Presidents’ Day Generator Sales 2025: Save on Backup Power

Portable power stations have become an excellent alternative to traditional gas generators, offering a cleaner, quieter way to keep your devices running. During Presidents’ Day, you’ll find deals on portable power stations from several brands our editors recommend, including Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Anker. These devices are versatile power hubs, packed with everything from standard AC outlets to USB ports. While they may not match gas generators in raw power output, they make up for it with convenience, zero maintenance headaches, and the ability to safely use them indoors since they produce no emissions. Many models can even recharge via solar panels, making them ideal for both emergency backup and outdoor adventures.

Best Value

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station

Now 43% Off

Our editors consider the Explorer 1000 v2 to be the best value pick, thanks to its size, output power, and features. During our testing, it powered a 25-cubic-foot refrigerator for 18 hours and 22 minutes, ensuring your perishables stay fresh during an outage.

Best for Remote Power

Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station

Now 23% Off

With six output ports and 300 watts of output power, the Jackery Explorer 300 is ideal for adventurers. Recharge your laptop, phone, or even provide power to a mini cooler—the Explorer 300 can do it all.

Most Versatile

EcoFlow River 2 Pro Portable Power Station

Now 34% Off

Power up to 11 devices with the River 2 Pro, whether you’re enduring an outage or enjoying the outdoors. At 17.2 pounds, the device is relatively lightweight considering the fact that it delivers up to 1,600 watts of output power with its X-Boost mode.

Best Everyday

EcoFlow River 3 Portable Power Station

Now 39% Off

The EcoFlow River 3 is new to the brand’s lineup, delivering 300 watts of output power in a very portable package. EcoFlow says it’s 30 percent smaller than the industry average, and thanks to its built-in handle, the River 3 is incredibly easy to transport.

Most Powerful

EcoFlow Delta 2 Portable Power Station

Now 36% Off

The EcoFlow Delta 2 is one of the larger portable power stations available, offering 15 ports and an output of 1,800 watts, which can match some smaller gas-powered generators.

Best Overall

EcoFlow Delta Pro Portable Power Station

Now 30% Off

Our editors chose the EcoFlow Delta Pro as the best overall portable powerstation thanks to its 3,600 watts of output power. During our testing, it ran a 25-cubic-foot refrigerator for a remarkable 51 hours and 24 minutes, making it the perfect option for emergencies.

Small But Powerful

Bluetti AC180 Portable Power Station

Now 54% Off

What’s impressive about the Bluetti AC180 is how it packs so much power into such a small package. It delivers 1,800 watts of output power and weighs less than 40 pounds, making it the right size to use daily around the house.

Best App Control

Bluetti AC50B Portable Power Station

Now 30% Off

At only 14.8 pounds, the Bluetti AC50B is another portable option that doesn’t skimp on power. Plus, it features six ports, including two AC outlets and two USB-C ports.

Best Emergency Light

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station

Now 52% Off

The Anker Solix C1000 boasts an output of up to 2,400 watts and 11 ports, but its most noteworthy feature is the built-in LED light. This gives you emergency light in a pinch—at least until you can plug in a lamp.

While portable power stations are great for enduring outages and enjoying the outdoors, they eventually need to be recharged. That’s why pairing the one you buy with a solar panel is a good idea to take your setup to the next level. This type of setup can give you a mini renewable energy system that’s capable of generating endless power as long as the sun is shining. For outdoor enthusiasts and remote workers, this means true freedom from the grid—no more worrying about running out of juice in the middle of nowhere. The best part is many of the solar panels available are built to withstand the elements and typically feature foldable designs that make them surprisingly portable.

Best Value Solar

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 with 200W Solar Panel

Now 46% Off

Our best value pick pairs nicely with a 200-watt solar panel, giving you a powerful setup for long weekends off the grid.

Best Portable Solar Power

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus with 100W Solar Panel

Now 10% Off

It doesn’t get much more portable than this kit, which includes the Explorer 300 Plus and a 100-watt solar panel.

