As much as we hate to admit it, load shedding seems to be here to stay. So, for many households, achieving energy independence by not having to rely on Eskom is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are many load shedding solutions to help you have better control over load shedding and put the power back in your hands.
Thanks to advancements in battery technologies and semiconductors, used to harness the high power source, there are now plenty of options for keeping your devices, appliances and WiFi on when load shedding hits. Portable power stations and mini UPS devices are soaring in popularity amongst South African households and for good reason. These load shedding solutions are easy to operate, affordable and provide a great alternative to generators, inverters, and other more expensive and complicated power outage solutions.
PriceCheck tip: Keen your WiFi and fibre running during the loadshedding with a variety of different mini-UPS options for less than R1,000!
So, which one is the best option for you and which portable power station or mini UPS device should you buy? Here are our picks for the best portable power stations and mini UPS options in South Africa:
Best portable power stations in South Africa
The best portable power stations reduce the need for fuel-powered generators and are an easy way to keep the lights on at home when you’re without power.
The features you need to look for when buying a good portable power station is relatively simple: a big battery capacity coupled with a high-power inverter forms the core. Add to this a few USB ports in all formats, a car adapter and ways to charge the batteries (preferably quickly). Everything of course has to be enclosed in a hard shell and the unit is good to go anywhere when the lights go out.
The South African market has seen a boom in portable power stations due to load-shedding. So, to help save you time and money, PriceCheck presents our picks for the best quality portable power stations available in South Africa.
EcoFlow Delta Pro
Many have voted this option from EcoFlow, the best overall portable power station. if money is no object, then this is the power station for you. The EcoFlow Delta Pro portable power station harnesses a 3.6kWh capacity which can be expanded up to 25kWh. This combined with its direct integration with your home via the Smart Home Panel allows you to always keep the power on.
This portable power station will enable you to power almost anything With 3600W output, it’s easy to power heavy-duty appliances from microwaves to AC units. Looking for even more power? The EcoFlow Smart Home Panel allows you to pair two units together to hit a massive 7200W output. Plus, with 6 different charging options from renewable energy sources to traditional wall outlets, you can charge anywhere, any time. The battery lasts for 3500 charge cycles to 80% capacity and the device can be fully charged in just under 3 hours.
An intelligent ecosystem, this is more than just a backup power supply. It’s an expandable ecosystem that can integrate extra batteries, smart generators, and the Smart Home Panel, giving you more power options than ever before. Control it all in a few taps with the EcoFlow app.
Jackery Explorer 250
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then the Jackery Explorer 250 Portable Power Station (priced at R6,950) is sure to be a good option. The device isn’t purely designed for load shedding but is a well-established device built by US company Jackery for outdoor excursions and emergency situations. Of course, this makes it a perfect product to solve some load-shedding woes too.
The Explorer 250 is a 250Wh lithium battery cased in a compact housing, featuring a handful of input options, such as two USB ports, an AC outlet (included is a South African 2-prong to 3-prong outlet adapter), and 12V car output. This essentially allows you to charge and power anything using USB, AC, or 12V power.
While the Explorer 250 isn’t going to keep your entire house ticking over, it is a great filler for those electronic needs during outages or on the road. The smallest device in the Jackery range, the Explorer 250 provides reliable power for mainstream electronics, small appliances and more. The battery offers a lifecycle of 500 charge cycles up to 85% and takes just 6.5 Hours to reach full charge (AC).
Gizzu 500W Portable Power Station
The Gizzu 500Wh Portable Power Station is small, lightweight, and fully portable. Packing a powerful 500W punch, the portable power solution delivers up to 518Wh via a light lithium-ion battery.
This Portable Power Station is capable of keeping your essential equipment powered during an electricity blackout or when in remote areas where the need for power arises. The Gizzu 500W Portable Power Station can power a laptop for up to 10 hours, a 12W router for up to 43 hours, average-sized television for up to 5 hours, as well as recharge a smartphone up to 40 times and a tablet up to 20 times on a single charge.
Best mini UPS DC devices in South Africa
If your only aim is to keep your internet and WiFi running during load shedding, then a small, affordable interruptible power supply (UPS) with a DC port will suit your needs best. These smaller UPS devices are the size of a power bank and are designed to power your router and optical network terminal off of their battery storage.
There are several mini UPS options available in South Africa, ranging from R450, depending on the manufacturer and battery capacity. Here are our picks for the best mini UPS devices in South Africa.
Gizzu 8800mAh Mini UPS
The Gizzu Mini 8800mAh Dual-voltage DC UPS features Dual DC for Fibre and Routers. The device also allows you to power various devices from IP cameras to cordless home phones and routers. It features 4 high-capacity lithium-ion batteries for a total of 8800mAh battery power capacity for all your charging needs. Power your CPE (Fibre Box) and Router from one device thanks to dual-voltage DC outputs. For extra safety, it also features an intelligent protective design which includes Over-Charge, Over-Discharge and Short Circuit Protection.
Volkano Constant Series Mini DC UPS
This mini UPS is suitable for most routers. Provides power to 2 network or similar devices e.g. Fibre Network Terminals plus WiFi Router or a CCTV DVR plus camera. The device also boasts a USB charge port for phones and other devices when AC power is lost. If you’re looking for the best price on mini UPS devices in South Africa, then this Volkano option may just give the competition a run for its money.
Supa Fly Mini DC UPS
Designed to keep your WiFi router and fibre box powered during a blackout, this mini UPS is an affordable wonder. The device features a Lithium Battery, manual power-off switch, and multi-LED status indicators, so you know just how much battery is left. The device also offers overload and short circuit protection as well as overcharge and over-discharge protection.
