We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
Quick answer: a portable power station is the better choice for camping, campervans, garden offices and keeping essentials going in a power cut. It’s silent, produces no fumes and can be used indoors. A petrol generator is better when you need lots of power for a long time, such as running heavy tools all day on a site, because you can simply refuel it. Many people end up with a power station for everyday use and keep a generator only for heavy jobs.
Power station vs petrol generator at a glance
| Portable power station | Petrol generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Silent, apart from a quiet fan | Loud engine noise |
| Fumes | None | Exhaust containing carbon monoxide |
| Use indoors | Yes: in a house, van, tent porch or shed | Never: outdoors only, well away from doors and windows |
| Power output | Typically 300W to 2,600W | Often higher, so better for heavy loads |
| Runtime | Limited by battery size, until recharged | As long as you keep adding fuel |
| Recharging or refuelling | Mains, car or solar | Petrol, which you need to buy and store |
| Running cost | Cheap: about 26p to fill a 1kWh unit from the mains | Fuel, oil and servicing |
| Maintenance | Next to none | Oil changes, spark plugs, servicing |
| Power cut backup | Many switch over automatically in 10 to 20ms | Must be started manually, outdoors |
The big one: carbon monoxide
This is the most important difference. Petrol generators produce carbon monoxide, a gas you can’t see or smell, which can kill. Health and safety guidance is clear that fuel-burning equipment such as portable generators shouldn’t be used indoors unless it’s designed for it, and that any fuel-burning equipment needs proper airflow and a CO alarm (source).
In practice, that means never running a generator in a house, garage, shed, tent, caravan or campervan, or near an open door or window. A battery power station has no engine and no exhaust, so you can use it right next to you.
Running costs: charging is cheap
A power station is filled from the mains, which is cheap per unit of energy. Under the Ofgem price cap from 1 October to 31 December 2026, electricity costs an average of 26.32p per kWh for direct debit customers (source). That means filling a 1kWh power station costs about 26p, or nothing at all from solar.
A generator burns petrol every hour it runs, even at light loads, and needs oil and regular servicing on top.
Where a generator still wins
Be honest about what you need. A generator makes more sense if you:
- Need to run high-power kit for hours, such as heavy power tools, welders or heaters
- Are somewhere for days with no mains and little sun, and can keep refuelling
- Need power for a building site or event, outdoors, where noise doesn’t matter
Power stations top out at roughly 2,600W among the models we cover, and their battery runs down. Most UK kettles (2,500 to 3,000W) and electric heaters are beyond what typical units can run for long.
Where a power station wins
- Camping and campervans: silent, so you won’t upset neighbours, and safe inside the van
- Garden offices and sheds: no fumes in a small room
- Power cuts at home: keeps your router, fridge, lights and phones going, often switching over automatically
- Allotments and days out: light, easy to carry, no fuel to spill
- Anywhere quiet hours apply, such as campsites
Which should you buy?
- Camping, vans, garden offices, power cuts: a power station
- Heavy tools all day, or long stays with no mains or sun: a generator, used outdoors only
- Both: a power station for everyday use, and a generator kept for the occasional heavy job
Our power station picks
- All-rounder: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus, 1,024Wh, 1,800W
- Best value: Bluetti Elite 100 V2, 1,024Wh, 1,800W
- Most power: Bluetti Elite 200 V2, 2,073.6Wh, 2,600W
See the full comparison in our guide to the best portable power stations in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a petrol generator indoors?
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide, which can build up to deadly levels in enclosed spaces. Only use them outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents.
Is a power station cheaper to run than a generator?
Yes. Filling a 1kWh power station from the mains costs about 26p at the October 2026 price cap, and solar charging is free. Generators need petrol, oil and servicing.
Can a power station replace a generator?
For camping, vans, garden offices and power-cut essentials, yes. For running heavy kit for many hours, a generator is still more practical.
Can a power station run a fridge in a power cut?
Usually, yes. A 1kWh unit can keep a typical home fridge going for many hours, and some switch over automatically when the power drops. Check your fridge’s wattage and the unit’s output.