How to Charge Electronics
When the Power is Out

Charge more than one device

Most battery packs are designed to be small enough to fit in a backpack yet powerful enough to fully charge two phones or even more, depending on the model. A fully charged battery pack can hold its charge for months, making it an excellent addition to a "grab & go" bag. However, it's important to periodically recharge them to ensure they’re ready when needed. On average, a battery pack takes between 3 to 8 hours to recharge, depending on its capacity and charging speed. These devices vary widely in specifications and pricing, and they can be found both online and in electronics stores.

Key Things to Know

Pick the Right Size: You’ll want to make sure your UPS has enough capacity (measured in Volt-Amps, or VA) to handle the power needs of everything you plug into it. If the total wattage of your devices is higher than the UPS can handle, it won’t work properly and could even get damaged. So, always check the watt ratings of your devices and match them to the UPS.

How Long It Lasts: A UPS is designed to give you enough time to save your work or shut things down safely, not to keep things running for hours. How long it lasts depends on the battery size and the power draw of what’s plugged in. For example, it might keep a computer going for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the model.

Costs

UPS systems come in different sizes and price ranges. For home or office use, a 1500VA model is a common choice and usually costs between $150 and $300. If you need more power, higher-capacity models are available, but they cost more.

For example, a 10-watt panel may take 10–14 hours of direct sunlight to fully charge a cell phone, whereas a 50–100-watt panel can reduce charging time to as little as 1–3 hours.

These estimates assume optimal circumstances and factors such as panel angle, cloud cover, location, and conversion efficiency - all can affect performance.

Portable solar battery chargers come in various watt capacities, starting as low as 5 watts and going up to 40 watts or more. A 5-watt model may take 8–12 hours of direct sunlight to fully charge a cell phone, while larger 20–40-watt models can reduce this time to just 2–4 hours.

These estimates depend on factors like your phone’s battery capacity, solar intensity, and other environmental conditions.

USB Ports

USB ports are a standard feature for charging phones, tablets, and other small electronics, as well as AC outlets for larger devices. Many solar generators even offer multiple USB ports, including USB-C, to support faster charging and multiple devices at once.

Learn more about the benefits and features of solar generators.

Certain jump starters are equipped with internal batteries that have a high reserve capacity, which makes them an excellent backup power source for both your car and devices. They come in a variety of specifications and price points and are widely available online or at automotive stores.

Recharging Portable Jump Starters

Portable jump starters can be recharged using several methods: an extension cord, a wall-plug adapter, a cigarette lighter-style 12-volt adapter, or even a USB port from a running vehicle. With such flexibility, they are a reliable choice for staying powered up in an emergency.

How to use an inverter

To use a vehicle inverter, you simply connect it to your car's battery or plug it into the 12V DC outlet (often called the cigarette lighter). Most inverters come with standard AC outlets and USB ports, giving you flexible options for powering multiple devices. Keep in mind, though, that the total wattage of the devices you’re running needs to stay within the inverter's capacity—overloading it can cause damage or shut it down temporarily.

Use caution

While vehicle inverters are highly convenient, it's important to use them wisely. Running too many devices at once or using high-power appliances can drain your car battery quickly, so it's a good idea to keep the engine running to avoid a dead battery. With the right precautions, a vehicle inverter can be a reliable and portable way to stay powered up during emergencies.

Check specifications before you buy

Fuel generators with USB ports are becoming increasingly common, especially in portable models designed for camping, outdoor use, or emergency backup power. However, not all models have this feature, so it's important to check the specifications if USB charging is a priority for you. Learn more about fuel generators.

While not the most efficient method, hand-crank chargers are a reliable last-resort option to ensure you always have a way to charge your devices.

Cost: Marketed as the "complete camp kitchen," this camp stove’s ability to pull double duty comes at a price — typically in the low-to-mid $200 range. Still, for those who value efficiency and versatility, it may be worth the investment. Just remember, this is an outdoor-only option!