Anker SOLIX C300
A practical portable power station with 288Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
The Best Portable Power Stations in the UK (2026)
A portable power station is a big rechargeable battery with built-in mains sockets, USB ports and a 12V output. It runs your gear silently and fume-free, indoors or off-grid, and recharges from the mains, a car or solar panels. This guide explains how to choose the right size for the UK and which models we rate now.
Quick answer
For most UK buyers the right choice is sized to what you actually want to run, not the biggest headline number. The two figures that matter are capacity in watt-hours (Wh), which is how much energy the battery holds, and output in watts (W), which is the most power it can deliver at once. A unit around 500-1000Wh with a 600-1200W output suits camping, caravans and keeping essentials going in a power cut. Favour LiFePO4 cells and a pure sine wave inverter, and add a solar panel only if you genuinely need to recharge off-grid.
Watt-hours vs watts: the two numbers that matter
These two specs are easy to mix up but mean very different things.
- Watt-hours (Wh) = capacity. This is the size of the fuel tank, or how much total energy is stored. A 1000Wh station holds about ten times the energy of a 100Wh one.
- Watts (W) = output. This is the size of the engine, or how much power it can push out at any moment. A device that draws more watts than the inverter is rated for simply will not run, no matter how big the battery is.
So you need enough watts to switch a device on, and enough watt-hours to keep it running for as long as you need. Check both against your kit before you buy. For the full maths, see our [what a power station will run guide](/what-will-a-power-station-run-uk/).
Roughly how long it will run (the runtime maths)
Runtime is approximate, but a simple rule gets you close enough to choose a size. Runtime in hours is roughly the usable watt-hours divided by the device's wattage. Inverters are not perfectly efficient, so knock off around 10-15% for conversion losses (more for very small loads). For example, a 1000Wh station running a 100W device gives roughly 1000 divided by 100, which is about 10 hours, then minus losses leaves around 8-9 hours in practice. The same station running a 500W appliance lasts only an hour or two. Treat every runtime figure, including the manufacturer's, as a best-case estimate that real conditions will reduce.
What a mid-size unit can and cannot run
As a rough guide, a 1000Wh / 1000W class station will comfortably run phones, tablets, laptops, LED lights, a router, a TV, a CPAP machine and a small fridge for a useful stretch, and it can briefly power higher-draw items. What it cannot do is run high-wattage heating appliances for long - electric kettles, fan heaters, toasters, hair dryers, electric ovens and hobs all draw 1500-3000W and will either exceed the output limit or flatten the battery in minutes. Portable power stations are for electronics and essentials, not whole-home heating or cooking.
Battery chemistry: LiFePO4 vs lithium-ion (NMC)
Most stations use one of two lithium chemistries.
- LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) offers a much longer cycle life, often rated for several thousand charge cycles, and better thermal stability and safety. The trade-off is that it is usually heavier for the same capacity. It is the better choice if you want the unit to last for years of regular use.
- NMC lithium-ion is lighter and often cheaper for the same Wh, but typically has a shorter cycle life. It suits occasional or weight-sensitive use.
For a unit you will charge often, LiFePO4 is generally worth the extra weight.
What else to look for
- Pure sine wave inverter: gives clean mains-quality power that is safe for sensitive electronics, motors and medical devices. Avoid modified sine wave for anything delicate.
- Recharge options: mains, 12V car socket and solar. Faster mains charging is convenient; solar matters only if you go off-grid.
- Ports you will actually use: enough AC sockets, USB-A and USB-C (with high-wattage USB-C PD for laptops), and a 12V output for camping gear.
- Weight and handle: bigger batteries are heavy, so check you can carry it to where you need it.
- App and display: a clear screen or app showing input, output and remaining time helps you manage the battery.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying on watt-hours alone and finding the output watts are too low to start an appliance.
- Expecting a portable unit to run a kettle, heater or oven for any length of time.
- Ignoring weight when you need to carry it to a tent or upstairs.
- Paying for solar input you will never use, or assuming a panel is included when it is usually sold separately.
- Overlooking battery chemistry when you plan to charge it often - LiFePO4 lasts far longer.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Anker SOLIX
A practical portable power station with 1024Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#3 
Marbero Portable Power Station
A practical portable power station with 88Wh capacity, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#4 
Jackery Explorer 500
A practical portable power station with 518Wh capacity and solar charging, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#5 
Jackery Explorer 1000
A practical portable power station with 1070Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#6 
Jackery Explorer 240
A practical portable power station with 256Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#7 
Vtoman Jump 600X
A practical portable power station with 299Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#8 
EcoFlow DELTA 2
A practical portable power station with long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#9 
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max
A practical portable power station with 512Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
#10 
AFERIY 2048Wh Power Station
A practical portable power station with 2048Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
What size portable power station do I need?
Match capacity (Wh) and output (W) to your kit. For phones, laptops and camping, a few hundred watt-hours is plenty. For keeping a fridge, router and lights going in a power cut, look at 500-1000Wh or more, and check the output watts are high enough to start your appliances.
What is the difference between watt-hours and watts?
Watt-hours (Wh) measure how much total energy the battery holds, like the size of a fuel tank. Watts (W) measure how much power it can deliver at once, like engine power. You need enough watts to run a device and enough watt-hours to keep it running.
Is LiFePO4 better than lithium-ion?
For most buyers, yes. LiFePO4 lasts far more charge cycles and is more thermally stable and safer, though it is usually heavier than NMC lithium-ion. If you will charge the unit often, LiFePO4 is generally the better long-term choice.
Can a portable power station run a fridge?
A mid-size station around 500-1000Wh can run a small fridge for several hours, as fridges cycle on and off rather than drawing power constantly. Check the fridge's running and start-up wattage against the station's rated and surge output before relying on it.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Anker SOLIX C300 (our score 9.6/10) - A practical portable power station with 288Wh capacity and long-life LiFePO4 cells, best matched to the device wattages and runtime you actually need..