The best power banks for UK power cuts
Prices were checked on 26 October 2026 from the retailer listings named in our sources and change often. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes our rankings.
The quick answer
- Best overall: UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 200W. About 3.9 phone charges, fast enough for a laptop, £59.99.
- Budget pick: INIU B5 20,000mAh. The cheapest charge per phone here (about £8.43 per charge).
- Longest power cuts: UGREEN Nexode 48,000mAh 300W. About 7.7 phone charges.
- For a school bag or handbag: Cuktech 10 Mini 10,000mAh. Small, light, £21.24.
Do you need one at all?
The Government's 72-hour plan names charged power banks as one of the essentials, because your phone is your torch backup, your news, and how you reach family and the 105 power cut line. If you already own a power bank, check it holds a charge before buying another. You probably don't need a big power station unless someone relies on mains-powered medical equipment.
Top picks at a glance
UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 200W
Baseus Blade 2 25,000mAh 140W
UGREEN Nexode 48,000mAh 300W
INIU B5 20,000mAh
How they compare
| # | Model | Capacity | Phone charges* | Weight | Price | £ / charge | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 200W | 25,000mAh | ~3.9 | 520g | £59.99 | £15.38 | 7.3 |
| 2 | Baseus Blade 2 25,000mAh 140W | 25,000mAh | ~4 | 545g | £69.99 | £17.50 | 7.0 |
| 3 | UGREEN Nexode 48,000mAh 300W | 48,000mAh | ~7.7 | 900g | £129.99 | £16.88 | 7.0 |
| 4 | INIU B5 20,000mAh | 20,000mAh | ~3.2 | 365g | £26.99 | £8.43 | 6.8 |
| 5 | UGREEN Nexode 20,000mAh 145W | 20,000mAh | ~3.1 | 430g | £49.99 | £16.13 | 6.8 |
| 6 | Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (A1695) | 25,000mAh | ~3.9 | 595g | £69.98 | £17.94 | 6.3 |
| 7 | Anker 737 PowerCore 24K | 24,000mAh | ~3.7 | 632g | £79.99 | £21.62 | 6.1 |
| 8 | Cuktech 10 Mini 10,000mAh | 10,000mAh | ~1.6 | 216g | £21.24 | £13.27 | 6.1 |
| 9 | Anker Prime 26,250mAh 300W (A110A) | 26,250mAh | ~4.1 | 600g | £148.99 | £36.34 | 5.2 |
| 10 | Sandberg Survivor Torch Powerbank 5000 | 5,000mAh | ~0.8 | – | £34.99 | £43.74 | 1.5 |
The full ranking
UGREEN Nexode 25,000mAh 200W
The best balance of capacity, speed and price. Enough for a family's phones for a long weekend, and fast enough to charge a laptop.
Skip it if: If you only need to top up one phone, it's heavier than you need.
| Capacity | 25,000mAh / 90Wh |
| Max output | 200W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C (200W + 100W), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 520g |
| Pass-through charging | Yes |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~3.9 |
Baseus Blade 2 25,000mAh 140W
Slim, flat design that stores easily in a drawer or grab bag, with laptop-level output.
Skip it if: Costs more than the UGREEN for similar capacity.
| Capacity | 25,000mAh / 92.5Wh |
| Max output | 140W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C (140W + 30W), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 545g |
| Pass-through charging | Yes |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~4 |
UGREEN Nexode 48,000mAh 300W
Double the capacity of a normal bank. A halfway house between a power bank and a power station, good for multi-day cuts.
Skip it if: Not allowed on planes (over 100Wh). Price varies a lot (£110-£200), so shop around.
| Capacity | 48,000mAh / 177Wh |
| Max output | 300W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C, 2× USB-A |
| Weight | 900g |
| Pass-through charging | Yes |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~7.7 |
INIU B5 20,000mAh
The sensible-money choice. Big capacity for under £30, light enough for a coat pocket. Slow, but in a power cut you're not in a hurry.
Skip it if: Too slow for laptops (22.5W max).
| Capacity | 20,000mAh / 74Wh |
| Max output | 22.5W |
| Ports | 1× USB-C, 2× USB-A |
| Weight | 365g |
| Pass-through charging | Not confirmed |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~3.2 |
UGREEN Nexode 20,000mAh 145W
A lighter, cheaper version of our top pick. A good one-per-adult option.
