Backup power guides
Straight answers with the math shown, so you can check our numbers against your own appliances.
Getting started
- What size power station do I need?A simple 4-step method to size a power station for home backup: daily watt-hours, output watts, startup surge and recharging, with a worked example.
- How to calculate power station runtimeThe runtime formula for power stations and batteries, explained with worked examples, plus the six things that make real runtime shorter than the math.
- How many solar panels do I need to charge a power station?A simple formula for sizing solar panels for a 500 Wh to 3,000 Wh power station, why panels deliver about 75% of their rating, and the input limits that cap how fast any station can charge.
- Power station vs generator: which is better for backup power?An honest comparison of portable power stations and gas generators for power outages: indoor safety, runtime, output, noise, cost and upkeep, plus when it makes sense to own both.
How long will a power station run…
- How long will a power station run a refrigerator?Runtime for a full-size fridge on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, why the startup surge matters, and how to make the battery last through an outage.
- How long will a power station run a CPAP?How many nights a power station runs a CPAP, with and without the heated humidifier, plus why the DC adapter can add hours.
- How long will a power station run a Wi-Fi router and modem?Keep your internet up in a power cut: runtime for a router, modem and Starlink on power stations of every size, and how DC power doubles it.
- How long will a power station run Starlink?Runtime for Starlink Standard and Starlink Mini on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, why the Mini lasts three times longer, and how to stretch internet through an outage or off-grid trip.
- How long will a power station run a sump pump?Sump pump runtime on a power station depends on how often it cycles. See typical runtimes for 1/3 and 1/2 HP pumps and how to estimate yours.
- How long will a power station run a chest freezer?Chest freezer runtime on power stations from 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh, why chest freezers are outage-friendly, and how long food stays frozen without power.
- How long will a power station run a mini fridge?Runtime for a mini fridge on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, why a mini fridge is easier to back up than a full-size one, and when a 12 V camping fridge is the better choice.
- Can a power station run a gas furnace?How long a power station runs a gas furnace's blower and controls in a winter outage, what size you need, how to connect a hard-wired furnace safely, and why some furnaces won't light on battery power.
- How long will a power station run an electric blanket?Runtime for an electric blanket on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, why it beats a space heater by 20× in a winter outage, and how to stay warm all night on battery power.
- How long will a power station run a window air conditioner?Runtime for 5,000 and 8,000 BTU window ACs on power stations, the startup surge problem, and how to keep cool longer on battery.
- How long will a power station run a space heater?Why a 1,500 W space heater drains even a large power station in about an hour, and cheaper ways to stay warm on battery power.
- Can a power station run a microwave?What size power station a microwave needs, why a 1,000 W microwave draws 1,500 W, how many minutes of cooking you get per charge, and which stations can handle it.
- Can a power station run a coffee maker?What size power station a drip coffee maker, pod machine or kettle needs, how much battery each pot uses, and the most battery-friendly ways to make coffee in an outage or while camping.
- Can a power station run a well pump?What it takes to run a well pump on a power station: the 3,000 W startup surge, why most well pumps need 240 V, how long the battery lasts, and how to wire it safely.
- How long will a power station run a laptop or computer?Runtime for laptops, desktop PCs and gaming computers on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, why USB-C charging lasts longer, and how to use a power station as a UPS for working through outages.
- How long will a power station run a TV?Runtime for 32", 55" and 65" TVs on power stations from 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh, and the picture settings that change it most.
- How long will a power station run an oxygen concentrator?Runtime for a home oxygen concentrator on 300 Wh to 3,000 Wh power stations, what size you need, and how to build a safe outage plan with your oxygen supplier.