Jackery vs EcoFlow vs DELTA: Which Portable Power Station Is Best for Home Backup?

Hook: Stop wasting time on expired coupons — pick the right backup now

When the lights go out you don’t want to be scrambling through a dozen low-quality listings for a generator or a power station that can’t run your fridge for more than an afternoon. If you’re shopping the flash sales rolling through January 2026, this guide cuts straight to the numbers: specs, real-world backup times, price-per-watt during current flash sales, and the best solar add-ons to get smart savings fast.

The short answer (most shoppers): which to buy during today’s deals

If your priority is raw storage for home backup (run a fridge, a few lights, router and CPAP): the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus stands out during the current flash sale for price-per-watt and kWh capacity. If you want a lighter, portable option for short outages, or a fast-charge unit to power tools and weekend trips, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max is compelling at its $749 promotion. If you need expandable pro-level backup with long-term system growth, consider the EcoFlow DELTA Pro line—but expect a higher up-front cost.

What’s on sale right now (Jan 2026)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — sale price from $1,219; bundle with Jackery 500W solar panel from $1,689. (Deal spotted Jan 15, 2026.)
• EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max — flash sale price at $749 (second-best price this year). (Deal spotted Jan 15, 2026.)
• EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 — showing limited-time discounts on some retailer pages; price varies and tends to be significantly higher than the mid-range DELTA units.

Deals above were live in mid-January 2026 in major deal aggregator flash rounds (sources include aggregated Green Deals and 9to5Toys roundups).

Key specs compared (how we’ll judge value)

To choose a home-backup power station you need three core numbers and a few features:

1. Battery capacity (Wh) — how much energy the battery stores.
2. Inverter continuous & surge output (W) — what devices it can run and start-up capability for motors/pumps.
3. Charging options & input limits — AC, EV, solar (MPPT) input watts, and how fast you can refill the battery.

Manufacturer-rated capacities (what to expect)

For clarity in calculations below we use the manufacturer model names and the commonly published capacities as of January 2026 (double-check specs on product pages before purchase):

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — 3,600 Wh (3.6 kWh) nominal capacity.
• EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max — a mid-capacity portable unit (marketed for fast charge and portability). For our price-per-Wh examples we use 1,024 Wh as a representative capacity for the DELTA 3 Max SKU most commonly discounted during flash sales — verify the exact SKU before checkout.
• EcoFlow DELTA Pro (line) — higher-capacity / expandable systems (3.6 kWh and up depending on configuration).

Price-per-watt (price-per-Wh) on current flash sales

Price-per-Wh gives value shoppers a quick way to compare raw energy stored for the dollars spent. Calculation = sale price ÷ battery Wh. Lower is better for pure storage value — think of it as a cost metric in the same spirit as other cost-aware strategies you’d use when prioritizing spend.

Sale math (rounded)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus at $1,219: 1,219 ÷ 3,600 Wh ≈ $0.34 per Wh — that’s roughly $340 per kWh of battery capacity.
• Jackery 3600 + 500W solar bundle at $1,689: 1,689 ÷ 3,600 Wh ≈ $0.47 per Wh (~$470 per kWh) — bundle increases per-Wh cost but adds a 500W panel (quickly reduces long-term running costs if you can recharge daily).
• EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max at $749 (using a 1,024 Wh representative unit): 749 ÷ 1,024 Wh ≈ $0.73 per Wh — ~$730 per kWh. More expensive per Wh, but this model often delivers faster AC/solar charging and lighter portability.

Actionable tip: If your priority is absolute kWh for the dollar (home outages that last days), the Jackery 3600 Plus sale gives more stored energy per dollar. If you need portability, rapid recharge, or smaller budget, the DELTA 3 Max is attractive despite a higher per-Wh cost.

Real-world backup times (practical examples)

To translate Wh into hours you’ll use: runtime (hours) ≈ (battery Wh × inverter efficiency) ÷ device W. We use a conservative inverter efficiency of 88% to account for conversion losses.

Common devices and estimated runtimes

Below are practical runtimes for the two sale units using typical device loads.

