"Where Can I Purchase One?": SA Expert Shares Backup Power Unit for Remote Work During Load Shedding

• A South African tech expert shared what to look for in a backup power unit built for remote work
• Unlike a standard power bank, the recommended unit includes an AC plug socket to run laptops, routers and screens simultaneously
• South Africans in the comments flooded the post with questions about compatible devices and where to buy one

A South African tech expert has gone viral after sharing his pick for the best small backup power unit for people working from home during load shedding.

TikToker @wesreddy1 posted the video on 24 September 2026, and it quickly drew attention from remote workers looking for a reliable power solution during outages.

Backup power unit vs power bank

In the clip, Wes Reddy explains the key difference between a regular power bank and a dedicated backup power unit. A standard power bank offers only DC outputs, typically USB and USB-C ports. A backup power unit, by contrast, includes those same ports plus a standard AC plug socket.

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That single addition changes everything. With an AC socket, users can connect a multi-plug and run a full remote work setup at once, including a laptop, a second monitor, a Wi-Fi router, an iPad, and a phone on charge simultaneously.

Reddy also points out that quality units display exactly how much power each connected device is drawing, along with an estimate of how many hours of battery life remain at that load.

What to look for when buying

For anyone shopping around, Reddy recommends targeting a unit with approximately 150 watts of power output and around 250 watt-hours of battery capacity. Those two figures, he says, are the sweet spot for everyday remote work needs without carrying something bulky.

View the TikTok video below:

Mzansi reacts to the load shedding tip

South Africans in the comments on his page had plenty to say:

@Maximus Iron Wolf 🐺 wrote:

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"Thank you for reminding me to buy this 👌"

@KaneWilliams666 said:

"I only trust EcoFlow, charges in under an hour."

@NicholasC90 shared:

"I have used Bluetti... They are brilliant."

@Pinkdoll 🇿🇦 asked:

"Hi, can I also connect my TV during 4 hours of load shedding?"

@Ayanda et al. | Web Designer commented:

"Mr Reddy, what would I need to power up a candy floss machine and popcorn machine?"

@mm wrote:

"What is that power unit called and [the] price?"

@Raju asked:

"Where can I purchase one?"

More Briefly News stories on remote work

• A global study found that South Africa has a smaller share of remote job listings than several other African countries, although its rate exceeds that of some major economies.
• A TikToker rated four remote job platforms, giving LinkedIn 0 out of 10 while praising a lesser-known platform for its direct company job listings.
• A South African man living in Bali shared overlooked LinkedIn strategies that he said helped him secure remote roles overseas within weeks.

Source: Briefly News