Updated for 2026 · ranked from our sourced catalog
There are three ways to keep a house running when the grid drops, and the right one depends on how long you need to run and whether you can wire something in. We rank each on its own terms, across 14 picks, so the comparison stays honest.
Runs on fuel
Hard-wired to your panel and fed by natural gas or propane, so it runs as long as the fuel holds. The choice when outages last days, not hours.
Plug in, no electrician
Battery power you buy and plug in, recharged from the wall or solar panels. No install, no permits, no fuel, and it works indoors.
Installed storage
An installed battery wired to your panel, silent and fuel-free, sized in kWh. Pairs with solar and qualifies for the 30% federal clean-energy credit.
| Standby generator | Solar generator | Home battery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs for | As long as the fuel holds | Hours, then needs a recharge | Hours to a day, per charge |
| Install | Electrician + permits | None: unbox and plug in | Electrician + permits |
| Powers | The whole house, including AC | Circuits or plug-in loads | The whole house, briefly |
| Noise & exhaust | Engine noise, outdoors only | Silent, safe indoors | Silent, safe indoors |
| Ongoing cost | Fuel + annual service | None beyond recharging | None beyond recharging |
Plenty of homes end up with two of these: a battery or power station for the short, frequent outages, and a standby generator for the multi-day ones. Size the load first with the sizing calculator, then pick the category.
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