Standby, portable, or battery? Pick wrong and you'll pay for it for years.
Backup power comes in three types, and they are not interchangeable. The spec sheets are built to blur the difference. Answer three questions and we'll point you to the one that fits your home.
The 3-question decision engine
LiveNo email, no signup. Your answers update the recommendation instantly.
When the power drops, what do you want to happen?
Will you run it indoors, in an apartment, or near medical gear?
How long do your outages usually last?
The three types, side by side
Real MG picksEach one wins at something different. Here is what each is, exactly who it fits, and the units we would put in front of you.
Standby
Permanently installed and wired to your gas line. It starts itself the instant the grid drops and runs the whole house, with nothing for you to do.
Our pick: Cummins 20kW Quiet Connect
Shop standbyPortable
Serious wattage you can roll to the house, the RV, or a job site. Multi-fuel models mean you are never stranded when one fuel runs short.
Our picks: Onan P11000iTF, Pulsar 12.5k, Ford FG11050
Shop portableBattery
Silent, zero fumes, and safe to run right indoors. It switches on the instant the grid drops, recharges from solar, and expands as your needs grow.
Our picks: EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, Anker F3800 Plus, Jackery HomePower 3000
Shop batteryFull comparison
Verified specsThe honest matrix. No category oversold, no runtime exaggerated. Cross-checked against Generac, Honda, and Consumer Reports.
| Standby | Portable | Battery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts on outage | Automatic | Manual / remote | Instant, 0ms |
| Installation | Permanent, pro | None | None |
| Fuel | Nat gas / propane | Gas / propane / NG | Electric + solar |
| Output range | 10,000–26,000W | 9,000–12,500W | 2,000–7,200W |
| Safe indoors | No | No (CO) | Yes |
| Portable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Main limit | Cost + install | Refueling | Runtime = capacity |
| Best for | Hands-off whole-home | Power + go-anywhere | Silent + indoor-safe |
3 things nobody tells you
Before you buyThe details that decide whether your backup actually holds up. Get these right and you buy once.
Watch the starting watts
Anything with a motor, a fridge, a well pump, an AC, needs a surge of 2 to 3x its running watts for a split second when it kicks on. Size to the surge, not the running number, or it trips under load.
Chemistry is everything
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) lasts 3,000 to 4,000 charge cycles, roughly a decade of real use. Older lithium (NMC) taps out around 500 to 800. If a battery station does not say LFP, keep looking.
Never run fuel indoors
Standby and portable generators produce carbon monoxide. Run them outside, well away from windows and doors, every time. Only a battery station is safe to run inside the house.
Frequently asked questions
Backup powerStraight answers to what people ask most before choosing home backup power.
What are the three types of home backup power?
Home backup power comes in three types: a whole-home standby generator, a portable generator, and a battery power station. Standby installs permanently and starts automatically, portable generators move anywhere and run on gas, propane, or natural gas, and battery power stations run silent and are safe to use indoors.
Which backup power runs a whole house automatically?
A whole-home standby generator. It is permanently installed, wired to your natural gas or propane line, and starts itself the moment the power drops, running your entire house hands-off even when you are away.
What backup power is safe to run indoors?
Only a battery power station is safe to run indoors. Standby and portable generators produce carbon monoxide and must run outside. Battery stations are silent, produce zero fumes, and switch on the instant the grid drops.
How long do backup power batteries last?
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries last about 3,000 to 4,000 charge cycles, roughly a decade of real use. Older lithium (NMC) batteries last around 500 to 800 cycles, or two to four years.
Do I need to size backup power for starting watts?
Yes. Motor-driven appliances like a fridge, well pump, or air conditioner need a surge of 2 to 3 times their running watts for a split second at startup. Size your backup power to the surge, not just the running number.
Know your type? Now size it right.
Picking the type is half the decision. Our sizing calculator turns your actual appliances into the wattage and capacity you need, so you buy once and buy right.
Still not sure? Talk to a real person before you buy. No pressure, no upsell, just help matching the right unit to your home.