- Rated vs tested capacity
Why a power station delivers less than its rated watt-hours from its AC outlets, how much less in independent tests, and how we use those tests in the rankings.
Spec rows: Rated capacity, Tested usable capacity
- LiFePO4 vs NMC batteries
How LiFePO4 and NMC lithium batteries differ in cycle life, weight and safety, what semi-solid-state and sodium-ion mean, and which to choose for a power station.
Spec rows: Chemistry, Cycle life
- Watts, surge and boost mode
What a power station's continuous AC rating, surge rating and boost mode mean, and how to check whether it will run a fridge, a heater or a power tool.
Spec rows: AC output, Boost mode (resistive loads)
- Outlet types (NEMA guide)
What each AC outlet on a power station is for, from standard 5-15 and 5-20 household outlets to TT-30 RV, L14-30 transfer-switch and 14-50 outlets.
Spec rows: AC outlets, 120V 15A outlets (NEMA 5-15R), 120V 20A outlets (NEMA 5-20R), 120V 2-prong outlets (NEMA 1-15R) and 8 more
- Split-phase 240V
What split-phase 120/240V output is, which home loads need it, and the difference between single-unit 240V, 240V-only outlets and stations that need a second unit.
- UPS mode and switchover time
How a power station's UPS or pass-through mode works, what switchover time means, and why we draw the line at 10 milliseconds for computers.
Spec rows: UPS / pass-through
- Solar input (watts and voltage)
What a power station's solar input watts and voltage range mean, how to wire panels in series or parallel to match it, and why cold weather matters.
Spec rows: Max solar input, Solar input voltage
- Pure vs modified sine wave
What a power station's AC waveform means, which devices have problems on a modified sine wave, and which stations still use one.
Spec rows: AC waveform