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Estimate runtime by dividing the power station’s usable energy in watt-hours (Wh) by the appliance’s average power draw in watts (W). For an AC appliance, a practical starting estimate is station capacity (Wh) × 0.85 ÷ average appliance draw (W). The 0.85 is a planning allowance for conversion losses, not a guaranteed efficiency or a measured result for every power station.
That calculation answers “How long will a power station run my fridge?” only if you use a realistic average for the fridge and check that the station can also handle its running and startup power. The steps below show how to make both checks.
Use this runtime formula
Estimated AC runtime (hours) = station capacity (Wh) × estimated usable fraction ÷ appliance average draw (W).
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor an initial estimate when the appliance plugs into an AC outlet, use 0.85 as the usable fraction: a power station’s inverter and internal operation consume some energy, so not all of its rated battery capacity reaches the appliance. Anker SOLIX recommends this quick estimate for typical AC loads in its portable power station guidance dated 30 June 2026; Cygnett uses the same factor in a worked example in its May 2026 runtime guide. Neither makes 0.85 a universal efficiency specification.
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If the manufacturer gives usable AC energy or a runtime tested on the exact station and under conditions like yours, use that model-specific information instead of treating the rule of thumb as a promise. Actual runtime varies with the station, load, appliance behavior, settings, and conditions.
Example: a steady 100W load
For a 1,000Wh station and a device drawing a steady 100W from AC, the estimate is 1,000 × 0.85 ÷ 100 = about 8.5 hours. This is arithmetic from the planning formula, not a test of a particular station.
Example: a smaller station and device
Cygnett’s worked example uses a 614Wh station and a 60W load: 614 × 0.85 ÷ 60 = about 8.7 hours. That figure is also a formula-derived estimate, not an independently reported runtime test.
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Watts measure power; watt-hours measure energy
Watts (W) describe how much power an appliance uses at a moment. Watt-hours (Wh) describe an amount of energy: at a steady 100W, a device uses 100Wh in one hour. The station’s output rating helps answer whether it can supply the required power; its capacity helps estimate how long its stored energy can supply that load.
Schneider Electric explains that appliance power may be read from its nameplate or calculated from volts × amps, and that watt-hours equal watts × hours in its battery-bank sizing guidance (published 16 December 2016 and modified 5 February 2026). A label’s voltage and current can help establish a load, but a real appliance’s consumption can change as it operates.
Capacity and output answer different questions
A station could have enough stored energy for several hours but still be unable to run an appliance whose power demand exceeds the station’s output limit. Check continuous output for the appliance’s operating load, and check surge output where a motor or compressor must start. Runtime math does not establish that an appliance can start.
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Rated capacity is not necessarily usable AC energy
Capacity printed in Wh is a useful starting point, but the energy delivered through an AC outlet is lower because conversion and station operation use energy. The 0.85 multiplier gives a cautious planning estimate for typical AC loads; it is not a published test result for every device, load level, or station. If a maker states a model-specific usable AC capacity or tested runtime, prefer that figure and retain its stated conditions.
Calculate runtime for your own appliances
- Find the station capacity. Use the battery capacity in Wh from the station’s specifications. If the manufacturer publishes usable AC energy for the model, use that for an AC calculation instead of applying a generic fraction.
- Find the appliance’s power draw. Check its nameplate, manual, or charger. If the label gives volts and amps rather than watts, multiply volts by amps for a basic power estimate. For an appliance that cycles or changes power, seek its average draw over the period you intend to use it rather than assuming its highest listed wattage runs continuously.
- Choose the connection type. For an AC-connected device, start with a 0.85 usable fraction unless the station maker provides more specific usable-energy information. For a compatible DC connection, follow both devices’ specifications; using DC can avoid the station’s AC-inverter conversion loss.
- Divide usable Wh by average W. The result is an estimated number of hours for that load. For example, with a 1,000Wh station, a 0.85 AC planning factor, and a 50W average load, 850 ÷ 50 gives about 17 hours.
- Check power limits separately. Confirm that the load is within the station’s continuous output and, for a motor or compressor, that startup demand is within its surge capability. A runtime result is not proof that the station can supply the startup power.
- Compare the estimate with your planned use. If the estimate is shorter than the time you need, reduce the load, use a compatible lower-loss connection where appropriate, or choose a station with more usable energy. If you are relying on a specific result, verify it against the exact station and appliance specifications.
For an appliance not listed in a station maker’s runtime table, you do not need a matching example to make an estimate. Use that appliance’s average draw and the station’s usable energy in the formula. When a rating is unclear or likely to vary, measure the appliance during the kind of use you plan; a short measurement during an atypical cycle may not represent its average over several hours.
How to estimate runtime for a refrigerator
A refrigerator is a cycling load: its compressor switches on and off rather than drawing its running power continuously. Dividing capacity by the compressor’s running watts as though it ran all day can therefore give a poor estimate. Use an average draw over a representative period, or use a manufacturer’s runtime estimate that identifies the refrigerator and test conditions.
