Lights On HQ is a research-based site. We don’t hands-on test products. This page explains exactly where our numbers come from, how we compare them and how we keep them current, so you can judge how much to trust each one.
1. Sources, in order of preference
- The manufacturer’s own US product page (spec table and footnotes).
- The manufacturer’s user manual or official spec PDF. We use it when the product page leaves a field blank or contradicts itself. Manuals often contain the honest details, such as UPS switchover time or depth-of-discharge assumptions.
- The manufacturer’s official spec page for another region, used only when the US page is missing. We say so whenever we do this.
- Reputable independent sources (named reviewers or labs), used only to fill a gap the manufacturer leaves. These figures are labeled as third-party in our tables and notes.
We never use a number we can’t link to. If a spec isn’t published, we write “not listed” or “not stated” rather than guess.
2. What we record for each model
Our spec database records:
- capacity (Wh)
- continuous AC output (W) and surge (W)
- battery chemistry and rated cycle life, including the capacity end point
- weight
- maximum solar input
- UPS switchover time
- brand-store price, with the date checked and a source URL for each row
3. How we make specs comparable
- Continuous output is the sizing number. “X-Boost” (EcoFlow), “Power Lifting” (BLUETTI) and similar modes run resistive appliances above the rated output at reduced power. We show them separately and never treat them as continuous output or motor-starting surge.
- Cycle ratings include their end point. “4,000 cycles to 70%” and “4,000 cycles to 80%” are different promises. We always show both parts and don’t rank models on cycle count alone.
- UPS figures are what the manufacturer states. A power station’s 10–20 ms switchover isn’t the same as a true online (0 ms) UPS. We flag this on any page that discusses computers or medical devices.
- Usable energy. For runtime estimates we assume about 80% of rated Wh reaches AC devices. That’s our planning rule, informed by manufacturer runtime formulas (for example, BLUETTI’s manual uses 90% depth of discharge × over 85% inverter efficiency). It’s an estimate and is labeled as one.
- Price per Wh = brand-store price on the check date ÷ rated capacity. It’s a rough value signal, not a quality score.
4. Prices
- We record the price on the brand’s own US store, the date we checked and the URL. Sales are frequent, so treat every price as a snapshot.
- Price tables are refreshed at least monthly, and each one shows its check date.
- We don’t hard-code Amazon prices. If we participate in Amazon Associates, any Amazon price will come only from Amazon’s own approved tools, with a timestamp.
- When a store shows something odd (for example, a bundle price where the base unit should be), we leave the price out until we can confirm it.
5. How we pick and rank
Recommendations come from published specs matched to a use case: capacity for the runtime you need, output and surge for your appliances, solar input, weight, UPS figures, expandability, warranty and price per Wh. Each guide states the criteria it uses. Affiliate commissions don’t influence rankings, and we include models from brands we don’t have affiliate relationships with.
6. What spec research can’t tell you
Spec sheets can’t show you real-world fan noise, app reliability, customer service or long-term durability. We don’t make claims about those unless we can cite a named source. Where it matters, we say plainly that it’s unknown.
7. Safety and medical boundaries
- Electrical: we never give instructions for wiring a power station into a home panel or “backfeeding.” Any connection to house circuits should be done by a licensed electrician using an approved transfer switch or inlet.
- Medical: for CPAP and other medical devices, confirm requirements with your provider and the device manufacturer. A power station shouldn’t be the only plan for life-sustaining equipment.
8. How content is produced
Articles are researched and drafted with the help of AI tools. A person then checks each spec against its source and reviews the page before it’s published. Every page shows a “last checked” date. We don’t publish fabricated experiences, testimonials or test results.
9. Updates and corrections
- Monthly: prices and availability in the spec database and price tables.
- When products change: new models are added, discontinued or renamed models are marked, and pages are updated.
- Corrections: confirmed errors are fixed quickly and logged on our corrections page with the date and what changed. Report an error through contact.
10. Disclosure
Lights On HQ earns commissions from some links. See our affiliate disclosure. We follow the FTC’s Endorsement Guides and its rule on consumer reviews and testimonials (FTC).