A backup battery, often referred to as a Uninterruptable Power Supply or UPS, is the perfect system for safeguarding your home from unexpected power outages.
These batteries give you an alternative to mains electricity, so in the unlikely event of an outage, you have a reliable power source that you can draw electricity from. This is ideal for keeping core appliances like your fridge fully powered, as well as for charging important mobile devices like phones in the event of an emergency.
There’s loads of options on the market, from affordable low capacity units to doomsday prepper high capacity systems. These portable power stations are also great for van life, where mains electricity isn’t as easily accessible.
We’ve put together this list covering the best portable power station for van life or home backup for blackouts, and it covers a range of different price points. If you’re unsure whether a portable unit is the right choice, see our comparison of portable power stations vs home batteries.
So, what are our favourite UPS batteries?
Best Options At A Glance
Product Summaries
CyberPower BR1000ELCD-UK BRICs Series
- Brand - CyberPower
- Dimensions - 16.6 x 28.8 x 11.8 cm
- Weight - 5.3 kg
- Capacity - aprx. 600Wh
- Special Feature - Automatic Voltage Regulation
Firstly we have the CyberPower BR1000ELCD-UK BRICs Series. It’s currently selling for £129/$174 on Amazon.
This CyberPower battery backup is perfect if you’re looking for an affordable backup power solution. It has an a 420 watt capacity, and it can be recharged to full in around 8 hours. The battery comes with 6 UK plug sockets as standard (3 surge only and 3 battery + surge). This allows you to power PCs, gaming consoles, surveillance systems, servers, routers and more.
The PowerPanel Personal Edition management software can automatically save computer files and ensure your system shuts down safely in the event of a blackout. You have the option of either USB or serial connection to setup the software and ensure you’re covered.
Another great feature is the GreenPower UPS™ Technology. This helps to keep the system’s energy consumption as low as possible, improving efficiency and saving money for the user in the long run. CyberPower have also included Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to maintain a safe voltage for any connected equipment.
This CyberPower UPS is an ideal choice if you want a reliable backup battery that won’t break the bank.
Buy the CyberPower BR1000ELCD-UK BRICs Series from Amazon for only £129/$174:
Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
- Brand - Jackery
- Dimensions - 30.1 × 19.3 × 23.4 cm
- Weight - 6 kg
- Capacity - 518Wh
- Special Feature - Solar Generator
Next we have the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station. It’s currently selling for £395/$522 on Amazon.
This kit combines a 518Wh portable power station with a 100W folding solar panel, giving you a reliable off-grid charging setup for camping, RV trips, or short family breaks. With a rated output of 500W (1000W peak), it can power laptops, small appliances, lights, and a wide range of outdoor electronics.
In terms of connectivity, the Explorer 500 offers 1 AC outlet, 1 car port, 3 USB-A ports, and 2 DC outputs, making it flexible enough to support multiple devices at once. The solar panel uses MPPT technology to maximise charging efficiency, helping you recharge the battery in daylight without relying on the grid.
At just 6 kg, the Explorer 500 is designed to be portable and easy to use. The foldable panel and carry handle make it simple to pack and set up, while the plug-and-play design keeps things straightforward even if you’re new to solar generators.
The package includes the Explorer 500 power station, SolarSaga 100W panel, AC adapter, car charger cable, and user manual – covering everything you need to get started.
Overall, the Jackery Explorer 500 with SolarSaga panel is a lightweight, practical solar generator bundle, ideal for outdoor trips or as a small-scale backup solution.
Buy the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station on Amazon for only £395/$522:
DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station
- Brand - DJI
- Dimensions - 44.8 x 22.5 x 23 cm
- Weight - 14 kg
- Capacity - 1024Wh
- Special Feature - Quick Charge
Next we have the DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station. It’s currently selling for £579/$765 on Amazon.
The DJI Power 1000 V2 is a compact portable power station built for home backup, travel, and outdoor use. It features a 1024Wh LFP battery and a 2600W output, giving it enough capability to run everything from everyday electronics to higher-demand equipment like tools and small appliances.
Charging speed is one of its strongest points. It can reach around 80 percent in just 37 minutes, which is noticeably faster than many alternatives in this category. This makes it especially useful when you need power quickly, whether you are preparing for a trip or dealing with an unexpected outage.
The unit is designed with safety and longevity in mind. It uses LiFePO4 battery technology alongside an advanced battery management system, helping to maintain stable performance over time. It also runs quietly, which makes it a good fit for indoor use or overnight operation in camper vans.
There are also some practical extras included. High-output USB-C ports support fast charging for modern devices, while the built-in UPS function allows for a near-instant switch during power cuts to keep essential equipment running.
Overall, the Power 1000 V2 combines fast charging, strong output, and a compact design, making it a versatile option for backup power and portable energy use.
Buy the DJI Power 1000 V2 Portable Power Station on Amazon for only £579/$765:
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station
- Brand - Anker
- Dimensions - 45.9 x 25 x 25.7 cm
- Weight - 18.9 kg
- Capacity - 2048Wh
- Special Feature - Expandable Capacity
Another high-quality backup battery is the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station. It’s currently selling for £1549/$2046 on Amazon.
The BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 is a high-capacity portable power station designed for reliable backup power, off-grid use, and outdoor applications. With a 2073.6Wh LFP battery and a 2600W AC output, it can run multiple devices at once – from smaller electronics to more demanding household appliances.
