Communication & Entertainment
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KCR Portable Digital TV, 15.6inch
A 15.6-inch portable TV with a built-in Freeview HD tuner and a supplied aerial, so it picks up live UK channels, including the news, wherever there's a signal. It runs from the mains adaptor or the 12V car lead, both in the box. That means it can run from a leisure battery, a car socket or the 12V outlet on a power station, so the news keeps coming when the mains is off. It plays films, photos and music from a USB stick, and has HDMI and AV inputs.
August DA383 10" Portable Handheld TV with Built-In DVD Player
A 10-inch handheld TV with a built-in DVD player and a Freeview HD (DVB-T2) tuner, on a swivel stand. It plays DVDs and CDs and picks up live TV, including the news, wherever there's a signal. On battery, it's the evening's entertainment sorted during a power cut, and a good companion for long car journeys.
Boifun 17.5" Portable DVD Player
A portable DVD player with a 15.6-inch swivel screen and up to six hours on battery, supplied with a mains adaptor and car charger. Dig out the family's old DVDs and a power cut becomes film night. It also keeps children happy on long journeys. It plays most disc formats, though not Blu-ray.
Yoton 17.5" Portable DVD Player
A portable DVD player with a large 15.6-inch screen and twin speakers. Be aware that it plays standard-definition DVD video only, as the maker notes it can't read higher-resolution video files. For a box of family DVDs, it's an easy way to give everyone a film to watch when the power or internet is down.
KCR 14.0 inch Portable TV/DVD Player Combo
A portable DVD player with a Freeview (DVB-T2) TV tuner and an amplified aerial, plus HDMI, USB, and AV connections. That combination means films from disc or USB, plus live TV news when there's a signal. It's a versatile screen for a kitchen, caravan, or power cut, running on its own battery.
Prunus J-02 AM FM SW Radio
A simple, battery-powered AM, FM, and shortwave radio with large, easy-to-read tuning dials and a fold-down handle. When phones and broadband go down, local and national radio is how official information reaches people. Simple controls make it suitable for every member of the household. Batteries aren't included, so buy some at the same time.
XHDATA D-808 Professional Portable Radio
A more advanced portable radio covering FM, medium wave, long wave, shortwave, and airband, which scans and stores up to 100 stations per band. It also has alarm and sleep timer functions. For keen listeners it's a proper receiver, and for everyone else it's a dependable way to hear the news when the internet is down.
Nokia 110 4G Feature Phone
A simple 4G phone with a battery that the maker says lasts for days, and yes, the classic game Snake. In a long power cut, a smartphone dies in a day, but a basic phone keeps you reachable for much longer. Keep it charged with a spare SIM or an inexpensive pay-as-you-go one.
Philips TAR1659 Portable FM/AM Radio
A portable FM/AM radio that you can power three ways: a solar panel, a hand crank, or three AAA batteries, which aren't included. It also has a long aerial for better reception, and a USB-A port so it can top up a phone. When the power and the internet have both gone, it keeps the news coming.
AGM M9 Basic Mobile Phone
A rugged basic phone with dual SIMs, 4G on all major UK networks, large buttons and fonts, and very loud calls. It's rated IP68 and IP69K for dust and water and built to survive drops. A good backup phone for the household, and a sensible choice for older relatives who struggle with smartphones.
Rocam B0FBR863GW Emergency Radio
An emergency radio covering AM, FM, and shortwave. AM reaches further, which helps if local transmitters are down, while FM gives clear local broadcasts. Keep it with fresh batteries in the kitchen, so that in a storm or power cut you can hear BBC Local Radio, where travel, school, and outage updates appear first.
Motorola Tlkr T92 H2O PMR446 2-Way Walkie Talkie
A pair of licence-free PMR446 walkie-talkies, waterproof to IP67, that float face-up with a light that switches on in water. They let the household stay in touch when mobile networks are down, for example between the house and a neighbour's, or across a campsite. They also include an emergency alert feature.
Retevis RB648 Rugged Walkie Talkies
Rugged walkie-talkies tested to the MIL-STD-810H standard for shock, dust, moisture, and temperature, waterproof to IP67. They're for anyone who wants radios that can take some knocks, such as at a farm, smallholding, or busy campsite. Make sure the model is PMR446 so it's licence-free in the UK.
Garmin inReach Messenger
Garmin's compact satellite messenger, offering two-way messaging and an interactive SOS anywhere in the world, without mobile coverage. It pairs with your phone to make typing easy. A subscription is required. Ideal for hikers, sailors, and anyone whose family worries when they're out of signal.
DeWALT Long Range Rechargeable Walkie Talkies, 4 Pack (2 x 2 Pack)
Two pairs of licence-free PMR446 walkie-talkies, so there's no contract, subscription or licence. They're rated IP67 against dust and water and are built to survive a 2-metre drop. The rechargeable batteries are rated for up to 18 hours, and the 2x twin dock keeps both sets of radios charged and ready. Voice activation lets you talk hands-free, and 16 channels with privacy codes help cut out other users. If mobile networks go down in a storm or power cut, they keep your household in touch between the house and a neighbour's, or across a campsite.
Amazon Kindle (newest gen)
The latest basic Kindle, with a 6-inch glare-free screen, an adjustable front light, and dark mode. The maker says the battery lasts for weeks, so in a power cut it'll keep going long after the phones have died. Load it up beforehand with novels and, if you like, a few useful guides.
Spot X 2-Way Satellite Messenger with GPS Tracking
A satellite messenger with a keyboard that sends and receives texts, shares your GPS location, and can send an SOS to emergency responders, all without mobile signal. It works alone or with your phone via Bluetooth. It needs a paid subscription. Best for hill walkers, sailors, and people who spend time in remote places.
AGPTEK Classic MP3 Player
An MP3 player with 64GB of storage, expandable to 128GB, and Bluetooth for wireless headphones or a speaker. Music, audiobooks, and podcasts with no internet needed and a long battery. A simple, quiet comfort for anyone who copes with stress better with something to listen to.
ANBERNIC RG35XX H Handheld Retro Games Console
A handheld games console with a 3.5-inch screen, preloaded with thousands of classic retro games. It runs on its own battery and needs no internet. It's a reliable way to keep older children, and the adults who grew up with these games, occupied during a long evening without power.
Ortizan 24W Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
A 24W waterproof Bluetooth speaker with twin drivers and bass radiators, which can pair with a second speaker for stereo. Music changes the mood of a power cut more than anything else. It runs from its own battery, and it's at home in the garden or on a camping trip too.
ROCAM Solar Wind Up Radio, DAB/FM Emergency Radio with 12000mAh Battery
A DAB+ and FM radio with a 2.4-inch colour screen that shows the station, battery level and mode. It runs on a 12,000mAh rechargeable battery, which you can top up from the mains, a large built-in solar panel or the hand crank. The same battery will charge a phone in a pinch. It also works as a Bluetooth speaker and has a torch and a reading light. When the power and the internet are both down, it keeps BBC Local Radio coming, where travel, school and outage updates appear first.