Appliance Wattage Chart
Typical running watts, starting (surge) watts and average draw for 46 household, RV and camping devices, with the sources for every figure. Tap “Try it” to load a device into the runtime calculator.
Most-asked questions
- How Long Will a Power Station Run a Refrigerator
- How Long Will a Power Station Run a Chest Freezer
- How Long Will a Power Station Run a CPAP
- Can a Power Station Run a Sump Pump
- Can a Power Station Run a Window Air Conditioner
- Can a Power Station Run a Space Heater
- How Long Will a Power Station Run Starlink
- Can a Power Station Run a Gas Furnace
- Can a Power Station Run a Well Pump
- Can a Power Station Run a Microwave
- How Long Will a Power Station Run a TV
- How Long Will a Power Station Run a Wi‑Fi Router
Essentials
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPAP (no humidifier) 8 h night without humidifier or heated tube; many newer machines draw less | 30 W | 30 W | 30 W | 0.2 kWh | Try it |
| CPAP with heated humidifier 8 h night with heated humidifier; ResMed power supplies are 65 W (AirSense 11) and 90 W (AirSense 10) | 60 W | 60 W | 60 W | 0.5 kWh | Try it |
| Wi-Fi router + modem Modem plus Wi-Fi router left on 24 h | 15 W | 15 W | 15 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| Phone charging (USB) DC About one full smartphone charge per day (~2 h at ~10 W) | 10 W | 10 W | 10 W | 0 kWh | Try it |
| Laptop Typical use for 6 h/day via its AC adapter | 50 W | 50 W | 50 W | 0.3 kWh | Try it |
| LED light bulb (60 W equivalent) One 800-lumen LED bulb for 6 h/day | 9 W | 9 W | 9 W | 0.1 kWh | Try it |
| Starlink Standard Starlink spec: 75–100 W average; on 24 h | 90 W | 90 W | 90 W | 2.2 kWh | Try it |
| Starlink Mini DC Starlink spec: 25–40 W average; runs on 12–48 V DC or 100 W USB-C PD; on 24 h | 35 W | 35 W | 35 W | 0.8 kWh | Try it |
| Washing machine One ~1 h cold-water load; draw varies by cycle phase; water heating not included | 500 W | 1,200 W | 500 W | 0.5 kWh | Try it |
| Garage door opener ~12 open/close runs of ~15 s each per day; standby draw not included | 720 W | 1,420 W | 720 W | 0 kWh | Try it |
| Aquarium heater (100 W) Thermostat assumed ~50% duty; runs more in a cold room | 100 W | 100 W | 50 W | 1.2 kWh | Try it |
Kitchen
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (full-size, ENERGY STAR) ~510 kWh/yr, between ENERGY STAR model medians (362 top-freezer, 553 bottom, 640 side-by-side); compressor cycles | 150 W | 1,200 W | 58 W | 1.4 kWh | Try it |
| Refrigerator (older full-size, 1990s–early 2000s) ~900 kWh/yr (ENERGY STAR: 2000 model 810, 1990 model 1,180 kWh/yr); compressor cycles | 250 W | 1,600 W | 104 W | 2.5 kWh | Try it |
| Mini fridge (compact, 1.7–4.5 cu ft) ~250 kWh/yr (ENERGY STAR compact median 246; middle 80% 206–329); compressor cycles | 75 W | 500 W | 29 W | 0.7 kWh | Try it |
| Chest freezer (7–15 cu ft) ~255 kWh/yr (ENERGY STAR chest models: 201–218 at 9–10.6 cu ft, 277 at 15.7 cu ft); compressor cycles | 100 W | 800 W | 29 W | 0.7 kWh | Try it |
| Upright freezer (frost-free, 13–20 cu ft) ~438 kWh/yr (ENERGY STAR upright-freezer median); compressor cycles | 150 W | 1,000 W | 50 W | 1.2 kWh | Try it |
| Microwave (1,000 W cooking power) Draws ~1.5x its cooking power from the outlet; 15 min/day of use | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| Drip coffee maker (10–12 cup) Brewing one full pot (~15 min at full power); warming-plate time not included | 1,000 W | 1,000 W | 1,000 W | 0.3 kWh | Try it |
| Electric kettle (1.7 L) About 12 min/day at full power (1–2 full boils) | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 0.3 kWh | Try it |
| Toaster (2–4 slice) About 6 min/day (2–3 toasting cycles) | 1,000 W | 1,000 W | 1,000 W | 0.1 kWh | Try it |
| Induction burner (single, portable) Medium-high setting, 1 h/day of cooking; the max setting draws up to 1,800 W | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 1.5 kWh | Try it |
