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How to Calculate Power Station Runtime
This power station calculator tells you how long your battery will keep your devices running. Think of your power station as a fuel tank. The capacity in watt-hours (Wh) is the size of the tank. The watts (W) your devices pull is how fast you burn through it.
Step 1: find the capacity
It is printed on the unit and the box in Wh. Example: 1,070Wh for a Jackery Explorer 1000 v2.
Step 2: add up your watts
Check the label or the charger of each device. Add them together if they run at the same time.
Step 3: apply the formula
Multiply by 0.85, then divide by your total watts. The power station calculator above does this for you in one click.
A Jackery 1000 v2 (1,070Wh) running a 60W laptop: 1,070 × 0.85 ÷ 60 = 15 hours. That is almost two full workdays.
Why multiply by 0.85?
No power station hands you 100% of its battery. The inverter that turns battery power into 120V AC loses around 10 to 15% as heat, and the battery management system keeps a small reserve.
Devices charged over USB-C or the 12V port skip the inverter, so they often get closer to 90% efficiency. If most of your load is DC, your real runtime will beat the estimate.
A laptop charger rated at 65W usually pulls only 30 to 40W once the battery is full. The rating on a charger is its maximum, not what your device uses all the time.
How Long Does a 256Wh, 1024Wh or 2048Wh Power Station Last?
Most spec sheets list capacity in Wh, so here is the answer for the sizes you will see most often. Every figure uses the same formula as the power station calculator above.
| Capacity | 20W Router | 60W Laptop | 100W Fridge avg | 300W TV + gaming | 1,000W Microwave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256Wh RIVER 2 class | 11 hrs | 3.5 hrs | 2 hrs | 44 min | Too much* |
| 512Wh 500Wh class | 22 hrs | 7.5 hrs | 4.5 hrs | 1.5 hrs | Too much* |
| 768Wh RIVER 2 Pro class | 33 hrs | 11 hrs | 6.5 hrs | 2 hrs | Too much* |
| 1,024Wh 1kWh class | 44 hrs | 15 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 3 hrs | 52 min |
| 1,536Wh 1.5kWh class | 2.7 days | 22 hrs | 13 hrs | 4.5 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| 2,048Wh 2kWh class | 3.6 days | 29 hrs | 17 hrs | 6 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| 3,072Wh 3kWh class | 5.4 days | 44 hrs | 26 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| 5,040Wh 5kWh class | 8.9 days | 3 days | 43 hrs | 14 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
*Units this small usually top out at 300 to 800W of output, so they cannot run a 1,000W load at all.
Divide the Wh by the watts, then take away 15%. A 1,024Wh unit on a 100W load: 1,024 ÷ 100 = 10.2 hours, minus 15% = about 8.5 hours.
Watts vs Watt-Hours: What “1800W” Really Means
This is the number one source of confusion when shopping. A power station has two headline numbers, and only one of them tells you how long it lasts. As the U.S. Energy Information Administration explains, watts measure power at a given moment, while watt-hours measure energy used over time.
How much it can power at once
An 1,800W unit can run devices that add up to 1,800W at the same moment. It says nothing about runtime.
How long it lasts
A 1,152Wh battery stores 1,152 watts for one hour, or 100 watts for about 10 hours after losses.
So “how long will an 1800W power station last?” depends entirely on its Wh. The Bluetti AC180 is rated 1,800W with 1,152Wh: it runs a 100W load for about 10 hrs, but a full 1,800W load for only about 33 min.
Converting Wh to Ah or mAh
Divide watt-hours by the battery voltage. Power stations are usually compared at 12V, and USB power banks list mAh at 3.7V.
| Capacity | At 12V | At 3.7V (power bank) |
|---|---|---|
| 256Wh (RIVER 2) | 21Ah | 69,200mAh |
| 1,024Wh (HomePower 1000 v2) | 85Ah | 276,800mAh |
| 1,056Wh (Anker C1000) | 88Ah | 285,400mAh |
| 2,048Wh (AC200L) | 171Ah | 553,500mAh |
Always compare power stations in Wh. Ah and mAh only make sense next to a voltage.
Power Station Runtime Chart
Don’t want to do the math? Here is how long popular power stations last with everyday devices.
| Power station | Size | Mini fridge | CPAP | Laptop | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery 300 | 293Wh | 5 hrs | 6 hrs | 4 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Bluetti X60 | 614Wh | 10 hrs | 13 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
| Anker C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024Wh | 17 hrs | 22 hrs | 15 hrs | 11 hrs |
| Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 | 1,024Wh | 17 hrs | 22 hrs | 15 hrs | 11 hrs |
| Anker C1000 | 1,056Wh | 18 hrs | 22 hrs | 15 hrs | 11 hrs |
| Jackery 1000 v2 | 1,070Wh | 18 hrs | 23 hrs | 15 hrs | 11 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1,152Wh | 20 hrs | 24 hrs | 16 hrs | 12 hrs |
| Bluetti AC200L | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 44 hrs | 29 hrs | 22 hrs |
| Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2 | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 44 hrs | 29 hrs | 22 hrs |
| Anker C2000 Gen 2 | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 44 hrs | 29 hrs | 22 hrs |
Based on: mini fridge 50W, CPAP 40W (no humidifier), laptop 60W, 42″ TV 80W.