A key highlight is its long lifespan, with over 6000 charge cycles thanks to durable LiFePO4 battery technology. This makes it well suited for regular use over many years, whether for home backup or frequent travel.
Charging performance is also strong. With TurboBoost and built-in MPPT support, the unit can reach around 80% in under an hour using combined charging, while solar compatibility adds flexibility for off-grid setups.
The power station includes multiple output options and app connectivity for monitoring usage in real time. While still portable, its 24.2 kg weight reflects its larger capacity, making it better suited to semi-portable use.
Overall, the Elite 200 V2 combines high capacity, fast charging, and long-term durability, making it a practical option for backup power and off-grid energy needs.
Buy the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station from Amazon for only £1549/$2046:
BLUETTI Elite 300 Solar Generator
- Brand - BLUETTI
- Dimensions - 36.6 x 30.5 x 29.5 cm
- Weight - 26.3 kg
- Capacity - 3014Wh
- Special Feature - Smallest & Lightest 3kWh Power
Next we have the BLUETTI Elite 300 Solar Generator. It’s currently selling for
The BLUETTI Elite 300 Solar Generator is a high-capacity power solution designed for home backup, off-grid use, and extended outdoor trips. With a 3014.4Wh LFP battery and 2400W AC output, it provides enough power to run multiple devices simultaneously, including larger appliances when needed.
This bundle includes two 200W solar panels, allowing you to recharge using renewable energy. Under typical conditions, a full solar recharge takes around 7–15 hours, making it a practical option for longer off-grid stays or emergency situations.
Performance is well balanced, with a 4800W surge capacity to handle high-demand devices during startup. The inclusion of a 12V/30A DC port also makes it particularly useful for RV setups, powering equipment like portable fridges and other travel essentials.
Despite its large capacity, the unit is relatively compact for a 3kWh system, though at 26.3 kg it’s best suited to semi-portable use. The durable LFP battery technology also ensures a long lifespan and consistent performance over time.
Overall, the Elite 300 offers a strong combination of capacity, solar capability, and versatility, making it a solid choice for backup power, camping, and RV use.
Buy the BLUETTI Elite 300 Solar Generator from Amazon for only £2997/$3959:
Comparison Of The Best Portable Power Stations
We’ve compared the top portable power stations at a glance. Below you’ll find key details like capacity, estimated mobile phone charges, and standout features, so you can quickly decide which option best fits your backup, camping, or off-grid power needs.
| 🔋 Product | 🏷️ Brand | ⚖️ Weight | ⚡ Capacity | ⭐ Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberPower BR1000ELCD-UK | CyberPower | 5.3 kg | ~600Wh | Automatic Voltage Regulation |
| Jackery Explorer 500 | Jackery | 6 kg | 518Wh | Solar Generator Capability |
| DJI Power 1000 V2 | DJI | 14 kg | 1024Wh | Ultra-Fast Charging |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | Anker | 18.9 kg | 2048Wh | Expandable Capacity |
| BLUETTI Elite 300 | BLUETTI | 26.3 kg | 3014Wh | Compact 3kWh System |
FAQs
Your household energy consumption and the amount of time you want to be able to use electricity in an emergency situation are the main two considerations when deciding on the size of a backup battery.
The average household uses around 7-10 kWh of electricity per day, but this is largely dependant on the number of people in the house as well as the number of high-consumption devices. This means that if you want to be able to use electricity for half a day in a blackout, you need a backup battery with a 3-5 kWh capacity. If you want to continue to use your electricity for a full day or more, you’ll need a battery with a 7-10 kWh capacity.
To work out your daily energy consumption, you can multiply the hourly energy consumption of key appliances like fridges and washing machines by the number of hours that you use them per day. Adding the total daily energy consumption of each of your appliances together will give you a total figure for your daily household energy consumption. You can then use this figure to help guide your decision on the battery capacity required to run your home.
A 10 kW battery should be able to power an average home for 10-12 hours, but this is largely dependant on the energy consumption of the home.
A low consumption household might only use 5 kWh per day, whereas a high consumption may use as much as 12 kwh per day.
To work out how long a 10kW battery will power your house, work out your total daily energy consumption. Adding the daily energy consumption of each of your appliances together will give you your daily household energy consumption. You can then divide the 10kW capacity of a battery by your daily kW consumption, giving you a figure for the number of days it could power your home. For example, if your daily household energy consumption was 20kW, a 10kw battery could run your home for 0.5 days.
There are plenty of high-capacity power stations available, but the Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 stands out as one of the more capable options. It offers a 2048Wh capacity as standard, with the option to expand further using additional battery modules for increased storage. Anker also backs the unit with a solid warranty and reliable build quality, giving you added confidence whether you’re using it for home backup or off-grid power.
If you want something that’s a bit more affordable, the CyberPower BR1000ELCD-UK BRICs Series is great value for money.
The Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 is a powerful portable power station designed for more demanding backup and off-grid use. With a high-capacity battery, it’s well suited to setups like van life, home backup or running multiple devices during longer outages.
One of its standout features is its expandable design. You can connect additional battery units to increase overall capacity, making it a flexible option if your power needs grow over time. This makes it particularly useful for users who want to start with a single unit and scale up into a more capable backup setup.
Thanks for reading our article covering the best portable power station for van life or home backup power. If you want a broader overview of how different backup options compare, see our guide to backup power for homes.
If you’re interested in off-grid living, you may want to check out our article covering the Best Caravan Solar Panel Kit UK.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help.
