If you're reading this between blackouts, you already know the drill. Stage 4 hits, your fibre router dies, and suddenly you can't take that 3pm Teams call. Your kid's online tutor freezes mid-sentence. The security cameras go dark. The whole afternoon falls apart.
The good news: you don't need a R50,000 inverter setup to make load shedding bearable. With three pieces of gear — under R1,500 total — most South African households can keep WiFi, phones, and essential lights running through any scheduled outage.
Here's what actually works, what to skip, and how to choose.
1. Mini UPS for your WiFi router (the single highest-impact buy)
If you buy nothing else, buy this. A mini UPS is a small battery box that sits between the wall plug and your router. When Eskom cuts power, it switches over instantly — your router never restarts, your fibre stays online, and your Teams call keeps going.
What to look for:
- Capacity: 8,000mAh is the bare minimum. 12,000mAh comfortably handles a 2.5-hour Stage 4 cycle with margin.
- Output voltages: Most SA fibre routers need 12V. A good mini UPS provides 9V/12V/15V outputs to cover routers, ONTs, and switches.
- Switchover time: Under 10ms. Anything slower causes routers to reboot.
Our 12000mAh Mini UPS is built for exactly this — fibre ONT plus router, 6-8 hours of runtime, plug-and-play.
2. High-capacity power bank (because phones run everything)
During load shedding your phone becomes your hotspot, torch, ID, and bank. Don't let it die.
What to look for:
- Capacity: 20,000mAh is the sweet spot — about 4-5 full phone charges or 1.5 laptop top-ups.
- Built-in cables: Hugely underrated. Don't rely on remembering to pack a USB-C cable.
- Multi-output: At least 2 ports so you can charge phone + tablet simultaneously.
Our 20000mAh Power Bank has Lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB cables built in — nothing to forget.
3. Solar motion sensor lights (security + path lighting, zero electricity)
The third overlooked piece. When your driveway and yard go dark, security cameras struggle and you can't see who's at the gate. Solar motion lights charge during the day, switch on automatically at dusk or when triggered, and use zero grid power.
What to look for:
- LED count: 100+ LEDs for proper coverage.
- Motion sensor + dusk-to-dawn mode: Both, not just one.
- IP65 weatherproof rating: Non-negotiable in SA summer storms.
The cheap setup vs the right setup
You can patch together cheap versions of each of these from Takealot for less. But mismatched capacities (a 5,000mAh UPS won't outlast a single load shedding cycle) and no-name batteries that swell after six months end up costing more in the long run.
For most SA households the right answer is one quality mini UPS, one solid power bank, and 2-3 solar lights around entry points.
Skip the hype
You probably don't need:
- A petrol generator — unless you run a butchery or kitchen. Loud, fuel costs add up, and they're overkill for keeping WiFi alive.
- A full home inverter at R30,000+ — only worth it if you're WFH year-round AND have a geyser running.
- Solar panels for the household — great long-term, but a 12-18 month payback. Start with the basics first.
The 5-minute setup
- Plug the mini UPS into the wall, plug your router into the UPS. Done.
- Charge your power bank fully, then keep it topped up.
- Stick solar lights at the front gate, back door, and one in the driveway. They install with screws or 3M tape.
Total cost for the kit above: under R1,500. Time to set up: 10 minutes. Number of disrupted Teams calls afterward: zero.
Build your kit and save 15%
Get each essential individually from our Load Shedding Solutions collection — the 12000mAh Mini UPS, the 20000mAh Power Bank, and solar motion lights. Use code LOADSHED15 at checkout for 15% off any item in that collection.
Stay powered.