• Refrigerator (average 150 W continuous)
  • Jackery 3600: (3,600 × 0.88) ÷ 150 ≈ ~21 hours (continuous) — in practice a fridge cycles so this often equals a full day+ of cooling.
  • EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max (1,024 Wh): (1,024 × 0.88) ÷ 150 ≈ ~6 hours.
• CPAP machine (60 W)
  • Jackery 3600: (3,600 × 0.88) ÷ 60 ≈ ~53 hours (~2+ days).
  • DELTA 3 Max: (1,024 × 0.88) ÷ 60 ≈ ~15 hours (overnight + partial next day).
• Wi‑Fi router + modem (15 W)
  • Jackery 3600: ≈ ~211 hours (~8–9 days).
  • DELTA 3 Max: ≈ ~60 hours (~2–2.5 days).
• Sump pump (800 W, intermittent)
  • Jackery 3600: ≈ ~4 hours continuous — but pumps cycle, so the unit can protect against intermittent storms for many cycles.
  • DELTA 3 Max: ≈ ~1 hour continuous — enough for short-cycle emergencies.

Important: Motor-start surge loads (sump pumps, refrigerators at startup) can be 2–4× the running wattage. Confirm each power station’s surge capacity and continuous inverter rating before you expect it to run heavy tools or pumps. Also consider Outage-Ready tips if you’re planning systems that must tolerate extended service interruptions.

Charging speed & solar recharging (real-world expectations)

How fast you can get back to 100% matters as much as capacity. Solar recharge time depends on panel wattage, peak sun hours, and charge controller limits.

Example: Jackery 3600 with a 500W panel

Using a conservative model:

• Panel output/day = 500 W × 4.5 peak sun hours ≈ 2,250 Wh/day.
• Usable after losses (≈75–85%): ≈ 1,688 Wh/day.
• Full recharge ≈ 3,600 ÷ 1,688 ≈ ~2.1 days of good sun (if you only rely on one 500W panel).

Practical notes

• If you pair multiple panels (e.g., two 500W panels) or can AC-charge overnight, recharge times fall dramatically.
• EcoFlow units often support higher solar input rates and smart MPPT controllers — meaning the DELTA 3 Max can recharge faster relative to its capacity when paired with panels within its input limits.

Actionable tip: For reliable multi-day outages, plan panels that provide at least 1 full recharge per day (battery Wh ÷ expected usable solar Wh/day ≤ 1). Stacking panels or using AC + solar together is the fastest path back to full.

Warranty, cycle life, and long-term value

Pure price-per-Wh only tells part of the story. Check:

• Cycle life to 80% capacity — longer cycle life reduces cost per usable kWh over years.
• Warranty length & terms — look for clear coverage of battery degradation.
• Expandability — modular systems (like some EcoFlow DELTA Pro setups) can add batteries later, lowering long-term TCO if you plan to scale.

Example scenario: A cheaper per-Wh unit with half the cycle life can cost more per effective kWh over 5 years. Always factor expected cycles into cost-per-kWh lifetime calculations.

Recommended add-ons and bundles for value shoppers

When flash sales hit, pairing the right accessories can multiply value. Here’s what we recommend based on 2026 trends and the current deals:

• Solar panel bundle (best immediate value): Jackery’s 500W panel bundle with the HomePower 3600 Plus is an excellent one-click solution if you want an integrated AC+solar setup at a single discounted price. If you can find a similar discount on EcoFlow with matched panels, that’s ideal for faster recharge.
• Extra panels vs. battery expansion: For Jackery buyers, adding ≥1 panel (or a second 500W) is the fastest ROI for recharging during outages. For EcoFlow Pro-line buyers, consider battery expansion modules if you want multi-day autonomy.
• Smart transfer switch / manual transfer kit: For home integration, a transfer switch lets you power select circuits safely. This is a must if you plan to power hardwired devices (well pumps, laundry, fridge circuits) without extension cords.
• UPS-style or surge-protective power strips: Prevents damage to sensitive electronics during outages and when switching power sources. Consider industry safety and reliability best practices when wiring critical gear.
• Roof- or ground-mount hardware & cabling: Invest in proper mounts and quality MC4 cables for solar to avoid power loss and installation headaches — the same attention to installation detail you’d use for portable solar and market-grade chargers and panels.

