Category: Comparisons

Disclosure: Lights On HQ is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Research-based, not hands-on tested. Specs come from manufacturer US product pages, checked October 16, 2026 (see our spec database). Runtimes are calculated estimates. See how we research.

It’s the classic outage showdown. In one corner: the quiet, polite battery that lives in your closet. In the other: the loud, gas-guzzling workhorse that can run forever (as long as you keep feeding it). Who wins? Depends entirely on what you need to power and for how long.

Round 1: Safety

Power station wins, easily. No exhaust, so you can use it indoors (with normal ventilation and away from water). Gas generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can kill. The CDC says to run generators outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows, never in a garage, basement or porch, and to install CO alarms.

Round 2: Noise

Power station. Batteries are near silent; at most you’ll hear a cooling fan. Generators are loud enough that some campgrounds restrict their hours.

Round 3: Runtime

Generator. A power station holds a fixed amount of energy: 1,024 Wh for an EcoFlow DELTA 3, 2,048 Wh for an Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2, 3,072 Wh for a Jackery HomePower 3000. When it’s empty, you need the grid, solar or a car to refill. A generator runs as long as you have fuel (and can safely refuel).

Solar narrows the gap: units that take 1,000 W or more of solar can refill a lot on a sunny day. See the solar pairing guide.

Round 4: Big loads

Usually generator, with an asterisk. Large power stations are catching up: the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus lists 6,000 W of AC output and the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 lists 4,000 W. But energy is still finite, and 240 V whole-house use requires an electrician-installed transfer switch or inlet either way.

Round 5: Maintenance and storage

Power station. Charge it every few months and you’re mostly done. Generators need oil changes, fuel stabilizer, regular test runs, and a safe place to store gasoline (which goes stale).

Round 6: Upfront cost

Usually generator. Per unit of energy, batteries cost more upfront. On our Oct 16, 2026 price check, LiFePO4 units ranged from about $0.43 to $1.05 per Wh of capacity. See price per Wh for 17 models. A battery has no fuel cost, though, and solar recharging is free.

The scorecard

Category	Winner
Indoor safety	Power station
Noise	Power station
Runtime for days	Gas generator
Huge loads	Gas generator (big batteries closing in)
Maintenance	Power station
Upfront cost	Gas generator
Apartment-friendly	Power station

Who should buy what

• Apartment or condo dweller: power station, no contest. Start with what size do I need.
• CPAP user: power station; see our CPAP guide.
• Rural home with a well pump and long outages: a generator (or a very large battery system) with a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
• Camper: power station for quiet campsites; see best power station for camping.

Bottom line

For most households riding out a typical outage, a power station handles the essentials safely and silently. For multi-day, whole-house needs, a generator (or a hybrid) still earns its spot. Browse the best power stations for home backup, or see how you’d fare in our Blackout Survival Challenge.

Disclosure: Lights On HQ is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t change which products we include or how we rank them. Read our full disclosure.

How this page was made: This is a research-based comparison. We did not test these units by hand. Every number comes from the manufacturer’s own product page or user manual, checked on October 16, 2026, and linked below. Our process is described in our methodology.

Picture it: the lights blink, the fridge sighs, the Wi-Fi dies mid-episode, and someone in your house says, “Didn’t we mean to buy one of those battery things?” Then you go shopping and meet the same four names over and over: EcoFlow, Jackery, BLUETTI and Anker SOLIX. (DJI is newer here but growing fast. It’s in our full spec database.)

Every brand says it’s the best. Naturally. So we did the nerdy thing: we gathered the spec sheets for 14 current models from these four brands and put them all on the same ruler.

Not sure how many watt-hours you need yet? Start with the sizing guide and come back. We’ll keep your seat warm.

The big table: 14 current models, one ruler

Prices are each brand’s own US store price on Oct 16, 2026. They change often, and sales are basically a hobby for these companies. Check the current price before you buy.

