CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
When the power goes out this summer, don't get caught unprepared. Investing in a new generator now will protect you against power loss due to fallen electrical lines and 2022's expected rolling blackouts .
Check out the best generators and batteries to prepare your home for the worst.
Top products in this article
Jackery portable power station with lithium battery (200 W), $187 (reduced from $300)
Champion power equipment portable inverter generator (2000 W), $450
DuroMax dual fuel portable generator (13,000 W), $1,799
While shopping for generators and batteries for your home, it is important to note that not all generators are available for sale in every state. California, for example, has strict emission requirements that may impact the availability of certain generators. (Fortunately, there are solar-powered generator options that meet these strict emission requirements.)
We found generator options perfect for every home, from smaller, portable power stations to larger generators that can run for hours. Here are the best generators and batteries in 2022 across a wide range of budgets.
Choose from propane, gasoline and solar-powered home power generators to prepare your home and family for outages this summer.
This high-power portable generator from Westinghouse offers 7,500 running watts (the wattage while the generator is continuously running) and 9,500 peak watts (the maximum wattage that can be reached at start-up). It supports remote start and comes with a remote start keyfob to easily turn the generator on or off from anywhere in your home. It can operate for up to 11 hours on a 6.6-gallon gasoline fuel tank.
Westinghouse portable generator with remote start (7,500 W), $859 after coupon (reduced from $954)
The Jackery portable power station is a compact and affordable option. With its lightweight design, this battery station is ideal if you want a backup power supply for home, and a travel-friendly power source while camping. This solar-powered backup battery is compatible with the Jackery SolarSaga 60- and 100-watt solar panels, though they are sold separately.
Jackery portable power station with lithium battery (200 W), $187 (reduced from $300)
Choose from the SolarSaga 60-watt solar panel or the SolarSaga 100 solar panel for use with the Jackery portable power station:
SolarSaga 60W solar panel, $180 (reduced from $200)
SolarSaga 100W solar panel, $299
The Wen dual inverter generator features a shutdown sensor that automatically turns off the generator if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected. It can be powered by either gasoline (4,000 W peak; 3,200 W running) or propane (3,200 W peak; 2,900 W running).
Wen dual inverter generator with fuel shut-off and CO shutdown sensor (4,000 W), $838
The Champion power equipment portable inverter generator can run on gas or propane. It features 2,000 peak watts, 1,700 running watts and up to 11.5 hours of run time. Weighing just 39 pounds, this is a relatively lightweight and portable high-powered generator.
Champion power equipment portable inverter generator (2,000 W), $450
If you want to brace yourself for long-term outages, consider the Geneverse solar generator. It offers 1,000 watts of running power and 2,000 watts of peak power. The generator comes with two solar panels included.
Geneverse solar generator for home (2,000 W), $1,424 after coupon (reduced from $1,499)
The DuroMax dual fuel portable generator can run on gasoline or propane. It offers 10,500 running watts and 13,000 peak watts on gasoline. With propane, it offers slightly less power at 9,975 running watts and 12,350 peak watts.
This generator is approved for sale in all 50 states.
DuroMax dual fuel portable generator (13,000 W), $1,799
The PowerSmart portable inverter generators offers 1,900 watts of running power, 2,200 watts of peak surge power and a 10.5 hour run time. It includes two AC outlets, two USB-A ports and a DC port to power a variety of electronics, appliances and other home essentials.
PowerSmart portable inverter generator (2,200 W), $460 after coupon (reduced from $500)
First published on June 24, 2022 / 12:44 PM
NASA aims for Tuesday launch of oft-delayed Space Launch System rocket, but forecasters are 80% no-go.
Attorney Tom Pickert, 39, was shot and killed in front of his home after walking his children to school.
Historically Black college accuses Florida officials of discriminating against the school based on race.
The manner of death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, was still listed as undetermined.
"We definitely think there's something special or lucky to it," said Serena Stoneberg Lipari.
Historically Black college accuses Florida officials of discriminating against the school based on race.
Brick-and-mortar banks are paying rates that are far below the Federal funds rate. Here's why — and how to find a better rate.
Zoono Microbe Shield was marketed as protecting against COVID-19 but is only effective against bacteria, fungi and mold, EPA said.
Global shipping company has closed offices and frozen hiring to offset the impact of soaring inflation.
The judge rejected Cooper's claims that she was unjustly fired from her job due to racism and sexism.
Mark Finchem, Republican nominee in race to be Arizona's top election official, said he's been interviewed as a witness by Justice Dept. and House Jan. 6 committee.
The transport of migrants by Republican officials has raised questions about border policies, who the migrants are and whether the states' actions are legal.
A spokesperson says the president was mistranslated, but his political foes say the denial is like calling South Koreans "hearing impaired."
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy is rolling out his party's Trump-like midterm election agenda.
"If Russia stops fighting, the war ends. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine ends," U.S. tells world leaders at the U.N.
