Generator or power station?
Both keep things running in a power cut. A power station is a big battery you can use indoors. A generator burns petrol and must stay outside. For most UK homes and most cuts, a power station is the better fit.
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| Portable power station | Petrol inverter generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it can go | Indoors, next to what it powers | Outdoors only, away from doors, windows and vents |
| Noise | Near silent (a fan at most) | Like a busy conversation or louder |
| How long it runs | Until the battery is empty: hours to a day or two for essentials | As long as you keep refuelling |
| Fuel | Charge it from the mains beforehand, or from solar panels | Petrol, kept outside the house |
| Upkeep | Top up the charge every few months | Run it regularly, change the oil, keep fuel fresh |
| Cuts your bills? | Not by itself. Only if charged from solar or a cheap overnight tariff | No. Its electricity costs more than the grid's |
When a generator makes sense
If you live somewhere cuts can last days, or you need to run a lot at once, a generator can keep going where a battery runs out. Many people end up with both: a power station for quiet, indoor use through the night, and a generator to recharge it in daylight.
Choose an inverter generator if you'll power anything with electronics, like phones, laptops and TVs. Inverter models give a cleaner supply and run more quietly than basic site generators.
Inverter generators sold in the UK
Prices checked 3 November 2026. Specs are the makers' published figures.
Honda EU22i
The long-standing benchmark: 1,800 W rated, 2,200 W peak, about 3.5 hours at full load. Shown as out of stock on Honda's UK site when we checked.
Hyundai HY2250SEi
2,000 W rated, electric start, two UK sockets, about 7.5 hours at half load. Much cheaper than the Honda.
Hyundai HY2000Si
An older, smaller Hyundai: 2,000 W peak and about 3.5 hours at half load. We couldn't confirm its continuous rating on Hyundai's page.
Pramac P3000i
Champion 92001i-DF Mighty Atom (petrol and LPG)
Hyundai HY3200SEi
More models, fuel use and petrol storage rules: petrol and inverter generators for a power cut. For power stations, see the best portable power stations for a UK power cut, or work out the size you need.