Which power station size fits your use case?
Six wattage classes from 300W to 3000W+ — each card links to the full runtime guide with every model compared side-by-side.
Phones, CPAP & backpacking
Weekend trips & car camping
Fridge backup & short outages
Kitchen & high-draw appliances
Storm prep & sump pumps
Whole-home & transfer switch
How to choose the right size in 30 seconds
- List your essentials. Fridge (150W), Wi-Fi router (15W), CPAP (60W), lights, phones — add up the wattage.
- Pick output first, capacity second. Your power station’s continuous output (W) must exceed your simultaneous load. Capacity (Wh) determines runtime.
- Match a use case. Devices-only / CPAP / backpacking = 300W. Car camping = 500W. Fridge + router for a few hours = 1000W. Kitchen = 1800W. Storm prep = 2400W. Whole home = 3000W+.
- Need exact hours? Plug your appliance into the runtime calculator.
Want a heads-up when a station this size drops in price?
Pick the size you're looking at. We track prices on 40+ models every day and email you when one in your range beats the lowest price we've recorded.
About one email a week. Unsubscribe in one click. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Privacy Policy
Frequently asked questions
What size power station do I need for a fridge?
A standard fridge pulls ~150W continuous. A 1000W model with 768–1,056Wh keeps it running 4–6 hours. For a full day of fridge backup plus router and lights, step up to 1800W (1,024–1,433Wh). A 300W unit will not run a standard fridge.
What size power station for camping?
For a backpacking weekend with only phones, laptop, CPAP and LED lights: 300W class (204–290Wh) is plenty. For car camping with a 12V mini-fridge or induction burner, go up to 500W (256–512Wh).
What size power station for whole-home backup?
You need a 3000W+ unit with 3,024–5,040Wh and an optional transfer switch. Expect to run the essentials (fridge, router, lights, CPAP, microwave intermittently) for roughly a day per charge cycle, or multiple days if paired with solar.
Is 1000W enough to run a microwave?
Most countertop microwaves draw 1200–1700W at full power, so 1000W class is not enough. You need at least an 1800W model with a surge headroom of 2500W+.
Can a 300W power station run a CPAP?
Yes. A CPAP draws 30–60W depending on heated humidifier use. A 288Wh 300W unit provides roughly 4–8 hours — enough for one night. Disable the heated humidifier to nearly double runtime.
How do I know exactly how long a power station will last for my appliance?
To compute exact runtime in hours for a specific appliance wattage, use the runtime calculator — it applies the formula capacity ÷ watts × 0.85 automatically.