Winter · Power Cuts · Backup Power

Best Portable Power Station UK 2026: Our Picks for Power Cuts and Home Backup

Eight portable power stations compared for UK homes: what each will actually run in a power cut, for how long, and a calculator for your own appliances.

Published 16 October 2026 · prices checked 16 October 2026

£199–£2,799
Our eight picks
1kWh
Enough for most evening cuts
105
Free number to report a power cut
10–20ms
UPS switchover on most picks

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect what we recommend.

The short answer

For most homes, a 1kWh power station is the right size. It keeps a router, lights, phone chargers and a fridge-freezer going for about 8 hours, and a router on its own for days.
Best value: the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 at £419 when we checked. Best all-rounder: the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic at £499. Best value 2kWh: the Anker SOLIX S2000 at £649.
Look for a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) feature, so a router or computer plugged into it doesn't even notice the cut.
A power station won't run your central heating unless an electrician has wired the boiler to a plug or fitted a transfer switch. Most boilers are hard-wired.
Portable power station running a lamp and Wi-Fi router in a dark UK living room during a power cut
A 1kWh power station keeps a router, a lamp and phone chargers going through a typical evening power cut.

The best portable power stations in the UK

We compared the power stations EcoFlow, Jackery and Anker SOLIX sell in the UK on what matters in a power cut: usable capacity, output, how fast they switch over, battery type and price per kWh. All eight use LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries, which last for thousands of charge cycles and are the safest lithium chemistry for use indoors. Prices are from each brand's own UK store on 16 October 2026 and change often, especially around sales.

ModelCapacityOutputSwitchoverPrice£ per kWh
Jackery Explorer 1000 v21,070Wh1,500W≤20ms£419£392
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic1,024Wh1,800W10ms£499£487
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 21,024Wh2,000W<10ms£599£585
EcoFlow RIVER 3 (UPS)245Wh300W<20ms£199£812
Anker SOLIX S20002,010Wh1,500W<10ms£649£323
Jackery Explorer 2000 v22,042Wh2,200WNot listed£807£395
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus v22,048Wh2,400W10ms£949£463
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 34,096Wh4,000W10ms£2,799£683
Best Value for Power Cuts

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2

1,070Wh · 1,500W output · UPS switchover in 20ms or less · LFP battery

Capacity
1,070Wh
Output
1,500W
Switchover
≤20ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
9 hours

The cheapest way we found to get a full kilowatt-hour of backup. It runs a Wi-Fi router, lights, phone charging and a fridge-freezer through a typical evening cut, and a router alone for days. Its 1,500W output covers most things except kettles, heaters and other heating appliances. The UPS function switches over in 20 milliseconds or less, so a router or desktop computer plugged through it stays on when the power goes.

Not expandable: if you might want more capacity later, look at the 2000 Plus v2.

Best price per kWh hereUPS for router or PCLFP battery
Best 1kWh All-Rounder

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic

1,024Wh · 1,800W output (2,400W with X-Boost) · 10ms emergency switching · LFP cells

Capacity
1,024Wh
Output
1,800W
Switchover
10ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
8 hours

Similar capacity to the Jackery for £80 more, with more output and faster switching. The 1,800W output (and X-Boost for some higher-wattage devices) gives more headroom for a microwave or a hair dryer in a long cut, and the 10ms switchover suits desktop computers and networking kit. EcoFlow's app shows exactly what you are drawing and how long is left.

X-Boost lowers the voltage to run high-wattage devices, so heating appliances run at reduced power.

10ms switchover1,800W outputGood app
Fastest to Recharge

Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2

1,024Wh · 2,000W output (3,000W peak) · under 10ms UPS · full recharge in 49 minutes

Capacity
1,024Wh
Output
2,000W
Switchover
<10ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
8 hours

The most powerful 1kWh unit here, and the quickest to refill: Anker's HyperFlash charging takes it from empty to full in 49 minutes at the wall. That matters when cuts come and go during a storm, because you can top it up in the gaps. The 2,000W output runs a microwave or kettle for short bursts, and the under-10ms UPS keeps a router, PC or CPAP machine running. Its time-of-use mode can also charge it on cheap overnight electricity.