| Slow cooker (6 qt) One 8 h cook; Low is near the bottom of the range, High near the top | 200 W | 200 W | 200 W | 1.6 kWh | Try it |
| Electric pressure cooker (6 qt, Instant Pot type) Full power until pressurized, then heater cycles; ~40% average over a 1 h cook (3 qt 700 W, 8 qt 1,200 W) | 1,000 W | 1,000 W | 400 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| Blender (countertop) Ordinary 350–450 W blender, 3 min/day; high-power blenders reach ~1,000 W | 400 W | 850 W | 400 W | 0 kWh | Try it |
| Rice cooker (5.5–6 cup) ~30 min at full heat per batch (conservative); keep-warm not included. 3-cup 300 W, 10-cup up to 1,000 W | 600 W | 600 W | 600 W | 0.3 kWh | Try it |
Heating & cooling
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box fan (20-inch) Medium-high speed for 8 h | 75 W | 150 W | 75 W | 0.6 kWh | Try it |
| Ceiling fan (no light kit) High speed for 8 h; ENERGY STAR 52-in. fans median ~26 W, older fans up to ~75 W | 35 W | 35 W | 35 W | 0.3 kWh | Try it |
| Window AC (5,000 BTU) ~50% compressor duty on a hot day, 8 h/day (e.g., overnight); inverter ENERGY STAR units draw ~350 W | 450 W | 1,100 W | 225 W | 1.8 kWh | Try it |
| Window AC (8,000 BTU) ~50% compressor duty on a hot day, 8 h/day; 8,000 BTU/h ÷ CEER 10.9–15 gives 530–735 W | 700 W | 1,500 W | 350 W | 2.8 kWh | Try it |
| Space heater (portable, 1,500 W) High setting; thermostat assumed to run it ~50% of the time; 8 h/day | 1,500 W | 1,500 W | 750 W | 6 kWh | Try it |
| Electric blanket (full/queen) Controller assumed ~50% duty at a medium setting; 8 h night. Single-size blankets ~60 W | 100 W | 100 W | 50 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| Dehumidifier (50-pint) Running W from ENERGY STAR capacity/IEF; humidistat assumed ~50% duty in a damp space | 490 W | 1,000 W | 245 W | 5.9 kWh | Try it |
| Gas furnace blower fan ~50% run time in cold weather. Hardwired: needs a transfer switch or inlet to connect | 600 W | 1,400 W | 300 W | 7.2 kWh | Try it |
Water & pumps
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sump pump (1/3 HP) Float switch cycles; assumes ~20% run time (12 min/hr) in wet weather; varies widely with inflow | 800 W | 1,300 W | 160 W | 3.8 kWh | Try it |
| Sump pump (1/2 HP) Float switch cycles; assumes ~20% run time (12 min/hr) in wet weather; varies widely with inflow | 1,050 W | 2,150 W | 210 W | 5 kWh | Try it |
| Well pump (1/2 HP submersible) 240 V ~1 h of pumping/day on pressure switch. Most 1/2 HP submersibles are 240 V; 120 V models exist | 800 W | 2,000 W | 33 W | 0.8 kWh | Try it |
Entertainment & office
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV (55-inch LED) Default picture settings, 4 h/day; ENERGY STAR 55-in. models measure 77–114 W | 100 W | 100 W | 100 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| Desktop PC + monitor Home/office PC (~120 W) plus LCD monitor (~30 W), 6 h/day; gaming PCs can reach 400 W | 150 W | 150 W | 150 W | 0.9 kWh | Try it |
| Game console (PS5 / Xbox Series X class) Gameplay, 3 h/day; Sony measures ~215 W for PS5 games, ~90–115 W for PS4 games | 200 W | 200 W | 200 W | 0.6 kWh | Try it |
| Projector (home/portable) 3 h/day (a movie or two); lamp-based home projectors sit at the high end | 200 W | 200 W | 200 W | 0.6 kWh | Try it |
Tools
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular saw (7-1/4 in.) 30 min of cutting per day | 1,400 W | 2,300 W | 1,400 W | 0.7 kWh | Try it |
| Cordless tool battery charger Standard 18/20 V charger, ~2 h/day (about two 5 Ah packs) | 100 W | 100 W | 100 W | 0.2 kWh | Try it |
Outdoor, RV & EV
| Device | Running | Starting | Average | Per day | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pellet grill ~300 W igniter phase at startup (535 W on some models), then ~50 W for auger/fan/controller; 4 h cook | 50 W | 300 W | 50 W | 0.2 kWh | Try it |
