Home backup power for a long power cut: big power stations and solar battery kits compared (2026)

The longest-lived battery we list: BLUETTI rates the Elite 200 V2's LiFePO4 cells for 6,000+ cycles to 80%, about 70% more than the 3,500+ it quotes for the older AC200MAX, and backs it with a five-year warranty. 2,073Wh and 2,600W of output run a fridge-freezer, boiler controls, router and lights together, with a 3,900W lifting mode for simple resistive loads, and it recharges to 80% in just over an hour. BLUETTI quotes 16dB at low loads, which matters if it sits in a living room overnight. The trade-off against the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus at a similar price is expansion: this unit cannot take an extra battery, so 2kWh is the ceiling, and its switchover is 15ms rather than 10ms.

Best for A whole household through a day-long power cut — fridge-freezer, boiler controls, router, lights and phones — in a fixed-capacity unit built to last.

• LiFePO4 rated for 6,000+ cycles to 80% — the highest cycle rating of any unit we list — with a five-year warranty
• 2,600W output (3,900W lifting mode) with 2,300W AC charging: 80% in about 1.1 hours
• 1,000W of solar input, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control, and four selectable UPS modes

• Not expandable: 2,073Wh is the ceiling, where the DELTA 3 Max Plus grows to 10kWh
• 24.2kg — it lives where it is plugged in
• 15ms UPS switchover rather than the 10ms of BLUETTI's smaller units; fine for a router, worth checking for anything more sensitive

Who shouldn't buy it: Your realistic power cut is a few hours: a 1kWh unit covers the fridge and phones for that at half the price and weight. And if you plan to grow into a multi-battery home-backup system, buy an expandable unit instead — this one is complete as sold.

A genuine step up on the outgoing 2000 Plus — noticeably lighter for the same 2kWh capacity, with a LiFePO4 cell rated for thousands of cycles. It isn't cheap, but it's built to still be working a decade from now. Its 2200W inverter briefly surges to 4400W for motor start-ups, and the LiFePO4 cells are rated for years of weekly cycling.

Best for Whole-home backup during power cuts, and off-grid trips

• LiFePO4 battery rated to 4,000 cycles — Jackery quotes roughly 10 years of typical use
• Around 35% lighter and smaller than the outgoing Explorer 2000 Plus for the same capacity
• Fast recharge — around an hour to full from the mains

• No modular expansion battery — unlike the discontinued 2000 Plus, capacity is fixed at 2042Wh
• Still a big outlay for a single-unit power station

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to scale capacity over time — the 2000 Plus it replaces took add-on battery packs up to 12kWh; this model doesn't, so buy for the capacity you'll actually need.

The DELTA Pro 3 is the top of EcoFlow's portable range: 4,096Wh, 4,000W output rising to 6,000W with X-Boost, 2,600W of solar input and expansion to 12kWh. EcoFlow rates the LiFePO4 pack at 4,000 cycles to 80%. It is a wheeled suitcase-style unit, 51.5kg without extra batteries, built for people who want to run a fridge, freezer and kitchen appliances together. Next to the DELTA 3 Max Plus it offers twice the capacity and a third more output at more than twice the weight; most households will be well served by the smaller unit.

Best for Several days of whole-home essentials and heavy kitchen appliances at once, if you can handle a wheeled 51.5kg unit.

• 4,096Wh and 4,000W, enough to cover several appliances at once
• Up to 2,600W of solar input and expansion to 12kWh
• Wheels and a pull handle, and a rated 4,000 cycles to 80%

• 51.5kg is not a unit to lift; plan where it lives and where it is used
• Costs more than twice as much as the 2kWh units, which suit most single-fridge needs
• One long-term reviewer had the unit cut its output twice with a fault warning that a full power cycle cleared, so keep the reset steps to hand

Who shouldn't buy it: You only need a fridge, router and phones covered: a 1kWh unit does that for a fraction of the cost and weight. Whole-house backup that needs to switch automatically also needs an electrician and a proper changeover, not just this unit.

The home-backup pick in EcoFlow's current range. 2,048Wh and a 3,000W output mean it runs a fridge-freezer, the boiler's pump and controls, the router, lights and chargers at the same time, and X-Boost stretches it to 3,900W for simple resistive loads. It recharges from empty in 68 minutes, takes 1,000W of solar, and its extra-battery port expands the system to 10kWh, which is what separates it from the plain DELTA 3 Max. At 22kg it lives where it is plugged in. EcoFlow does not publish a cycle-life figure for this model on its UK page, which is unusual for the brand, so we have not quoted one.

Best for A whole household through a day-long power cut — fridge-freezer, boiler controls, router, lights and phones together — with room to grow to 10kWh.