2026 trends that matter to buyers

Late 2025 and early 2026 accelerated three trends worth noting:

• Deeper discounting on high-capacity units — retailers are offering aggressive flash sale pricing on 3–4 kWh units to clear inventory before new-generation models arrive.
• Price compression for mid-capacity, fast-charge units — smaller, faster-charging models (like the DELTA 3 Max) are more frequently discounted to attract on-the-fence buyers.
• More bundled solar deals — manufacturers and retailers are bundling panels with storage to upsell integrated systems; these bundles are often the fastest path to a working off-grid setup.

What this means for you: If you need multi-day home backup, snaffle the high-capacity 3.6 kWh deals now — they hit a better price per Wh than the smaller units. If you need portability and fast charging for short outages or frequent travel, a discounted DELTA 3 Max is attractive.

Case study: Two households, two decisions

Real-world examples from value shoppers help make the options concrete.

Case A — Suburban family, frequent multi-day outages

• Needs: run fridge, router, lights, and occasional sump pump for 24–72 hours.
• Decision: Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus on sale for $1,219; paired with an extra 500W panel bought during the bundle discount.
• Why it worked: The family prioritized stored energy per dollar and chose the larger capacity to avoid cycling multiple small units. The panel bundle reduced days-to-charge and cut overall operating cost (solar recharge vs. gasoline generator).

Case B — Remote worker & road tripper

• Needs: power laptop/monitor, CPAP occasionally, quick charges on the road.
• Decision: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max at $749 — lighter, fast-charge, and fits the car.
• Why it worked: Per-Wh cost was higher but the buyer valued portability, fast AC/solar top-ups, and weight. The discounted price made it a good secondary unit for travel.

Checklist before you buy (fast, actionable)

1. List your essential loads and calculate total Wh per day (appliance W × hours used).
2. Decide autonomy target (e.g., 24, 48, 72 hours). Multiply daily Wh × days = required usable Wh.
3. Factor inverter efficiency (use 0.85–0.9) and surge needs for motors.
4. Compare sale price ÷ battery Wh to see price-per-Wh; then factor cycle life and warranty.
5. If buying during a flash sale, check bundle value: is the bundled panel better bought separately (sometimes panels have separate coupons)?
6. Confirm solar input limits and whether the unit supports parallel/expandable batteries if you may scale later.

Final recommendation: match the sale to the mission

During the current January 2026 flash sales:

• Pick the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus sale if you want maximum stored energy per dollar for home backup and a ready-to-go solar bundle option.
• Pick the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max sale if you need a compact, faster-charging, lower-upfront-cost unit for short outages or portability — but budget for higher price-per-Wh if you need long runtimes.
• Consider DELTA Pro (EcoFlow’s expandable platform) only if you plan to scale to whole-home backup or want long-term expandability despite higher upfront cost.

“If you only remember one rule: buy the largest capacity you can afford from a reputable brand during a flash sale — because capacity is king when outages last days.”

Where to act fast (deal hunting tips)

• Check retailer flash pages (manufacturer site, major electronics sellers, and deal aggregators) — the Jackery $1,219 and EcoFlow $749 were visible in mid-Jan 2026 flash rounds.
• Use price-tracking extensions and set alert windows for the next 48 hours — these deals often expire quickly.
• Compare bundle vs. separate buys — sometimes a separately discounted panel + coupon equals the bundle price, letting you choose panel brands.

Closing call-to-action — don’t miss the window

If you’re ready to lock in a home backup solution during these limited flash sales, start with the checklist above and pick the unit that meets your downtime target. For most households needing multi-day coverage, the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus at $1,219 is the best price-per-Wh play right now. If you need portability and speed for day-to-day convenience, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max at $749 is a solid, budget-friendly choice.

Act fast — these flash prices are time-limited and inventory moves quickly. Compare specs, run your Wh math, and claim the bundle that matches your outage plan.

Ready to save? Use the checklist, check the current flash pages (include the Jackery 500W bundle if you want solar-ready backup), and grab the deal that fits your household needs before the sale ends.