A 1,000Wh power station runs a mini-fridge for about 14 hours, a laptop for 13 hours, or basic camping gear (lights + phones + fan) for 2+ days. If you are still shopping, the best value in that class is the Bluetti AC180 (1,152Wh, $449). The sizing rule is simple: add up the watt-hours your devices use in your longest day, then divide by 0.85 to cover inverter losses. That is the capacity to buy. For light duty like phones, lights, and a laptop, the Anker SOLIX C300 (288Wh, $200) is enough; for running a full-size fridge through a multi-day outage, step up to the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2,042Wh, $999). Select your exact model and devices below to get a precise runtime estimate.
Runtime Calculator
Two steps: pick your power station, check your devices, and see how long it lasts.
1. Select Your Power Station
Pick the model you own, or enter custom specs.
2. Select Devices to Run
Check what you want to power and adjust hours per day.
Electronics
Smartphone Charging15W
Laptop65W
Tablet Charging15W
Camera Battery Charging20W
Drone Battery Charging60W
Lighting
LED Camp Lights (string)20W
LED Lantern10W
Work Lights (LED)50W
Audio & Entertainment
Portable Bluetooth Speaker10W
TV (42")80W
TV (65")120W
Gaming Console150W
Medical & Comfort
CPAP Machine40W
Electric Blanket100W
Portable Fan30W
Cooling & Refrigeration
12V Electric Cooler45W(50% duty cycle)
Mini Fridge60W(40% duty cycle)
Full-Size Refrigerator150W(33% duty cycle)
Chest Freezer100W(33% duty cycle)
Networking
WiFi Router + Modem30W
Starlink Terminal75W
Kitchen
Coffee Maker (drip)900W
Electric Kettle1200W
Microwave1000W
Instant Pot700W
Portable Stove/Burner1800W
Personal
Hair Dryer1500W
Heating & Cooling
Space Heater (1,500W)1500W
Window AC (8,000 BTU)800W
Tools
Power Drill600W
Circular Saw1400W
Air Compressor (small)1200W
Emergency & Off-Grid
Sump Pump800W(33% duty cycle)
Well Pump (1/2 HP)750W
Security Camera / NVR50W
Garage Door Opener500W
Oxygen Concentrator300W
Bottle Warmer / Formula Maker300W
Runtime by Power Station Size
Quick reference for how long common power station sizes last with typical devices. All estimates assume 85% usable capacity.
Device
300Wh
1,000Wh
2,000Wh
5,000Wh
Smartphone Charging (15W)
17 hrs
2.4 days
4.7 days
11.8 days
Laptop (65W)
4 hrs
13 hrs
1.1 days
2.7 days
CPAP Machine (40W)
6 hrs
21 hrs
1.8 days
4.4 days
Portable Fan (30W)
9 hrs
1.2 days
2.4 days
5.9 days
Mini Fridge (60W, 40% duty)
11 hrs
1.5 days
3.0 days
7.4 days
Full-Size Fridge (150W, 33% duty)
5 hrs
17 hrs
1.4 days
3.5 days
TV 42" (80W)
3 hrs
11 hrs
21 hrs
2.2 days
WiFi Router + Modem (30W)
9 hrs
1.2 days
2.4 days
5.9 days
Top Picks by Capacity
If the runtime table above told you what size you need, these are the units we recommend at each capacity tier. Prices are approximate and move with sales.
Small changes in how you use your power station can stretch runtime by 20-40%.
Use 12V/DC outputs instead of AC when possible
The inverter that converts DC battery power to AC loses 10-15% efficiency. Devices that accept 12V input (coolers, car chargers, LED strips) draw less from the battery when plugged into the DC port.
Lower screen brightness and use eco modes
A TV at 50% brightness draws 30-40% less than at max. Laptops in battery-saver mode drop from 65W to around 30-40W. Every watt saved is runtime gained.
Stagger high-draw devices
Running a coffee maker (900W) and a microwave (1,000W) at the same time pulls 1,900W. Running them back-to-back keeps your peak load lower and avoids tripping the inverter.
Keep the battery between 20% and 80% in storage
LiFePO4 batteries last longest when stored at 50-60% charge. Avoid draining below 10% or leaving it at 100% for weeks. This preserves long-term capacity so your runtime stays consistent over years.
Use timers and smart plugs to cycle devices
Running a fan on a 30-minutes-on, 30-minutes-off cycle halves its energy use. Space heaters on a timer keep a room comfortable while cutting runtime in half compared to continuous use.
Charge during the day with solar panels
A 200W solar panel produces roughly 600-800Wh on a sunny day. For a 1,000Wh station running light loads, that means effectively unlimited runtime during daylight hours, reserving battery for overnight.
Runtime FAQ
How long will a 1,000Wh power station run a refrigerator?
A full-size fridge draws about 150W but cycles on and off, averaging roughly 50W. With 85% usable capacity, a 1,000Wh station runs it for about 17 hours. A mini fridge averaging 24W lasts around 35 hours. Opening the door less and pre-chilling before an outage stretches both numbers.
What drains a power station fastest?
Anything that makes heat. Space heaters (1,500W), coffee makers (900W), microwaves (1,000W), and hair dryers empty a battery in under an hour. A 1,000Wh station runs a 1,500W heater for barely 30 minutes but powers LED lights and phone charging for days. Run heat-producing appliances back-to-back instead of together to avoid tripping the inverter.
How much runtime does the inverter overhead cost me?
Converting DC battery power to AC wall power loses 10 to 15%, which is why every estimate on this page assumes 85% usable capacity. Plugging 12V devices like coolers, car chargers, and LED strips into the DC ports skips the inverter entirely and squeezes more hours from the same battery.
Can I run devices while the power station is charging?
Yes. Nearly all current models support pass-through charging, so you can plug the station into the wall or a solar panel and power devices at the same time. Some units also work as a UPS, switching to battery in milliseconds when grid power drops. Charging under heavy load generates extra heat, so expect slower charge times.
Why is my real runtime shorter than the rated capacity suggests?
Three reasons: the inverter eats 10 to 15%, the battery management system reserves a small buffer at the bottom, and rated capacity is measured under ideal lab conditions. Cold weather also cuts lithium battery output. Planning around 85% of the label, like our calculator does, keeps your estimates honest.
Need a Bigger Station?
If your runtime is shorter than you need, our sizing calculator recommends the right power station for your exact device list and duration.