• 3,000W output (6,000W surge) runs the fridge-freezer, boiler controls, router and lights together — the step up from the plain DELTA 3 Max, which EcoFlow rates at 2,400W
• Expandable to 10kWh with one or two extra batteries, plus 1,000W of solar input, so it can anchor a proper home-backup setup
• Full recharge in 68 minutes from the mains, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control, and a 10ms UPS switchover

• 22kg: this is a stay-put unit, not a carry-to-the-car one
• EcoFlow's UK page states no cycle-life rating for it, unlike the DELTA 3 (4,000 cycles) — ask before you buy if longevity is your reason
• The full five-year warranty needs registration in the EcoFlow app; unregistered it is three years

Who shouldn't buy it: Your realistic power cut is a few hours, not a day: a 1kWh unit keeps the fridge cold and the phones charged for that, at half the price and weight. And if you have a heat pump or electric heating you hope to run, no portable unit does that — this covers essentials, not heating.

Three kilowatt-hours in 26.3kg: BLUETTI says Frost & Sullivan certifies the Elite 300 as the world's smallest 3kWh portable power station, and it's certainly compact for its capacity. You get 2,400W with 4,800W of surge, 10ms UPS switching, a 140W USB-C port and a 12V 30A socket for a campervan, with a LiFePO4 battery rated for 6,000 cycles. It can't take add-on batteries, and the solar and car cables cost extra. Its £1,399 on 10 October 2026 was a sale price (from £1,599) due to end on 14 October.

Best for A day or more of essentials in a 26kg box

• 3kWh in 26.3kg
• 6,000+ cycle LFP battery
• 10ms UPS, 140W USB-C, 30A 12V

• No add-on batteries
• Solar and car cables extra
• Sale price ends 14 Oct

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if a fridge, router and phones through a day's cut is the job: the 2kWh Elite 200 V2 does that for £500 less.

The DELTA 3 Max is the fixed-capacity sibling of the DELTA 3 Max Plus: the same 2,048Wh capacity at 20.3kg against the Plus's 22.1kg, but with 2,400W of output where the Plus gives 3,000W, 500W of solar input where the Plus takes 1,000W, and no extra-battery port where the Plus grows to 10kWh. EcoFlow quotes a 3-year warranty plus a 2-year extension. It is the choice for someone who knows 2kWh is the ceiling they need and wants it a little lighter than the DELTA 2 Max; anyone who may add batteries later should pay for the Plus.

Best for Two days of fridge and essentials from one 2kWh unit that is lighter than the DELTA 2 Max.

• 2,048Wh and 2,400W in 20.3kg, about 3kg lighter than the DELTA 2 Max
• AC recharge in roughly 68 minutes on the retailer's figure
• LFP pack with an app and a quiet rating of 25dB at 600W stated by a UK retailer

• No expansion port: capacity stays at 2kWh
• Solar input is 500W, half that of the Max Plus
• Five-year cover relies on registering for the extra two years

Who shouldn't buy it: You may want to grow past 2kWh or run heavier loads: the DELTA 3 Max Plus expands to 10kWh. If you only need a fridge, a 1kWh unit costs much less.

Less a power station than the start of a home battery: 2,764.8Wh built in and 3,840W of output from UK sockets, expandable to 19.35kWh with up to six B300K batteries, or 58kWh with three units on a Hub A1. It takes 2,400W of solar through two inputs, refills from the mains in about 70 minutes, and can restart from solar after running flat. The base unit has mains sockets only (USB and 12V need the £249 Hub D1), it weighs 38kg, and its 20ms switchover is slower than the Elite range's 10ms. Its £1,599 on 10 October 2026 was a sale price (from £1,899) due to end on 14 October.

Best for A home battery you can grow from one day to several

• 3,840W from UK sockets
• Expands to 19.35kWh
• 2,400W solar input

• USB and 12V need a £249 hub
• 38kg: it stays put
• 20ms switchover, not 10ms

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to carry it: at 38kg it lives in one place, and the Elite 300 gives 3kWh at 26kg.

BLUETTI's biggest single box: 3,840Wh and 2,600W with 5,200W of surge, on wheels with a telescopic handle, which matters at 39kg. Mains and solar together take it to 80% in 60 to 88 minutes, depending on whether you go by BLUETTI's page or its manual. Against the Elite 300 it holds 27% more but is rated for half the cycles (3,000+ against 6,000+), so for a battery you'll cycle often, the Elite 300 is the longer-lived choice. Its £1,799 on 10 October 2026 was a sale price (from £1,899) due to end on 14 October.

Best for The most energy in one wheel-along box

• 3,840Wh: the most in one box here
• Wheels and a telescopic handle
• 5,200W surge

• 39kg
• 3,000-cycle rating, half the Elite 300's
• No add-on batteries

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you'll cycle it daily, say with solar: the Elite 300's 6,000-cycle battery should last longer.

BLUETTI's 2kWh-class workhorse: 1,843Wh and 2,400W from four UK sockets, a 30A RV port for campervans, and room to add up to four B210P batteries for over 10kWh in all. BLUETTI markets it as IP65 dust- and splash-resistant, but its own manual says not to use it in the rain, so treat that as protection from the odd splash. At 33kg it's heavy for what it holds, and on 10 October 2026 its £1,099 bought less capacity than the £899 Elite 200 V2, so it makes most sense if you'll expand it.

