How to choose a generator or power station
Whether you need backup power for a power cut or electricity at the campsite, the right choice comes down to how much power you need and where you will use it.
1. Work out how much power you need
Add up the running watts of everything you want to power at the same time. Appliances with motors, such as fridges and pumps, need extra power for a few seconds when they start, so look at the surge or peak rating too.
| Appliance | Typical running watts |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router | 10–20W |
| Laptop | 50–100W |
| LED TV | 60–150W |
| Fridge freezer | 100–250W (higher at start-up) |
| Microwave | 800–1200W |
| Kettle | 2000–3000W |
2. Petrol inverter or battery power station?
Petrol inverter generators
Best for long run times and higher loads away from home. Inverter models produce clean, stable power that is safe for laptops and TVs. They must only be used outdoors because of exhaust fumes.
Portable power stations
Silent, fume-free and safe indoors, so they are ideal as home backup and for camping. Capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh): a 1000Wh unit can run a 100W load for roughly 8–9 hours. Many can be recharged from solar panels.
3. Features worth having
- LiFePO4 battery for thousands of charge cycles.
- UPS or fast switchover to keep a router or PC running during a power cut.
- Eco mode on petrol models to save fuel and reduce noise.
- Parallel capability to link two generators for more power.