How Long Will a Power Station Run a Refrigerator?
A typical ENERGY STAR full-size refrigerator runs at about 150 W while its compressor is on, but it cycles on and off, so it averages about 58 W (1.4 kWh a day). A 1,000 Wh power station runs it for about 15 hours, and a 2,000 Wh one for about 29 hours.
The catch is the start: the compressor can pull around 1,200 W for a split second. Stations with a low surge rating may shut off each time it kicks on. Models that can’t start it are listed below the main table.
Running150 Wtypical range 130–200 W
Starting (surge)1,200 Wfor a split second
Average58 Wincluding on/off cycling
Per day1.4 kWhat 24 h/day
Runtime by power station
Nonstop runtime for one refrigerator at 58 W average, with 85% inverter efficiency. Models that can't supply its running or starting power are listed separately below.
| Power station | Battery | Runtime | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | 5,040 Wh | 3.1 days | |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | 4,096 Wh | 2.5 days | |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,994 Wh | 2.4 days | |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 | 3,840 Wh | 2.3 days | |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | 3,840 Wh | 2.3 days | |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro Older | 3,600 Wh | 2.2 days | |
| Anker SOLIX F3000 | 3,072 Wh | 45 hours | |
| BLUETTI Elite 300 | 3,014 Wh | 44 hours | |
| BLUETTI Apex 300 | 2,765 Wh | 41 hours | |
| BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 | 2,074 Wh | 30 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Older | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| BLUETTI AC200L | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| BLUETTI AC200MAX Older | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX F2000 (767) Older | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| DJI Power 2000 | 2,048 Wh | 30 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | 2,042 Wh | 30 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Older | 2,042 Wh | 30 hours | |
| BLUETTI AC200P Older | 2,000 Wh | 29 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1500 v2 | 1,536 Wh | 23 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra | 1,536 Wh | 23 hours | |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Older | 1,516 Wh | 22 hours | |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500 | 1,505 Wh | 22 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | 1,264 Wh | 19 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX F1200 (757) Older | 1,229 Wh | 18 hours | |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 1,152 Wh | 17 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh | 16 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 1,056 Wh | 15 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Older | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| DJI Power 1000 | 1,024 Wh | 15 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Older | 1,002 Wh | 15 hours | |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Older | 1,002 Wh | 15 hours | |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1000 | 998 Wh | 15 hours | |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Older | 768 Wh | 11 hours | |
| Anker SOLIX C800 Plus | 768 Wh | 11 hours | |
| BLUETTI EB70S Older | 716 Wh | 10 hours | |
| DJI Power 500 Surge not published | 512 Wh | 7.5 hours | |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus | 286 Wh | 4.2 hours | |
| BLUETTI EB3A Older | 269 Wh | 3.9 hours |
Models that can't run it
| Power station | Output | Surge | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Zero Yeti 700 | 600 W | 1,000 W | Can’t start it |
| Jackery Explorer 300 v2 | 300 W | 600 W | Can’t start it |
| Anker SOLIX C300 | 300 W | 600 W | Can’t start it |
We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. It never changes our numbers, and every model in our database is included whether or not it pays us. Learn more.
Tips
- Find your fridge’s real usage on its yellow EnergyGuide label: divide the kWh per year by 365 to get kWh per day, then enter it in the runtime calculator.
- You don’t have to run it nonstop. USDA guidance is that a closed fridge keeps food safe for up to 4 hours without power, so running it in shifts stretches a small battery much further.
- Older fridges can use nearly twice the energy. Our figure for an older full-size model is about 2.5 kWh a day.
- Keep the doors closed and the fridge full. Cold food and drinks help hold the temperature between compressor cycles.
Questions
What size power station do I need for a refrigerator?
For a full day of a typical modern fridge, plan on at least 1,600–2,000 Wh of battery, with at least 1,200 W of surge. Add anything else you want to run in the size finder.
Can a 500 Wh power station run a fridge?
Often for a few hours, if its surge rating can start the compressor. A 500 Wh unit gives roughly 7 hours of an average modern fridge.
How long does food stay safe in a fridge without power?
Up to 4 hours if you keep the door closed, according to FoodSafety.gov. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full).
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- Full appliance wattage chart
Sources
Wattage figures are typical values from the sources below. Your appliance may differ, so check its 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
- foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage