A typical American household maintains a stocked refrigerator (and freezer) with between $100 and $500 worth of groceries. Much of this food is perishable if the power goes out for more than a few hours. With this in mind, doesn’t it make sense for you to protect your refrigerator with an emergency backup power supply that automatically activates within milliseconds after your home experiences a loss of power?
The 4Patriots Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply is a powerful rechargeable battery pack that can keep your refrigerator or freezer running for up to 34 hours once traditional power goes out. And best of all, the power bank operates silently and generates no fumes.
4Patriots Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply
A few months ago, I tested the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator Alphacase Elite. Based on my positive experience with that product, when the company offered to send me a review unit of the 4Patriots Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply, I jumped at the opportunity to see it in action.
Living in New England, losing power for a few hours at a time due to harsh weather happens periodically. If this is a common event where you live, this battery backup solution for your refrigerator (which also works with a wide range of other equipment) is a viable option for keeping your food or medicine cold anytime the power goes out.
I discovered the 4Patriots Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply works with any modern refrigerator (or freezer) make and model. It’s easy to set up, and since it’s a mere 2.5 inches thick, you can place it next to, behind, or on top of your existing refrigerator or chest freezer unit.
The device itself comes with a stand or can be mounted to a wall. You can then set up the device to activate automatically in the event of a power outage, even if you’re not home. When connected to a refrigerator or freezer, the Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply runs continuously for up to 12 hours or in cycle mode for up to 34 hours.
How Long the 4Patriots Backup Buddy Can Keep Your Equipment Running
The table below provides examples of how long the 4Patriots Backup Buddy can keep one piece of equipment running. However, the device can power multiple devices simultaneously, but its charge will be depleted faster.
| Device | Hours of Continuous Use | Hours with Cycling |
| Refrigerator (120W) | Up to 12 hours | Up to 34 hours |
| Chest Freezer (200W) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 129 hours |
| Television | Up to 17 hours | |
| LED Lamp | Up to 103 hours | |
| CPAP Machine | Up to 20 hours | |
| Insulin Pump (15W) | Up to 69 hours | |
| Hearing Aid Charger | Up to 206 hours | |
| Oxygen Concentrator (400W) | Up to 2.5 hours | |
| Cell Phone (5W) | Up to 206 hours | |
| Laptop (45W) | Up to 23 hours |
Keep reading to learn more about my experience testing this power backup device. It can provide added peace of mind and save you money over time by keeping food stored in your refrigerator or freezer unit cold and fresh.
Specifications
- Price: $997.00.
- Continuous Power Output: 600 watts (AC).
- Peak Power Output: 1,200 watts (AC).
- Battery Capacity: 1,030 watt-hours.
- Battery Type: Lithium-Iron-Phosphate.
- Battery Life Cycles: More than 4,000.
- Expandable Capacity: Up to 4 units.
- Operating Temperature Range: 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Total Outlets: 2x Pure Sine Wave 110-120V.
- Weight: 34.6 pounds.
- Dimensions: 21.8 inches long by 14.9 inches wide by 2.5 inches high.
- Recharge Time: 2.1 hours using a wall outlet (or 2 hours with three solar panels in optimal sunlight).
Pros
- Responds to a power failure in 20 milliseconds.
- Provides 600 watts of continuous power.
- Cycles refrigerator for up to 34 hours (12 hours of continuous power).
- Compatible with 4Patriots’ solar panels.
- Generates zero fumes and operates silently.
- Slim design.
Cons
- Expensive.
- The metal casing collects fingerprint smudges.
- Solar panels sold separately.
What Is the 4Patriots Backup Buddy and What Can It Do?
In a nutshell, the 4Patriots Backup Buddy is a rechargeable battery that can be charged to hold enough power for keeping a refrigerator or other equipment within your home running anytime there’s a power failure.
Unlike many portable power banks and battery-based generators, this one is very thin, so it can easily be placed near a refrigerator or chest freezer, and then be activated within milliseconds after a power failure is detected. This means whether you’re at home or not, you can maintain peace of mind knowing that the perishable food (or medications that require refrigeration) will be kept cold and edible.
Over time, this can save you money, since you won’t have to throw away food that’s gone bad because it could not be stored at the proper temperature during a storm, for example.
Because the 4Patriots Backup Buddy has two power outlets that you can plug equipment into, the device can be used to power or recharge other devices, too. This includes medical equipment, mobile devices (including a laptop, smartphone, and tablet), or small appliances (such as a TV or a lamp).
