Best portable power station for blackouts in Europe
For most European households, the Anker SOLIX C1000 is the best portable power station for a blackout: its 1,056 Wh battery runs a router, lights and phones for the full 72 hours. On a tighter budget, the EcoFlow River 3 keeps phones, a lamp and Wi-Fi going for about a day.
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How much power do you need for 72 hours?
Add up what you actually need to keep running. For most homes that is phones, Wi-Fi, a little light and a radio, which comes to roughly 600 Wh over three days. That’s why a 1 kWh station is the sweet spot.
| Device | Typical use | Energy for 72 h |
|---|---|---|
| 2 smartphones | 1 charge each a day | ≈ 90 Wh |
| Wi-Fi router | 10 W, 12 h a day | ≈ 360 Wh |
| 2 LED lamps | 5 W, 5 h a day | ≈ 150 Wh |
| Radio | 2 W, 4 h a day | ≈ 25 Wh |
| Essentials total | Fits a 1 kWh station | ≈ 625 Wh |
| CPAP machine | 40 W, 8 h a night | ≈ 960 Wh |
| Fridge | ≈ 1 kWh a day | ≈ 3,000 Wh |
Real-world output is about 85% of the rated capacity. Check the label on your own devices for exact wattage.
Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Output | Battery | Weight | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 1,056 Wh | 1,800 W | LiFePO4 | ≈ 12.9 kg (28 lb) | €450–€800 | Check price |
| EcoFlow River 3 | 245 Wh | 300 W | LiFePO4 | ≈ 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | €160–€250 | Check price |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh, up to 5 kWh | 1,800 W | LiFePO4 | ≈ 12.5 kg (28 lb) | €600–€1,000 | Check price |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh | 1,500 W | LiFePO4 | ≈ 10.8 kg (24 lb) | €450–€800 | Check price |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1,152 Wh | 1,800 W | LiFePO4 | ≈ 16 kg (35 lb) | €450–€800 | Check price |
The picks in detail
Anker SOLIX C1000
The right size for a 72-hour blackout at a fair price. It covers every essential with room left for a laptop, and a full recharge from the wall takes about an hour if you get warning of a storm.
- Enough for phones, router and lights for 3 days
- Long-life LiFePO4 battery
- Very fast AC recharge
- Heavy at about 13 kg (29 lb)
- Not enough for a fridge for 3 days
EcoFlow River 3
A small, light station for flats and singles. It won’t last three days on Wi-Fi alone, but it keeps phones and a lamp going all weekend and doubles as a router backup.
- Light enough to carry with one hand
- Quiet, fast switchover for routers
- 245 Wh is about one day of essentials
- 300 W output rules out kettles and heaters
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus
Buy this if someone at home depends on a CPAP or you want to keep the fridge cold. Add extra batteries up to 5 kWh and plug in solar for longer outages.
- Expandable capacity
- Strong solar input
- Expensive once expanded
- Overkill for phones and Wi-Fi
Also good
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2. Lighter than the Anker with similar capacity, and simple to use. Pick it if weight matters more than output. Check price
Bluetti AC180. The most capacity in this group, but also the heaviest. Good if it will stay in one place. Check price
How we chose
We only include LiFePO4 models with EU sockets, at least 3,000 charge cycles and a switchover time fast enough for a router. We compare rated capacity against the 72-hour essentials load above, then weigh price, weight and recharge speed. Specs come from manufacturer data sheets and are checked against current EU listings.
Questions people ask
Can a portable power station run a fridge during a blackout?
Yes, but a fridge uses about 1 kWh per day, so a 1 kWh station keeps it going for roughly 20 hours. For three days you need around 3 kWh, an expansion battery or solar panels. Most people are better off keeping the fridge shut and powering essentials.
Is it safe to use a power station indoors?
Yes. Battery power stations produce no fumes, unlike petrol generators, which must never run indoors. Keep the unit dry, ventilated and away from heat.
How long does a power station hold its charge in storage?
LiFePO4 models lose only a few percent per month. Store at around 60–80% and top up every three months so it is ready when the power goes out.
Do I need solar panels?
Not for a 72-hour plan if you size the battery correctly. A panel becomes useful for longer outages or if you want to run a fridge or medical device.
Can a power station work as a UPS for my router or CPAP?
Most models listed here switch over in about 10–30 milliseconds, which keeps routers and most CPAP machines running without a reboot. Check the specific switchover time before relying on it for medical equipment.
Sources
- European Commission: Preparedness Union Strategy, March 2025
- Germany, Federal Office of Civil Protection (BBK): emergency preparedness guide
- Netherlands government: Denk vooruit
- Sweden, Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB): In case of crisis or war
- Manufacturer specification sheets for each model, checked 29 October 2026