Under $1000, you're looking at 800-1500 Wh of LFP capacity with 1500-2000W continuous AC output. This tier covers full overnight runs of a fridge plus a few laptops, a CPAP for 3-4 nights, or 2-3 working days of an espresso machine + induction kettle if you're frugal with peak draws. It's also where expandable platforms start to appear — Bluetti AC180T and EcoFlow Delta 2 both accept extra battery packs for whole-home backup.
Watch out for two things in this band. First, $/Wh varies by 2× across the band: a discounted Delta 2 at $499 sits at $0.49/Wh, while a fresh-stock Bluetti AC180 at $999 is $0.86/Wh — both 1000+ Wh LFP, but the cost per stored watt-hour differs by nearly half. Second, surge ratings matter more than continuous in this tier — kettles, microwaves and hairdryers all spike well above 1500W. A 1800W continuous + 2700W surge unit handles common kitchen loads; a 1500W continuous + 2000W surge does not.
If you're shopping for occasional emergency backup (twice-yearly outages), this tier is over-spec; an under-$500 unit covers most blackouts. If you're shopping for daily off-grid use (van life, off-grid cabin, RV with ~2 kWh/day load), this tier is the floor — anything cheaper means cycling the battery 1+ times per day, accelerating wear.
| # | Model | Capacity | AC out | Chemistry | Weight | Price | $/Wh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EcoFlow GLACIER Detachable Wheels and Lever EcoFlow | 298 Wh | 300W | LiFePO4 | 23.0 kg | $29 | $0.10 |
| 2 | EcoFlow DELTA 3 1500 Portable Power Station EcoFlow | 5,500 Wh | 1,800W | — | — | $649 | $0.12 |
| 3 | AC500 Home Integration Kit Bluetti | 5,120 Wh | 5,000W | LiFePO4 | 30.0 kg | $699 | $0.14 |
| 4 | EcoFlow DELTA 3 1500 Solar Generator EcoFlow | 5,500 Wh | 1,800W | — | — | $799 | $0.15 |
| 5 | AC300 Home Integration Kit Bluetti | 3,072 Wh | 3,000W | LiFePO4 | 21.6 kg | $619 | $0.20 |