The £41 gadget everyone in Spain wishes they’d had during the mystery blackout - and how you can get it

When the power went out across large parts of Spain this week with no warning, one thing people kept repeating online was: “I wish I’d had a wind-up radio.” No Wi-Fi, no mobile signal, and no idea what was going on – it was a stark reminder of how fast everyday systems can fall apart.

Just this week, the cyber attack on high street chain M&S demonstrated how big organisations can be affected by sudden outages.

For many affected in Spain, the most unsettling part wasn’t just the loss of electricity but the sudden silence that followed – no internet, no phone signal, no news. People were left in the dark, quite literally, unsure whether it was a local fault or something far more serious.

A wind-up radio on Amazon costs as little as £25. We’ve found one for £41 that includes a USB charger and a powerful integrated light – making it ideal for blackouts, storms or anywhere you might lose power. You can buy it here.

Daniel Clegg, who lives in Barcelona, told the BBC: “The complete loss of communication was the most confusing and concerning thing… we were only left to speculate as to the cause and piece together news from people in the neighbourhood.” He admitted the experience was so disorienting he found himself scanning the skies to check if planes were still flying.

👉 Government warns Brits to be ready for blackouts and chaos – here’s what it’ll actually cost you to prepare

Elsewhere, near Madrid, Siegfried and Christine Buschschlüter managed to tune in to local radio stations thanks to an old wind-up set they had stored away. With their phones down and power off, it became their only source of information. “You had to keep on winding and winding,” said Christine, 82. “It was quite a strange situation. I was born in Berlin during the war and it reminded me of those days when my parents tried to get some news – it took me back.”

The couple believe more people will now look to get hold of battery-powered radios, just in case. And Daniel agrees it’s something he’ll be investing in soon: “Essential kit for back-to-basics communication and staying informed that I completely neglected to remember.”

With the UK now facing growing concerns about resilience, including a fire at Heathrow, a cyber attack on Marks & Spencer, and official guidance recommending every household have emergency supplies for at least 72 hours – sales of emergency radios have started to rise here too.

One of the most popular choices right now is the Rychi wind-up and solar-powered emergency radio, available on Amazon for £41.99. It combines an AM/FM weather radio, a hand-crank and solar charging system, a built-in 8000mAh power bank with dual USB outputs, a three-mode flashlight, SOS alarm, a reading lamp and a compass. It’s compact, lightweight, and designed specifically for outdoor use and emergencies.

You can find the Rychi radio with Prime delivery in green or orange. Read our full review here.

For those looking for something more advanced, the Voyager Pro KA600 is a high-end digital emergency radio that covers AM, FM, Longwave, Shortwave and NOAA weather alerts. It features solar and crank charging, dual digital displays, a thermometer, humidity gauge and multiple tuning modes. It’s more expensive at £94, but ideal for serious emergency preparedness or those in remote areas.

If you’re on a tighter budget, the Duronic hybrid wind-up radio is just £17.99. It’s a compact option with AM/FM radio, USB charging, and a solar panel – perfect if you just need a basic way to stay informed during a power cut or storm.

Whether you live in a city flat or a remote village, having a way to get accurate information during an outage is quickly moving from niche prepper advice to practical common sense.

What to keep in a home emergency kit - UK Government advice

Light and power

• Battery or wind-up torch (safer than candles)
• Portable power bank for charging your mobile
• Battery or wind-up radio (or car radio – but stay indoors in severe weather)
• Spare batteries for torch, radio and any essential devices
• Backup battery for medical equipment

Basic medical supplies

• First aid kit or essentials like: Waterproof plasters, bandages, antiseptic Thermometer, eyewash, sterile dressings, gloves Medical tape and tweezers
• Hand sanitiser and wet wipes (especially if water is off)

Food and water

• Bottled water – ideally 2.5 to 3 litres per person per day for drinking, and up to 10 litres if you want enough for cooking and hygiene
• Tinned or long-life food that doesn’t need cooking – and a tin opener
• Don’t forget food and water for pets

Babies and children

• Nappies, baby wipes
• Ready-made baby formula (boiling water may not be possible)

No need to panic-buy – just add items gradually when you can, and store them somewhere easy to access in an emergency.