Best for A day of essentials, with room to add batteries later

• Expands to over 10kWh with B210Ps
• Four UK sockets and a 30A RV port
• 6-year warranty

• 33kg: a two-person lift
• Dearer than the bigger Elite 200 V2
• IP65 claim, but not for rain

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you won't add batteries: the Elite 200 V2 holds more, weighs less and costs less.

The same idea at 3,840Wh: a self-heating 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 battery, the same 2,000W inverter, a 60A MPPT controller and two 400W folding panels, for £1,399.99. BLUETTI's Elite 400 holds the same 3,840Wh in one wheeled box with 2,600W of output and charges from the wall in about an hour; this kit adds 800W of panels for less money, but you wire it, buy the battery-to-inverter cables yourself, and with no mains charger in the box it fills from the sun. The 2,000W inverter, not the battery, is the limit on what runs at once.

Best for The most stored energy for the money, with 800W of panels

• 3,840Wh LiFePO4 battery with self-heating
• Two 400W panels and a 60A MPPT controller
• Rated 5,000 cycles

• You wire it; battery-to-inverter cables not included
• No mains charger in the kit
• 2,000W output, and the inverter is rated 0 to 40°C

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want one box on wheels that charges from the wall: look at the BLUETTI Elite 400 or EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3.

Not a power station but the parts to build one: a 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 battery (2,560Wh, rated for 5,000 cycles), a 2,000W pure sine wave inverter, a 40A MPPT controller and a 400W folding panel, for £999.99. That's more battery than a 2kWh power station at the same money, plus a panel, but you connect it yourself, and Renogy's inverter page says the heavy battery cables aren't included: a 2,000W inverter needs 1/0 AWG (about 53.5 mm²) cable, and a fuse to protect it. There's no mains charger in the box, so it fills from the sun, and a British winter gives little of that. The inverter draws 1.3A with nothing plugged in, about 16W by our sums, and is rated for 0 to 40°C, so keep it indoors and switch it off between uses.

Best for The most battery for about £1,000, if you're happy to wire it

• 2,560Wh LiFePO4 battery, rated 5,000 cycles
• 400W panel and MPPT controller included
• 7-year battery warranty

• You wire it; battery-to-inverter cables not included
• No mains charger in the kit
• Inverter rated 0 to 40°C and draws about 16W idle

Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to plug it in and forget it: a 2kWh power station such as the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 charges from the wall to 80% in about 1.1 hours and needs no wiring.

The DELTA 2 Max doubles the DELTA 2's capacity to 2,048Wh and lifts output to 2,400W, with EcoFlow quoting 3,100W under X-Boost. It can take two extra batteries for 6kWh, and 1,000W of solar input is more than most 1kWh units manage. UK reviewers rate it as capable but heavy at 23kg, against about 12kg for the DELTA 2. For a home that wants a day or more of fridge and lighting cover it is a strong middle step; the newer DELTA 3 Max is lighter for the same capacity.

Best for A long power cut with a fridge, freezer, router and a few appliances, if you can live with a 23kg unit.

• 2,048Wh and 2,400W covers a fridge plus a kettle-free set of essentials for much longer than a 1kWh unit
• Expands to 6kWh with two extra batteries
• Up to 1,000W of solar input and a roughly 53-minute AC recharge to 80% on EcoFlow's figures

• 23kg makes it a two-handed lift that reviewers call at the limit of portability
• Fans can be heard under heavy loads on some reviewers' reports, though one long-run test found them unobtrusive at full rated output
• Older design that the lighter DELTA 3 Max now overlaps

Who shouldn't buy it: You will move it often or have steps to climb: the 16.5kg DELTA 3 1500 or a 1kWh unit is easier to handle. If you do not need 2kWh, you are paying for capacity you will not use.

The DELTA 3 1500 sits between the DELTA 3 Plus (1,024Wh) and the 2kWh class, with 1,536Wh, the same 1,800W output and a 16.5kg body. EcoFlow lists expansion to 5.5kWh and a 1,500W AC input that fills it in about 90 minutes. A UK retailer lists a 3,000-cycle LiFePO4 pack, so its cycle rating is below the DELTA 3 Plus's 4,000 on EcoFlow's own figures. It suits a household that finds 1kWh tight for a fridge plus a freezer but does not want the weight of a 2kWh unit.

Best for A middle step between 1kWh and 2kWh: enough for a fridge and essentials for a long evening and next day, at 16.5kg.

• 1,536Wh and 1,800W for 16.5kg, lighter than the 2,048Wh class
• Expands to 5.5kWh and takes 500W of solar
• Full recharge in about 90 minutes from the mains on EcoFlow's figure

• Solar input tops out at 500W, where the DELTA 3 Plus takes 1,000W
• Cycle rating quoted by a retailer is 3,000, below the DELTA 3 Plus's 4,000
• Few independent reviews or owner reports exist for this model yet, and reviewers of the closely related DELTA 3 Plus flag frequent fan noise

Who shouldn't buy it: You have only a fridge to cover: the 1,024Wh DELTA 3 Classic does that for less. If you want heavy appliances or several days of cover, step up to the DELTA 3 Max Plus.