Portable power station vs generator for a blackout
For most homes, and for anyone in a flat, a portable power station is the better first buy: it is silent, has no fumes so it can be used indoors, and around 1,000 Wh keeps lights, phones and a router going for three days. A generator makes sense for houses with a garden that need to run a fridge, a freezer or a pump for days, but it must run outdoors, at least 6 m (20 ft) from windows and doors, because of carbon monoxide.
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The difference in one minute
| Portable power station | Generator | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A large rechargeable battery with sockets | An engine that burns fuel (usually petrol) to make electricity |
| Where it runs | Indoors or out | Outdoors only, at least 6 m (20 ft) from windows, doors and attached garages |
| Noise | Silent (a small fan at most) | Noticeable; inverter models are quieter |
| How long it lasts | Until the battery is empty; recharge with solar, a car or the mains | As long as you have fuel and refuel safely |
| Fumes | None | Carbon monoxide: a CO alarm is a must |
| Maintenance | Charge it every few months | Oil, fuel that goes stale, regular test runs |
| Best for | Flats, lights, phones, router, CPAP, short fridge runs | Houses that must run a fridge, freezer or pump for days |
Start with what you need to run
Write down each device you want to keep going, its power in watts (on the label or measured with an energy meter) and how many hours a day it needs. Watts × hours gives watt-hours (Wh) per day. Two numbers matter:
- Peak power (W): the most you’ll run at once. A kettle or microwave needs far more than lights and a router.
- Energy (Wh): the total over the outage. That is what a power station stores and what a generator makes from fuel.
A worked example, using round numbers: LED lights (20 W for 5 hours = 100 Wh), a router (10 W for 24 hours = 240 Wh) and phone charging (about 50 Wh) add up to roughly 390 Wh a day, so about 1,200 Wh for three days. A power station around 1,000 Wh covers most of that, and a solar panel tops it up. Add a fridge or freezer and the numbers grow fast: a fridge averaging 50 W uses about 1,200 Wh a day on its own. Check your own appliances, because real figures vary a lot.
Rule of thumb: you get roughly 85% of a power station’s rated capacity as usable mains power, because of conversion losses. This is an estimate; check the maker’s figures.
When a power station is the right choice
- You live in a flat or have no safe outdoor spot far from windows.
- Your outage plan is about light, communication, a router for working from home, and charging phones.
- Someone uses a CPAP machine or another low-power medical device (check with the doctor and the device maker).
- You want something you can also take camping and recharge from a solar panel.
Our picks are in the best portable power station guide; for brand differences see EcoFlow vs Jackery vs Bluetti.
When a generator makes sense
- You have a house with a garden or yard where it can run well away from the building.
- You need to keep a freezer, a well pump, a sump pump or heating controls going for several days.
- Outages in your area are long and frequent, for example in rural areas hit by storms.
If you go this way, an inverter generator is quieter and gives cleaner power for electronics than a basic open-frame model. Check local rules on noise and on storing fuel at home.
Generator safety, from Ready.gov
- Use it only outdoors, at least 6 m (20 ft) from windows, doors and attached garages. Never in a garage, shed, basement or enclosed balcony, even with the door open.
- Fit carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of the home. See the NHS guide to carbon monoxide poisoning for the symptoms.
- Keep it dry and protected from rain; touching a wet generator can cause electric shock.
- Connect appliances with heavy-duty outdoor extension leads. Never plug it into a wall socket.
- Let it cool before refuelling: fuel spilled on a hot engine can ignite.
The middle way: power station plus solar
For many homes the best answer is neither extreme: a power station of around 1,000 Wh plus a foldable solar panel, and a cool box for the fridge food. On sunny days the panel can recharge a good part of the battery; on grey winter days much less, so don’t count on it in winter. For whole-home backup with more batteries, see our home backup power kit.
Our picks
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | Most homes and flats | 1,056 Wh, silent | Check price on Amazon |
| EcoFlow River 3 | Light use and small flats | Compact, portable | Check price on Amazon |
| Bluetti AC180 | A good all-rounder | 1,152 Wh | Check price on Amazon |
| Foldable solar panel | Recharging without the grid | Around 200 W | Check price on Amazon |
| Inverter generator | Houses with a garden, long outages | Outdoors only | Check price on Amazon |
| Carbon monoxide alarm | Any home with a generator or stove | Battery powered | Check price on Amazon |
We don’t list prices because they change often. Use the button to see the current price on Amazon.
Getting ready for a long outage? Read how to prepare for a 72-hour power outage.
Questions people ask
Can I use a portable power station indoors?
Yes. It is a large battery with sockets and produces no exhaust, so it is used indoors like a laptop charger. Keep it ventilated, dry and away from heat, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I run a generator in the garage or on a balcony?
No. Ready.gov says generators must be used outdoors and at least 20 feet (6 m) from windows, doors and attached garages. Carbon monoxide can build up in garages and enclosed balconies and drift into the home.
How long will a 1,000 Wh power station run a fridge?
It depends on the fridge. Divide the battery’s usable capacity (roughly 85% of its rating) by the fridge’s average draw. For example, a fridge averaging 50 W would run roughly 17 hours on a 1,000 Wh station. Measure your own fridge with an energy meter.
Can I plug a generator into a wall socket?
Never. Feeding power into your home wiring can electrocute you, your neighbours or utility workers. Plug appliances into the generator with heavy-duty extension leads, or have an electrician fit a proper transfer switch.
Which is better for a flat?
A power station. Generators need outdoor space well away from windows, and storing fuel in a flat is a fire risk. Add a solar panel if you have a balcony that gets sun.
Keep reading
- /best-portable-power-station/
- /ecoflow-vs-jackery-vs-bluetti/
- How to prepare for a 72-hour power outage
- /kits/pro-home-backup/
- Best power bank for emergencies