Our take
The Blackout Buddy is built for one job: sit plugged in behind your refrigerator and take over automatically when the power goes out. That hands-off design is its biggest strength, especially for people who may not be home or able to react during an outage. The trade-offs are a modest 600 W output with only two AC outlets, a 1,200 W peak that may be tight for some refrigerator compressors, slow solar charging with panels sold separately, and a warranty length that is not stated on the product page.
Good fit if you
- Want automatic fridge or freezer backup with no setup during an outage
- Need to cover a CPAP or small devices overnight
- Prefer a slim unit that stays in place
- Like the option to link up to four units
Look elsewhere if you
- Need to run several devices at once
- Have a large or older refrigerator with a high start-up surge
- Want USB ports or a portable all-purpose station
- Rely on fast solar recharging
Key specifications
| Battery capacity | 1,030 Wh |
| Expandable | Up to four units linked, 4,120 Wh total (manufacturer) |
| Continuous AC output | 600 W, pure sine wave |
| Peak output | 1,200 W (duration not stated) |
| Outlets | 2 AC outlets (110–120 V) |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) |
| Rated cycle life | 4,000 cycles (manufacturer) |
| Automatic switchover | About 20 milliseconds after an outage (manufacturer) |
| AC recharge time | About 2 hours (manufacturer) |
| Solar recharge time | 15–18 hours with one 100 W panel; panels sold separately (manufacturer) |
| Weight | 35 lb |
| Warranty | Length not stated on the product page; 90-day satisfaction trial advertised |
| Price | $1,299 at 4Patriots on October 16, 2026 |
Source: 4Patriots product page, checked October 16, 2026. Prices, availability, and promotions change often.
How it works
Unlike a typical portable power station, the Blackout Buddy is designed to stay plugged into the wall with your refrigerator plugged into it. While grid power is on, it keeps itself charged. When the power drops, it switches the connected appliance to battery power automatically. 4Patriots also includes a magnetic remote display so you can check status without pulling the fridge out.
The page does not describe the unit as a computer-grade UPS. If you plan to connect sensitive electronics that reset during brief interruptions, confirm compatibility with the manufacturer first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Automatic switchover with no action needed during an outage
- LiFePO4 battery with a high rated cycle count
- Slim design meant to sit behind or beside an appliance
- Fast roughly 2-hour wall recharge
- Can be linked for more capacity
Cons
- Only 600 W continuous and two AC outlets
- 1,200 W peak may not start every refrigerator compressor
- No USB ports listed
- Slow solar charging, and panels cost extra
- Warranty length and maximum solar input not stated on the product page
What 1,030 Wh means in an outage
Using our standard planning estimate of about 85% usable capacity, the Blackout Buddy would deliver roughly 875 Wh to your appliance. These are our estimates, not test results:
- Refrigerator: about 14 hours for a fridge using 1.5 kWh per day, or about 21 hours at 1.0 kWh per day. 4Patriots states up to 34 hours for a full-size refrigerator, which implies a very efficient model of roughly 0.6 kWh per day.
- CPAP: 4Patriots lists about 60 hours for a basic 15 W CPAP. With a heated humidifier, expect far less. See our CPAP outage guide.
- Chest freezer: efficient chest freezers use less energy than refrigerators, so runtime can be longer.
Start-up surge is the key question. Refrigerator compressors briefly draw several times their running wattage. At least one customer review on the product page describes the unit shutting down with an error when connected to a refrigerator, which the company attributed to start-up surge. Test it with your own appliance soon after purchase, within the return window. Our refrigerator runtime guide explains how to check.
Company reputation
On Trustpilot, 4Patriots had a TrustScore of 2.4 out of 5 from 542 reviews when we checked on October 11, 2026. Negative reviews commonly mention customer service delays, shipping problems, and difficulty with returns or warranty claims; positive reviews mention helpful staff and products that worked well. Confirm warranty length and return terms in writing before you buy.
Alternatives to consider
If you need more outlets, more output, or a portable station for the whole house, consider a larger unit such as the 4Patriots Patriot Power 2200X or the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max. Many full-size power stations also offer a pass-through or UPS-style mode; check each model's switchover specification.
FAQ
Does the Blackout Buddy turn on automatically?
Yes. According to 4Patriots, it switches to battery power within about 20 milliseconds of an outage while the appliance stays plugged into it.
Can it charge from solar?
Yes, with a compatible 100 W or 200 W panel sold separately. 4Patriots states 15–18 hours to recharge with one 100 W panel.
Is it safe to use indoors?
It is a battery unit with no exhaust, and 4Patriots describes it as safe for indoor use. Keep it ventilated and away from heat sources.
Will you test it?
It is on our list. When we test it, this page will show measured results and a score.