Stay-at-home buying guides: what to buy for a power cut

Honest, feature-first buying guides for the things that keep a UK home running when the power goes: wind up radios, power banks, lanterns, warmth and a sensible food list.

How we make money: The Stay-at-Home Store is run by the team behind The Home Prep Kit. We recommend features to look for, not specific competitor products, and we label links to our own kit.

Quick answerFor a power cut at home, buy in this order: an LED lantern and head torch, a wind up radio with built-in torch, a 10,000–20,000mAh power bank, warm blankets and a hot water bottle, then a 7-day stock of no-cook food and 3 litres of water per person per day. Avoid candles and never use camping stoves or barbecues indoors.

Guide

Wind up radio buying guide

What matters: crank time, solar, bands, torch and USB output.

Guide

Best power banks for power cuts

Capacity explained, solar claims checked, safety marks.

Kit list

Home blackout kit

Room-by-room list for a week without power.

Shopping list

7-day food stockpile list

Quantities for 1, 2 and 4 people.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy first for a power cut?

Buy light first (an LED lantern and a head torch), then information (a wind up radio), then power (a power bank). Warmth and food come next; most homes already have blankets and some long-life food.

Is it worth buying a ready-made power cut kit?

A ready-made kit saves time and makes sure nothing is missed, but you may already own some items. Use our guides to check what you have, then fill the gaps or buy a complete kit.

Updated 2026-10-28.