Out in a field, a yard with no supply or a barn at the far end of the farm, running a cable isn’t always practical. A portable power station can run lights, chargers and many power tools away from the mains, quietly and without fumes. For an electric fence, though, it’s often not the best answer.
This guide covers what a power station can and can’t run on a farm, smallholding or yard, the honest truth about electric fencers, and the models we’d pick. 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 Max | 2,048Wh | 2,400W | Best overall for tools and lambing sheds |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | 2,073.6Wh | 2,600W | Most output for bigger tools |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024Wh | 2,000W | Lighter unit with strong output |
| Leisure battery + solar panel | 75 to 110Ah | 12V only | Electric fencers |
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 on a farm?
The key number for tools is output (W). Motors also take a big burst of power when they start, called surge, so leave some headroom. Here’s what typical kit draws. Always check the rating plate on your own tools.
| Kit | Typical power | Will a 2kW+ unit run it? |
|---|---|---|
| LED floodlight | 30 to 100W | Yes, for many hours |
| Cordless tool battery charger | 50 to 300W | Yes |
| Drill | 500 to 900W | Yes |
| Small angle grinder (115mm) | 700 to 1,100W | Yes |
| Circular saw | 1,200 to 1,800W | Usually, on a 2,000W+ unit |
| Large angle grinder (230mm) | 2,000 to 2,400W | Only the biggest units, and not for long |
| Pressure washer | 1,500 to 2,200W | Small ones, on a 2,000W+ unit |
| Air compressor | 1,100 to 2,200W | Small ones only; the start-up surge is high |
| Arc or MIG welder | 3,000W and up | No. Use a generator or mains |
Runtime is the other limit. A 2,000Wh unit gives roughly 1,700Wh of usable power, so a 1,000W grinder runs for about an hour and a half of actual cutting. That’s plenty for repairs in the field, but not a full day’s fabrication.
For your own mix of kit, use our power station size calculator.
Electric fencers: the honest answer
A battery fence energiser runs on 12V and uses very little power. Gallagher’s B300, for example, draws about 200mA at full power, which is roughly 2.4W, or about 58Wh a day. Gallagher says it runs for about 12 days on a 12V 85Ah battery.
You could run that from a power station’s 12V socket, and a 2kWh unit would last around a month. But for most people, a power station is the wrong tool for a fence:
- Cost: a 12V leisure battery costs a fraction of a power station.
- Theft: a power station left in a field for weeks is an expensive thing to lose.
- Weather: power stations aren’t built to sit outside in the rain.
The better setup for a fence is a 12V deep-cycle leisure battery (not a car battery, which wears out quickly when it’s run down day after day), plus a small solar panel and charge controller to keep it topped up.
Where a power station does make sense is as a charger: take the flat leisure battery back to the yard and recharge it from the power station, or use the power station to charge it in the field while you’re working.
Our picks for farm and yard work
1. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max: best overall
For a farm or yard, 2kWh is the sweet spot. The DELTA 3 Max holds 2,048Wh and puts out 2,400W with a 4,800W surge, so it handles drills, small grinders, chargers and lambing shed lights with ease. It recharges from the wall in about 68 minutes, so you can top it up between jobs.
- 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 one to move on a quad, trailer or pick-up, not by hand across a field.
2. Bluetti Elite 200 V2: most output
The Elite 200 V2 has the most output here at 2,600W, which gives more headroom for tools with a hard start, like compressors and bigger saws. It holds 2,073.6Wh, takes up to 1,000W of solar, and is rated for 6,000 cycles.
- Capacity: 2,073.6Wh, LiFePO4, 6,000 cycles
- Output: 2,600W continuous
- Weight: 24.2kg
Watch out for: it’s the heaviest pick, so plan where it’ll live.
3. Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2: lighter, with strong output
If you don’t need 2kWh, the C1000 Gen 2 has the most output of the 1kWh units we’ve looked at: 2,000W continuous with a 3,000W peak. At 11.3kg it’s light enough to carry, and Anker claims a full recharge in about 49 minutes.
- Capacity: 1,024Wh, LiFePO4, 4,000 cycles to 80%
- Output: 2,000W continuous, 3,000W peak
- Charging: about 49 minutes from the wall; up to 600W solar
- Weight: 11.3kg
Watch out for: half the capacity of the 2kWh units, so heavy tools will drain it in well under an hour.
Tips for using a power station on the farm
- Check the rating plate first. Tools with motors draw a surge when they start. If the running power is close to the unit’s limit, it may cut out.
- Keep it dry and off the ground. Use it in the cab, under cover or on a pallet, not on wet ground or in the rain.
- Strap it down. On a quad, trailer or pick-up bed, secure it so it can’t slide or tip.
- Don’t leave it out. Bring it in at night, both for security and because lithium batteries shouldn’t be charged below freezing.
- For welding, use a generator. Welders need far more power than a portable battery can give. If you use a generator, run it outside, well away from buildings. See our guide to power stations vs petrol generators.
Frequently asked questions
Can a power station run an electric fence?
Yes, from its 12V socket, and it would last weeks. But a 12V leisure battery with a small solar panel is cheaper, less tempting to thieves and better suited to being left outside. A power station is more useful for recharging the leisure battery.
Can a power station run an angle grinder?
A small 115mm grinder, yes, on most 1,000W+ units. A 230mm grinder pulls 2,000W or more, so you’d need one of the 2,400W+ units, and it would drain even a 2kWh battery quickly.
Can a power station run a welder?
No. Arc and MIG welders need 3,000W or more, beyond any of these units. Use a generator or a mains supply.
What size power station do I need for a farm?
For lights, chargers and occasional tool use, 1kWh is enough. For regular tool work or lambing shed lighting through the night, go for 2kWh. Our size calculator will work it out for your kit.
Can I charge it with solar on the farm?
Yes. Folding solar panels plug straight into all of these units. In a British summer a 200W panel can add around 0.8 to 1kWh on a good day, much less in winter. See our guide to the best portable solar panels in the UK.