{
 "schema": "whattobuyfor/v1",
 "type": "comparison",
 "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/power-bank-vs-power-station-for-a-power-cut/",
 "json": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/power-bank-vs-power-station-for-a-power-cut.json",
 "publisher": "What to Buy For",
 "method": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/how-we-build-a-basket/",
 "pricesAsOf": "2026-09-28T07:19:34.388Z",
 "priceNote": "Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.",
 "affiliateDisclosure": "Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.",
 "title": "Power bank or power station for a power cut?",
 "answer": "A power bank, for most homes: the government's emergency kit list includes one to keep your phone charged, and 20,000mAh banks gave four to five phone charges in Which? tests. A power station wins if you need a plug socket through a cut, for a router, lamp or laptop.",
 "published": "2026-09-28",
 "updated": "2026-09-28",
 "noindex": false,
 "kind": "format",
 "table": {
  "columns": [
   "",
   "Power bank",
   "Power station"
  ],
  "rows": [
   [
    "Capacity on the pick",
    "20,000mAh",
    "256Wh"
   ],
   [
    "Phone charges",
    "4 to 5 for a 4,000mAh phone in Which? tests",
    "About 11, Jackery says"
   ],
   [
    "Plug socket",
    "None; USB only",
    "One AC socket, rated at 300W"
   ],
   [
    "Wi-Fi router",
    "No socket for its plug",
    "About 16 hours, Jackery says"
   ],
   [
    "Recharge from the wall",
    "3 to 6 hours for large banks in Which? tests",
    "About 2 hours, Jackery says"
   ],
   [
    "Weight",
    "342g to 450g for large banks tested by Which?",
    "7.7lb, about 3.5kg"
   ],
   [
    "When the power fails",
    "Nothing to switch",
    "Takes over within 20ms as a UPS, Jackery says"
   ]
  ]
 },
 "sections": [
  {
   "heading": "What the government says to have ready",
   "paragraphs": [
    "The government's Prepare campaign lists a battery or wind-up torch, which it calls safer than candles, a portable power bank for your mobile phone, a battery or wind-up radio and spare batteries. Which? adds that a charged phone matters so you can receive emergency messages.",
    "Report a cut on 105 in England, Scotland and Wales, or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland, and keep fridge and freezer doors shut so they stay cold for several hours. If you use medical equipment that needs power, gov.uk says to plan now with your care provider, and to look at the free Priority Services Register."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "What a power station adds",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Which? describes a power station as a massive battery with outlets that can run appliances, noting that it takes a while to charge and can also be charged from solar panels. The pick below has one AC socket rated at 300W.",
    "That covers a router, a lamp or a laptop, not heating. The Centre for Sustainable Energy's appliance table lists an electric heater at 2,000W, well beyond a 300W socket."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Charging and storing safely",
   "paragraphs": [
    "London Fire Brigade advises using the charger that came with a device, or a branded, genuine replacement from a supplier you trust. Do not leave batteries on charge once full or overnight, never cover a charger, and protect batteries from being crushed, punctured or soaked.",
    "Avoid storing or charging them in very hot or cold places; Which? says to keep a power bank at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. If a battery swells, stop charging it at once and do not open the casing."
   ]
  }
 ],
 "picks": [
  {
   "role": "A 20,000mAh power bank to keep phones charged",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/power-bank-vs-power-station-for-a-power-cut/#role-power-bank",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B0CZ9LH53B",
    "name": "Anker Zolo Power Bank",
    "amazonTitle": "Anker Zolo Power Bank, 20,000mAh 30W Portable Charger with Built-in USB-C",
    "brand": "Anker",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31vQmQouUbL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CZ9LH53B",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B0CZ9LH53B.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 34.99,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-28T07:19:34.388Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": {
     "label": "Worth waiting",
     "note": "on offer 22 of 24 days, not today",
     "basis": "our daily price checks"
    },
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:24:51.638Z",
     "rating": 4.5,
     "ratings": 14114,
     "boughtLastMonth": "5K+",
     "categoryRank": null
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 13,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "The built-in USB-C cable means no lead to find or forget",
       "count": 7
      },
      {
       "text": "Fast charging, close to a wall adapter for many phones",
       "count": 8
      },
      {
       "text": "Charges a phone several times over from full",
       "count": 4
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "Heavy for its size, more for a bag than a pocket",
       "count": 4
      },
      {
       "text": "Takes a long time to recharge itself fully",
       "count": 2
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Anker Zolo power bank, 20,000mAh",
    "ourTake": "For phones through a cut, the listing gives 20,000mAh, 30W output and a built-in USB-C cable, so there is no lead to hunt for in the dark. Which? found banks of this size gave a phone four to five charges. Top it up before winter and again after each use."
   }
  },
  {
   "role": "A small power station with a plug socket",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/power-bank-vs-power-station-for-a-power-cut/#role-power-station",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B0CYPKY7NQ",
    "name": "Jackery Explorer 240 v2 Portable Power Station",
    "amazonTitle": "Jackery Explorer 240 v2 Portable Power Station, 7.7lbs Power On the Go",
    "brand": "Jackery",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lLDlPaYIL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CYPKY7NQ",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B0CYPKY7NQ.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 189,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-28T07:19:34.388Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:24:56.042Z",
     "rating": 4.5,
     "ratings": 335,
     "boughtLastMonth": "200+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 2,
      "category": "Outdoor Generators"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 8,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "Runs a laptop and small gadgets from its normal plug socket",
       "count": 5
      },
      {
       "text": "Compact and solidly built, with a carry handle",
       "count": 5
      },
      {
       "text": "Recharges quickly from a wall socket at home",
       "count": 3
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "More a big power bank, running down fast and failing at 200W loads",
       "count": 2
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Jackery Explorer 240 v2 power station",
    "ourTake": "For a router, lamp or laptop through a cut, Jackery lists 256Wh, one AC socket rated at 300W, USB-A and USB-C ports and a two-hour recharge from the wall. It can sit between the router and the wall socket and take over within 20ms, the maker says. It is not built for a heater."
   }
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "GOV.UK Prepare: get prepared for emergencies",
   "url": "https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/get-prepared-for-emergencies/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "GOV.UK Prepare: power cuts",
   "url": "https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/power-cuts/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Which?: should you have an emergency kit?",
   "url": "https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/emergency-kit-packing-list-a68GC3M7vIG2",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Which?: best power banks and portable chargers",
   "url": "https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/portable-power-bank-chargers/article/how-to-buy-the-best-portable-power-bank-charger-aQmpT6A36GXA",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "London Fire Brigade: chargers, batteries and fire safety",
   "url": "https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/electrical-items/batteries-and-chargers/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Jackery UK: Explorer 240 v2 portable power station",
   "url": "https://uk.jackery.com/products/explorer-240-v2-portable-power-station",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Centre for Sustainable Energy: how much electricity am I using?",
   "url": "https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/how-much-electricity-am-i-using/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  }
 ]
}