When the power goes out in your home, it’s always a good idea to check to see if a breaker has been tripped. But a sustained outage can turn a minor disruption into a full-on emergency. Here are some gadgets to buy before your next blackout, whether it’s a planned outage or something more severe caused by a summer storm.
Power outages don’t usually last that long, but depending on where you live, they can last for days, which is why you’ll want to make sure you have all the essentials and firewood ready for the cold winter months. These days, there are a lot of great devices, big and small, that can help you keep your fridge running and stay safe.
Solar lanterns and rechargeable lighting
Most people already have a flashlight or two, but having a rechargeable flashlight in place is very important. For example, I always keep a USB-C rechargeable flashlight on top of my fridge so I always have quick access to a light source.
Another great option is a solar LED lantern. These usually charge quickly outdoors in the sun, and many models can also be charged via USB. You can use natural light or a power bank to ensure continuous lighting. Lanterns come in all shapes and sizes, of course, but if you buy one that’s small or foldable, it won’t take up a ton of space until you really need it.
Goal Zero’s products are good, but I also have about five MPOWERD Luci solar inflatable lanterns. They’re small and portable, and great for camping, emergencies, and just about anything.
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Lantern
The Luci Outdoor Lantern by MPOWERD is one of my favorite gadgets to use for camping or emergencies. It’s small, provides hours of light, and can be charged by solar or USB-C.
Surge protectors to keep your electronics safe
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
These days, most people have a power strip or two, which provides multiple AC wall plugs for gadgets, TVs, and chargers. But there’s a difference between a power strip and a surge protector. A power strip increases the number of outlets, while a surge protector protects your valuable electronics from overvoltage and damage during a power outage or surge.
Plus, most surge protectors only last a few years, so even if you already have one, it’s a good idea to get a new one. The best surge protectors won’t help you after a power outage, but they will ensure your electronics work properly when the lights and power are restored.
Belkin 12 Outlet Surge Protector (3,940 Joules)
Perfect for a desk or entertainment center, this Belkin 12-outlet surge protector is rated at 3,940 joules and has an 8-foot power cord. It also has built-in phone line and coax connections to protect your phone and cable box.
Portable power sources are a necessity
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
I believe everyone should have a portable power source. If the power goes out for an extended period of time, this little box can power the lights, run the fridge so food doesn’t spoil, charge your phone so you can stay in touch with your family, and much more. It’s an essential piece of technology.
Larger power stations like my Anker 767 do all of the above plus have enough power to run a heater or make coffee. More importantly, many models have built-in lighting or can be charged with a solar panel. The result is a great product for emergencies: if the power grid goes down for an extended period of time, you can charge it outside with a solar panel or two and use it to keep your electronics running overnight.
Here are some of our favorite power plants available in 2024.
Night lighting during power outages
Most of us have used night lights as children, but they can be useful for adults too. Even better, there are night lights that turn on when it gets dark in the house each night and have built-in batteries in case the power goes out.
Blackout night lights turn on instantly during a power outage, ensuring your home is safely illuminated as you go downstairs, use the kitchen, or search for a flashlight in the garage. These multi-purpose lights are generally useful around the home, but can be essential during storms, power outages, and hurricanes.
GE Blackout Night Light (4-in-1)
Get light whenever you need it most – at night or during a power outage. Automatically turns on during a power outage to illuminate your walkway. Long battery life of 2+ hours.
Power Banks and Chargers
Portable chargers are great for travel and vacation, but they’re also a must-have item to have at home. I’ll explain why I own multiple power banks and why I think most people should have at least a few.
When the power goes out, you’re going to need a way to stay entertained. That means charging your phone, AirPods, tablet, and even your laptop. Whether it’s a pocket-sized spare battery or something bigger like the Anker 20,000 mAh Charger, you can keep all your gadgets running. If the power outage lasts longer, these can be invaluable tools to keep your phone powered and keep in touch with family and keep up to date on the situation.
Anchor Power Core Slim 10,000 PD
$17 $26 Save $9
With enough power to charge multiple gadgets with USB-C PD fast charging, Anker’s PowerCore Slim 10,000 will keep your iPhone or Android charged while you’re on the go.
Other Gadgets
AmazonBasics
The items listed above are just a few of the many potential gadgets we recommend, primarily because they serve a variety of purposes and can be used both on a day-to-day basis and in emergencies. However, they are not the only ones you may need.
Where you live, how often power outages occur, and your budget will affect the types of emergency equipment and supplies you have on hand. Some good items to have on hand include a crank radio, a headlamp, extra batteries, an AC power inverter for use in your car, electric blankets, and small battery-powered cooling fans.
And to keep you entertained, pack some canned food, a cooler, a first aid kit, extra blankets, board games, playing cards, etc. It’s also a good idea to write down important phone numbers in case your cell phone battery dies and your portable power source runs out.
Experts recommend having enough supplies, power, and water to last at least six hours during a power outage, but as we all know, a power outage can be fixed in 20 minutes or it can last for a day or more. Either way, it’s best to be safe.
