Portable Power Stations
Silent, fume-free battery power for mobile catering — safe indoors, at markets and at quiet venues where a generator isn’t welcome. We stock EcoFlow and BLUETTI, from the £190 RIVER 3 to the 4kW DELTA Pro 3, all with free UK delivery. Buying guide and FAQ below the products.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 (10ms UPS) Portable Power Station
£191.99 inc VAT · free delivery over £200
How to pick the right power station
Two numbers matter, and they answer different questions:
- Output (watts) - what you can run. A card reader and lights need almost nothing; a domestic-style coffee machine wants 1,500-1,800W; anything with a heating element is hungry. Check the rating plate on your equipment and add your appliances together.
- Capacity (watt-hours) - how long you can run it. A 1,024Wh unit runs a 100W fridge for roughly 8-9 hours in the real world, but the same unit gives you barely half an hour flat-out into a 1,800W appliance.
The honest rule: batteries are brilliant for fridges, tills, lighting, phones and blenders - sustained heating (urns, fryers, big espresso machines) is still LPG generator territory, or a job for gas. If you are not sure what your kit adds up to, our generator size guide works exactly the same way for battery power, and our guide to powering a catering business without mains access walks through the whole decision.
EcoFlow or BLUETTI?
Both build serious LiFePO4-based units with multi-year lifespans and solar charging. In practice: EcoFlow leads on charging speed and app polish - the DELTA 3 recharges from the mains in around an hour, which matters when you spot a socket between services. BLUETTI tends to give you more watt-hours per pound at the bigger sizes, and the AC240P adds IP65 water resistance - worth having on an outdoor pitch. You will not buy badly from either shelf; buy the capacity and output your kit needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can a portable power station run a coffee machine?
A domestic-style machine drawing up to 1,800W runs fine on units like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 or BLUETTI AC180P, but it will empty a 1kWh battery in well under an hour of constant use. For a commercial espresso machine serving all day, use an LPG generator or a gas-heated machine and keep the battery for everything else.
How long will a portable power station run a fridge?
A typical catering fridge averages 100-150W once it is cold. A 1,024Wh unit gives you roughly 6-9 hours; a 2,000Wh-class unit covers a full trading day with margin.
What is the difference between a power station and a generator?
A generator makes electricity from fuel for as long as you feed it; a power station stores electricity and is silent, fume-free and indoor-safe. Many caterers run both: a generator for heavy sustained loads, a battery for the quiet, clean, always-on equipment.
Can I charge a portable power station from solar?
Yes. Every EcoFlow and BLUETTI unit accepts solar input, from around 200W on the small RIVER units to 1,600W+ on the DELTA Pro 3.
Are portable power stations allowed at indoor venues and markets?
Generally yes. No emissions, no fuel on site, and very low noise. Always confirm with the venue, but a battery passes the checks a petrol engine fails.
How long do portable power station batteries last?
Current LiFePO4 generations are rated for around 3,000-4,000 charge cycles to 80% capacity - roughly ten years of daily use. Every current unit we stock is LiFePO4.