Storm comfort
Why I Recommend Jackery
I have used Jackery products for 4 years through power outages, a hurricane, and hot summer storm outages on this island. When the lights go out and the heat sets in, having a simple way to run fans, lights, and small essentials can make a hard night much easier.
Simple help
A Practical Starting Point
The Jackery’s that I have are from the first generation, and 4 years after purchase, they still work great. I recently used them after a tropical storm knocked power out during the night, and we were able to run fans and stay comfortable. We also have solar panels which helped us recharge when we were several days without power after a hurricane.
The newer versions are available now (V2), and one thing I like best about them is that they are much lighter than the first generation. I look to them for their portability (power where you need it), so that means I can now get a more powerful unit and still carry it around and charge it outside. And for those wanting bigger setups that can run their whole house, that is now an option as well.
Short of that (and especially for renters or campers), I’d recommend starting with a small and or going with a couple mid-sized over a large one unless you plan on keeping it in one place, because the larger ones are heavy and even with wheels could be difficult to navigate.
I also use solar panels to charge mine, so being able to lift the Jackery to get it outside is a factor.
(Solar panels are not required for charging. Jackery can charge while plugged into a wall when power is available and or can be charged by a car via the lighter. As some of the package deals on the Jackery site include solar panels, only consider those if you have a balcony or private yard or land where you could safely lay out your solar panels and charge your units. If you don’t have that, just go directly to the portable power stations and check those out. There are also extra battery packs that can be purchased.)
For basic comfort
A smaller unit can be enough if your main goal is to keep a fan running, charge phones, and have light during an outage. The smallest one I have is the Jackery 240
For longer outages
If you want more breathing room, look for a setup that can handle more hours, more devices, and a little less stress.
For storm season
This is especially useful during hurricane season when outages can come suddenly and the summer heat makes every hour without power feel longer.
For no-gas backup
Jackery can be a good fit for people who cannot run a gas generator or simply do not want to deal with fuel, noise, and fumes.
If you are a homeowner and can plug directly into the electrical panel, whole house power via Jackery’s bigger units is a possibility and could be comparable to a gas-powered generator but without the expense or nuisance of gas).
Recommendations
My Simple Picks
Prepare Before The Next Outage
If this page helps you narrow things down, that is the goal. I wanted one simple place for newcomers who do not want to dig through a big product site just to figure out what might work for them.