Based on your unique needs during a power outage, you’re given flexibility regarding how you’ll use the available power stored by the 4Patriots Backup Buddy.
With this in mind, this device was designed for use in conjunction with a refrigerator or chest freezer. 4Patriots, as well as other well-known brands (such as Bluetti and Jackery), offer battery-based power units with more outlets, that can store more power, and that provide additional flexibility in terms of how and where they’re used.
Some of the features that set the Backup Buddy apart from competitors are its slim design, multiple outlet output, and the ability to daisy chain up to four of these devices together to have additional power readily accessible when and where it’s needed. It also uses pass-through power, so the Backup Buddy can be kept plugged into an electrical outlet to remain fully charged, and also plugged into a device or appliance that you want it to power if there’s a power failure. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the device’s one year standby time, knowing the battery will remain charged for use when it’s needed. As a result, the device is ready to provide emergency power 24/7 and activates when it’s needed.
I also like that there’s an option to recharge the 4Patriots Backup Buddy using up to three optional 200-watt, plug-and-play solar panels (sold separately) in as little as two hours. Yet another standout feature of the 4Patriots Backup Buddy is that it comes with a separate magnetic display that can be positioned near the battery pack, but in an easily viewable area.
This wired display provides pertinent information in real-time, such as the battery’s charge level, current power usage, estimated runtime (based on what’s plugged into it and being used), and incoming solar power. The information provided helps users plan how they’ll take advantage of the power that’s available. A series of colored LED lights located on the opposite side of the device from the outlets also provide a visual status report.
And because this is a battery-based power generator, it does not rely on gas, diesel, or propane, so it runs silently and creates no fumes. It can be safely used indoors without special ventilation. While the unit can’t power your entire home, like a traditional generator, the 4Patriots Backup Buddy offers a considerably lower cost solution that requires next to no maintenance. It can efficiently be used to keep one or two essential pieces of equipment or devices running during a power failure. This unit is not waterproof, so it’s not designed to be taken on a camping trip or used outdoors.
When used inside your home, expect the internal battery to offer up to 4,000 lifecycles, which means you can get up to 11 years of reliable service from the Backup Buddy even if it’s used daily. Keep in mind, the Backup Buddy provides up to 600 watts of continuous power and a 1,200 watt startup surge.
Working with the 4Patriots Backup Buddy
Setting up and initially charging the 4Patriots Backup Buddy is a straightforward process. The included directions provide step-by-step directions. The unit can be positioned upright using the provided stand, or mounted on a wall. It can also be laid vertically on top of a refrigerator, for example. Everything needed to set up and begin using the device (including cables) is included, although solar panels (which is one option to recharge the unit) are sold separately.
The majority of the input ports and outlets are located on the side of the unit, although one outlet, the solar panel connectors, and the remote’s port are located on top. The outer shell of the unit is made from shiny steel. As I was initially setting up the Backup Buddy, I noticed that this steel housing attracts fingerprint smudges and other dirt, so it needed to be wiped down periodically to maintain its smooth and shiny exterior. This is solely a cosmetic issue, however.
The simplistic design of the device itself should not be confused with its ability to perform the task it was designed for. And the placement of the two power outlets and LED status lights, along with the remote display, gives the unit added versatility in terms of how it’s positioned while in use.
My Final Thoughts: Is the 4Patriots Backup Buddy Worth It?
If you’re not familiar with 4Patriots, it’s a Nashville-based, family-owned business that was founded in 2008. The company’s core goal is to offer a variety of high-quality tools, products, and resources for those interested in emergency preparedness. The company has grown to employ more than 200 people.
Over the years it has generated more than one billion dollars in revenue, having catered to the needs of more than eight million customers. Another thing that sets this company apart is its 90-day, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee on all of its products. Free shipping on all orders is also provided. The company’s customer service department is also based in America and is supported by a team of emergency preparedness experts.
Overall, I found the 4Patriots Backup Buddy is a well-made product that performs exactly how the manufacturer describes. While the device has a slim design, it weighs in at 34.6 pounds (so it’s heavier than it looks). This is because the Backup Buddy is bundled with a powerful and reliable lithium-iron-phosphate battery and other quality components – all designed to last for years of hassle-free use.
4Patriots Backup Buddy Emergency Power Supply
The quality is instantly obvious as soon as you unpack and begin handling the device. Like all of the 4Patriots products I have tested, the Backup Buddy lived up to expectations and worked flawlessly right out of the box. It provides what I believe is a good value for the almost $1,000 investment, especially if you’re someone who likes to be prepared for extreme weather and other emergencies.