How Many Watts Does Your Stuff Use?
Not sure what your devices draw? Here is a quick reference. The lower the watts, the longer your power station lasts. For an exact match between one appliance and one unit, try our compatibility checker.
Small stuff Under 100W: easy
| Device | Watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phone charger | 5-20W | Fast chargers use more |
| LED camping light | 5-15W | Very efficient |
| Wi-Fi router + modem | 15-25W | Runs 24/7, so it adds up |
| Laptop | 30-65W | Gaming laptops use more |
| CPAP (basic) | 30-60W | Without the heated humidifier |
| Small fan | 20-50W | Great for camping |
| TV (32-42″) | 50-80W | Modern LEDs are efficient |
| Mini fridge | 40-60W | Average over a day |
| Starlink dish | 50-75W | Higher while snow melting |
Medium stuff 100-500W: need a bigger unit
| Device | Watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size fridge | 100-200W | Average, the compressor cycles |
| CPAP + humidifier | 80-150W | 2 to 3x more than basic |
| Big TV (55″+) | 100-150W | Bigger screen, more power |
| Electric blanket | 100-200W | Lower once warm |
| PS5 / Xbox | 100-200W | While gaming |
| Chest freezer | 60-120W | Average, very efficient |
| Blender | 300-500W | Only runs a few minutes |
Power-hungry stuff 500W+: drains fast
| Device | Watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee maker | 600-1,200W | Only 5 to 10 minutes |
| Microwave | 600-1,200W | Short bursts are fine |
| Sump pump (1/3 HP) | 800-1,000W | Big startup surge |
| Window AC | 500-1,000W | Needs 2kWh+ for a few hours |
| Hair dryer | 1,000-1,800W | Most units cannot run this |
| Space heater | 1,000-1,500W | Battery killer |
A 1,500W space heater drains a 1,000Wh power station in about 34 min. For heat during an outage, look at a much bigger unit, a heated blanket at 100W, or a gas generator.
What Size Do You Actually Need?
Here is the cheat sheet. Find what you want to power and we’ll tell you what to look at.
| I want to power… | Get at least | Good options |
|---|---|---|
| Phones & tablets only | 200-300Wh | Jackery Explorer 300 |
| Laptop + lights | 500-700Wh | Bluetti X60, Jackery 1000 v2 |
| CPAP for 1 night | 500-700Wh | Bluetti X60, Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 |
| CPAP for a weekend | 1000-1500Wh | Jackery 1000 v2, Anker C1000 Gen 2 |
| Mini fridge all day | 1000-1500Wh | Bluetti AC180, Jackery 1000 v2 |
| Full fridge all day | 2000Wh+ | Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2, Bluetti AC200L |
| RV / van life | 2000-3000Wh | Anker F3000, Jackery 2000 Plus |
| Whole house backup | 5000Wh+ | Jackery 5000 Plus, Anker F3800 |
Buy 20 to 30% more than you think you need. You will use more power than you expect, and every battery loses a little capacity over the years. Our full buying guide goes deeper.
Runtime by Brand
Already know which brand you want? Here is how long each current model lasts at three common power levels.
Jackery
| Model | Size | @ 50W | @ 100W | @ 200W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 300 | 293Wh | 5 hrs | 2.5 hrs | 1 hr |
| Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070Wh | 18 hrs | 9 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
| HomePower 2000 Plus v2 | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 17 hrs | 8.5 hrs |
| HomePower 3000 | 3,072Wh | 2.2 days | 26 hrs | 13 hrs |
| HomePower 3600 Plus | 3,584Wh | 2.5 days | 30 hrs | 15 hrs |
| Explorer 5000 Plus | 5,040Wh | 3.6 days | 43 hrs | 21 hrs |
Jackery vs Bluetti comparison · Solar charge time calculator
Bluetti
| Model | Size | @ 50W | @ 100W | @ 200W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X60 | 614Wh | 10 hrs | 5 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| AC180 | 1,152Wh | 20 hrs | 10 hrs | 5 hrs |
| AC200L | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 17 hrs | 8.5 hrs |
| Elite 200 V2 | 2,073Wh | 35 hrs | 18 hrs | 9 hrs |
| Apex 300 | 2,765Wh | 47 hrs | 24 hrs | 12 hrs |
Anker SOLIX
| Model | Size | @ 50W | @ 100W | @ 200W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1000 | 1,056Wh | 18 hrs | 9 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
| C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024Wh | 17 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
| C2000 Gen 2 | 2,048Wh | 35 hrs | 17 hrs | 8.5 hrs |
| F3000 | 3,072Wh | 2.2 days | 26 hrs | 13 hrs |
| F3800 | 3,840Wh | 2.7 days | 33 hrs | 16 hrs |
How Much Runtime Does Solar Add?
