Freezing temperatures are on the way, and winter power outages are a real possibility. If the power goes out tonight, how will you keep warm? Here are five essential low-wattage devices to help you get through a UK power outage.
Many tech enthusiasts think a portable power station like the Jackery 1000 v2 is all you need. But here’s the catch: if you run a 1500W fan heater, the battery will be flat in under 40 minutes.
Having the correct devices is the key to surviving a winter blackout rather than simply having a large battery.
1) The ”All Night” Lifesaver: Silentnight Electric Blanket
Power Draw: -40W
Runtime on the Jackery 1000 v2 22+ Hours
Heating a whole room overnight with a battery isn’t practical. Heating just yourself is much more efficient.
The Silentnight single electric blanket uses about 40 watts on its highest setting. You can run it on your Jackery 1000 v2 for over 22 hours straight. Stay toasty warm and sleep all night long in a freezing house.
Why I chose this: It’s fleece-lined, heats up fast, and costs pennies to run.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket:
4 Settings, Machine Washable, ULtra Fast Heat-up, Super Cosy
Price: £25.49
2) The ”Grid-Friendly” Kettle: Quest 600W Travel Kettle
Power Draw: 600W
Boils per Charge: 25+Boils
If you connect a standard 3000W kitchen kettle to your power station, the inverter may trip immediately or you may quickly use 5% of your battery charge.
This 600W low-wattage kettle, originally designed for caravans, is recommended. It takes longer to boil, but it saves on battery power. Having hot tea or a meal during a power outage can significantly boost morale.
For best efficiency, boil only what you need. A 600W kettle is already efficient, but half-filling it for one cup of tea almost doubles the amount of tea you get from the charge of your battery.
Why I chose this: it collapses for storage and won’t trip the inverter.
Quest 600W Travel Kettle
0.5L capacity, Dual Voltage, Portable and Lightweight, Includes 2 Cups
Price: £13.25
3) The ”Instant Heat” Blast 500W Mini Ceramic Heater
Power Draw: 500W
Runtime on Jackery 1000 v2: -1.5 Hours
Warning: Do not run this all day.
Electric heat is energy-expensive. However, having a small 500W heater is perfect for ”short burst” heating. Use it for 15 minutes to warm up the tent before bed, or to take the chill off the bathroom.
Unlike a 2kW heater, which depletes your battery in minutes, this 500W version gives a controlled flow of heat without destroying your runtime.
Why I chose this: it has a ”tip-over” switch for safety and is tiny enough to store in a drawer.
Russell Hobbs 500W Ceramic Heater
Heats Up to 10 m2 Room Size, 2 Fan Speeds, Small and Compact, Variable Thermostat.
Price: £13.02
4) The ”Endless Light” USB Rechargeable Camping Lantern
Power Draw: 5W (Recharging)
Recharges on Jackery: 100+ Times
Candles can be romantic, but they are also a fire hazard. Modern LED camping lanterns are incredibly bright and charge via USB.
Because they use such tiny internal batteries, they can be recharged through your Jackery USB ports hundreds of times without even noticing a battery draw. Hang one in the living room and one in the kitchen, and your house will feel normal again.
Why I chose this: In warm light mode it doesn’t feel like a hospital.
Blukar Camping Lantern
7 Lighting Modes, Long Battery Life, Lasts up to 10 Hours Per Charge, Warm White Light.
Price: £14.99
5) The ”Zero Watt” Backup: The Humble Hot Water Bottle
Power Draw: 0W (Uses the Kettle Water)
Sometimes the old ways are best. Once you’ve boiled the water in your 600W kettle, fill a hot water bottle. It stays warm for 4-6 Hours and uses no electricity to maintain heat.
If you’re keeping your Jackery battery for essentials (like your phone or CPAP machine), this is the best way to stay warm.
Volila Hot Water Bottle
Super Soft Cover,Hand Pocket, High Quality Material, Leak Resistant Screw.
Price: £12.99
Verdict: Don’t wait until the lights go out. The best time to buy is not when the power cuts, but now, while Amazon is shipping and there are still stocks.
If you don’t have a power station yet, the Jackery 1000 v2 is still the best option in the UK at the moment. (Especially with the current flash sale). Remember: The battery is only half the battle. You need the low-wattage gear to make it last.
Get the Jackery 1000 v2 Deal Here
Bonus Tip for Sleep Apnea Users: If you need to run a CPAP machine during a power cut, do not use the standard UK 3-pin socket plug. Read our guide on How to Run a CPAP on a Power Station to double your battery runtime.
