What size power station do I need to run a refrigerator during a power outage?
Keeping the food cold is the number-one reason people buy a power station for outages. A full-size fridge doesn't draw much on average — it cycles on and off — but it needs a station that can swallow the compressor's start-up surge and store enough energy to ride out the hours you're without power.
The load
- Refrigerator (full-size) — 300W running, 1500W starting
- LED lights (per room) — 30W running
- Phone charger — 10W running
Field note: A fridge only runs its compressor a third to half the time, so its average energy use is far below its running watts — but size the station to the surge, not the average. Pairing the station with a solar panel effectively removes the runtime limit during a daytime outage.
Right size: Expandable home backup (≈6,000Wh+) · 5,000W
Backing up whole circuits through a transfer switch; add battery modules for days of autonomy, especially with solar. A home-backup system, not a grab-and-go unit. For 240V loads or true whole-home coverage, compare against a standby generator.
See current prices on AmazonAdjust for your setup
Different loads or runtime? Uncheck and re-check below and drag the runtime slider — the plate recomputes live.
Capacity includes inverter loss (~15%) and a usable-charge margin, so the station isn't run flat. A solar panel or vehicle charge extends runtime past this number.
Power stations that fit
Right size: Expandable home backup (≈6,000Wh+) · 5,000W
Backing up whole circuits through a transfer switch; add battery modules for days of autonomy, especially with solar. A home-backup system, not a grab-and-go unit. For 240V loads or true whole-home coverage, compare against a standby generator.
See current prices on Amazon