Portable generator vs power station: Which power solution is best for you?

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When the power goes out or off-grid adventure calls, two modern solutions allow you to continue accessing electrical power: portable generators and power stations. These devices both provide mobile power — serving as a power supply for individual items or backup to your home's primary energy source — and are designed with portability in mind, thanks to their (relatively) compact shape and weight, as well as wheels and handles for easy transport.

Portable generators convert gasoline or propane into electricity and offer a high output that's perfect for power-hungry appliances and equipment for construction sites, food trucks, and prolonged power outages. Power stations — essentially large rechargeable batteries — provide silent, emission-free energy that's well-suited to camping, outdoor events, and those who prefer clean indoor backup power.

Whether you're interested in preparing for extreme weather events or want to maintain power access during outdoor recreation activities, one of these mobile units will get the job done. It just comes down to identifying which of these will best suit your needs.

What are portable generators

In the words of Nate Wade, merchandise manager at Batteries Plus, “a portable generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.” By using an internal combustion engine to power an alternator, these machines essentially allow you to use fuel (either gasoline, propane, or diesel) to generate electricity — to power a range of electronic devices.

Unlike larger fixed generators, portable generators are designed to be easily transported, featuring sturdy carrying handles for smaller models and wheeled bases for larger machines. This mobility makes them particularly useful for areas without easy access to power. According to Wade, outdoor events (powering lighting and sound systems), construction job sites where temporary power is needed for tools or equipment, as well as a backup power source in the event of an outage at home, are all typical use cases for a portable generator.

Portable generators can vary in terms of overall power output (measured in watt-hours (Wh)), from larger 5000-watt versions that can power larger appliances like refrigerators for 8-12 hours to smaller items like lights and fans for 10+ hours on a 2000-watt model. With standard outlets identical to those in your home, you can plug in smaller devices like smartphones and tablets as well.

Types of portable generators

• Conventional generators: These run at full capacity at all times, regardless of the electrical output required. This makes them louder than inverter generators and less efficient. Wade added that they’re also cheaper, “letting you back up essential functions with higher wattage demands without breaking the bank.”
• Inverter generators: Built with advanced technology, inverter generators have the ability to adjust their power output to match demand. This makes them more efficient, producing less emissions and overall noise than conventional generators. “Inverter generators are also more compact and lightweight and are ideal for powering delicate electronics,” says Wade.

Portable generator pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Reliable power source during outages or remote use	Require fuel to operate (an added expense that may not always be readily available)
Convenient to transport and setup	Noisy operation and fumes mean it cannot be used indoors
Available in a range of capacity options for different needs.	Requires regular maintenance

Read more in our guide to the best portable generators.

What are power stations

A power station (also called a portable power generator) is a rechargeable battery system that can power electronic devices and appliances. According to Wade, these devices store electricity in built-in rechargeable batteries and “can be charged via wall outlets, solar panels, or even car chargers”. They typically feature multiple output options like AC outlets, USB ports, and DC outputs for a variety of charging options.

Wade explained that some power stations use lithium-ion batteries while others use newer battery chemistries like lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). These newer batteries provide increased thermal stability — naturally increasing their overall safety — and a longer lifespan than standard lithium-ion options.

Their quiet operation and portability make power stations ideal for off-grid activities like camping or road trips that benefit from reduced noise levels. Since they don’t generate any fumes, they’re also ideal for indoor use, which is especially convenient for powering phones, laptops, and other electronics in an emergency. While there aren’t specific types of power stations (like portable generators), they do come in a range of capacities, which can help customers determine which is best for their needs.

Types of Power Stations

• Small (under 300Wh): These compact models are best for charging smaller items like laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets.
• Medium (300 - 1000Wh): In addition to smaller items, these can power small appliances like small fans, CPAP machines, LED lights, and coffee makers.
• Large (over 1000Wh): These power stations can handle high-draw appliances like refrigerators, electric grills, window unit AC units, or multiple smaller items at once. (Although actual runtime depends on the amount and wattage requirements of the item's drawing power).

Power station pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Quiet operation due to lack of combustion engine	Less capacity compared to portable generators translates to shorter runtime for larger appliances
Can be recharged through a variety of methods, such as AC, solar panels, or car charging	Slow to recharge (especially if using solar panels)
Can be used indoors due to the lack of harmful fumes	Larger capacity models can be very expensive

Portable generator vs. power stations: The differences

The main difference between portable generators and power stations is their power source. Generators run on fuel, such as gas or propane, while power stations run on stored battery power. This means that generators are more suited to power outages since their power source does not rely on access to a working power grid. When power stations are depleted in an outage, they must either source energy from another power station or use a solar panel system — both of which are much less convenient to source than gas or propane.

Portable generators also generally cost much less than power stations. Prices of both can vary depending on the capacity and functionality, but in general, power stations cost roughly two to three times more than generators of similar wattage. Keep in mind that generators require additional fuel costs to keep them running, which is typically much higher than power stations (based on the average electricity rate of $.12/kWh). Solar charging has no direct cost but requires a solar panel investment.

Overall capacity is another big difference, with portable generators typically offering more watt hours than power stations. Wade explains that this means “generators offer higher power output for longer periods, while power stations are more suited to small devices and shorter usage times”.

Noise and emissions are the clearest differences between the two options. The combustion engine of a portable generator produces high noise levels and potentially deadly carbon monoxide (much more than an automobile). Because of these factors (particularly the high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning), generators cannot be used indoors. Power stations run with almost zero noise and no emissions and can be used indoors without issue.

Generators are also generally much larger, heavier, and more challenging to transport than power stations. This superior portability makes power stations much more convenient to store when not in use and to carry to and from a vehicle or different area of your home.

	Portable Generator	Power Station
Price	Range from $400 to $2000, with many high-performance options below $1000. Requires additional fuel expense.	Roughly 2 to 3x more expensive than generators of similar wattage output.
Ease of use	Requires fuel mixing/handling as well as fuel storage, must be used outdoors, some require a pull-start	Plug-and-play charging, always push button start, safe to use indoors, practically zero maintenance.
Energy Generation	Gas and propane allow for continuous operation during power outages, and are relatively easy to locate and purchase.	Requires an additional electrical power source to recharge. In a power outage, must rely on car charging or a slow-working solar panel system.
Safety	Combustible gas and propane can be dangerous if improperly handled, and emissions pose a carbon monoxide poisoning risk	Zero emissions mean no risk of CO poisoning, but if punctured or damaged, the internal batteries can ignite or explode.
Portability	Heavy weight and bulky shape can be challenging to lift and carry. Large size is less convenient to store.	Smaller and lighter than most portable generators (depending on the capacity). More compact size is easier to store when not in use.
Noise & Emissions	The combustion engine is very noisy and generates excessive amounts of carbon monoxide.	Near-silent operation and with no engine, generates zero emissions.
Maintenance	Require regular oil changes every 50-100 hours, as well as occasional air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug replacement. Carburetor cleaning necessary if fuel sits for too long.	Only needs to be kept clean and dry. Battery may need to be replaced after 3-5 years.

The bottom line

In a nutshell, while generators are more powerful and run longer, power stations are significantly easier to use and maintain. For those whose top priority is emergency use in a power outage and who don’t want to be hindered by limited runtime or slow solar charging, a portable generator is the best choice. Just make sure you’re comfortable handling the maintenance requirements and aware of the carbon monoxide risk (these emissions can affect those inside your home, even when used within 20 feet of a window). If convenient transport and short-term, portable power is your goal, go with a power station. Just make sure that their limited capacity is still sufficient to power your items.