Brand	Model	Capacity (Wh)	AC output (W)	Surge (W)	Rated cycles	Weight (lb)	Max solar (W)	UPS switchover	Store price*	$/Wh*
EcoFlow	RIVER 3 Plus	286	600	1,200	3,000 to 80%	10.4	220	<10 ms	$299	$1.05
EcoFlow	DELTA 3	1,024	1,800	3,600	4,000 to 80%	27.6	500	<10 ms	$629	$0.61
EcoFlow	DELTA 3 Plus	1,024	1,800	3,600	4,000 to 80%	27.6	1,000	<10 ms	$719	$0.70
EcoFlow	DELTA 2 Max	2,048	2,400	4,800	3,000 to 80%	50	1,000	not listed	$1,049	$0.51
EcoFlow	DELTA Pro 3	4,096	4,000 (120/240V)	8,000	4,000 to 80%	113.5	2,600	10 ms	$2,799	$0.68
Jackery	Explorer 1000 v2	1,070	1,500	3,000	4,000 to 70%	23.8	400	not listed	$519	$0.49
Jackery	Explorer 2000 v2	2,042	2,200	4,400	4,000 to 70%	39.5	400	<20 ms	$899 (sold out)	$0.44
Jackery	HomePower 3000	3,072	3,600	7,200	4,000 to 70%	59.5	1,000	~20 ms	$1,349	$0.44
BLUETTI	AC180	1,152	1,800	2,700†	3,500+	35.3	500	≤20 ms	$499	$0.43
BLUETTI	Elite 100 V2	1,024	1,800	not stated	4,000+ to 80%	25.3	1,000	≤10 ms	$499	$0.49
BLUETTI	Elite 200 V2	2,073.6	2,600	3,900†	6,000+ to 80%	53.4	1,000	≤15 ms	$899	$0.43
Anker SOLIX	C1000	1,056	1,800	2,400	3,000 to 80%	28.4	600	not listed	$599.99 (sold out)	$0.57
Anker SOLIX	C2000 Gen 2	2,048	2,400	4,000 (peak)	4,000	41.7	800	10 ms	$999.99	$0.49
Anker SOLIX	F3800 Plus	3,840	6,000 (120/240V)	not listed	3,000+	136.7	3,200	20 ms	$2,599.99	$0.68

* Brand-store price on Oct 16, 2026; $/Wh = price ÷ rated capacity, rounded. Prices aren’t live. They’re checked monthly, so the current price may differ. † BLUETTI’s “Power Lifting” figure is for resistive loads such as kettles and heaters. BLUETTI’s Elite 200 V2 manual says this mode isn’t for motor or compressor loads, so don’t read it as motor-starting surge.

Sources for every row are in the spec database (each row links to the manufacturer’s page). Examples: EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max, Jackery Explorer 2000 v2, BLUETTI Elite 200 V2, Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus.

The one that got away: we left Jackery’s Explorer 2000 Plus out of the table. Its page showed a price ($2,499 against a $5,799 “compare at”) that looked like a bundle, not the base unit. We’ll add it once we can confirm the base price.

Same data, prettier: two charts

Tables are great until your eyes glaze over. Here’s the same info as pictures.

Brand by brand: what the spec sheets tell you

EcoFlow: the “something for everyone” lineup

• Range: the widest of the four, from the 286 Wh RIVER 3 Plus to the 4 kWh DELTA Pro 3. The DELTA Pro 3 offers 120 V and 240 V output and can expand to 12 kWh as a single unit (EcoFlow).
• Strengths on paper:
• high solar input (1,000 W on the DELTA 3 Plus and DELTA 2 Max);
• <10 ms UPS listed on the DELTA 3 series and RIVER 3 Plus;
• 4,000-cycle ratings to 80% on the newer DELTA 3 family.
• Watch for: “X-Boost” figures (for example, 2,200 W on the DELTA 3) are a mode for resistive loads, not the continuous rating. Use the plain AC output number for sizing.

Jackery: the “easy on your back” lineup

• Range: compact 1 kWh units up to the 3 kWh HomePower 3000. The URL that used to carry the Explorer 3000 v2 now shows that name.
• Strengths on paper:
• light weight for the capacity. The Explorer 1000 v2 is listed at about 23.8 lb for 1,070 Wh (Jackery), the lightest 1 kWh-class unit in our table;
• competitive price per Wh at 2–3 kWh.
• Watch for:
• lower solar input on the 1000 v2 and 2000 v2 (400 W);
• about 20 ms UPS switchover, which is slower than the 10 ms class;
• cycle ratings to 70% rather than 80%.

BLUETTI: the “marathon runner” lineup

• Range: the Elite V2 line (100 and 200) plus the older AC series.
• Strengths on paper:
• the longest cycle rating we found: 6,000+ to 80% on the Elite 200 V2 (BLUETTI);
• 1,000 W solar input on both Elite V2 models;
• the Elite 100 V2 is 25.3 lb with ≤10 ms UPS (user manual).
• Watch for:
• “Power Lifting” numbers, which are for heating appliances only;
• the AC180’s slower UPS (≤20 ms per its manual);
• the Elite 100 V2 has no published surge figure.

