Power cuts in the UK are usually short, but when a storm brings the lines down in winter they can last hours or even days. A portable power station is the simplest way to keep the essentials going: your Wi-Fi, a few lights, phones and, with the right size, the fridge-freezer.
This guide covers what a power station can and can’t run in a power cut, how long it will last, and the models we’d pick for UK homes. We compared them on specs, UK prices and warranty. We haven’t tested them ourselves.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Capacity | Output | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024Wh | 1,800W | Best overall: router, fridge, lights |
| Bluetti Elite 100 V2 | 1,024Wh | 1,800W | Best value 1kWh |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | 2,048Wh | 2,400W | Longer cuts and bigger homes |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | 2,073.6Wh | 2,600W | Most capacity and output |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 | 245Wh | 300W | Budget: Wi-Fi, lights and phones |
Prices are approximate UK prices (RRP or typical retailer price) when we checked in November 2026. They change often, so use the buttons to see today’s price.
What can a power station run in a power cut?
A power station is a big rechargeable battery with normal UK three-pin sockets. In a power cut you simply plug things into it. Two numbers matter:
- Capacity (Wh) decides how long it lasts.
- Output (W) decides what it can run at once.
Here’s what typical household kit draws. Check the rating plate on your own appliances, as models vary a lot.
| Appliance | Typical power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband router + fibre box | 10 to 20W | Keeps Wi-Fi and digital landline going |
| LED bulb or lamp | 5 to 10W each | |
| Phone charging | 5 to 20W | |
| Laptop | 45 to 90W | |
| TV (LED, 40 to 50 inch) | 60 to 120W | |
| Fridge-freezer | 30 to 60W on average | Spikes higher when the compressor starts |
| Gas boiler (pump and controls) | around 100 to 200W | Needs an electrician to connect (see below) |
| Microwave | 1,000 to 1,500W | Fine on 1,800W+ units, but drains them quickly |
| Kettle | 2,200 to 3,000W | Too much for most units. Use a low-wattage travel kettle or the hob |
What it won’t do: power your whole house, an electric shower, an electric oven or storage heaters. Those need far more power than any portable unit can give.
How long will it last?
You get roughly 85% of the battery’s capacity as usable power from the sockets, because some is lost converting it to mains power. Here are rough runtimes:
| What you’re running | 1,024Wh unit | 2,048Wh unit |
|---|---|---|
| Router and fibre box (15W) | about 2 days | nearly 5 days |
| Fridge-freezer (50W average) | about 17 hours | about 35 hours |
| Router, fridge, 4 LED lamps, phones (95W) | about 9 hours | about 18 hours |
| Laptop and router (75W) | about 11 hours | about 23 hours |
For your own mix of kit, use our power station size calculator.
A useful trick: you don’t need to run the fridge-freezer the whole time. The Food Standards Agency says a fridge stays cold for up to 4 hours with the door shut, and a full freezer keeps food frozen for up to 48 hours (24 if half full). Running the fridge-freezer for an hour or so every few hours stretches your battery much further.
Why UPS mode matters
Most good power stations now have a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) mode. You leave the power station plugged into the wall, plug your router or computer into the power station, and if the mains drops it takes over in a few milliseconds. Your Wi-Fi doesn’t even blink.
That’s especially useful now that most UK landlines are moving to digital phone lines that run through your broadband router. A digital landline stops working in a power cut unless the router has backup power. Ofcom requires providers to offer a free backup solution giving at least an hour of access to 999 to customers who rely on their landline. A power station on UPS mode can keep it running far longer.
Our picks for power cuts
1. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus: best overall
The DELTA 3 Plus is the one most homes should look at first. Its 1,024Wh battery will keep your router, lights and phones going overnight, or run a fridge-freezer for most of a day. EcoFlow quotes a 10ms UPS switchover, so a desktop computer or router plugged into it should carry on without dropping out.
- Capacity: 1,024Wh, LiFePO4, 4,000 cycles to 80%
- Output: 1,800W continuous, 3,600W surge, 4 UK sockets
- Charging: full in about 56 minutes from the wall; up to 1,000W solar
- Expandable: add EcoFlow extra batteries for longer cuts
- Weight: about 12.5kg
Watch out for: at full price it costs more than the Bluetti below, so it’s worth waiting for a deal.
2. Bluetti Elite 100 V2: best value
The Elite 100 V2 matches the DELTA 3 Plus on capacity and output for less money, and also has a 10ms UPS switchover. It’s a little lighter too, at 11.5kg.
- Capacity: 1,024Wh, LiFePO4, 4,000+ cycles
- Output: 1,800W continuous
- Charging: 80% in 45 minutes from the wall; up to 1,000W solar
- Weight: 11.5kg
Watch out for: 1kWh won’t stretch far over a multi-day cut if you’re running a fridge-freezer. If that’s a worry, look at the 2kWh units below.
3. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max: best for longer cuts
If you live somewhere rural where cuts can last a day or more, step up to 2kWh. The DELTA 3 Max doubles the capacity to 2,048Wh and puts out 2,400W, enough to run a fridge-freezer for well over a day, or a microwave and lights together. It has a built-in UPS mode too.
- Capacity: 2,048Wh, LiFePO4
- Output: 2,400W continuous, 4,800W surge, 4 UK sockets
- Charging: about 68 minutes from the wall; up to 500W solar
- Weight: about 20.3kg
Watch out for: at 20kg it’s a lift, not a carry. Pick a spot near the fridge and router and leave it there.
4. Bluetti Elite 200 V2: most capacity and output
The Elite 200 V2 holds 2,073.6Wh and has the most output here at 2,600W. Bluetti quotes a 15ms UPS switchover, which is fine for routers, fridges and most electronics. It also takes up to 1,000W of solar, so you can top it up during a long cut if you have panels.
- Capacity: 2,073.6Wh, LiFePO4, 6,000 cycles
- Output: 2,600W continuous
- Weight: 24.2kg
Watch out for: it’s the heaviest pick here, and 15ms is slower than the 10ms units. Some sensitive desktop computers may restart on a slower switchover.
5. EcoFlow RIVER 3: budget pick for Wi-Fi and lights
If you only want to keep the internet, a lamp and your phones going, you don’t need a big box. The RIVER 3 holds 245Wh, enough to run a router and fibre box for well over 12 hours, and has a fast UPS mode. At 3.55kg you can put it on a shelf next to the router and forget about it.
- Capacity: 245Wh, LiFePO4
- Output: 300W (600W with EcoFlow’s X-Boost for simple appliances)
- Weight: 3.55kg
Watch out for: it won’t run a fridge-freezer for long, so it’s for the small stuff only.
Can it run my gas boiler?
Most gas boilers need electricity for the ignition, pump and controls, so the central heating stops in a power cut even though the gas is still on. A boiler only draws roughly 100 to 200W, so a 1kWh power station could keep it running for several hours.
The catch is that most UK boilers are wired straight into a fused spur, not a plug. Don’t try to rewire it yourself. A qualified electrician can fit a plug-and-socket connection or a proper changeover switch so the boiler can be safely run from a power station. Check your boiler’s manual first, too.
Power cut safety tips
- Never connect a power station to your home’s wiring by plugging it into a wall socket. It can back-feed the mains and put engineers working on the line at risk. Whole-home backup needs a changeover switch fitted by a qualified electrician.
- Don’t run a petrol generator indoors, in a garage or near windows. Generators produce carbon monoxide. Power stations don’t, which is why they’re safe to use inside. See our guide to power stations vs petrol generators.
- Keep it charged. Top it up every few months, and fully charge it when a storm warning is issued.
- If someone in your home relies on medical equipment, don’t rely on a power station alone. Make a plan with their care team and join the Priority Services Register (below).
What to do when the power goes off
- Call 105. It’s a free number that puts you through to your local electricity network operator, whoever your supplier is. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643. If someone’s life is at risk, call 999.
- Join the Priority Services Register. It’s free, and gives extra support in a power cut to older people, people with medical needs, families with young children and anyone who may need extra help. Sign up through your energy supplier and network operator.
- Check for compensation. If you’re cut off for a long time, you may be entitled to compensation. Details are on PowerCut105.com.
- Keep the fridge and freezer shut and check on neighbours who might need help.
Frequently asked questions
What size power station do I need for a power cut?
For Wi-Fi, lights and phones, 250 to 500Wh is enough for a typical evening cut. To keep a fridge-freezer going as well, choose around 1,000Wh. If you live in a rural area where cuts can last a day or more, go for 2,000Wh. Our size calculator will work it out for your kit.
Can a power station run a fridge-freezer?
Yes. A fridge-freezer averages roughly 30 to 60W, though it draws more when the compressor kicks in. Any of our 1kWh picks will run one for most of a day, and a 2kWh unit for well over a day.
Is a power station better than a generator for power cuts?
For most homes, yes. It’s silent, gives off no fumes so it’s safe indoors, and needs no fuel. A generator still wins for very long cuts, as long as you can run it safely outside. Our power station vs generator guide compares them in detail.
Can I charge a power station during a power cut?
Only from solar panels or a car’s 12V socket, which are both slow. That’s why it pays to keep it fully charged. Our solar panel guide covers panels that work with these units.
Will my landline work in a power cut?
Old copper landlines did, but digital landlines that run through your broadband router won’t unless the router has backup power. A power station on UPS mode keeps the router going. If you rely on your landline, ask your provider about the free battery backup Ofcom requires them to offer.