A power outage is one of those things that can be either a minor inconvenience or a life-threatening emergency — and can quickly turn from one to the other. As climate change makes extreme and unpredictable weather more common across the entire U.S., it's also something everyone should be prepared for; a government report showed that the average U.S. electricity consumer had seven hours of power interruptions in 2021.
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Luckily, you can prepare yourself to ride out a power outage without spending a lot of money. All it takes is a few key supplies — batteries, flashlights, lamps, a good headlamp, power banks and maybe a generator, especially if you live somewhere you might experience an extended blackout, like a part of the coast affected by tropical storms and hurricanes.
In this article: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300, Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector and BLAVOR Solar Power Bank 10,000mAh
Below, we have recommendations for some of the items everyone should have on hand in case of an emergency. These products can help you keep devices charged, prevent food from spoiling and provide power for space heaters and fans while you wait out a natural disaster or major weather event.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300
This portable power station offers multiple outlets, including two AC outlets, a 100W USB-C PD port, 2 USB-A ports and a 120W car port. It's super lightweight and has an easy-carry handle. It has a solar panel that can get it to 80% charged in just under three hours.
Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector
This large power strip has a high joule rating, built-in cord management and reliable surge protection, earning it our best-of-the-best rating.
A good headlamp can provide light in an outage while keeping your hands free. This one is affordable but high-quality, with eight different settings and a rotatable head on the lamp.
Miady 2-Pack 10000mAh Dual-USB Portable Chargers
This two-pack of portable USB chargers offers the best bang for your buck, according to BestReviews testers, thanks to their compact size and inputs for both USB-C and microUSB.
BLAVOR Solar Power Bank 10,000mAh
This solar power bank is wireless and portable, allowing you to charge most smart devices quickly. It has an outer case made of flame-retardant ABS and PC materials and offers waterproof silicone to protect the internal structure as well, making it a solid choice for weather emergencies.
This two-pack of flashlights offers super-bright LED light in pocket-size, making them convenient for stashing anywhere. They are waterproof and zoomable, so you can widen the area of light or narrow it to get the type of lighting you need.
Lichamp LED Lanterns, 4-Pack Pop-Up Lanterns
These lanterns are collapsible for easy storage and battery-powered to provide light when and where you need it.
KITWLEMEN 20000mAh Rechargeable Battery Fan
This fan is rechargeable and battery-powered, giving you multiple options for cooling during power outages and other emergencies.
Finally, of course, you need batteries during a power outage.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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