Zoono Microbe Shield was marketed as protecting against COVID-19 but is only effective against bacteria, fungi and mold, EPA said.
The BA.5 variant from the summer wave of cases has now fallen to 83.1% of new infections.
Wall said an Achilles injury coupled with his mother's death sent him to "a really dark place."
An Indiana judge has blocked the state's abortion ban from being enforced, putting the new law on hold as abortion clinic operators argue that it violates the state constitution.
"Sometimes it's just too much to deal with. I'm doing the best I can," the actor said.
The incident came hours before Roger Federer was scheduled to play for the final time before retiring.
Some fear a massive crackdown will soon follow.
"We are dealing with one of our largest ever rescue operations," an official at Syria's transport ministry said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the recent influx is due to "failing communist regimes."
Britain's new government announced sweeping tax cuts it said would be funded by borrowing.
It replaces Pepsi, which sponsored the mega-TV attraction for the past ten years.
Wilde said whether actor Shia LaBeouf was fired from or quit the movie was a "question of semantics" and also addressed the "spitgate" incident.
"Sometimes it's just too much to deal with. I'm doing the best I can," the actor said.
"CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King presented Styles with a special banner onstage Wednesday night.
Preview: In a "CBS Sunday Morning" interview to be broadcast September 25, the country superstar talks about continuing to tour after the death of Naomi Judd.
TikTok, which already bans political advertising, will now also ban campaign fundraising.
Engineers are reviewing test data to determine if NASA can press ahead toward a September 27 launch target.
ZDNet Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner explains best practices for setup and success of smart home security systems.
Recent data breaches at American Airlines and Uber have raised concerns that consumer data is increasingly vulnerable to hacking attempts. Lindsay Gorman, a senior fellow for emerging technologies at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, discussed what customers should be concerned about if their data was compromised.
Uber said the group of hackers who targeted other tech companies earlier this year is behind a recent cyberattack. This comes after a teen claimed responsibility for the move. Lily Hay Newman, a senior reporter for Wired, joined "CBS News Mornings" to break down what allowed the Uber hack to happen and what this attack and other similar ones mean for consumers.
The watery blast from the volcano was huge and unusual — and scientists are still trying to understand its impacts.
The ALMA radio telescope in Chile's Andes mountains picked up something "really puzzling" in the Sagittarius A* data, scientists said.
The Conservative Party, which is still in power under new leadership, had vowed never to re-allow the controversial gas extraction practice unless it was proven safe.
One researcher says the findings suggest "repeated exposure to flavors before birth could help to establish food preferences post-birth" and help shape healthy eating.
The James Webb Space Telescope captured an image of Neptune and its thin rings in the sharpest view of the planet in decades.
Attorney Tom Pickert, 39, was shot and killed in front of his home after walking his children to school.
The manner of death of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, was still listed as undetermined.
A 20-year-old woman is expected to survive after the parked police patrol vehicle she was detained in was struck by a freight train in Colorado.
The incident prompted officials in Oak Forest, Illinois, to urge people to shelter in place.
The 2020 shooting killed 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette and wounded his girlfriend, Tafara Williams.
NASA aims for Tuesday launch of oft-delayed Space Launch System rocket, but forecasters are 80% no-go.
Monday will be a monumental day for the "history of humankind" as a high-speed spacecraft smashes into an asteroid at nearly 15,000 mph.
The ALMA radio telescope in Chile's Andes mountains picked up something "really puzzling" in the Sagittarius A* data, scientists said.
Engineers are reviewing test data to determine if NASA can press ahead toward a September 27 launch target.
Frank Rubio's Soyuz launch is NASA's first under an agreement that also calls for cosmonaut launches on SpaceX ferry ships.
In September 2022, at age 73, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne.
Royals, heads of state and mourners gather to honor Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
The royal family owns a lot more than you might think — and it's not just castles and property, either.
An inside look into the case of Lauren Kanarek who was shot by her horse trainer, the former Olympian Michael Barisone.
Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush – how do the presidents of our era compare with those who came before?
Sunday, Anderson Cooper goes to Florida, where marine biologists are working on innovative ways to rebuild endangered coral reefs.
Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine are voting Friday on referendums to become part of Russia. CBS News correspondent Christina Ruffini discussed with Errol Barnett and Elaine Quijano what Russia hopes to gain from these elections and how can that be used to influence the war.
In 2011, Anderson Cooper and 60 Minutes traveled to the remote southern coast of Cuba to explore waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs.
Fewer homes are going on the market as homeowners hesitate to give up low, locked-in mortgage rates. Errol Barnett and Elaine Quijano discussed with Odeta Kushi.
The Iranian army said it will confront "the enemies" responsible for the growing unrest across the country. The military's hard-line stance comes as Iran's president says authorities will open an investigation into the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of the country's so-called morality police. Amini's death sparked nationwide demonstrations. Eric Lob, an associate professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University, joined CBS News to discuss the growing unrest.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.