Short answer: For backup power in a New Zealand power cut, an inverter generator is the more reliable choice. A portable power station is a battery: once it's flat, it's finished until mains power comes back or the sun comes out. An inverter generator makes its own power, delivers up to twice the output, runs all day on a tank of fuel and keeps going for as long as you refuel it. At Riequip you can get 3,500W of continuous inverter power for under $1,000, less than most 1,800W power stations cost.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for New Zealand homeowners, lifestyle block owners, campers, caravanners and tradies weighing up a portable power station (often sold as a "solar generator") against a petrol inverter generator for backup or off-grid power.
Portable power station vs inverter generator at a glance
| Portable power station | Inverter generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Stored in a battery. When it's gone, it's gone | Made on demand from petrol, for as long as you have fuel |
| Continuous output | About 1,800W to 2,400W for popular 1,000 to 2,000Wh models | Up to 3,600W for Riequip models under $2,000 |
| Run time | A 1,000Wh unit runs an 800W load for about 1 hour | 10 to 19 hours per tank, then refuel in minutes |
| In a multi-day outage | Can't recharge from the wall; solar is slow and weather dependent | Keeps running day after day |
| Cost per watt of output* | About $0.82 to $1.12 per watt | From about $0.28 per watt |
| Power quality | Clean pure sine wave | Clean inverter power, safe for laptops, TVs and modems |
| Noise | Near silent | Quiet: about 55 to 64dB at 7 metres |
| Indoor use | Yes | No. Outdoors only |
*Based on NZ retail prices at 23/09/2026. Power stations: popular 1,024Wh/1,800W and 2,048Wh/2,400W models. Generators: Titan Envirogen 4800i (3,500W) and 4600iE (3,600W).
Why an inverter generator is more reliable in a power cut
1. It doesn't run out
A portable power station can only give you what's stored in its battery. A 1,000Wh unit runs a 150W fridge for roughly 5 to 6 hours, or an 800W mix of fridge, lights, TV and chargers for about an hour. Then it's flat.
An inverter generator makes power for as long as it has fuel. The Titan Envirogen 4200iE runs about 10 hours at 25% load (around 800W) on its 8 litre tank. That single tank delivers roughly the same energy as recharging a 1,000Wh power station eight times. When it runs low, you top it up and keep going.
2. It doesn't depend on the thing that's failed
The main way to recharge a power station is from a wall socket, which is exactly what you don't have in a power cut. Solar panels help, but during a winter storm, with short days and heavy cloud, they may only put back a small fraction of the battery. Petrol is available from any service station, and a spare can in the shed keeps you going.
3. Storms don't come with a warning to charge up
A power station is only as useful as its charge level when the power goes out. Batteries slowly lose charge in storage, and most manufacturers recommend topping them up every few months. A generator with fuel stabiliser in the tank is ready to start whenever you need it.
4. It handles cold conditions
Lithium batteries lose capacity in the cold, and many power station manufacturers advise against charging below 0°C. That's a real limitation on a frosty night in Canterbury, Otago or the Central Plateau, when you're most likely to need heat and light. A petrol inverter generator starts and runs in cold weather.
5. It's built to be serviced, not replaced
A generator engine is designed for years of use with basic servicing: oil, spark plug and air filter. Selected Riequip models, such as the Titan Envirogen 4200iE, come with a free service pack to get you started. A power station battery wears with every charge cycle, and when it wears out there's often little that can be repaired.
More power for less money
Most popular portable power stations deliver around 1,800W to 2,400W of continuous power. That rules out running common appliances together, and some on their own:
- Electric kettle: often 2,000W to 2,400W
- Portable electric heater: often 1,500W to 2,400W
- Fridge and freezer together: both motors need a burst of extra power at start-up
- Power tools: saws, grinders and compressors often draw over 1,500W with high start-up surges
Riequip's inverter generators under $2,000 deliver up to 3,600W continuous. That's enough to run the fridge, freezer, lights, modem and a kettle or portable heater at the same time.