£100 more than the DELTA 3 Classic for the same capacity, so only worth it if you value the faster charging and extra output.

49-minute recharge2,000W outputUnder 10ms UPS
Best for Wi-Fi and Home Working

EcoFlow RIVER 3 (UPS)

245Wh · 300W output · UPS version · under 30dB

Capacity
245Wh
Output
300W
Switchover
<20ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
2 hours

If what you need most is to keep working through a cut, this small unit sits between the wall and your router, laptop or monitor and takes over in under 20 milliseconds. A typical router runs for well over a day on it, and it is quiet enough to leave on the desk all the time. It won't run a fridge-freezer for long and isn't meant to.

Only 245Wh: for lights and the fridge as well, choose a 1kWh model.

Smallest and cheapestSilentGood desk UPS
Best Value 2kWh

Anker SOLIX S2000

2,010Wh · 1,500W output · under 10ms UPS · LFP rated for 10,000 cycles · 16.2kg

Capacity
2,010Wh
Output
1,500W
Switchover
<10ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
16 hours

Anker's new 2kWh unit is the cheapest way to double your backup: £649 when we checked, less than some 1kWh models were a year ago. At 16.2kg it is light for its size, so one person can carry it. It keeps a router, lights, phones and a fridge-freezer going through a full night, and its under-10ms UPS suits home offices and CPAP machines. The trade-off is output: 1,500W covers most essentials, but not a kettle or a 2kW heater.

New model: Anker says it starts shipping on 24 October, so check the delivery date when you order.

Lowest price per kWh hereUnder 10ms UPS10,000-cycle battery
Best 2kWh for Bigger Appliances

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2

2,042Wh · 2,200W output · LFP battery rated for 4,000 cycles

Capacity
2,042Wh
Output
2,200W
Switchover
Not listed
Router, lights, phone & fridge
17 hours

Twice the capacity of the 1kWh models, with more output than the Anker S2000. That is enough to keep a fridge-freezer, router, lights and phones going through a long evening and night, or a router and a few lights for several days. The 2,200W output also copes with a microwave or an induction hob ring for short spells.

Jackery doesn't list a UPS switchover time for this model, so use the 1000 v2 or 2000 Plus v2 for a router or PC.

2kWh for the price of many 1.5kWh units2,200W outputLong cycle life
Best Expandable

Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus v2

2,048Wh, expandable to 12kWh · 2,400W output · 10ms UPS

Capacity
2,048Wh
Output
2,400W
Switchover
10ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
17 hours

Starts at 2kWh and takes up to five add-on battery packs, to 12kWh. That makes it the one to buy if you live somewhere with regular long cuts, or want to grow it into a bigger backup system later. The 2,400W output and 10ms switchover make it the most capable Jackery here.

Heavier than the 2000 v2, and extra battery packs add up quickly.

Expands to 12kWh10ms UPS2,400W output
Best Whole-Home Backup

EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3

4kWh, expandable to 12kWh · X-Boost to 6,000W · 10ms switchover · transfer switch option

Capacity
4,096Wh
Output
4,000W
Switchover
10ms
Router, lights, phone & fridge
33 hours

This is the step from portable backup to home backup. With EcoFlow's manual transfer switch fitted by an electrician, it can power chosen circuits in your home, such as the boiler, fridge, lights and sockets, rather than only what you plug into it. It is a big, heavy unit on wheels, and expensive, so it suits homes with frequent long cuts or someone who relies on powered medical equipment.

The transfer switch must be installed by a qualified electrician.

Can back up home circuits4kWh, expandable to 12kWhQuiet at 30dB
Portable power station plugged into a fridge-freezer in a UK kitchen to keep food cold during a power cut
A fridge-freezer only draws power when its compressor runs, so it averages far less than its rated power.