Powerful But Light

EcoFlow River 2 Max with 160W Solar Panel

Now 24% Off

The River 2 Max is a great portable option on its own, but when paired with a 160-watt solar panel, it becomes the perfect option for staying off the grid. The solar panel can fold up to easily fit in your car, while the River 2 Max is light enough to carry with its built-in handle.

Best Solar for Camping

EcoFlow River 3 with 45W Solar Panel

Now 41% Off

Although this solar panel is only 45 watts, it can recharge the River 3 in just six hours. That means you can easily charge up during daylight hours and power your devices all night long.

Most Durable Solar Power

Anker Solix C1000 with 200W Solar Panel

Now 46% Off

The solar panel that comes in this kit with the Anker Solix C1000 features an IP67 rating, making it dust and water resistant. That means it should be able to withstand a beach day without any problems.

Extended Off-Grid Solar

Bluetti AC180 with 200W Solar Panel

Now 46% Off

If you’re planning to spend a lot of time off the grid, this kit is a compelling option. The AC180 is powerful by itself, but adding a 200-watt solar panel gives you the flexibility to ditch the grid for extended periods.

Traditional portable generators still reign supreme when it comes to raw power output. These workhorses are the go-to choice for running high-draw appliances like refrigerators, power tools, and AC units, making them essential for everything from food truck operations to construction sites. Many models now offer dual-fuel capability, letting you switch between gasoline and propane for added flexibility and longer runtime. While they might not match power stations in terms of quiet operation or eco-friendliness, portable generators remain unbeatable when you need serious power for serious jobs.

Most Portable

Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Inverter Generator

Now 25% Off

Traditional generators are typically bulky, but this Champion model is relatively small. At 39 pounds, it’s one of the lightest in the industry, yet it boasts 2,500 watts of output power.

Best RV-Ready

Champion Power Equipment 4000-Watt Inverter Generator

Now 14% Off

This is another “small” model by generator standards. It weighs less than 50 pounds yet delivers an output of 4,000 watts, so you can power demanding appliances when the grid fails.

Best Dual Fuel

Champion Power Equipment Dual Fuel Inverter Generator

Now 16% Off

Dual fuel generators offer amazing flexibility, allowing you to choose the most convenient fuel. In an emergency, being able to choose can make a huge difference when resources are scarce.

Excellent Run Time

Westinghouse WGen3600DFc 4650-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator

Now 21% Off

With up to 14 hours of run time, this Westinghouse is an excellent option for extended weekends or farmers markets. It’s also dual fuel, so you can seamlessly switch between gas and propane.

When is the best time to buy a portable generator?

As we mentioned at the top of this post, the best time to buy a portable generator is now. Not in a week or when a storm is approaching—get one as soon as you can comfortably afford it. Preparing now will ensure you’re ready before an emergency happens, and with Presidents’ Day sales in full swing, you can take advantage of significant discounts instead of paying premium prices during an emergency. Remember: when severe weather hits, everyone will be doing the same thing, which means generators often sell out quickly or even see significant price increases due to sudden demand.

Should I buy a portable generator or power station?

If you plan to use your backup power solution frequently, need to operate it indoors, or want something for camping trips, a portable power station is your best bet. These battery-powered units offer silent, emission-free operation with virtually no maintenance—perfect for powering essential electronics like phones, laptops, and CPAP machines. Their clean, quiet performance makes them ideal companions for everything from remote work sessions to beach days.

However, a traditional gas generator is still the best if your top priorities are maximum power output and extended runtime. While they require more maintenance, their ability to run indefinitely (as long as you have fuel) makes them invaluable during extended outages. They excel at powering heavy-duty appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and AC units—tasks that might overwhelm smaller power stations.

How much wattage do I need?

To determine your power needs, start by listing all the devices you want to run simultaneously. For each device, consider two numbers: running watts (the power needed to keep it going) and starting watts (the extra power needed at startup). This is especially important for appliances with motors, like refrigerators, which require a significant power surge.

Here’s how to calculate how much wattage you need:

1. Add up the running watts of all the devices you’ll use at once
2. Identify which device has the highest starting watts
3. Add that highest starting watts number to your total running watts

Our editors recommend choosing a generator with more capacity than your calculated needs. This prevents overloading and allows you to power 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.