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Use a portable power station

A power station is effectively a giant portable battery that can output enough power to keep anything powered, from your phone and computer to a fridge and freezer. They’re looked upon as the gold standard of home backup power. Most of them have lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries inside them, and some can have their capacity expanded with additional battery packs.

These chargers commonly feature both AC and DC plug sockets plus USB power. Their capacity is typically measured in Watt-hours (Wh), where 1000Wh would theoretically keep a 1000W device running for an hour. Of course, your router will use far less power than this, likely falling somewhere in the 30W range.

Power stations are great for emergencies like power outages, as long as you store them in a (somewhat) charged state. Keeping a lithium-ion battery in storage at full charge is not recommended for long-term battery health, so limiting the charge to around 80% or less is recommended.

To use a power station as a backup for your internet connection, you’ll need to ensure that your network equipment can easily be plugged in (including a separate router or network termination device, should you have one). You’ll also need enough power outlets to keep these devices plugged in and to ensure the combined wattage of the devices you want to power doesn’t exceed the capabilities of your power station.

There are more practical things to keep in mind, like the location of your network equipment in relation to other devices you want to keep powered (like your fridge or microwave oven). Power stations are billed as portable devices, which means they often include handles or wheels, but the larger the capacity, the more they weigh. A few long extension cords might be a good idea.

A power station is arguably the most versatile solution for this task, since you can use it to power all manner of items, take it camping, bring it out on the patio to power laptops or stereo systems, or throw it in your car for power on road trips. The most important thing about relying on a power station for emergencies is remembering to charge it!

We’ve covered power stations extensively at How-To Geek, including popular models like the Anker SOLIX C1000 and the Bluetti AC200L. Check out our full list of recommended power stations as well as some things you might want to know before navigating unplanned outages and the benefits of solar power stations for extended downtime.

Get an uninterruptible power supply

Uninterruptible power supplies, or UPS for short, are nothing new. They’ve been around for decades and are frequently relied upon in the tech world to keep computers and network equipment online during power outages. As the name implies, a UPS is designed to keep your devices running even when power is interrupted.

“Interrupted” is the key word here, since there are different types of UPS that you’ll need to choose from depending on your needs and budget. Some are designed with power dips (where power may not be lost completely) and brownouts in mind, offering a very short backup period. Others are designed for use with low-power devices (like routers and network-attached storage). Then there are the large, pricey options that are designed to keep computers running even when power is cut.

Unlike a power station, which works best as an emergency solution that you charge and forget about, a UPS typically sits in between whatever you want to keep powered and the wall. When the power goes down, the UPS takes over. How effective this is depends on what type of UPS you opt for and how much you’re prepared to spend.

Buying the right kind of UPS for your situation is important. Some are designed to give you enough time to safely finish what you’re doing without losing work, so you can shut down your computer safely. Others are designed to keep equipment running for far longer.

Many consumer UPS units use cheaper lead-acid batteries, while also being far more limited in terms of their intended use. On the upside, this makes them cheaper “set and forget” solutions that you don’t need to manage, store, or keep charged.

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