The three types of home backup power
Not all home batteries are the same thing. Before comparing prices or brands, you need to understand what each type actually does โ because choosing the wrong category means overspending or underpowering your home.
| Type | Capacity | Main use | Approx. price | Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS / battery backup | 50โ200 Wh | Router, cameras, PC | โฌ40โ150 | None โ plug in |
| Portable power station | 200โ3,000 Wh | Power cuts, camping, farm | โฌ150โ2,000 | None โ plug in |
| Fixed solar battery | 5โ15 kWh | Solar self-consumption | โฌ3,000โ8,000 | Electrician required |
UPS: the easiest protection against power cuts
A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is the simplest and most affordable way to keep critical devices running during a power cut. It sits between the wall socket and your devices, and when power fails it switches to battery in zero milliseconds โ so fast that your router never even resets.
This is the right choice for most people who just want their internet, security cameras and laptop to keep working during a typical short power cut (under 4 hours). You don't need an electrician, you don't need to configure anything โ you just plug it in.
Router + modem: 8โ12 hours. 4 IP cameras: 6โ10 hours. Laptop: 3โ5 hours. Combination of all three: 3โ5 hours. For most power cuts in Europe (average 45 minutes), even a small 400 Wh UPS is more than enough.
What to look for in a UPS
- VA rating: 650VA covers router + cameras comfortably. 1,000VA+ if you want to include a desktop PC or NAS server.
- Pure sine wave vs simulated: For routers and electronics, simulated sine wave (cheaper) is fine. For sensitive equipment like medical devices or high-end audio, choose pure sine wave.
- Battery replacement: Internal batteries last 3โ5 years. Choose a brand (APC, Eaton, CyberPower) that sells replacement batteries to avoid replacing the entire unit.
Portable power stations: flexibility for real autonomy
A portable power station is essentially a large rechargeable battery with multiple outputs (AC sockets, USB-A, USB-C, 12V car socket). Unlike a UPS, it's designed for extended use โ keeping your home running for hours or even days, not just minutes.
The biggest advantage is flexibility: the same unit works at home during a power cut, on a farm or rural property without mains electricity, and on camping trips. Brands like EcoFlow and BLUETTI have made these units reliable enough for daily use, with fast recharging via solar panels, car adapters or the grid.
๐ EcoFlow
- Faster recharging (EcoFlow DELTA 2: 0โ80% in 50 min)
- More modular โ expandable with extra batteries
- Better app and smart home integration
- Slightly higher price for equivalent capacity
๐ BLUETTI
- Better value per Wh at higher capacities
- LiFePO4 chemistry standard on most models (3,500+ cycles)
- AC200MAX and EP500 Pro best for semi-fixed home use
- Slightly heavier and bulkier than EcoFlow equivalents
How to calculate the capacity you need
Add up the wattage of everything you want to run, then multiply by the hours you need. Here are the typical consumption figures for common devices:
| Device | Typical consumption | 500 Wh lasts | 2,000 Wh lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi router | 8โ15W | 33โ60h | 130โ250h |
| IP camera (ร4) | 20โ40W | 12โ25h | 50โ100h |
| Laptop | 40โ80W | 6โ12h | 25โ50h |
| Fridge (A+) | 80โ150W average | 3โ6h | 13โ25h |
| LED lights (ร5) | 25โ50W | 10โ20h | 40โ80h |
| TV (40โ50 inch) | 60โ120W | 4โ8h | 16โ33h |
Fridge (100W avg) + router (12W) + 5 LED lights (30W) + 2 laptops (60W) + TV (80W) = 282W continuous. 282W ร 12h = 3,384 Wh needed. You'd want an EcoFlow DELTA Pro (3,600 Wh) or BLUETTI AC300 + B300 (3,072 Wh) to cover this comfortably.
Fixed solar batteries: for energy independence
A fixed solar battery (also called a home energy storage system) stores electricity generated by rooftop solar panels for use when the sun isn't shining. This is a fundamentally different product from a UPS or portable station โ it's a long-term investment in reducing your energy bills, not just emergency backup.
The most common systems in Europe use LiFePO4 chemistry (lithium iron phosphate), which is safer and longer-lasting than standard lithium-ion โ typically 6,000โ10,000 charge cycles, or 15โ25 years of daily use. Popular options include the Pylontech US series, the BYD Battery-Box, and Tesla Powerwall.
Fixed solar batteries must be installed by a certified electrician and, in most countries, registered with the grid operator. Budget โฌ500โ1,500 for installation on top of the battery cost. The total investment typically takes 7โ12 years to recoup through energy savings, depending on your electricity tariff and solar generation.
Options by budget and situation
UPS for basics
โฌ40โ150
- Instant switchover (0ms)
- Router + cameras: 6โ12h
- No configuration needed
- APC, Eaton, CyberPower
500โ2,000 Wh station
โฌ400โ1,200
- Full home: 4โ12h autonomy
- Fridge, lights, devices
- Chargeable with solar
- Works at farm too
Fixed solar battery
โฌ3,000โ8,000+
- Long-term bill reduction
- 5โ15 kWh capacity
- Pairs with rooftop solar
- Electrician required
Recommended products
APC Back-UPS 700VA
Best entry-level UPS for router and cameras. Instant switchover, silent, automatic voltage regulation. From โฌ70.
See price โEcoFlow DELTA 2 Max
2,048 Wh, expandable to 6 kWh, 2,400W AC output. Best all-round portable station for home and farm. From โฌ1,100.
See price โBLUETTI AC200MAX
2,048 Wh, LiFePO4, 2,200W output, 6 charging methods simultaneously. Excellent value for the capacity. From โฌ900.
See price โEcoFlow DELTA Pro
3,600 Wh, expandable to 25 kWh with extra batteries. The closest thing to a fixed system without installation. From โฌ2,200.
See price โ๐ Quick decision guide
UPS (โฌ40โ150)
Router, cameras and laptop stay on. Zero configuration. Best option if cuts are under 4 hours.
Portable station (โฌ400โ1,200)
Fridge, lights, all devices for 8โ24h. Also useful for farm, camping, emergencies.
Fixed battery (โฌ3,000+)
Store daytime solar generation, use it at night. Long-term investment with 7โ12 year payback.
Station + solar panel
A 1,000 Wh station + 200W panel gives indefinite off-grid power for cameras, lights and router.