Solar does not make the battery bigger, but it refills it while you use it. Plan on about 4 peak sun hours a day in most of the US, and about 75% of the panel rating once you count angle, heat and wiring losses.
To test a setup, open the advanced options of the power station calculator and set a solar input. If the panel covers your load, the calculator shows unlimited runtime while the sun shines.
| Solar array | Energy per sunny day | Enough to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 100W of panels | about 300Wh | Phones, lights, a laptop |
| 200W of panels | about 600Wh | A CPAP or a mini fridge |
| 400W of panels | about 1,200Wh | A full-size fridge |
| 800W of panels | about 2,400Wh | A fridge plus a freezer and lights |
Formula: panel watts × 4 sun hours × 0.75. Winter sun and clouds can cut this in half.
Want to squeeze more out of your panels? Read our guides to panel angle and winter solar charging, or size a full off-grid setup with the off-grid solar calculator.
What Else Affects Runtime?
The power station calculator gives you a solid estimate. These four things can push real life above or below it.
Cold weather hurts
Below 50°F (10°C) expect 10 to 20% less runtime, and most LiFePO4 units will not recharge below 32°F (0°C). Keep the unit inside your tent, cabin or vehicle. More tips in our RV setup guide.
Capacity fades slowly
Modern LiFePO4 units are rated for 3,000 to 6,000 cycles before dropping to 70 or 80% capacity. Older NMC models fade after 500 to 1,000 cycles. Use the battery age option above.
Startup spikes
Motors need a burst to start. Compressors (fridge, freezer, AC) can briefly pull 3 to 5x their running watts, pumps and power tools 2 to 3x. Check the surge rating, not only the running watts.
Fridges run on and off
A fridge rated at 150W only runs its compressor part of the time, so its daily average is lower. Tick “Fridge cycling” in the calculator for a realistic result.
Power Station Calculator FAQ
How long will a 1000Wh power station last?
About 17 hrs at 50W (a laptop), 8.5 hrs at 100W (a mini fridge) and 4 hrs at 200W. The formula is 1,000 × 0.85 ÷ watts. Our Jackery 1000 v2 review has the full breakdown.
Can I run my fridge during a power outage?
Yes. A full-size fridge averages 100 to 150W because the compressor cycles on and off. A 1,000Wh unit runs it for roughly 6 to 8.5 hours, a 2,048Wh unit for 12 to 17 hours. For a full 24-hour outage, plan on 2,500Wh or more, or add solar. See our best power stations for refrigerator backup.
Will a power station run my CPAP machine?
Yes. Without the heated humidifier, most CPAPs draw 30 to 60W, so a 500Wh unit covers 7 to 14 hours: a full night. Turn the humidifier on and the draw jumps to 80 to 150W, which cuts runtime by half or more. Our CPAP backup guide covers multi-night setups.
How long will an 1800W power station last?
The 1,800W figure is the maximum output, not the battery size. Runtime depends on watt-hours: an 1,800W unit with 1,152Wh, like the Bluetti AC180, runs a 100W load for about 10 hrs but a full 1,800W load for only about 33 min.
How long will a 2048Wh power station last?
About 35 hrs at 50W, 17 hrs at 100W and 8.5 hrs at 200W. On a full-size fridge averaging 100 to 150W, that is roughly 12 to 17 hours.
How do I convert Wh to Ah or mAh?
Divide watt-hours by the battery voltage. At 12V, 1,024Wh equals about 85Ah. Power banks list mAh at 3.7V, so 256Wh equals about 69,000mAh. Always compare power stations in Wh.
What size power station do I need for camping?
For a weekend with phones and lights, 300 to 500Wh is plenty. Add a CPAP or a mini fridge and step up to about 1,000Wh. Long off-grid trips call for 2,000Wh or more with solar. See our best budget picks if you are just starting out.
Jackery vs Bluetti: which lasts longer?
At the same capacity, they last the same time: runtime is set by watt-hours, not by the brand. The real differences are features, build quality and charging speed. Our Jackery vs Bluetti comparison breaks it down.
How accurate is this power station calculator?
Usually within 10 to 15% of real life. The 0.85 factor covers inverter and conversion losses. Cold weather, an aging battery or a load that cycles, like a fridge, can move the result either way. For full off-grid planning, use our off-grid solar calculator.
Real-World Examples
Still not sure what to buy? Here is how three common situations add up.
Weekend camping
- Phone charging: 20Wh
- LED lantern: 20Wh
- Small fan: 120Wh
- Laptop: 120Wh
= 280Wh/day × 2 days = 560Wh
CPAP for 3 nights
- CPAP (8 hrs × 40W × 3): 960Wh
- Phone charging: 60Wh
- Reading light: 30Wh
= 1,050Wh total
24-hour power outage
- Fridge (100W avg): 2,400Wh
- Wi-Fi router: 240Wh
- Phones: 80Wh
- Lights: 120Wh
= 2,840Wh total
Planning for longer outages? Our multi-day outage planning guide shows how to stretch a battery over several days.