Anker SOLIX: the “go big at home” lineup

• Range: the C-series (portable) and F-series (home backup). Anker’s F2000 page now shows the C2000 Gen 2 instead.
• Strengths on paper:
• the F3800 Plus has the highest AC output (6,000 W at 120/240 V) and solar input (3,200 W) in this group, with 3,840 Wh of capacity. Only EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 (4,096 Wh) holds more (Anker);
• the C2000 Gen 2 lists a 10 ms UPS.
• Watch for:
• the F3800 Plus weighs 136.7 lb (with wheels), so it rolls around the house but isn’t really “grab and go”;
• the C1000 spec table leaves UPS switchover blank;
• the C1000 was sold out on our check date.

Why “4,000 cycles” doesn’t always mean the same thing

A cycle rating has two parts: how many cycles, and how much capacity is left at the finish line. Same race length, different finish lines.

• Jackery’s 1000 v2, 2000 v2, 2000 Plus and HomePower 3000 pages say “4,000 cycles to 70%+ capacity.”
• EcoFlow’s DELTA 3, BLUETTI’s Elite V2 models and DJI say “to 80%.”

“4,000 cycles to 70%” is a weaker promise than “4,000 cycles to 80%.” Manufacturers also test under their own lab conditions (DJI, for example, specifies 25 °C), so treat every cycle figure as a claim, not a guarantee.

Which brand fits which buyer?

These are research-based suggestions from published specs. They are not test results.

• Apartment or light backup (Wi-Fi, phones, CPAP*, lights): a 1 kWh unit is usually enough. On weight and UPS, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 (25.3 lb, ≤10 ms) and EcoFlow DELTA 3 / 3 Plus (27.6 lb, <10 ms) stand out. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is the lightest. Apartment guide
• Fridge plus essentials for a day (a.k.a. “save the ice cream”): look at 2 kWh-class units. Compare the Elite 200 V2, DELTA 2 Max, Explorer 2000 v2 and C2000 Gen 2. DELTA 2 Max vs Explorer 2000 v2 · Fridge guide
• Whole-room or 240 V needs (well pump, some central AC): only the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 and Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus in this group offer 240 V. Connecting either one to house circuits needs a licensed electrician and a proper transfer switch or inlet. No DIY heroics here. Transfer switch explainer
• Solar-heavy users: check max solar input against your panels’ voltage. See solar compatibility and solar charging calculator.

What we can’t tell you from spec sheets (and won’t pretend to)

• Real usable capacity. This is usually below rated Wh, because of inverter losses and the battery’s usable depth of discharge. For example, BLUETTI’s Elite 200 V2 manual assumes 90% depth of discharge and inverter efficiency over 85% in its runtime formula (manual PDF).
• Fan noise, app reliability and customer service. These need hands-on use or a large set of owner reports. We don’t have either, and we won’t invent them.
• Long-term reliability. Cycle ratings are lab claims.

When we cite independent test data in the future, we’ll name the tester and link to it.

Related

• Power station runtime calculator
• What size power station do I need?
• EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max vs Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
• Full spec database (sources for every number)
• All comparisons (hub)

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we’ll fix it and note the change.

Disclosure: Lights On HQ is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Research-based, not hands-on tested. Specs come from EcoFlow’s and Jackery’s US product pages, checked October 16, 2026 (DELTA 2 Max, Explorer 2000 v2). See how we research.

It’s 7 p.m., a storm just knocked out the power, and the only things you truly care about are: the fridge (ice cream), the Wi-Fi (sanity) and a couple of lamps (so nobody steps on the cat). That’s exactly the job a 2 kWh power station is built for.

Both of these units store about 2 kWh: 2,048 Wh for the DELTA 2 Max and 2,042 Wh for the Explorer 2000 v2. That’s the size many people look at to keep a fridge, Wi-Fi and lights going through an outage. Past that, though, they’re built for different priorities. Think “expandable solar workhorse” vs “lighter, cheaper-per-Wh wall charger.”