| E-bike charger (48 V, 2 A) ~6 h refills a ~624 Wh battery, including charger losses | 120 W | 120 W | 120 W | 0.7 kWh | Try it |
| 12 V compressor car fridge (DC) DC Runs on 12 V DC; ~1.5 A average (Engel cites ~1–2 A typical); on 24 h | 45 W | 60 W | 18 W | 0.4 kWh | Try it |
| EV Level 1 charging (120 V, 12 A) 12 A continuous at 120 V; ~5 mi of range per hour (AFDC), so 4 h/day adds ~20 mi | 1,440 W | 1,440 W | 1,440 W | 5.8 kWh | Try it |
Running vs starting watts
Running watts are what a device draws while it's on. Starting watts are the brief spike when a motor or compressor starts, often several times higher. A power station needs enough continuous output for the first and enough surge capacity for the second. Read the full explanation.
Sources
Figures come from ENERGY STAR product data, the U.S. Department of Energy, generator makers' wattage charts (Honda, Champion, Generac) and manufacturer specifications. Individual products vary; check your device's label or measure it with a plug-in watt meter.
- data.energystar.gov/resource/p5st-her9.json
- energystar.gov/sites/default/files/asset/document/Appliance_and_Recycli…
- powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-wattage-estimation-guide
- championpowerequipment.com/generator-wattage-chart
- powerequipment.honda.com/generators/generator-how-much-power
- championpowerequipment.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Generators-WattageChartFlyer-…
- data.energystar.gov/resource/8t9c-g3tn.json
- dam.generac.com/ImConvServlet/imconv/b807fd2cc096c5464d1d28bc6f16d391f50…
- waterrights.utah.gov/sustainability/Appliances.pdf
- cuisinart.com/perfectemp-cordless-electric-kettle/CPK-17P1.html
- cuisinart.com/digital-gooseneck-kettle/GK-1.html
- hamiltonbeach.com/frequently-asked-questions
- instantpot.com/collections/ip-6qt/products/instant-pot-duo-6qt-multi-us…
- instantpot.com/collections/multi-cookers/products/instant-pot-duo-mini-…
- instantpot.com/collections/multi-cookers/products/instant-pot-duo-plus-…
- zojirushi.com/app/product/nszcc
- zojirushi.com/app/product/nhs
- lasko.com/products/lasko-pro-power-20-box-fan-3-speed-weather-resi…
- data.energystar.gov/resource/2te3-nmxp.json
- data.energystar.gov/resource/5xn2-dv4h.json
- ecfr.gov/current/title-10/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-430/subpar…
- data.energystar.gov/resource/mgiu-hu4z.json
- resmed.com/en-us/products/cpap/machines/airsense-11
- resmed.com/en-us/products/cpap/machines/airsense-10
- energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting
- starlink.com/public-files/specification_sheet_standard.pdf
- starlink.com/public-files/specification_sheet_mini.pdf
- webtrol.com/assets/franklin-aim-manual.pdf
- data.energystar.gov/resource/pd96-rr3d.json
- playstation.com/en-gb/legal/ecodesign
- support.traeger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407219875611-Grill-Watt-Amp-Usage
- radpowerbikes.com/collections/electric-bikes/products/radrunner-plus-elect…
- engelcoolers.com/products/45-platinum-portable-car-fridge
- dometic.com/en-us/product/cfx5-45-electric-cooler-97000050755
- afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-stations
Calculators
Runtime calculator
How long will your power station run a fridge, CPAP, sump pump or anything else? Checks surge too.
What size do I need?
List what you want to power and for how long. Get the models that can handle it, smallest first.
Solar charging calculator
Charging time from your panels, plus a wiring check for voltage and current limits.
Generator vs power station
What each costs over the years in price, gas or electricity and upkeep, and what each needs for a long outage.
Compare models
Put up to three power stations side by side, with runtimes for everyday appliances.