To estimate a fridge’s runtime, first find the station’s usable AC energy or apply the 0.85 planning fraction to its rated Wh. Then find the refrigerator’s average draw, preferably measured over a representative period with the fridge operating as you intend to use it. Divide usable Wh by that average wattage. Check separately that the station’s continuous output handles the fridge while its compressor runs and that its surge output can accommodate startup. The result is an estimate, not a guarantee: room temperature, settings, refrigerator age and efficiency, and other connected loads all matter.
Measure when the label is not enough
A nameplate is a starting point, not necessarily a record of what the appliance will consume in your intended setting. Anker SOLIX advises checking a label, manual, charger, or plug-in meter; Cygnett also recommends a power meter when a more accurate consumption figure is needed. A meter can help establish the draw of a cycling appliance across its on-and-off operation, which is more useful for the runtime formula than the compressor’s peak running draw alone.
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Interpret published refrigerator runtimes carefully
Anker SOLIX lists illustrative runtimes of 15–32 hours for a 190W refrigerator on its C2000 Gen 2, a station specified at 2,048Wh capacity and 2,400W AC output. The refrigerator estimate is based on testing at 25°C with specified 10–28 cu.ft. refrigerators, unloaded and with ice-making disabled; the manufacturer cautions that actual runtime varies. Those figures describe those manufacturer test conditions, not a universal runtime for a 190W refrigerator or a guarantee for a different station or household setup. The same guide lists 105 hours for a 10W Wi-Fi router and 26.6 hours for a 60W laptop; those are likewise manufacturer-specific illustrative figures.
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Account for multiple appliances and changing loads
Add simultaneous loads
When appliances run at the same time, add their average watt draws and divide usable capacity by that combined load. For a 1,000Wh station using the 0.85 AC estimate, a 60W device and a 40W device running together make a 100W load: 850 ÷ 100 = about 8.5 hours. That is less time than either appliance would get alone because both draw from the same stored energy.
If the devices do not operate simultaneously, estimate each period separately or use a realistic average combined load over the planned period. Do not add appliance nameplate ratings and assume that total is consumed constantly if some devices cycle; use their average draw for the operating pattern you expect.
For example, if a refrigerator averages 50W over the period and a 10W router runs continuously alongside it, the combined average is 60W. On a 1,000Wh station using the 0.85 AC planning fraction, the estimate is 850 ÷ 60, or about 14.2 hours. This calculation assumes the stated averages apply during the same period and does not replace the station’s output and startup checks.
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Account for conditions that change consumption
- Appliance cycling and use frequency: compressors and pumps switch on and off, so their average draw depends on how often they run.
- Temperature and settings: surrounding temperature and appliance settings can affect consumption and runtime.
- Age and efficiency: an appliance’s condition and efficiency affect its actual draw.
- Other connected loads: devices left connected add to the station’s total demand, including any station idle use identified by the manufacturer.
- Battery condition and station model: available energy and conversion behavior are not identical across stations or battery conditions.
Cygnett identifies temperature, idle consumption, appliance age or efficiency, and usage frequency as factors; Anker SOLIX also notes model, settings, room temperature, battery condition, and additional connected loads. These variables are reasons to treat a general formula as an estimate, not additional universal percentage deductions.
Check whether the station can start and run the appliance
Before choosing a station, check both the energy estimate and the power limits. The appliance’s running demand must be within the station’s continuous output. A motor or compressor may need extra power briefly at startup; Schneider Electric describes the high demand associated with motor startup, while Anker SOLIX advises checking continuous and surge output. Compare the appliance’s stated startup requirement, where available, with the station’s surge specification and confirm how long the station can sustain that surge. Do not infer startup capability from Wh capacity alone.
Also make sure the appliance can use one of the station’s available ports. A compatible DC connection may avoid AC inverter conversion, but voltage, connector, and device requirements must match the specifications of both products. Never assume that a port is compatible solely because it has a familiar shape.
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Choose a station around your runtime target
Start with the appliances you intend to run, their average loads, and the hours you need. For simultaneous loads, add the average watts; multiply the total by the target hours to estimate required delivered energy in Wh. For a rough AC capacity target using the 0.85 planning factor, divide that energy by 0.85. This reverse calculation is a planning aid, not a substitute for the exact station’s usable-energy data or output specifications.
