! Power Station Runtime Calculator
Portable Power Station Calculator: Find Your Runtime
Estimate how long a portable power station will run your camping gear, fridge, CPAP, laptop, lights, and backup essentials.
Power Station Runtime Calculator
Choose a model, pick your devices, and get an instant runtime estimate.
How to Calculate Runtime
It is simple math. Think of your power station like a fuel tank.
- Capacity Wh is how big your tank is.
- Watts W is how fast your gear uses fuel.
- Runtime is how long before empty.
Capacity Wh / Watts x 0.85 = HoursWhy x 0.85? No battery gives you 100% of its stored power. About 15% is commonly lost as heat and conversion loss.
You have a 1,070Wh Jackery-style station and a 60W laptop. 1,070 divided by 60 x 0.85 = about 15 hours.
Quick Runtime Chart
Use this as a quick reference for common campsite loads.
| Power Station | Size | Mini Fridge | CPAP | Laptop | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery 300 | 293Wh | 3.2 hrs | 8.5 hrs | 4.3 hrs | 2.6 hrs |
| Bluetti EB3A | 268Wh | 2.8 hrs | 7.6 hrs | 3.8 hrs | 2.3 hrs |
| Jackery 500 | 518Wh | 5.5 hrs | 14.7 hrs | 7.3 hrs | 4.4 hrs |
| Anker C800 | 768Wh | 8.2 hrs | 21.8 hrs | 10.9 hrs | 6.5 hrs |
| EcoFlow Delta 2 | 1024Wh | 10.9 hrs | 29 hrs | 14.5 hrs | 8.7 hrs |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1152Wh | 12.2 hrs | 32.6 hrs | 16.3 hrs | 9.8 hrs |
| Jackery 2000 Plus | 2042Wh | 21.7 hrs | 57.9 hrs | 28.9 hrs | 17.4 hrs |
How Many Watts Does Your Stuff Use?
These are planning numbers. Check your own device label when the trip depends on it.
| Device | Watts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phone charger | 5-20W | Fast chargers use more. |
| LED camping light | 5-15W | Very efficient. |
| Laptop | 30-65W | Gaming laptops use more. |
| CPAP basic | 30-60W | Without humidifier. |
| Small fan | 20-50W | Great for camping. |
| Mini fridge | 60-90W | Cycles on and off. |
| Coffee maker | 800-1000W | Short bursts, high output needed. |
| Microwave | 1000W+ | Needs a larger inverter. |
What Size Portable Power Station Do I Need?
| Use Case | Good Starting Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phones, lights, camera batteries | 200-300Wh | Easy weekend power. |
| Laptop, lights, fan | 500-700Wh | Comfortable overnight setup. |
| CPAP for one night | 500-700Wh | Add more for heated humidity. |
| Mini fridge for a day | 1000-1500Wh | Solar helps a lot. |
| Outage fridge backup | 2000Wh+ | Check startup surge. |
Runtime Examples By Brand
At the same watt-hour capacity, brands last about the same. The big differences are output rating, charging speed, battery chemistry, app controls, and price.
| Brand | Example Models | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Jackery | Explorer 300, 1000 v2, 2000 Plus | Simple camping and road trips. |
| EcoFlow | River 2 Pro, Delta 2, Delta Pro | Fast charging and app-friendly setups. |
| Bluetti | EB3A, AC70, AC180, AC200L | Value-focused LiFePO4 backup. |
| Anker SOLIX | C300, C800, C1000, F2000 | Clean home and camping crossover. |
Portable Power Station FAQ
How long will a 1000Wh power station last?
With an 85% efficiency estimate, about 17 hours at 50W, 8.5 hours at 100W, or 4.25 hours at 200W.
Can a portable power station run a refrigerator?
Yes, if the station can handle both running wattage and startup surge. For full-day outages, 2000Wh or more is a better starting point.
Will this work for a CPAP machine?
Usually yes. A CPAP without heated humidification is a good power station load. Heated humidity requires more capacity.
How accurate is this calculator?
It is a planning estimate. Real runtime changes with temperature, device cycling, inverter losses, battery age, and how you use the device.
Real-World Examples
Weekend Camping
Phone charging, LED lanterns, a small fan, and a laptop can land around 250-600Wh for a weekend.
CPAP for 3 Nights
A basic CPAP at 30-60W often needs 750-1500Wh for a long weekend. Heated humidity needs more.
Power Outage
A home fridge can average 100-200W with startup spikes. For a full day, start around 2000Wh.
Ready to Compare?
Use the calculator above, then replace the placeholder links with your affiliate URLs.
Back to Calculator