion, with enough power to recharge your laptop 3.5 times. And at 8.2 pounds, it’s easy to throw in your car.

A major benefit of a portable power station is the ability to replenish the battery through solar charging. This allows you to harness renewable energy, providing power when no traditional power sources are available. The feature is particularly useful for camping trips and off-grid living.

The River 2 Max is powerful on its own, but it reaches its full potential when paired with the 160-watt solar panel. This combination creates a powerful kit for extended outdoor adventures.

The Delta 2 Max provides a massive output of 2,400 watts, allowing you to power 99 percent of household devices. When paired with the 220-watt double-sided solar panel, it becomes an even more powerful kit for enduring unexpected outages. The on-page coupon takes $1,000 of the retail price.

This compact kit is great for anyone who need power while out in the field. If you’re taking pictures or filming videos in the mountains, you’ll be able to power your devices and replenish the Explorer 240 v2’s battery. The on-page coupon takes $100 off the regular price.

Sometimes two solar panels is better than one. This kit includes the powerful Explorer 1000 Plus, while allowing you to capture twice the solar energy. The on-page coupon takes $570 off the retail price.

Portable generators are a trusted power source, providing essential power during outages, at construction sites, and for mobile businesses like food trucks. These gas-powered devices provide hours of backup power and can run more energy-intensive appliances, like refrigerators, heating systems, and medical equipment. Just don’t use them indoors—they produce dangerous carbon monoxide that can be lethal in enclosed spaces.

This Champion inverter portable generator produces clean power that won’t damage devices like smartphones, laptops, or other gadgets that require steady voltage. And at 39.7 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight, making it a good companion during camping trips.

This Champion portable generator can run on either gasoline or propane and includes a 120-volt 30-amp RV outlet. The RV-ready outlet allows for direct connection to your camper, so you can power your RV’s air conditioner, TV, and more.

A home backup generator can provide electricity to your entire house during power outages. The good news is larger portable generators and power stations can integrate directly with your home’s electrical panel through a transfer switch. This allows you to maintain a somewhat normal routine by keeping the light on, the refrigerator humming, and the heater running, even when the rest of the neighborhood is offline. As we explain, you may need to hire an electrician to install a transfer switch and other components to connect your portable generator to your house’s electrical system.

The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus boasts 120V/240V dual voltage output, allowing it to easily power everyday devices and heavy-duty equipment like dryers, water pumps, and ovens. Like the Anker, it can also recharge EVs and power RVs. The on-page coupon saves you $1,500 off the retail price.

With a 6,000-watt output, the Anker SOLIX F3800 is powerful enough to power your lights, microwave, fridge, coffee maker, and more. It can also directly charge your EV and provide power to your RV. The on-page coupon will instantly save you $1,000 off the normal price.

The old saying “Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it” perfectly applies to portable generators and power stations. Don’t wait until severe storms are approaching to start thinking about backup power. When an emergency does occur, these devices typically sell out and/or see significant price increases to keep up with demand. Investing in one now will ensure you don't spend a premium on available stock while keeping your family safe and comfortable if something happens.

Beyond emergency preparedness, a generator or power station can still be used year-round for things like powering outdoor movie nights and running tools for home improvement projects. Their versatility means you can justify the purchase knowing it will serve multiple purposes throughout the year, rather than sitting idle waiting for the next power outage.

The type of portable generator you buy depends on your needs and preferences. A portable power station is an eco-friendly option you can safely use indoors during an outage or take with you on a camping trip. Their compact size makes them easy to transport and provides enough output to power phones, GPS devices, medical equipment, and small appliances. They’re also quiet and require minimal maintenance, but they do have limitations. They typically can’t handle energy-intensive appliances for extended periods. The initial cost is usually higher than traditional gas generators, and recharging can take hours, especially when using solar panels.

A traditional portable generator provides more power for demanding appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. Some models can run on gas and propane, giving you flexibility in fuel choices during emergencies. Having the option to switch between fuel sources provides extra peace of mind in emergencies, ensuring you can keep essential devices running when supplies are limited. The major drawback of portable generators is the fact that you can’t use them indoors. They also require regular maintenance like oil changes, filter replacements, and fuel storage when not in use.

To determine your wattage needs, list the devices you want to power and add up their running watts and starting watts (surge power). Common household items like refrigerators require significantly more power to start up than to run continuously.

When calculating your total power requirements, follow these steps: First, add up the running watts of all the devices you plan to use simultaneously. Then, identify the appliance with the highest starting watts and add this to your total running watts. As a precaution, we recommend getting a generator with more wattage than you think is necessary. This extra capacity helps prevent overloading and provides flexibility to add additional devices in the future.

Brandon Russell is a freelance writer covering gear and technology. He started his journey as a news writer at a small newspaper and later began reviewing smartphones, movies, and video games. In his free time, he enjoys the slower, more intentional experience of using a 35mm film camera and making short videos about movies he grew up watching.

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