Backup power & solar for real homes
Keep the lights on. Know the math before you buy.
SunSocket HQ compares power stations, home batteries and balcony solar kits from their published specs, then shows you how to size them for your fridge, your CPAP or your whole house. No invented lab scores, no fake star ratings.
Specs, sourcedEvery figure links to a manufacturer or retailer sheet
No fake testingWe say "based on specs and public reviews"
Sizing firstWh, W and surge explained in plain language
Safety firstFixed wiring? We send you to an electrician
Start here
What are you trying to power?
Pick the situation closest to yours. Each guide starts with the sizing math, then the shortlist.
Pillar guideBest Solar Generators & Power Stations for Home Backup (2026)From a 1 kWh grab-and-go unit to 4 kWh, 240V stations that can run well pumps, compared spec by spec.
OutagesPower station for a power outageFridge, router, lights and phones through a 24-hour cut.
Whole homeWhole-house battery backup240V stations, expansion batteries and transfer panels.
No panelsBattery backup without solarCharge from the wall, ride through outages.
EuropeBalcony solar kits800 W rules in Germany, Enedis in France, what to buy.
USAPlug-in solar in the USWhere it is legal, what is still a grey zone.
MedicalPower station for CPAPHow many nights you can really get.
Off-gridOff-grid kit for a cabinAll-in-one station or DIY 12V system?
Head-to-head
Brand duels
Side-by-side spec comparisons for the matchups people actually search for.
Our method
We don't pretend to have tested what we haven't.
Plenty of sites publish "lab results" and star ratings that nobody can verify. We do the opposite: we compare published specifications, read owner feedback and independent reviews, do the sizing math openly, and link our sources. When a spec is unclear, we say so.
How we research- Capacity in Wh and continuous output in W, side by side
- UPS switchover time for sensitive electronics
- Solar input ceiling and voltage window
- Country rules for balcony and plug-in solar
- Clear limits: fixed wiring belongs to a licensed electrician
Components
Building your own system
PanelsSolar panels for a power stationMatch Voc and amps to your station's input.
PanelsBest 200W portable solar panelsThe sweet spot between output and weight.
BatteriesBest LiFePO4 12V 100Ah batteriesBMS, cold charging, warranty: what matters.
ControllersBest MPPT charge controllersSize the controller from panel watts and voltage.
WiringTransfer switches for power stationsThe safe way to power house circuits.
StorageBalcony solar with batteryStore midday sun for the evening.