Side-by-side specs

Spec	EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max	Jackery Explorer 2000 v2	Edge
Capacity	2,048 Wh	2,042 Wh	Tie
Battery chemistry	LFP (LiFePO4)	LFP (LiFePO4)	Tie
Rated cycles	3,000 to 80%	4,000 to 70%	Not directly comparable (why)
AC continuous output	2,400 W (X-Boost 3,400 W)	2,200 W	DELTA 2 Max
Surge	4,800 W	4,400 W	DELTA 2 Max
AC outlets	6	3 (120 V, 18.3 A total)	DELTA 2 Max
Max solar input	1,000 W (2 × 500 W, 11–60 V)	400 W (2 × 8 mm DC)	DELTA 2 Max
Wall charging	1,800 W “X-Stream”	~1.75 h full charge (listed)	Similar on paper
UPS / switchover	Not listed in spec table	<20 ms	Explorer 2000 v2 (published figure)
Expansion batteries	Up to 2 (6,144 Wh total)	None listed in spec table	DELTA 2 Max
Weight	50 lb (23 kg)	~39.5 lb (17.9 kg)	Explorer 2000 v2
Warranty	5 years	3 + 2 years (on Jackery.com)	Similar
Store price, Oct 16, 2026*	$1,049 (list $1,299)	$899 (list $999), sold out	Explorer 2000 v2
Price per Wh*	~$0.51	~$0.44	Explorer 2000 v2

* Brand-store prices on our check date. Prices change often and aren’t live here. Confirm the current price at the retailer.

Check current DELTA 2 Max price at EcoFlow · Check Explorer 2000 v2 price and stock at Jackery

Where the DELTA 2 Max is stronger

Solar. Lots of it. 1,000 W of solar input is 2.5× the Explorer 2000 v2’s 400 W. In a multi-day outage, that gap adds up fast. On a good sun day, more input watts means more of the battery refilled before evening. Actual harvest depends on your panels, angle, weather and season (the sun does not take requests). Our solar charging calculator shows the math.

A growth path. EcoFlow says you can add up to two DELTA 2 Max Smart Extra Batteries, reaching 6,144 Wh (EcoFlow). Jackery’s spec table for the 2000 v2 lists no expansion port. If future-you might want more capacity, that matters. See expansion batteries explained.

More outlets, more headroom. Six AC outlets and 2,400 W continuous output (4,800 W surge) let you run more devices at once. Fewer “who unplugged the router?!” moments.

Where the Explorer 2000 v2 is stronger

Weight. About 10.5 lb lighter. If you’ll haul it up and down stairs or out to a campsite, your lower back will notice.

Price per Wh. At the prices we saw, about $0.44 per Wh vs $0.51. It was out of stock, though, and EcoFlow runs frequent sales, so the gap can move either way.

A published UPS figure. Jackery lists switchover “under 20 ms,” for things like a router, computer or NAS. EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max spec table doesn’t give a switchover time. (EcoFlow’s newer DELTA 3 series lists <10 ms.) If seamless switchover is the main reason you’re buying, read the caveats below.

About those cycle ratings (apples vs oranges)

• Jackery: “4,000 cycles to 70%+ capacity.”
• EcoFlow: “3,000 cycles to 80+% capacity.”

These use different finish lines, so you can’t simply say 4,000 beats 3,000. Either way, a home-backup unit that’s used a few dozen times a year will take many years to reach these numbers. For most buyers, solar, weight and outlets matter more.

Important caveats (the “please read this part” part)

Other 2 kWh options worth a look

From our spec database (same check date):

• BLUETTI Elite 200 V2: 2,073.6 Wh, 2,600 W, 1,000 W solar, ≤15 ms UPS, 6,000+ cycles to 80%, 53.4 lb, $899.
• Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2: 2,048 Wh, 2,400 W (4,000 W peak), 800 W solar, 10 ms UPS, 41.7 lb, $999.99.
• DJI Power 2000: 2,048 Wh, 3,000 W, 10 ms UPS, 48.5 lb, $1,299. Solar up to 1,800 W needs DJI’s separate charger accessory.

See the full four-brand comparison

Related

• What size power station do I need?
• Best power station to run a refrigerator
• All comparisons (hub)

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Spot an error? Let us know.

Disclosure: Lights On HQ is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.

Research-based, not hands-on tested. Specs come from BLUETTI’s and EcoFlow’s US product pages and user manuals, checked October 16, 2026 (AC200L page, AC200L manual, DELTA 2 Max). See how we research.

Imagine two friends offering to help you move. One is a little stronger and owns a bigger truck (and charges less). The other is lighter on their feet and won’t throw their back out on the stairs. Both will get the couch moved. The question is which trade-off fits your move.

