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
Officials said those seeking to commit political violence could target judges, state officials, protests and certain pregnancy and reproductive health facilities.
Look for low-interest rate products that stop your debt from growing and becoming unmanageable.
Those suffering from the syndrome may be eligible for federal compensation ranging from about $140,000 to $187,000.
Major corporations rush to safeguard workers' reproductive rights after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
The Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Look for low-interest rate products that stop your debt from growing and becoming unmanageable.
Major corporations rush to safeguard workers' reproductive rights after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
Federal aviation agency is "crippling" air traffic, airline group says in letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Maker of electronic cigarettes blasts government order that it immediately halt sales "extraordinary and unlawful."
Proposed contract would boosts their salary 14.5%, potentially clearing way for pilot wage increases across aviation.
Officials said those seeking to commit political violence could target judges, state officials, protests and certain pregnancy and reproductive health facilities.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and more appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
Those suffering from the syndrome may be eligible for federal compensation ranging from about $140,000 to $187,000.
The Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
"For now, a Michigan court has put a temporary hold on the law, but that decision is not final and has already been challenged," Whitmer said following the Supreme Court's ruling.
Major corporations rush to safeguard workers' reproductive rights after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.
Maker of electronic cigarettes blasts government order that it immediately halt sales "extraordinary and unlawful."
The researchers say 600,000 more deaths could have been prevented if vaccine roll-out had been more ubiquitous.
One recent case shows clearly that the app, without which people can't even go to work, could easily be exploited by a government bent on control.
There was such high demand from New Yorkers wanting the shots that the city had to close its vaccination clinic to walk-ins.
The news comes as dissenting justices wrote the U.S. will become "international outliers" for Roe's reversal.
Financial markets are rising, with some analysts predicting an economic slowdown rather than a recession.
The researchers say 600,000 more deaths could have been prevented if vaccine roll-out had been more ubiquitous.
The automaker said the incident was under investigation but appeared to be an accident "not caused by the vehicle."
Flooding and famine already had millions in South Sudan clinging to survival. CBS News sees how the war on another continent is cutting their only lifeline.
Luke Combs is on a record-breaking run, writing a historic 14 consecutive No. 1 singles. Anthony Mason visited Combs at his Tennessee home to talk about his new album, "Growin' Up," gaining confidence in high school chorus, and becoming a first-time father.
Pete Souza, who was President Barack Obama's official White House photographer, captured photos at the wedding.
Actor Simu Liu says he hopes his success helps create more representation for Asian people in Hollywood.
The jury awarded the victim, who is now 64-years-old, $500,000.
Mask wearing will be optional beginning in July.
Attack is the third major theft this year involving services that help users trade crypto across different blockchains.
Employees at the online review company used less than 2% of its office space in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.
Alexa will have the ability to mimic a voice – even your dead relative's – by using just minute of audio and learning from it.
A search for the graves of massacre victims began in 2020 and resumed last year with nearly three dozen coffins containing remains of possible victims recovered.
Elon Musk is once again expressing concerns about purchasing Twitter, even as the company's board of directors is urging its shareholders to approve the sale. CBS News tech reporter Dan Patterson sat down with anchors Tanya Rivero and Elaine Quijano to discuss the world's richest man's latest hesitations with the deal.
Most bacteria are microscopic, but this one is so big it can be seen with the naked eye.
While many factors likely boosted Japan's COVID resilience, researchers say a possible cellular-level advantage could help them create a new weapon against the virus.
A search for the graves of massacre victims began in 2020 and resumed last year with nearly three dozen coffins containing remains of possible victims recovered.
Symptoms of the infection in fish include "bulging eyes, lethargic or erratic swimming and increased mortality," officials said.
Thomas Gouttierre said he and his wife tasted some of the honey before the bees were taken away.
A pair of Vermont State troopers were attacked by an upset father behind the wheel of an excavator as they attempted to arrest his son on assault and burglary charges.
A man who allegedly shot and killed a 27-year-old man on a San Francisco subway train has been arrested, police announced.
A manhunt is underway in central Alabama as police search for 45-year-old Phillip Shane Bradford, who escaped custody on Wednesday.
The court said the defendant had explained during the trial "that he had decided to kill people in order to achieve rebirth."
The taboo against "snitching" has pervaded every part of the trial of Eric Holder, who is charged with first-degree murder.
An early Super Heavy-Starship failure could disrupt SpaceX astronaut fights to space station.
NASA successfully fueled its new moon rocket on the agency's fourth attempt, but problems remain.
NASA says a critical fueling test for its Space Launch System moon rocket went well despite a leaking hydrogen fitting.
SpaceX on track to launch more than 50 Falcon 9 rockets this year.
If the fueling test goes well, NASA hopes to launch the SLS rocket on its maiden flight late this summer.
Inside the life of a teenage girl and how her disappearance inspired a movement.
Concerts are back on track, with rock, heavy metal and country artists returning to live performances.
In the early morning hours of August 8, 2013, first responders were called to a house fire in Modesto, California. Scott and Janet Pettit were found dead inside, and investigators soon determined the fire was no accident.
How investigators built their case in the killing of cowboy Ray Green
Strict dress codes are just the beginning.
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Major Garrett on this week's "The Takeout" to discuss a potential Presidential run, the 2020 election, the Israeli government, the war in Ukraine and January 6th.
Dr. Celine Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at Kaiser Health News, joins CBS News to discuss the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and the consequences it could have for women's health.
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has thrown the legality of abortion to the states, and that can be confusing for some areas where abortion laws haven't been updated in decades. CBS News' Lana Zak has more on how this historic decision could impact abortion access in Wisconsin.
The death toll from Afghanistan's worst earthquake in decades rose sharply overnight. Local officials say more than 1,100 people have died. Five people were killed by tremors this morning. Secundor Kermani from our partners at the BBC is near the quake zone.
President Joe Biden vowed Friday to "do all in my power" to protect abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. "This is not over," Mr. Biden said, but he admitted Democrats do not have the votes in Congress to put federal law in place to ensure abortion rights. Watch his remarks in this CBS News Special Report anchored by Norah O'Donnell.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.