Gear
Power
Leisure batteries, chargers and portable stations that hold up in winter.
Power is the category where specification claims diverge furthest from measured performance. Usable capacity, continuous output and charge acceptance are three different numbers, and manufacturers quote whichever flatters the product.
We test at 5°C and 20°C, because a lithium bank that will not accept charge below freezing is a materially different product in February.
What to buy
Indicative 2026 pricing. Partner links, where present, are marked and do not affect selection.
| Product | Type | Typical price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100Ah LiFePO₄ leisure battery | Fixed installation | £420 – £680 | Look for an integrated heater if you travel below zero. |
| 1,000W portable power station | Portable | £560 – £900 | Useful as a second system; poor value as a primary one. |
| DC-to-DC charger, 30A | Charging | £140 – £220 | Essential with a smart alternator. Not optional on vehicles after 2016. |
| Battery monitor with shunt | Monitoring | £85 – £180 | The cheapest way to stop guessing about state of charge. |