EcoFlow Delta 2 is the best all-around pick here because it balances battery size, outlet count, and recharge speed better than the smaller and bulkier options. If the backup job is mostly modem, router, and ONT, Anker Solix C1000 is the cleaner broadband-first choice.
Quick Picks
| Model | Battery capacity | Output wattage | AC outlets | USB ports | Weight | Recharge time | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow Delta 2 | 1024Wh | 1800W | 6 | 4 | 27 lbs | 1.3 hours | Balanced home backup and garage use |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | 1264Wh | 2000W | 3 | 4 | 31.5 lbs | 1.7 hours | Comfortable backup with extra reserve |
| Anker Solix C1000 | 1056Wh | 1800W | 6 | 4 | 27.6 lbs | 1.0 hour | Broadband-first setup and fast recharge |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1152Wh | 1800W | 4 | 5 | 35.3 lbs | 1.3 hours | Storm kit and multi-device backup |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max 768Wh | 768Wh | 800W | 4 | 4 | 17.2 lbs | 1.0 hour | Compact internet backup and light loads |
For this kind of backup, AC outlets come first. A modem, router, and ONT usually need wall plugs, not USB ports, so a station with enough AC sockets keeps the setup cleaner and avoids a power-strip tower on the bench. Weight matters too. A 27-pound unit still feels movable; a 35-pound unit starts acting like a fixed appliance.
What matters for a modem-and-garage backup
This roundup is for a house that wants internet backup first and garage convenience second. That usually means one power station has to support a broadband stack, a phone charger, and maybe a light or small accessory without becoming a mess of adapters.
A simple way to think about it:
- Modem, router, and ONT only: a compact to mid-size station works.
- Modem plus laptop charger or LED work light: 1000Wh-class capacity is the sweet spot.
- Several chargers or a longer outage window: choose a larger reserve and enough AC sockets to keep things tidy.
- Motor loads, heaters, compressors, or saws: that is a different job entirely.
USB ports are useful for phones and tablets, but they do not solve the real clutter problem in a broadband backup. AC outlet count does.
1. EcoFlow Delta 2: Best All-Around Pick
The EcoFlow Delta 2 is the strongest overall match because it lands in the most useful middle ground. Its 1024Wh battery, 1800W output, and 6 AC outlets give enough room for a modem, router, ONT, and a light garage load without forcing the setup into a power-strip pile.
That extra outlet space matters in a garage. When the broadband stack already uses several wall bricks, more AC sockets keep the bench cleaner and make the whole setup easier to pack away later.
The trade-off is size. At 27 lbs, it is not tiny, and the larger chassis takes more shelf space than the compact class. It also has enough headroom to tempt people into plugging in gear that belongs on a different backup plan.
Skip it if you want the smallest possible box or if the plan includes compressors, heaters, or saws. For those loads, a portable power station is the wrong tool.
Best for: one backup unit that can live near the router and still cover a small garage load.
2. Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus: Best for Extra Reserve
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is the pick for buyers who want more battery reserve and a straightforward setup. Its 1264Wh battery and 2000W output give it more breathing room than the smaller options here, which helps when the outage stretches longer than expected.
The downside is the outlet count. With only 3 AC outlets, a modem, router, and ONT can use most of the available space right away. Add a charger or work light and the setup starts leaning on an external power strip, which adds clutter.
It also weighs more than the lighter models, so it is less appealing if the power station needs to move between a shelf, a closet, and the garage.
Choose this one if you want a single box with extra reserve and do not mind giving up AC outlet abundance.
Best for: buyers who want more battery and a simple backup box, and can live with fewer AC sockets.
3. Anker Solix C1000: Best Broadband-First Setup
The Anker Solix C1000 is the cleanest pick for keeping broadband gear online. Its 1056Wh battery, 1800W output, and 6 AC outlets line up well with the usual modem-router-ONT stack, so the setup stays organized instead of crowded.
Fast recharge is part of the appeal. A unit that returns to ready status quickly is easier to keep on hand after a storm alert, and less likely to sit half-charged on the garage floor waiting for the next top-off.
The trade-off is reserve. It gives up some battery headroom to the larger-capacity picks, so it is not the first choice if the outage plan includes several devices or a longer stretch away from the grid.
This is the best fit for households that mainly care about keeping the internet online and keeping the cord layout neat.
Best for: storms, short outages, and a tidy modem-first setup.
4. Bluetti AC180: Best for a Larger Storm Kit
The Bluetti AC180 makes sense for a garage storm kit because it brings 1152Wh of battery, 1800W output, 4 AC outlets, and 5 USB ports into one box. That combination works well when the outage plan covers broadband gear plus phones, tablets, and a work light.
The extra USB ports help if more than one family device needs charging at the same time. That can reduce the number of extra bricks sitting around the garage bench.
The compromise is weight. At 35.3 lbs, it is the least convenient unit in this group to move often. It works better as a semi-fixed backup near emergency gear than as something that gets carried around daily.
