Government says households need a power bank – I've tested the models worth trusting in a blackout
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
The government has urged households to prepare for up to three days of disruption. From pocket-sized power banks to larger batteries, here are some ways to keep your tech charged
How long would your tech last if the power went off and stayed off? It’s a question many people have started considering after the government encouraged households to prepare for up to three days of disruption to everyday services, including electricity, water and communications.
The "emergency checklist" includes essentials such as drinking water, food that doesn’t need cooking, a torch and a charged power bank. And it's the power banks that could cost the most - especially if you want something that will keep all your tech ticking over for a few days.
There are plenty of options on the market, from pocket-sized chargers to substantial batteries with mains sockets. The right choice depends on what you want to keep running, and for how long.
We’ve rounded up a selection of portable power stations, power banks and other charging solutions worth considering, whether you want a backup for emergencies or something useful for camping trips and days out.
Cheap and cheerful - INIU 10,000mAh power bank from Amazon
A small portable power bank like this one needn't be expensive. A 10,000mAh capacity is a good benchmark to aim for, because it should be able to charge most smartphones up completely twice, and £20 is a small price to pay to have a few days of communication at your fingertips.
The bigger option - Jackery Explorer 300D
If you want to ensure you've got your smartphone, torch, tablet, and even your laptop charged up during a blackout you'll need more capacity. And this Jackery Explorer 300D has the equivalent of around 77,800mAh, so it's big enough to keep all kinds of 12v devices powered for a few days.
Off-grid for a while - Bluetti Elite 100 V2
For more serious power demands, and if you want to power something with a three-pin plug, you'll need a portable power station. This is a brilliant deal for a Bluetti electric generator that could charge anything you fancy off USB, and small AC devices through its two front-mounted plug sockets.
Running the house - EcoFlow Delta 3 Max
For serious power that can run any appliance in the house - even the kettle if you like - these big portable power stations are exactly what you need. Imagine how many times you could top up your phone with a monster like this. You could even use a hair dryer.
Believe it or not, they get much bigger. EcoFlow, for example, does a Pro version of the Delta 3 - and it costs £2,799. That's for serious off-grid tech addicts though.
Staying topped up - USB solar panel
If you are considering a portable power station, it's well worth getting a compatible solar panel. Even on a dull day they'll charge slowly, topping up the battery bank a bit.
But USB solar panels are also worth a look. These provide power to a USB socket and they can charge your tech whenever the sun shines enough.
This 40 watt solar panel on Amazon is a good deal at £59.99, or there's a 60w panel on offer for just £69.99.
Other ways to keep the lights on
Batteries
It might sound a bit obvious, but just having a good batch of batteries in stock is always a good idea. This pack of 24 batteries, in the common AA and AAA sizes, caught our eye for just £8.99.
Car USB chargers/inverters
It's worth remembering that, if you've got a car sat outside your house, you've got a massive generator waiting to give you power. You'd need to run the engine to sustain power without flattening the battery, but have one of these £15.97 USB chargers ready to plug into the cigarette lighter socket and you'll always have some power to hand.
Petrol generator
It might feel like a bit of a last resort these days, but a petrol generator is an easy way to provide healthy amounts of power around your house, providing you have enough fuel to hand.
They're cheaper than you might think, too, with this one costing just £199. Sometimes the old ways are the best, especially in an apocalypse.