Example: a 3 day power cut
Say a storm cuts power to your home for 3 days and you want to keep the fridge and freezer cold, run some lights and keep phones and the modem going. That's typically around 3 to 4kWh a day, or roughly 10kWh over 3 days (your actual use will vary).
| 1,000Wh portable power station | Titan Envirogen 4200iE inverter generator | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it covers | Roughly 6 hours, then flat | The full 3 days, running a few hours at a time to keep the fridge and freezer cold |
| What you need | Mains power or strong sun to recharge | A 20L fuel can and a top-up as needed |
| Can it boil the kettle? | Often no (most kettles exceed 1,800W) | Yes |
Estimates only. Use our Generator Calculator to size a generator for your own appliances.
Inverter generators under $2,000 at Riequip
| Model and price | Continuous output | Fuel and run time |
|---|---|---|
|
Titan Envirogen 2400iS Under $1,000 |
1,800W 2,000W max |
5L tank Up to 12 hrs |
|
Titan Envirogen 4800i Under $1,000 |
3,500W 4,000W max |
17L tank Up to 19 hrs |
|
Titan Envirogen 4600iE Under $1,500 · Electric start, wheels |
3,600W 4,000W max |
10L tank 11.5 hrs at 25% load |
|
Titan Envirogen 4200iE Under $1,500 · Remote start |
3,200W 3,500W max |
8L tank 10 hrs at 25% load |
Want everything in one box? The Titan Envirogen 4200iE Emergency Backup Kit (under $2,000) includes the 4200iE generator, LED work lights, extension leads, a 4 outlet multi-box, a fan heater and a 20L fuel can.
Every model above has more continuous output than a typical 1,800W power station, or matches it for about two-thirds of the price. Specifications are from Riequip product pages at the time of writing; check each page for current pricing and availability. See the full inverter generator range.
Where a portable power station still fits
A power station does have a place. It's handy for small, quiet loads indoors, such as charging phones and laptops or running a CPAP machine overnight, and for apartments where a generator can't be used. But for keeping a household, campsite or work site running, it's a supplement, not a replacement. Many people who already own one add an inverter generator to recharge it and run the bigger loads.
Use your generator safely
- Always run a generator outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Never run it inside, in a garage or under a carport. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is odourless and can kill.
- Never plug a generator into a household socket to "back-feed" the house. Connecting a generator to your home's wiring requires a changeover switch or inlet installed by a licensed electrician.
- Store petrol in an approved fuel container, and add fuel stabiliser if the generator will sit unused for a while.
Choosing the right size
Add up the running watts of everything you want to power at once, and allow extra for appliances with motors (fridges, pumps, compressors), which need more to start. Our Generator Calculator does the maths for you. For whole-home options, see home backup generators or read how backup generators work. To compare inverter and conventional generators, see the Generator vs Inverter Generator guide.
Frequently asked questions
An inverter generator. A power station can only supply the energy stored in its battery and can't be recharged from the wall during an outage. An inverter generator keeps producing power for as long as you have fuel, so it can cover outages lasting days.
For output and run time, yes. Riequip sells inverter generators with 3,500W continuous output for under $1,000, while popular 1,800W power stations typically cost around $1,500 or more.
A 1,000Wh unit running a 150W fridge lasts roughly 5 to 6 hours before it needs recharging. An inverter generator can keep a fridge and freezer running for days with regular refuelling.
Not for long. A 2,000W fan heater would drain a 1,000Wh power station in about half an hour. An inverter generator with 3,000W or more continuous output can run a portable heater for hours on a tank of fuel, alongside your fridge and lights.
Yes. Inverter generators produce stable, clean power suitable for sensitive electronics such as laptops, TVs, phones and modems.
Generally, yes. "Solar generator" usually means a portable power station that can be charged by solar panels. It stores energy in a battery rather than making it from fuel.
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must only be run outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from doors, windows and vents.
Get the right generator from Riequip
Riequip is NZ owned and operated and has been helping Kiwis choose the right power equipment for over 40 years. Call 0800 378 478, visit us in Auckland, Nelson or Christchurch, or shop inverter generators online.