That’s the BLUETTI AC200L vs the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max in a nutshell. Same 2 kWh battery, same 2,400 W output, different priorities.

Side-by-side specs

Spec	BLUETTI AC200L	EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max	Edge
Capacity	2,048 Wh	2,048 Wh	Tie
Chemistry	LiFePO4	LFP (LiFePO4)	Tie
Rated cycles	3,000+ to 80%	3,000 to 80%	Tie
AC continuous output	2,400 W	2,400 W	Tie
Surge	7,200 W (product page)†	4,800 W	AC200L (on paper)
Boost mode (resistive loads only)	Power Lifting 3,600 W	X-Boost 3,400 W	Similar
AC outlets	4 × 120 V/20 A + 1 × TT-30 (120 V/30 A)	6	Depends (RV vs household)
Max solar input	1,200 W (12–145 VDC, 15 A)	1,000 W (2 × 500 W, 11–60 V)	AC200L
AC charging	2,400 W max; 0–80% in 45 min (manual)	1,800 W “X-Stream”	AC200L
UPS switchover	≤20 ms (manual)	Not listed in spec table	AC200L (published figure)
Max expansion	8,192 Wh (2 × B300)	6,144 Wh (2 × Smart Extra Battery)	AC200L
Weight	62.4 lb (28.3 kg)	50 lb (23 kg)	DELTA 2 Max
Warranty	5 years	5 years	Tie
Store price, Oct 16, 2026*	$899 (compare-at $1,599)	$1,049 (list $1,299)	AC200L
Price per Wh*	~$0.44	~$0.51	AC200L

* Brand-store prices on our check date. They change often and aren’t live. Confirm at the retailer. † BLUETTI’s US manual lists AC overload as 3,000–3,600 W for 5 seconds and over 3,600 W for 0.5 seconds. That’s how the inverter handles brief spikes; it doesn’t obviously match “7,200 W surge.” Check with BLUETTI if you’re starting a big motor.

Check AC200L price at BLUETTI · Check DELTA 2 Max price at EcoFlow

Round 1: Expansion (the “future you” round)

Both let you add batteries later instead of buying a whole new unit.

• AC200L: BLUETTI says it works with up to two B210 or B300 batteries, or one B230. With two B300s, total capacity reaches 8,192 Wh (BLUETTI manual).
• DELTA 2 Max: up to two DELTA 2 Max Smart Extra Batteries for 6,144 Wh (EcoFlow).

Round 2: Solar input (the “sunny day refill” round)

• AC200L: 1,200 W max, at 12–145 VDC and 15 A. BLUETTI quotes about 2 hours to recharge with 1,200 W of solar “with prime sunshine, ideal orientation and low temperature” (BLUETTI).
• DELTA 2 Max: 1,000 W via two 500 W inputs (11–60 V, 15 A). EcoFlow says it can charge “in as fast as 2.3 hours” with 1,000 W of solar (EcoFlow).

The AC200L’s wider voltage window (up to 145 VDC) means you can string more panels in series. The DELTA 2 Max splits its input across two ports. Either way, check panel voltage against the limits before you buy. Solar compatibility guide · Solar charging calculator

Real-world harvest depends on panels, angle, weather and season. Manufacturers quote best-case numbers.

Round 3: Weight (the “please lift with your knees” round)

• AC200L: 62.4 lb.
• DELTA 2 Max: 50 lb.

That’s a 12.4 lb difference. If it lives in a utility room and rarely moves, it’s no big deal. If you’ll carry it up from the basement every storm, the DELTA 2 Max is noticeably kinder.

Round 4: Outlets and UPS

• Outlets: the AC200L has four 120 V/20 A outlets plus a TT-30 (the common RV plug). The DELTA 2 Max has six AC outlets, which is handier for a pile of household plugs.
• UPS: BLUETTI’s manual lists ≤20 ms switching time and several UPS modes. EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max spec table doesn’t list a switchover time. (EcoFlow’s newer DELTA 3 series lists <10 ms.)

Who should buy which?

• AC200L: home backup with long-outage plans, solar-heavy setups, RV owners who want a TT-30, and anyone who wants the lower price per Wh on our check date.
• DELTA 2 Max: people who’ll move it often, want six standard outlets, or already own EcoFlow gear.

Important caveats

Related

• EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max vs Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
• EcoFlow vs Jackery vs Bluetti vs Anker SOLIX
• Best portable power station for home backup
• Full spec database
• All comparisons (hub)

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Spot an error? Let us know.