Hurricane Coming: How to Choose the Right Backup Power Based on Family Size

Seth Johnson

Hurricane season is blowing in, and it’s not just the trees that’ll be shaken. In places like Texas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast, losing power isn’t a matter of if, but when. And when the lights go out, so does your fridge, your Wi-Fi, and possibly your sanity. Backup power can be a lifesaver, but finding the right one? That might be another storm.

This guide clears the air, helping you match backup power solutions to your family size and real-life energy needs—so you're ready when the winds pick up.

Medium to Large Families: Flexible, Big Power Solution

If you're supporting a full household—running appliances like fridges, air conditioners, or electric kettles—you’ll need more than just a portable battery. Look for these key features:

  • High battery capacity (2,000Wh or more)
  • Strong continuous output (at least 3,500W)
  • 120V/240V dual-voltage to support both standard and high-powered appliances
  • High solar input for faster charging during prolonged outages
  • Low AC idle drain to maximize stored energy
  • Expandable design that can grow with your needs

One standout option is the latest Apex 300 Home Battery Backup, which is a solid solution for families needing both simplicity and versatility. With 2,764.8Wh of capacity and 3,840W of continuous output, it can keep a variety of household essentials running, from fridges to power tools, without needing extra modules. Its 120V/240V dual-output means it can adapt to both everyday appliances and more power-hungry devices like water pumps.

Apex 300 supports 120V & 240V appliances with dual-phase output, powering everything from home electronics to high-power devices.

For homes with solar panels or solar inverter systems, pairing the Apex 300 with one Solar X 4K Charge Controller enables up to 6,400W of solar input, speeding up recharging times and offering greater grid independence. This setup can even provide a payback period as short as two years, making it among the more efficient solar generators on the market.

The SolarX 4K (the white box shown above the model) is the first 4,000W solar charge controller made for portable power stations. Used with the Apex 300, it offers an affordable solar power option for homes and off-grid cabins.

In case of an emergency, the 0ms UPS switch ensures an uninterrupted power supply to critical devices like medical equipment or home security systems, while the low 20W AC idle drain helps extend runtime—up to 24 hours longer compared to similar systems in its class. This means your fridge, for example, can stay powered for a full day longer, while devices like CPAP machines can operate up to 2.5 times longer, making it an ideal home battery backup solution for extended outages.

The true 0ms Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) ensures seamless power for critical systems like lighting, NAS storage and more during blackouts.

Should your power needs increase, the Apex 300 can scale with your family’s growing demands. It can be expanded to 58k Wh and over 11k W output when paired with additional units and batteries, making it capable of powering an entire household for an entire week. The system also helps homeowners create a fully automatic whole-home backup system with over 30kW solar input, by pairing with a more smart ecosystem, including the AT1 Smart Distribution Box, Hub A1 Parallel Box, and up to three SolarX 4K Charge Controllers.

Easy Home Backup Setup: Two Apex 300 units connect via the Hub A1 Parallel Box (central and smallest rectangular box), with six B300K batteries stacked below for scalable power, and a Reliance Sub Panel (top right) distributing backup energy to key home circuits.

Small Families: Quick and Easy Backup Power

For smaller households, where space is often limited, a compact and efficient backup solution makes more sense than oversized systems. You likely don’t need massive capacity—just enough to power essentials during short outages or emergencies. What to look for:

  • Medium battery capacity (1,000~2,000Wh)
  • Adequate power output (1,000W~2,500W)
  • Compact design, efficient charging for small devices

A good example is the Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station, described by a pro reviewer as an "all-around Swiss Army knife" among most portable power stations. Unlike traditional 2kWh units that can be as bulky as a full gear bag, the station is surprisingly space-efficient—smaller than most coolers at just 13.7 × 9.8 × 12.6 inches. That means it fits easily into a corner of your home, a closet, or even under a desk.

The Elite 200 V2 delivers 2kWh of power in the size of a typical 1kWh unit—offering double the capacity in a compact, space-saving design.

Despite its size, it packs a serious punch with 2,073.6Wh capacity and 2,600W output, enough to support key appliances like phones, laptops. Wi-Fi routers, medical devices, or even a small microwave. It also powers up to 9 devices at once, making it ideal for households with multiple power needs.

AC70 is a lightweight, portable power station for short-term emergency backup power.

For those with simpler needs—such as powering phones, tablets, or a few lights during a brief outage—the AC70 Portable Power Station offers a grab-and-go option. With 768Wh of capacity and 1,000W output, it provides just enough power to get you through, with an even smaller footprint.

Built to Last: Reliable Power for Every Household

Whether you're powering a small apartment or a full house, long-term reliability matters. Both the Apex 300 and Elite 200 V2 feature the automotive-grade LiFePO₄ batteries rated for over 6,000 cycles, equivalent to 17 years of daily use. That means dependable backup power you can count on, year after year.

The Apex 300 is now available for pre-order with early supporter perks—so you can stay one step ahead before the winds catch you off guard. The brand maintains a global community for real-time updates. The official Indiegogo launch goes live on May 20th.

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