BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.
These supplies will help you endure a power outage
A power outage is one of those things that can be either a minor inconvenience or a life-threatening emergency — and can quickly turn from one to the other. As climate change makes extreme and unpredictable weather more common across the entire U.S., it’s also something everyone should be prepared for; a government report showed that the average U.S. electricity consumer had seven hours of power interruptions in 2021.
Luckily, you can ready yourself to ride out a power outage without spending a lot of money. All it takes is a few key supplies — batteries, flashlights, lamps, a good headlamp, power banks and maybe a generator, especially if you live somewhere you might experience an extended blackout, like a part of the coast affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. But keep in mind that even those who live inland aren’t necessarily insulated from risk. During this year’s particularly bad tornado season in the Midwest, some of my family members experienced outages that lasted up to a week — multiple times.
In this article: Westinghouse iGen2200 Super-Quiet Portable Inverter Generator, Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector and Third Eye Headlamps – Powerful LED Headlamp Flashlight
Below, we have recommendations for some of the items everyone should have on hand in case of an emergency. These products can help you keep devices charged, prevent food from spoiling and provide power for space heaters and fans while you wait out a natural disaster or major weather event.
Tools and supplies everyone should have on hand in case of a power outage
Westinghouse iGen2200 Super-Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
This portable gas generator is compact, lightweight and portable, with lots of easy-to-use features — earning it our best-of-the-best rating. It can run for up to 12 hours on a tank of fuel with enough power for your important appliances.
Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector
This large power strip has a high joule rating, built-in cord management and reliable surge protection, earning it our best-of-the-best rating.
Third Eye Headlamps – Powerful LED Headlamp Flashlight
A good headlamp can provide light in an outage while keeping your hands free. This one is affordable but high quality, with multiple brightness settings and an adjustable tilt on the lamp.
Miady 2-Pack 10000mAh Dual-USB Portable Chargers
This two-pack of portable USB chargers offers the best bang for your buck, according to BestReviews testers, thanks to their compact size and inputs for both USB-C and micro USB.
Anker 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger
Keep even laptops charged with this portable charger, which offers enough power to fully recharge a MacBook Pro — or an iPhone more than five times.
Energizer TacR-1000 LED Tactical Flashlight
This flashlight is super-bright and rechargeable. Plus, it’s water-resistant and has a shatterproof lens, making it a durable choice for emergencies.
Lichamp LED Lanterns, 4-Pack Pop-Up Lanterns
These lanterns are collapsible for easy storage and battery-powered to provide light when and where you need it.
KITWLEMEN 20000mAh Rechargeable Battery Fan
This fan is rechargeable and battery-powered, giving you multiple options for cooling during power outages and other emergencies.
Finally, of course, you need batteries during a power outage.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
Copyright 2024 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.