Your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and gaming handhelds don’t need power to function, but the same can’t be said about your internet connection. In the event of a power outage, being able to get your network back up quickly can allow you to resume work or play while the issue gets fixed.
So here are some things you can do to keep the router lights on when scheduled or unscheduled downtime occurs.
Use a Portable Power Station
A power station is effectively agiant portable battery that can output enough powerto keep anything powered, from your phone and computer to a fridge and freezer. They’re looked upon as the gold standard of home backup power. Most of them have lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries inside them, and some can have their capacity expanded with additional battery packs.
These chargers commonly feature both AC and DC plug sockets plus USB power. Their capacity is typically measured in Watt-hours (Wh), where 1000Wh wouldtheoreticallykeep a 1000W device running for an hour. Of course, your router will use far less power than this, likely falling somewhere in the 30W range.
Power stations are great for emergencies like power outages, as long as you store them in a (somewhat) charged state. Keeping a lithium-ion battery in storage at full charge is not recommended for long-term battery health, so limiting the charge to around 80% or less is recommended.
To use a power station as a backup for your internet connection, you’ll need to ensure that your network equipment can easily be plugged in (including a separate router or network termination device, should you have one). You’ll also need enough power outlets to keep these devices plugged in and to ensure the combined wattage of the devices you want to power doesn’t exceed the capabilities of your power station.
There are more practical things to keep in mind, like the location of your network equipment in relation to other devices you want to keep powered (like your fridge or microwave oven). Power stations are billed as portable devices, which means they often include handles or wheels, but the larger the capacity, the more they weigh. A few long extension cords might be a good idea.
A power station is arguably the most versatile solution for this task, since you can use it to power all manner of items, take it camping, bring it out on the patio to power laptops or stereo systems, or throw it in your car for power on road trips. The most important thing about relying on a power station for emergencies is remembering to charge it!
We’ve covered power stations extensively at How-To Geek, including popular models like theAnker SOLIX C1000and theBluetti AC200L. Check outour full list of recommended power stationsas well as somethings you might want to know before navigating unplanned outagesand thebenefits of solar power stations for extended downtime.
Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station
The new Anker SOLIX C1000 is a compact yet powerful 1800W portable power station. It packs 11 different ports, 2400W AC power surge, built-in lighting, and more. Charge all your gear or be prepared for an emergency.
BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station
The Bluetti AC200L Portable Power Station is a worthy successor to the AC200MAX, delivering ample power through AC, DC, and USB ports. The 2,048mAh capacity battery makes the AC200L keep the essentials and outdoor supplies running for hours.
Get an Uninterruptible Power Supply
Uninterruptible power supplies, or UPS for short, are nothing new. They’ve been around for decades and are frequently relied upon in the tech world to keep computers and network equipment online during power outages. As the name implies, a UPS is designed to keep your devices running even when power is interrupted.
“Interrupted” is the key word here, since there are different types of UPS that you’ll need to choose from depending on your needs and budget. Some are designed with power dips (where power may not be lost completely) and brownouts in mind, offering a very short backup period. Others are designed for use with low-power devices (like routers and network-attached storage). Then there are the large, pricey options that are designed to keep computers running even when power is cut.
Unlike a power station, which works best as an emergency solution that you charge and forget about, a UPS typically sits in between whatever you want to keep powered and the wall. When the power goes down, the UPS takes over. How effective this is depends on what type of UPS you opt for and how much you’re prepared to spend.
Buying the right kind of UPS for your situation is important. Some are designed to give you enough time to safely finish what you’re doing without losing work, so you can shut down your computer safely. Others are designed to keep equipment running for far longer.
Many consumer UPS units use cheaper lead-acid batteries, while also being far more limited in terms of their intended use. On the upside, this makes them cheaper “set and forget” solutions that you don’t need to manage, store, or keep charged.
Ourrecommended UPS pickfor network equipment is theCyberPower CP800AVR UPSfor around the $130 mark. If you may’t quite stretch that far, theAmazon Basics Standby UPSis a slightly cheaper choice for around $90. Remember that you’ll need to be able to power both a separate modem (if you have one) and your primary router in the event of a power outage.
CyberPower CP800AVR UPS System
450W provides enough juice to keep routers powered for a really long time. Plus, there’s surge protection and AVR at a low cost.
Amazon Basics Standby UPS
A bare-bones compact UPS with unbeatable dimensions for the power. Plus, it has all the essentials and way more outlets than you know what to do with.
Use a DC Splitter and USB Power Bank
This solution isn’t that different from a power station, except on a much smaller scale. Portable USB-C power banks are now commonplace, including those that can output enough Wattage to power hungry devices like powerful laptops. They’ve dropped significantly in price to the point where you probably already own one or two.
But did you know you can power almost anything that uses DC power using a USB power bank, as long as you have the right adapter and a unit that outputs enough power? By using a USB-C to DC Connector (likethis one) you can keep your router and modem powered up. You can even get Y-splitters that can turn a single barrel adapter into two. The kicker is that you’ll need to buy the right adapter (and make sure it’s rated for the correct voltage) and a power bank that’s rated for the correct wattage.
In my case, my TP-Link Archer AX72 router requires 12V over 2.5A, which is 30W (12x2.5). So I’d need a 12V adapter that’s the right size and shape, plugged into a USB-C port capable of putting out 30W. In this case, something like theUGREEN Nexode 20,000mAh Power Bankwould do the trick, since its second USB-C output caps out at 12V/2.5A for 30W power total.
Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 130W
The Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000 mAh is a high capacity portable power bank that is capable of charging a mobile phone multple times before needing a recharge.
My modem would require slightly less at 18W. You’ll need to check the specifications for your own network equipment before you buy. Check out some ofour other recommended power banks.
Use Your Smartphone’s Personal Hotspot
While home internet requires power to keep your modem and router running, your smartphone does not. As long as you have some juice in the tank and a data plan, you should have no problem sharing your internet connection with other devices. If you’re on a 5G connection, there’s a chance that cellular internet will be even faster than your home internet connection under the right conditions.
Android users can turn on their hotspot under Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering. iPhone users can do this under Settings > Personal Hotspot. In both cases, you’ll need to name your hotspot and provide a password before others can connect.
From here, browse for your hotspot as you would in the normal way. On Android, you candisplay a QR code to make connecting easier. iPhone users with a Mac or iPadOS devices should be able to connect without inputting a password simply by selecting their device from the list of Wi-Fi networks (as long as both devices are connected to the same Apple Account).
You should be able to connect just about anything to your hotspot, including computers, smart TVs, game consoles, and more. Just remember that you might notwantto connect everything, since you’ll burn through both data and battery life. Outside of a power station or USB power bank, a solar charger might be good asa last line of defense during daylight hours.
One important thing to keep in mind is that widespread power outages might also affect your internet provider. This is especially true during extreme weather events, like wide-reaching storms, floods, and wildfires. During events like these, cellular internet might be your best bet.
Thinking about some sort of home battery backup system?Learn more about using solar generators and portable power stations instead.