What can a power station run? Runtime calculator

Tick what you would want to keep running and change the wattages if you know yours. A plug-in energy meter, or the label on the appliance, tells you. We assume about 85% of the battery's capacity is usable, after inverter losses.

What you want to keep running

Total load
n/a
Runs for about
n/a

What size do you need: 500Wh, 1000Wh or 2000Wh?

Capacity, in watt-hours (Wh), is how much energy it stores. Output, in watts (W), is how much it can supply at once. For a power cut, capacity matters more, because most of what you want to keep on draws very little.

If you want to keep running…SizeOur pick
Router, laptop and phones for home working250–500WhEcoFlow RIVER 3
Router, lights, phones and the fridge-freezer through an evening1kWhJackery 1000 v2 or EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic
All of that overnight, or a CPAP machine for several nights2kWhAnker SOLIX S2000 or Jackery 2000 v2
Regular long cuts, or you want to add capacity later2kWh, expandableJackery 2000 Plus v2
Chosen home circuits, including the boiler, via a transfer switch4kWh and upEcoFlow DELTA Pro 3

Heating is the exception. A 2kW electric heater would drain a 1kWh power station in about 25 minutes. In a winter power cut, keeping yourself warm with layers, a heated throw or an electric blanket (about 60W) works far better than trying to heat a room. Our heater vs central heating guide has the running costs.

Can a power station run my gas boiler?

Your gas central heating stops in a power cut, because the boiler needs electricity for its controls, fan and pump. The boiler itself uses only a modest amount of power, which a 1kWh or 2kWh power station could supply. The problem is the connection.

Most boilers are hard-wired to a fused spur, not plugged into a socket, so you can't simply plug it into a power station.
An electrician can fit a plug and socket (or a changeover switch) so the boiler can be moved to a power station in a cut. Ask about this at your next boiler service.
A transfer switch, such as the one EcoFlow sells for the DELTA Pro 3, lets a large power station feed chosen home circuits. It must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Never plug a power station into a wall socket to try to power the house, with a double-ended lead or anything else. It is dangerous for you and for engineers working on the lines.
Storm-damaged power lines and fallen tree branches on a rural UK road in winter
Winter storms bring down overhead lines, and rural homes are often the last to be reconnected.

Using a power station as a UPS

Most of our picks can act as a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). You plug the power station into the wall and your router or computer into the power station. While the mains is on, power passes straight through. When the power cuts, the power station takes over in 10 to 20 milliseconds, quickly enough that most routers and computers keep running without restarting.

That makes a power station useful all year, not just in winter: it protects a home office from short dips and cuts, and keeps the broadband up so you can check your network operator's power cut map on your phone.

Small portable power station acting as a UPS for a Wi-Fi router and laptop on a home office desk
With a UPS function, the power station takes over in milliseconds, so the router and laptop stay on.

Be ready for a power cut this winter

1
Know the number: 105
Call 105 free from any phone in England, Scotland and Wales to report a power cut or get an update from your local network operator.
2
Join the Priority Services Register
If someone in your home relies on medical equipment, is over pension age, or has a disability or young children, register with your network operator and supplier. You may get advance warning of planned cuts and extra help during long ones.
3
Keep the power station charged
Top it up once a month, or leave it plugged in as a UPS. A power station left half-charged in a cupboard is little use when the lights go out.
4
Plan what goes on it
Router, lights, phones and the fridge-freezer first. Keep the fridge and freezer doors shut, and food stays cold for several hours even without power.
5
Have torches and layers ready
Battery or rechargeable torches, warm layers and blankets. Never use a camping stove, barbecue or petrol generator indoors.