Skip it if: If you'll buy only one bank for the whole house, go 25,000mAh.
| Capacity | 20,000mAh / 72Wh |
| Max output | 145W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C (145W + 45W), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 430g |
| Pass-through charging | Yes |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~3.1 |
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (A1695)
Four ports and independent tests showed it charging two laptops without slowing down. Great for a household where everyone needs a top-up at once.
Skip it if: Pass-through charging isn't confirmed, so don't rely on it as a mini UPS.
| Capacity | 25,000mAh / 90Wh |
| Max output | 165W |
| Ports | 3× USB-C (100W), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 595g |
| Pass-through charging | Not confirmed |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~3.9 |
Anker 737 PowerCore 24K
A proven, well-reviewed workhorse with a smart display showing exactly how much charge is left.
Skip it if: Heavy for its capacity, and pricier than newer rivals.
| Capacity | 24,000mAh / 86.4Wh |
| Max output | 140W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C (140W + 15W), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 632g |
| Pass-through charging | Yes |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~3.7 |
Cuktech 10 Mini 10,000mAh
Tiny and cheap. Perfect for a child's school bag or a handbag, so phones never start a power cut on 10%.
Skip it if: Only about one to two phone charges. Not your main backup.
| Capacity | 10,000mAh / 37Wh |
| Max output | 55W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C, 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 216g |
| Pass-through charging | Not confirmed |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~1.6 |
Anker Prime 26,250mAh 300W (A110A)
The fastest-charging bank here, with a touchscreen. Brilliant tech, but you're paying for speed you won't need in a power cut.
Skip it if: Most households. It costs over twice as much as our top pick for similar capacity.
| Capacity | 26,250mAh / 94.5Wh |
| Max output | 300W |
| Ports | 2× USB-C (140W each), 1× USB-A |
| Weight | 600g |
| Pass-through charging | Not confirmed |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~4.1 |
Sandberg Survivor Torch Powerbank 5000
A rugged torch first, power bank second. Handy by the bed for the moment the lights go out.
Skip it if: Only enough for about half a phone charge. Buy a proper bank as well.
| Capacity | 5,000mAh / 18.5Wh |
| Max output | 10W |
| Ports | USB |
| Weight | Not published |
| Pass-through charging | Not confirmed |
| Phone charges (est.) | ~0.8 |
What to look for
- Capacity in Wh, not just mAh. Watt-hours tell you the real energy. Most 20,000–25,000mAh banks are 72–92Wh.
- USB-C. Nearly every new phone uses it, and it charges much faster than old USB-A.
- Pass-through charging lets the bank charge your phone while it recharges itself. Handy once the power's back.
- Under 100Wh if you'll ever fly with it. Bigger banks aren't allowed in hand luggage.
- Buy from a reputable brand and seller. Very cheap no-name banks often overstate capacity and skip safety protection.
Frequently asked questions
What size power bank do I need for a power cut?
For the Government's 72-hour plan, aim for at least two full charges per phone in the house. For most families that means one 20,000–25,000mAh power bank per two people, or one per adult if you also want to charge tablets.
How many phone charges will a 20,000mAh power bank give?
Usually about 3. Some energy is lost in conversion, so you get roughly 60–70% of the rated capacity into your phone. Independent tests have found 20,000mAh banks deliver around 11,000–13,000mAh to a device.
How long does a power bank hold its charge?
A good lithium power bank loses only a few percent a month. Top it up every 2–3 months and after any power cut, so it's always ready.
Can a power bank run a router or Wi-Fi?
Some routers run on 12V and need an adapter, but many newer ones and mobile hotspots can be powered by USB-C. A phone hotspot is often the simplest way to stay online. For anything mains-powered, you need a portable power station instead.
Is a power station better than a power bank?
Only if you need to run mains appliances like a fridge, CPAP machine or electric blanket. For phones, tablets, lights and radios, power banks are cheaper, lighter and enough for most households.
How we ranked these
Every score comes from our published formula: Value (35%, watt-hours per pound), Capacity (30%), Efficiency (20%, charging output and pass-through) and Portability (15%, weight). We haven't lab-tested these banks ourselves. Specs come from manufacturer listings and independent UK reviews (including Expert Reviews' hands-on tests), and phone-charge estimates use independent efficiency testing showing roughly 60–70% real-world efficiency. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@preparedhousehold.co.uk.