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Compare stations on the specifications that affect your use:
| Specification | What it tells you | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (Wh) | Rated stored energy, or usable AC energy if the maker specifies it | Supports the runtime estimate; usable AC energy is more directly relevant to AC loads. |
| Continuous output (W) | Power the station can supply during ordinary operation | Must accommodate the appliances running together. |
| Surge output (W) | Brief higher output the station can provide, subject to its stated conditions | May determine whether a motor or compressor can start. |
| Ports and outputs | Available AC and DC connections and their specifications | Determine whether your appliances can connect, and whether a compatible DC route is available. |
| Weight and portability | How practical the station is to move for its intended use | A larger-capacity option may not suit a use case where carrying it is important. |
| Charging speed | How quickly the station can recharge under the maker’s stated conditions | Relevant if you need to restore the energy between periods of use. |
| Reserve for planned duration | Whether estimated usable energy covers the full target period | Allow for uncertainty in appliance averages and changing conditions rather than treating the calculated runtime as guaranteed. |
Capacity, output, charging speed, and weight are among the comparison specifications identified by Anker SOLIX; Schneider Electric’s battery-system guidance also supports accounting for reserve and startup needs. The correct balance depends on your actual load and portability needs, not capacity alone. A plug-in electricity usage meter can be a useful secondary purchase if your appliance’s real draw is uncertain; measure first where possible, then compare station capacity and output to your measured needs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common calculation mistakes
- Dividing Wh by watts without considering AC losses: that treats all rated energy as delivered to an AC device. Use a model-specific usable AC figure if available, or the 0.85 planning factor as an estimate.
- Using a refrigerator’s running watts as its all-day average: this treats a cycling compressor as continuously on. Measure over time or use a runtime figure whose test conditions match the intended use.
- Confusing enough energy with enough output: a large Wh number does not show that a station can supply the appliance’s running or startup power.
- Ignoring other devices: simultaneous loads draw from the same battery. Add their average watts for the shared runtime estimate.
- Treating an estimate as a guarantee: actual draw changes with use and conditions, and station performance depends on model and battery condition. Verify critical requirements with the exact product specifications.
Sources and scope
The calculation method and examples here use manufacturer guidance from Anker SOLIX and Cygnett, alongside Schneider Electric’s explanation of power, energy, and motor startup in battery-based inverter systems. Schneider Electric’s guidance includes a Conext-specific amp-hour conversion factor; that factor is not applied here or generalized to every portable power station. No regulator or standards-body requirement for the 0.85 runtime factor is established by these cited sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will a power station run my fridge?
Estimate the fridge’s average draw over a representative period, then divide the station’s usable AC energy by that average. If the maker does not publish usable AC energy, a starting estimate is station capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ average fridge watts. Fridges cycle, so running watts alone can overstate their average load. Also confirm the station can handle the fridge’s running and startup power. Published estimates depend on specific refrigerator models and test conditions: Anker SOLIX, for example, lists 15–32 hours for a 190W refrigerator on its 2,048Wh C2000 Gen 2 under stated conditions.
How do I calculate runtime for an appliance that is not listed?
Find the station’s capacity in Wh and the appliance’s average draw in W. For a typical AC load, estimate hours as capacity × 0.85 ÷ average watts, unless the manufacturer gives model-specific usable AC energy. If the appliance cycles or changes draw, use an average over the way and duration you plan to use it. A plug-in electricity usage meter can help when a label or manual does not reflect actual consumption.
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How do I work out watts if the label only lists volts and amps?
For a basic power estimate, multiply volts by amps to get watts. Schneider Electric’s battery-bank guidance describes this relationship and explains that watt-hours equal watts × hours. Treat the result as a starting point for appliances whose consumption changes during operation; for runtime, an actual average draw may be more useful than the label’s maximum or nominal figure.
Can I add the wattage of several appliances?
Yes. If they run at the same time, add their average watts and divide usable Wh by that combined load. If some appliances cycle, use their average draw rather than assuming their maximum listed watts continue constantly. If they run at different times, calculate each period or estimate a realistic average combined load across the intended period. Remember that the station’s continuous output must also accommodate appliances operating together.
Does the 0.85 factor guarantee the runtime?
No. Anker SOLIX recommends 0.85 as a quick planning factor for typical AC loads, and Cygnett uses it in a worked estimate. It allows for losses and station operation, but it is not a universal efficiency specification or guaranteed result. Use the station maker’s usable AC energy or test data for the exact model and conditions when available.
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No. Wh helps estimate how long stored energy may last, while output ratings show whether the station can supply the required power. Check continuous output against the running load, and surge output against any motor or compressor startup demand. Also confirm that the appliance is compatible with the station’s AC or DC ports.
Does using a DC port make a power station last longer?
A compatible DC connection can avoid the station’s AC-inverter conversion loss, which may improve usable runtime for that setup. The benefit depends on the station and appliance. Follow both products’ voltage, connector, and operating specifications; a physically matching port does not by itself establish compatibility.
The Bottom Line
For a quick AC estimate, divide station capacity in Wh × 0.85 by the appliance’s average watts. Treat the result as a planning estimate, especially for cycling appliances such as refrigerators. Before relying on it, confirm usable energy, continuous output, surge capability, and connection compatibility for the exact station and appliances.
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