Using a power station safely indoors

Power stations make no fumes, so unlike a petrol generator they are safe to use indoors. Keep them on a hard, flat surface with space around the vents.
LFP batteries, used by all eight picks, are much less prone to overheating than older lithium chemistries.
Plugging appliances into a power station needs no electrician. Connecting one to your home's wiring does, and that work has to meet the wiring regulations.
A portable power station that you plug things into isn't a fixed home battery, so the new rules on where fixed batteries can go don't apply to it. Our battery rules guide explains the difference.

Also useful for camping and campervans

The same power station that keeps your fridge going in a winter cut will run lights, a cool box, a laptop and phone charging on a camping trip, and many people buy one for both. For a tent or a weekend away, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 is small enough to carry easily. For a campervan or longer trips, a 1kWh model such as the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 covers more, and most of our picks can be recharged from a portable solar panel.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best power station for power cuts in the UK?

For most homes, a 1kWh model with a UPS feature. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (£419 when we checked) is the best value, and the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic (£499) has faster switching and more output. For overnight cuts, the Anker SOLIX S2000 (£649) is the cheapest 2kWh model we found.

How long will a power station run a fridge-freezer?

A fridge-freezer only draws power when its compressor is running, so it averages around 50W. Allowing for about 15% losses, a 1kWh power station runs one for about 17 hours on its own, or about 8 hours alongside a router, lights and phone charging. Check your fridge's label or measure it with a plug-in meter for a better figure.

Can a power station run my central heating?

Only if the boiler can be connected to it. Most gas boilers are hard-wired, so you would need an electrician to fit a plug and socket or a changeover switch first. The boiler itself uses modest power, so a 1kWh or 2kWh unit could keep it running for some hours.

Can a power station run an electric heater?

Not for long. A 2kW heater would drain a 1kWh power station in about 25 minutes, and many units can't supply that much power at once. An electric blanket or heated throw, at around 60–120W, is a far better use of the battery in a winter power cut.

What size power station do I need for a power cut?

For a router, lights, phone charging and a fridge-freezer through an evening, 1kWh. For overnight or for medical equipment such as a CPAP machine over several nights, 2kWh. For home working only, 250–500Wh is enough.

What is UPS on a power station?

UPS stands for uninterruptible power supply. When the power station is plugged into the mains with devices plugged into it, it switches to battery within 10 to 20 milliseconds if the power cuts, so routers and computers keep running without restarting.

What is a portable power station?

A large rechargeable battery with built-in mains sockets, USB ports and an inverter, so you can plug ordinary appliances straight into it. You charge it from a wall socket, a car or solar panels, and it runs your devices silently with no fumes, which is why it can be used indoors in a power cut.

Is a solar generator the same as a power station?

Usually, yes. "Solar generator" is a marketing name for a portable power station sold with, or able to charge from, solar panels. It doesn't generate electricity itself: the panels do, and the power station stores it.

Can I use a power station as a UPS?

Yes, if it has a UPS or emergency power supply feature, as most of our picks do. Plug it into the wall and your devices into it, and it switches to battery within 10 to 20 milliseconds when the power cuts. A traditional computer UPS switches faster but holds far less energy, typically enough for minutes not hours.

Is it safe to use a power station indoors?

Yes. Unlike a petrol generator, a power station makes no fumes, so it is designed for indoor use. Keep it on a flat, hard surface with space around the vents, and never connect it to your home wiring yourself.

How do I report a power cut in the UK?

Call 105 free from any phone in England, Scotland and Wales. It puts you through to your local network operator, which can tell you the cause and when power should be back.

Thinking bigger than a power station?

A home battery charges from solar or cheap overnight electricity every day, and some can back up your home in a power cut too.

See the Best Home Batteries →

Published 16 October 2026. Capacities, outputs, switchover times and prices are from EcoFlow's, Jackery's and Anker SOLIX's UK online stores, checked on 16 October 2026; prices change often. Runtimes assume about 85% of rated capacity is usable after inverter losses, and appliance wattages in the calculator are typical figures, so measure your own for a better estimate. The 105 power cut number covers England, Scotland and Wales.