Pick this one if the power station will live with flashlights, radios, and charging cables instead of moving in and out of storage all the time.
Best for: a garage shelf or cart that holds a broader outage kit.
5. EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max 768Wh: Best Compact Pick
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max 768Wh is the easiest unit here to live with if space is tight. At 17.2 lbs, it is the most portable option on the list and the simplest to carry to another room or tuck into an emergency kit.
That smaller footprint is useful in a garage where tools and bins already take over most of the shelf space. A compact station often gets used more because it is easy to grab and easy to put back.
The trade-off shows up quickly. With 768Wh and 800W output, it is best suited to a modem, router, ONT, and light charging. It is not the pick for a growing garage load.
Choose this one if storage space is the deciding factor and the backup plan stays narrow.
Best for: a simple internet backup setup and the smallest storage footprint.
Which One Should You Buy?
If the goal is one station that can do both broadband backup and a little garage work, EcoFlow Delta 2 is the best overall pick.
If the focus is a clean modem-first setup with fast recharge, Anker Solix C1000 is the better fit.
If you want more reserve and can live with fewer AC outlets, Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus is the stronger battery-first choice.
If the unit will sit with a larger storm kit, Bluetti AC180 fits that role well.
If shelf space is tight and the load stays light, EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max 768Wh is the compact answer.
For pure internet continuity with no extra garage use, a UPS from APC or CyberPower belongs in a different category and does a better job of keeping modem gear online without interruption.
When a Portable Power Station Is the Wrong Tool
A portable power station works well for broadband gear and light garage loads, but it is not the answer for everything.
Skip this category if you need to run:
- heaters
- compressors
- saws
- other high-surge motor loads
Those jobs need a different power setup.
It is also the wrong tool if you plan to tie backup power into home wiring. That calls for a transfer switch and a licensed electrician.
Why Some Popular Alternatives Missed the List
A few familiar models stayed off the shortlist because they do not fit this particular job as well.
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core: a known name, but it does not improve the modem-plus-garage setup enough for the space it takes.
- Jackery Explorer 1000 v2: close to the chosen Jackery, but the 1000 Plus gives this roundup more reserve headroom.
- Bluetti EB70S and Bluetti AC70: useful for light loads, but they give up too much runway for a modem stack plus garage devices.
- APC Back-UPS Pro 1500: better as a UPS than as a portable station, so it belongs in the internet-only lane.
- EcoFlow Delta 2 Max: larger and more space-hungry than this job needs, which turns into storage hassle rather than a better everyday fit.
The common problem is simple: either not enough reserve for a real outage kit or too much box for a garage shelf.
Buying Guide
Count the plugs before the watts
A modem, router, and ONT usually mean wall bricks, not USB cables. For that reason, AC outlet count matters more than USB count in this use case. Three AC outlets is enough for a bare stack. Four to six gives you room for a charger or light without crowding the setup.
Match the battery to the outage plan
A smaller 768Wh-class unit works for a simple network stack and light charging. A 1000Wh-class unit gives more room for a longer outage or an extra device. Bigger only matters if you will actually use the reserve.
Use output wattage to rule out bad ideas
Watt-hours decide how long the unit runs. Output watts decide what it can start and keep running. If a garage device has a motor or heating element, treat it as a separate category before you try to power it from a portable station.
Think about storage as part of the purchase
A power station that charges quickly and stores neatly is more likely to stay ready. Keep the cords with the unit, wrap them once, and store the station where it stays dry and accessible.
Keep safety simple
Use the charging method the maker specifies, leave air space around the unit, and keep it dry. If backup power needs to connect to home wiring, use a licensed electrician.
FAQ
Can a portable power station run a modem and router overnight?
Yes, a 1000Wh-class station can handle a modem and router for a meaningful outage window, and a smaller unit can cover a lighter network-only setup. Runtime depends on how many devices are plugged in at once.
Is a UPS better than a portable power station for broadband gear?
Yes, if the only goal is uninterrupted internet. A UPS switches more cleanly for modem, router, and ONT duty, while a portable power station makes more sense when the same box also needs to move around the garage or power extra AC loads.
How many AC outlets do I need?
Three AC outlets handles a bare modem stack. Four to six is the better choice when the modem, router, and ONT share the battery with a light, charger, or mesh node.
What matters more, watt-hours or output watts?
Watt-hours control runtime. Output watts control what the inverter can start and keep running. For broadband backup, watt-hours matter most. For garage devices with startup demand, output watts matter just as much.
Do USB ports matter for this use case?
Less than AC outlets. USB ports are handy for phones and tablets, but the broadband stack usually needs wall plugs.
What size is the best sweet spot?
The 1000Wh class is the sweet spot for most buyers. It gives enough reserve for internet gear plus a charger or work light without turning storage into a problem.
Can I leave one on a garage shelf all the time?
Yes. Keep it dry, give it room to breathe, and top it off on a regular schedule so it is ready when the power fails.