UK suburban home during a winter power cut with the street in darkness except for one warm-lit room powered by a compact teal-glowing portable power station.

Top 5 Backup Power Mistakes UK Homeowners Make (2025 Guide)

Choosing the right portable power station size can be confusing — but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s the exact method UK homeowners can use to find the perfect size and avoid common pitfalls.

At VoltReady™, we simplify the decision so you can choose confidently. Let’s walk through a clear process step-by-step.

Step 1: Identify what devices you need to run

Most UK households want to keep a few key things online during a blackout:

  • Wi-Fi router and modem – roughly 20–30 W.
  • LED lighting in a couple of rooms – around 30–60 W.
  • Phone and tablet charging – 10–40 W total.
  • Fridge/freezer – 60–120 W on average once running.

Step 2: Calculate the total wattage

Add your device wattage together to get a rough total. Then pick how many hours you’d like it to run. The simple rule of thumb is:

Watts (W) × hours (h) ≈ watt-hours (Wh) of battery capacity you need.

For example, if your total is 300 W and you want roughly five hours of backup, you’re looking at 1,500 Wh. That’s the ballpark figure — near enough is fine, you just don’t want to be wildly undersized.

Step 3: Use real-world examples from VoltReady™

Here’s how a few popular units map to everyday situations:

  • Bluetti EB3A – A 268 Wh / 600 W unit perfect for Wi-Fi, phones and a few lamps in smaller homes or flats.
  • Bluetti AC60P – A higher-capacity model for laptops, small kitchen appliances and camper-vans.
  • Bluetti AC200P – A serious system (2,304 Wh / 2,400 W) for multiple appliances and longer runtimes in full-size homes.

Step 4: Consider recharging and solar input

Battery size is only part of the story. If you can’t recharge it during an outage, you’ll run out of power sooner. That’s where solar panels come in. A folding panel from our Solar Panels UK collection can top up your system each day and keep you running for longer.

Step 5: Think ahead — expansion and future proofing

Opting for a system that supports expansion batteries (like our range from Bluetti) means you’re covered for future needs without replacing your main unit entirely.

What about budget vs performance?

Smaller starter units under 500 Wh are great for flats or short outages. But for serious backup in UK homes, you’ll often want 1,000–2,000 Wh systems. The key is matching your usage, your budget and your peace of mind.

Ready to find your match?

Use our Backup Power Calculator, then browse our Portable Power Stations collection and top hits like the Bluetti AC180P.

With the right size in place, you’ll navigate the next UK power cut with confidence — not hesitation.

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