How long will a power station last in a power cut?
Tick what you'd want to keep running, and we'll show roughly how many hours each size of portable power station would cover. No sign-up, nothing stored.
Total draw: 0W
| Power station size | Approx. runtime | Can it cope? |
|---|---|---|
| Small (~250Wh) | – | – |
| Medium (~500Wh) | – | – |
| Large (~1,000Wh) | – | – |
| Extra large (~2,000Wh) | – | – |
| Home backup (~3,600Wh) | – | – |
How we work it out: usable capacity (Wh) × 85% for real-world losses ÷ total watts. Appliance figures are typical averages. Check the label on yours for an exact number.
Safety: never run a petrol generator, BBQ or camping stove indoors. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill. Battery power stations are safe to use inside.
Quick rules of thumb
- Keeping connected (router, phones, a few lights) needs very little. A small unit lasts a day or more.
- Keeping warm: an electric blanket uses about 1/20th of the power of a fan heater. It's the efficient way to stay warm on battery.
- Keeping the fridge cold: a full fridge stays cold for about 4 hours with the door shut. A large (~1,000Wh) unit can run one for most of a day.
- Kettles and heaters are the hardest things to power. Plan around them rather than for them.