A portable power station is a large rechargeable battery with UK plug sockets and USB ports. It's silent, fume-free and safe to use indoors — unlike a petrol generator.
Step 1: List what you want to run
| Device | Typical power |
|---|---|
| Phone charging | 10–20W |
| Wi-Fi router | 10–15W |
| LED lamp | 5–10W |
| Laptop | 45–90W |
| CPAP machine | 30–60W |
| Fridge (average over time) | 50–100W |
Check your device labels for real figures — these are rough guides.
Step 2: Work out capacity (Wh)
Multiply watts by hours, add them up, then add about 20% headroom. Example: router (12W) + lamp (8W) + laptop (60W) for 6 hours ≈ 480Wh → choose at least ~600Wh.
Step 3: Check the output
The continuous output (in watts) must be higher than everything running at once. Kettles and heaters need 2,000W+ — most power stations can't run them for long.
What else to look for
- Pure sine wave inverter for medical and sensitive electronics.
- LiFePO4 battery — more charge cycles and generally safer.
- Solar input if you want to recharge without mains power.
- UK plug sockets and a UK warranty.
See our home backup power kit.