A backup power "kit" is more than just a power station in a box — the households that stay comfortable through a multi-day hurricane outage usually have a small set of supporting gear around it. Here's what actually belongs in one, and how to size the power component.
What belongs in a hurricane backup power kit
- A power station or generator sized to your essentials (fridge, lights, phone charging, medical devices) — see the sizing table below
- A battery or hand-crank radio for weather updates if cell service and internet go down
- Headlamps and flashlights with spare batteries — safer than candles, see our outage checklist for why
- Extra charging cables and a car charger as a backup recharge path
- A portable solar panel if the outage could extend past your power station's stored capacity
- A small battery-powered or USB fan for cooling without AC in post-storm heat and humidity
Sizing the power component by household
| Household priority | Suggested power station capacity |
|---|---|
| Phones, radio, lights only | 300-500 Wh |
| + Wi-Fi router | 500-1,000 Wh |
| + fridge for several hours a day | 1,000-2,000 Wh |
| + CPAP or other medical device | 1,500-2,000 Wh minimum |
| Multi-day outage, several priorities | 2,000-3,000 Wh, or a generator |
These are starting points — run your exact appliance list through our free wattage calculator for a precise number, especially if a sump pump or medical device is on your list, since those carry their own starting-watts requirements worth checking specifically.
Check our current power station picks for specific models in the capacity range that fits your household, and buy before storm season peaks — inventory and prices both tighten as a named storm approaches.