As blackouts become more frequent across the country, people are looking into backup power options to keep things powered when the grid goes offline.
And while a small portable power station can keep screens on and phones charged for a reasonable price, adding a refrigerator backup usually pushes the budget much higher. For households trying to stay comfortable through storms and blackouts, that trade-off can make finding the right solution difficult.
Here's what to know
In a conversation posted to Reddit's r/bluetti community, that discussion played out with one homeowner seeking more information about how to keep their fridge powered for a reasonable price.
"Looking for a decent power station … mainly so I can plug our TV in, charge our devices, and if possible, keep my fridge plugged in," the original poster wrote. "Budget-wise it would be awesome to be $500 and under."
The replies showed that small electronics were the easy part. The refrigerator made the request more demanding in both battery capacity and cost.
"You might be able to get a 1,024-watt-hour battery like the AC180 for around that price if you catch a sale," one commenter explained. "With the fridge you might get 3-6 hours run time depending on how efficient the fridge and TV are."
Another wrote: "$500 can get you a device with an inverter that can power those devices. The problem is that $500 unit doesn't have the battery capacity you need to keep them running for more than a few hours. You'll still need to recharge the battery with either solar panels or off a generator for an hour or so."
Commenters also mentioned the Bluetti AC70P and Elite 400, among others, but the recommendations were paired with caution about how limited fridge runtime could be on a budget.
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More background
For anyone wanting broader protection, home battery storage can go beyond convenience and become a serious resilience upgrade. It is one of the best ways to reduce outage stress, cut reliance on fuel, and build a more flexible energy setup.
Interest in indoor battery backup has significantly grown as storms and other grid problems push households toward quieter, cleaner alternatives to gas generators. The distinction between covering a few essentials and making it through a long outage matters more when people are trying to keep food cold, internet available, and other modern conveniences going during a blackout.
Running a router, charging phones, and powering a TV are relatively light loads. But a refrigerator is not, especially because it cycles on and off and can drain a small battery faster than many buyers expect. And keeping food and medications from spoiling can be just as critical as keeping your phones and Wi-Fi running.
For readers considering a step up from a portable backup, exploring EnergySage can help you compare home battery storage options and get competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
For a smaller-scale setup, Pila also offers plug-and-play batteries that are priced at a fraction of what whole-home backup systems cost.
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