How We Research
Every guide on A Storm In Heaven starts with one question: will this power station do the job for the person shopping for it? For us, that means what you want to keep running, for how long, and where.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with what you want to run
A phone and a lamp need very little. A refrigerator, a window air conditioner or a power drill needs far more.
We match each guide to a real use, then check the numbers that decide whether a unit can handle it.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at watt-hours (the size of the battery), rated watts (what it can run at once) and surge watts. We also check the number and type of outlets, solar input, charging speed, weight and what comes in the box.
Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti, Anker and other makers describe their units in their own words, so we name the brand for every claim. We also note the warranty terms the maker lists.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a power station. We look for patterns, like fans that run loud, units that cut out under load, slow charging and trouble with the app.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A unit that's great for one reader may score lower in a guide written for another.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Models change, and some disappear from stores. Makers sell older and newer versions under close names, so we check each model name and ASIN and only link new units.
We skip unknown brands with no track record and any unit with a known recall. When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every power station we cover.
Runtime depends on what you plug in, so treat any figure as an estimate and follow the maker's manual. We don't cover power stations for medical equipment, and we label maker claims as the maker's claims.