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Shopping this month? See our Black Friday 2026 tracker, which lists only sales brands have published on their own sites.

1. Check the "was" price

A discount is only as honest as the price it is compared with. The FTC's Guides Against Deceptive Pricing say a former-price comparison is fair when the former price is one the item was openly and actively offered at, in good faith, for a reasonably substantial period of time recently, and not an inflated price set up so a later "discount" looks bigger.

What you can do:

• Look at the price over the last few months, not just today. Price-history tools and your own screenshots or notes help.
• Be wary when the "regular" price only ever seems to appear right before a sale.
• Compare the same model, capacity and kit across the brand's site and major retailers.

2. Compare cost per watt-hour

Capacity sizes vary a lot, so divide the price by the usable capacity in watt-hours (Wh). That gives you dollars per Wh, a fair way to compare a small unit with a big one.

Example only. Units A and B are imaginary, with round numbers to show the math. They are not real products or prices.

Cheaper per Wh is not automatically better. If you only need 500 Wh, Unit B costs more than you need to spend. Use cost per Wh to compare options that all fit your needs (see Power basics for working out your daily Wh).

3. Look past capacity: the specs that matter

• Continuous and surge watts decide what you can run. A cheap unit that cannot start your fridge is not a deal for you.
• Chemistry. LiFePO4 generally offers more cycles than other lithium types; see Battery types explained.
• Charging inputs: maximum solar watts and voltage, AC charging speed, and whether it accepts vehicle or alternator charging (how that works).
• Expandability if you might add batteries later.

4. Read the cycle rating carefully

Makers often quote a cycle life such as "X cycles to Y% capacity." Two ratings are only comparable when both parts match. Ask:

• To what remaining capacity (for example 70% or 80%)?
• At what depth of discharge and temperature?
• Is that cycle figure backed by the warranty, or only a marketing claim?

5. Read the warranty before you buy

Read the warranty before you buy: what is covered, for how long, what is excluded, and how to make a claim. Under FTC rules, sellers of consumer products that cost more than $15 and come with a written warranty must make the warranty terms available before you buy, including near the product description when shopping online. Things to compare:

• Length of coverage, and whether it differs for the battery cells.
• Who pays shipping for a heavy unit sent in for repair.
• Whether buying from a third-party seller changes the coverage.
• Return window, and whether restocking fees apply.

If a checkout offers an extended warranty or service contract, compare it with the coverage you already get from the maker's warranty, and check its cost, deductibles and limits before paying extra.

6. Price bundles item by item

Power station plus solar panel bundles can be good value, or a way to move slow-selling panels. To check:

1. Find each item's current standalone price from the same seller.
2. Add them up and compare with the bundle price.
3. Check that the panels suit the power station's solar input voltage and watts, and that the connectors match.
4. Ignore "free" extras you would never buy.

7. Watch for refurbished and open-box listings

Refurbished units can be good value, but confirm who refurbished it (the manufacturer or a third party), how long the warranty is, and whether it matches the new-unit warranty.

Deal checklist

How we list deals

On BatteryPlaces, we only list a deal with the price we saw, where we saw it, and when we checked it, and we say when a "regular" price comes from the brand's own listing. Prices change quickly, so always confirm at checkout. Get the best ones each Friday in Power Deals Weekly from the home page.

Common questions

Is Black Friday really the cheapest time to buy?

Not always. Prices can drop at other sales events too. The only way to know is to check price history for the exact model you want.

Is a bundle with solar panels a better deal?

Only if you need the extra parts. Price each item separately, check that the panel and the power station work well together, and compare the total.

Should I buy from the brand or a big retailer?

Compare the price, the return window, who handles warranty claims, and shipping. Make sure the seller is authorized if the warranty requires it.

A quick pre-purchase checklist

• Exact model number matches the one you researched.
• Price history checked; the "was" price is real.
• Cost per Wh compared with alternatives.
• Warranty length, coverage and claims process read.
• Return window and return shipping cost known.
• Seller is the brand or an authorized retailer.

See current listings on our Black Friday page.

General shopping information, not financial advice.

Sources

• eCFR, 16 CFR 233.1: Former price comparisons (FTC Guides Against Deceptive Pricing)
• eCFR, 16 CFR 702.3: Pre-sale availability of written warranty terms