Gear Reviews - UK Prepper Hub

Heavy Duty Ground Anchors Review: Will They Hold a Trampoline in a Storm?

Cartoon Keith screwing heavy duty ground anchors into a lawn beside a trampoline, using the clear tube as a T-bar handle

These heavy duty ground anchors screw deep into the ground. This style has held our polytunnel down through UK storms, so will it hold your trampoline?

Aquatabs Review: The Water Purification Tablets I Take Up Mountains

Cartoon of Keith the Prepper dropping an Aquatabs water purification tablet into a jug of water in a UK kitchen

Aquatabs 8.5mg water purification tablets: how to use them, where they fit when the water goes off at home, and what to do under a boil water notice.

Self Amalgamating Tape Review: Can It Hold a Burst Pipe Until the Plumber Comes?

Cartoon of Keith the Prepper wrapping self amalgamating tape around a copper pipe under a kitchen sink

What self amalgamating tape is, how to wrap a leaking pipe so it seals, and why a roll belongs in the drawer by the stop tap.

Alcohol Swabs Review: Core Medical 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes

Keith the Prepper at a cottage kitchen table restocking a first aid box and grab bag pouch with Core Medical alcohol swabs

Core Medical 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes: 100 individually sealed alcohol swabs for first aid kits and pre-injection skin prep, and the easy swap for recalled alcohol-free wipes.

Millbank Bag Review: How a Water Filter Bag Fits Your Emergency Kit

Keith filtering water butt water through a Millbank bag into a bucket in a UK back garden

What a Millbank bag removes from water, what it doesn’t, and why it belongs alongside purification tablets or a filter in a UK emergency kit.

Manhattan Gas Heater Review: The Calor Gas Heater Built for Safety

Cartoon of Keith the Prepper sitting in an armchair with a mug of tea beside a lit Manhattan gas heater in a dark living room during a winter power cut

The Manhattan gas heater is sold by Calor and Flogas, keeps its flames behind glass and cuts the gas if oxygen drops or the flame goes out. Here’s why we rate it.

Paraffin Heater Review: Heat and a Hot Kettle When the Power’s Off

Cartoon Keith with a mug of tea beside a lit paraffin heater with a kettle on top in a dark UK living room during a power cut

This paraffin heater needs no mains power and no batteries, warms a room and boils a kettle on top. What it does well, and the safety rules that come with it.

C1 Paraffin Review: Which Paraffin to Buy for Heaters and Lamps

Cartoon Keith in a frosty UK garden shed holding a 5 litre can of Blue Flame C1 paraffin beside a lit paraffin lamp

C1 paraffin is the clean-burning grade for indoor heaters and paraffin lamps, and it’s easy to buy the wrong one. What to look for, and why this is our pick.

LifeStraw Go Review: Worth Keeping a Filter Bottle at Home?

Cartoon Keith the Prepper filling a LifeStraw Go water filter bottle at a kitchen sink, with stored bottled water beside him

Our LifeStraw Go review: what the 2 stage water filter bottle removes, how it differs from a Brita bottle, and where it fits alongside stored water at home.

Lepro Torch Review: The Battery Torch That Lives By Your Front Door

Cartoon Keith in a dark hallway during a power cut, holding Lepro torches, with another Lepro torch by the front door

The Lepro torch runs on AAA batteries, so there’s nothing to charge when the power goes. Why this two-pack belongs by your front door.

Motorola T42 Review: Talkabout Walkie Talkies on Batteries

Motorola T42 Talkabout PMR446 2 Way Walkie-Talkie Portable Radios Pack of 2

Motorola T42 walkie talkie review: the Talkabout twin pack runs on AAA batteries, so it still works in a power cut. Real UK range, licence-free, who it suits.

Flood Sock Review: Can It Replace Sandbags at Your Door?

Floodshield flood sock barrier in black fabric with yellow Caution warning print and a Made in the UK badge

Keep a flood sock in the cupboard, lay it across the door and wet it when water threatens, and it swells into a seal. We look at the Floodshield 1.5m.

Gritin Book Light Review: The Prepper Light Hiding in Plain Sight?

Gritin Book Light in white, one shining its base torch and one clipped to an open book giving warm amber reading light

Is the Gritin Book Light a better power cut light than a tactical torch? Six colour temperatures, clip-on and hands-free, up to 160 hours on low. Here’s why.

MEIJIA Waterproof Case Review: Keep Irreplaceable Things Dry When the Water Comes In

The MEIJIA waterproof case seals shut with a full rubber O-ring and is rated IP67, so photos, documents and keepsakes stay dry if floodwater gets into the house.

Self Heating Meals Review: Are Ration-X Packs Worth It?

Ration-X self heating meals pack of 5 showing menus A to E, packed in the UK

Ration-X self heating meals give you a hot meal anywhere with no stove, gas or flame, just a little water. UK-packed, five menus. Here’s how they compare.

Lepro 2000lm Rechargeable Camping Lantern Review: Good Enough for a Power Cut?

lepro rechargeable and aa battery camping lantern

The Lepro 2000lm lantern charges by USB or runs on AA batteries. We look at the light modes, brightness and whether it earns a place in your power cut kit.

Drench Body Wipes Review: Staying Clean When the Water’s Off

Five sealed packs of 12 Drench body wipes with aloe vera, chamomile and vitamin E, shown with a splash of water

Drench body wipes review: big antibacterial body wipes for adults, no water or rinsing needed, and why a pack belongs in your grab bag for when the taps run dry.

Anker SOLIX C300X Review: Keep the Router, Phones and Lights On in a Power Cut

Anker SOLIX C300X portable power station with two UK plug sockets, USB-C ports, a light bar and a shoulder strap

Anker SOLIX C300X review: the updated C300, with 288Wh of LiFePO4 power for the router, phones and lights in a power cut, and what 300W rules out.

HotHands Hand Warmers Review: The Best Hand Warmers for a Power Cut?

There’s a particular kind of cold that sets in at about two in the morning during a January power cut. The heating has been off for hours. You’ve done the sensible things: extra jumpers, a second duvet, telling yourself it’ll be back on soon. And then your hands go cold, and stay cold. HotHands hand … Read more

Cyalume SnapLight Review: Colour-Coded Emergency Glow Sticks

Cyalume SnapLight glow sticks: a green 15cm light stick with hanging hook, beside the 12-stick pack in six colours

The Cyalume SnapLight mixed pack gives you six colours of fire-free, waterproof light for up to 12 hours, and each stick keeps for five years in a kit.