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Generator vs power station cost calculator
Compare the multi-year cost of a gas generator against a battery power station for your outage or camping use, including fuel, electricity, maintenance and cost per kWh.
Results
| Power station saves | $260 |
|---|---|
| Generator total cost | $1,813 |
| Power station total cost | $1,553 |
| Generator cost per kWh delivered | 7.25 $/kWh |
| Power station cost per kWh delivered | 6.21 $/kWh |
| Battery cycles used | 136 cycles |
| Energy delivered over the period | 250 kWh |
- Your longest use needs about 4000 Wh, but this station delivers about 1843 Wh. You'd need solar recharging, an expansion battery or a larger station to match the generator.
- Not included: the generator's noise, fumes and CO risk and the need to store fuel, or the station's silent indoor operation. Those often matter more than the cost.
About this calculator
A gas generator is cheap per watt and refuels in a minute. A battery power station costs more up front but is silent, can run indoors, needs no fuel storage and costs pennies to recharge. Which is cheaper depends almost entirely on how many hours a year you actually use it and how much power you draw.
This calculator compares total cost of ownership over your chosen period, including purchase, fuel or electricity and maintenance. It also shows cost per kWh delivered, and flags when the station's battery can't cover your longest single use without a recharge.
How to use it
- Estimate how many hours a year you run backup power and the average load. Outage users are often under 50 h/yr; full-time RVers can reach 1,000+.
- Enter the generator's price and fuel use at that load from its manual.
- Enter the power station's price, capacity and rated cycle life.
- Compare totals, then read the warnings about session length and cycle life.
The formula
Energy delivered = load kW × hours per year × years.
Generator cost = price + years × (hours × gal/h × fuel price + maintenance).
Power station cost = price + energy ÷ efficiency × electricity price.
Cycles used = energy ÷ (capacity × 90% usable).
Worked example (default values)
Inputs
| Years of ownership | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Hours of use per year | 100 h/yr |
| Average load while in use | 500 W |
| Longest single use without recharging | 8 h |
| Generator purchase price | 900 $ |
| Generator fuel use at that load | 0.35 gal/h |
| Fuel price | 3.5 $/gal |
| Generator maintenance per year | 60 $/yr |
| Power station purchase price | 1500 $ |
| Power station capacity | 2048 Wh |
| Rated cycle life | 3000 cycles |
| Electricity price for recharging | 0.18 $/kWh |
| Charge + inverter efficiency | 85 % |
Results
| Power station saves | $260 |
|---|---|
| Generator total cost | $1,813 |
| Power station total cost | $1,553 |
| Generator cost per kWh delivered | 7.25 $/kWh |
| Power station cost per kWh delivered | 6.21 $/kWh |
| Battery cycles used | 136 cycles |
| Energy delivered over the period | 250 kWh |
Tips and common mistakes
The break-even moves with use. For occasional outages, the cheaper purchase often wins regardless of fuel. For daily use, like off-grid cabins or full-time vanlife, the battery's near-zero running cost wins over a few years, especially with solar recharging.
Hybrid plans are common: a power station for silent overnight loads and a small inverter generator to recharge it during long, cloudy outages.
Frequently asked questions
Is a power station cheaper than a generator?
Up front, rarely: a 2 kWh station costs more than a 3,500 W generator. Over several years of frequent use, the station's running costs are lower. Run your own numbers above.
Can a power station replace a generator during an outage?
For a fridge, lights, internet and medical devices, often yes, especially with solar or an expansion battery. For well pumps, central AC or electric heat, a generator or whole-home battery is usually needed.
How much does it cost to recharge a power station?
A 2 kWh station costs about $0.40-$0.50 to fill from the grid at $0.18/kWh after charging losses.
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- Generator size calculator
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- What size power station do I need?
List your devices and how many hours a day you run them to get the battery capacity (Wh), continuous output and surge rating your power station needs.
- Solar charging time calculator
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Estimates for planning only, based on the assumptions shown. Real-world performance varies with equipment, temperature and installation. Updated October 19, 2026. See our methodology.