The market for backup batteries has gotten seriously juiced in recent years. I can remember when there were only a couple of brands in the category. Now there are dozens—and they’re going all in for Amazon Prime Day, resulting in some crazy deals.
Our team in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab has tested all the major players. While most brands carry a full line of backup batteries, ranging from handheld chargers to solar generators that can power an entire home, they tend to excel in our tests in one particular area.
Here’s a look at three leading brands—EcoFlow, Jackery, and Anker—along with Amazon Prime Day deals that highlight their core strengths.
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Whole-Home Portable Power Station
EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Whole-Home Portable Power Station
If you live in an area that’s prone to power outages, you need a backup battery system that will keep appliances, electronics, and your HVAC system running for days on end. The EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 Whole-Home Backup System delivers, behind its 4,000-watt capacity, which can be scaled all the way up to 36,000 watts with the addition of more batteries.
The Delta Pro 3 can even be integrated into a home’s electrical system through the brand’s smart home panel, automatically backing up appliances and systems any time the power goes out. You’ll need a professional electrician to set that up for you, which we did ahead of our year-long test. Once the system was up and running, the power station provided instant backup power during simulated power outages.
Don’t need that full integration? Our engineers also liked the EcoFlow’s plug-and-play capabilities, including its wide array of 120-volt and 240-volt outputs for things like lights, heaters, and appliances along with multiple USB ports for phones and other small electronics.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 2000 Portable Power Station
Backup batteries also come in mid-sized packages that are perfect for powering up remote locations, like a campsite or tailgate party. The California brand Jackery, with its solid reputation among outdoor enthusiasts, has leaned into this market segment.
The Jackery Explorer 2000 is a great example of that prowess. With a peak output of 2,200 watts, it’s ideal for powering things like a mini fridge or sound system. Weighing just under 40 pounds, it’s not so cumbersome that you’ll have trouble throwing it in the back of the SUV.
Our experts like the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, which charges faster than standard lithium-ion batteries; it can reach a full charge in about one hour via a wall outlet, and about 6 hours using the pair of 400-watt solar panels, sold separately.
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station
Anker MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Station
The smallest backup batteries fit in the palm of your hand (or your pocket or glove compartment) where they’re ready to charge personal electronics like a phone or smart watch. Anker tops the category with our experts and among their favorites is the Anker MagGo 3 in 1 Charging Station.
This wireless charging station, aimed at Apple users, offers a seamless setup and the convenience of charging your phone, headphones, and smart watch simultaneously. It’s fast, too, powering a Series 9 watch to 47% in just 30 minutes. Note that smart phone users will need a MagSafe compatible case for the magnetic connection to work properly.
The MagGo is available in black and white and folds down to the size of a deck of cards. Some of our testers found the wall charging cable to be a bit short, which may limit placement options, but overall, it’s a fantastic solution for simplifying your charging routine.
