Portugal is facing an increasing number of severe weather events, with recent memory still fresh from some extreme phenomena — including what happened in Leiria earlier this year.
With several El Niño warnings forecast for this year, Portugal may also be affected by winter storms with strong winds and heavy rain that could cause significant damage.
With a harsh winter looking increasingly likely, the risk of a power cut is higher — a major inconvenience in today’s world, especially for homes that rely entirely on mains electricity.
No power means no way to charge your phone, no way to cook, and no way to find out what is happening outside.
The good news is that with some advance preparation and the right products, it is possible to keep the essentials running without depending on the grid.
Here are the devices we have at home to prepare for a potential emergency.
The products you should have at home before the next storm
Lighting is the first priority
When the power goes out, the first thing you need is light. Having a good torch — or more than one — at home is the most basic and immediate investment you can make.
The WUBEN G5 is a good example of what a modern compact torch can offer: 400 lumens in a body the size of an AA battery, up to 65 hours of runtime in continuous mode, a magnetic base for attaching to metal surfaces, and a beacon mode for emergency signalling. It fits on a keyring and is always ready when you need it — available for €23.99.
For more options, the WUBEN X5 (available for €79.99) adds UV light and a green laser, useful for more specific situations, and the WUBEN E2 (available for €21.99) is the most discreet option, designed to live on a keyring without taking up space.
Power banks to keep your phone and other devices charged
In an emergency, your phone is your link to the outside world — for receiving alerts, contacting family, or calling for help. Having a charged power bank is just as important as having a torch.
For everyday use and simpler emergency situations, the ALLPOWERS SolaX P100 and the UGREEN Nexode 45W 20,000mAh with 45W charging are solid options that deliver multiple full phone charges. They are compact, easy to store, and always ready.
Portable power stations to run essential home appliances
For longer power outages, a phone power bank is not enough. Portable power stations are the solution for keeping essential appliances, lighting, and medical devices running for hours.
In this category, we have tested several options with different capacities and profiles.
The BLUETTI Elite 30 V2 is the most compact and portable, ideal for keeping close at hand with 288Wh and the ability to power devices up to 600W. The ALLPOWERS VOLIX P300 offers 256Wh capacity and a 300W pure sine wave AC outlet.
The BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 and the ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE sit in the mid-range, balancing capacity and portability well. The Bluetti offers 1,024Wh and 1,800W output; the ALLPOWERS provides 1,056Wh and 1,600W.
For those who need a more robust home solution, the PECRON E2000LFP with 1,920Wh and 2,000W is the most capable option on this list, designed to handle more demanding loads over longer periods.
The BLUETTI Handsfree 2 stands out for its portability — it is a battery you can literally take anywhere, even while it is charging.
One of the advantages of these stations is the ability to recharge them with solar power. The BLUETTI 200W solar panel allows the battery to be charged during the day even without mains electricity — turning an emergency solution into a truly self-sufficient and sustainable one.
Dynamo radio: information without relying on batteries
During a severe storm, staying informed is essential.
Mobile networks can become saturated or go down, and your phone battery needs to be preserved for what matters most.
A dynamo radio — charged manually using a hand crank — provides access to radio broadcasts even without electricity or batteries.
It is a simple, affordable device that does not need to be pre-charged to work. This model available on Amazon is an accessible option to keep at home as a backup.
Gas hob so you are never left without a hot meal
If your hob is electric or induction, a power cut means no cooking.
A portable gas hob solves this problem simply and economically. The Orbegozo FO6200 with 7,000W output is a compact option to keep as a backup for emergencies, camping, or simply as an alternative when the power goes out.
A bonus nobody thinks of: the portable coffee maker
Not exactly emergency equipment — but after a night of storms, a coffee can make all the difference.
The OUTIN Mino is a portable coffee maker that works without mains electricity and fits in a bag. A small detail, but a real comfort.
Preparing for a power cut does not need to be expensive or complicated. Start with a torch and a power bank, then add the remaining equipment as your needs and budget allow. The most important thing is not to wait for the next storm to think about it.
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