How Long Will a Portable Power Station Run a Fridge?
A 1000Wh portable power station runs a standard refrigerator for 10-18 hours. A 2000Wh station runs it for 20-36 hours. The exact runtime depends on your fridge’s efficiency, the ambient temperature, how often you open the door, and the power station’s inverter efficiency.
Quick Runtime Chart
| Power Station Capacity | Estimated Fridge Runtime | Example Models |
|---|---|---|
| 245Wh | 2-4 hours | EcoFlow River 3 |
| 288Wh | 3-5 hours | Jackery 300 Plus |
| 632Wh | 7-11 hours | Jackery 600 Plus |
| 768Wh | 8-13 hours | Anker Solix C800 Plus |
| 1024-1070Wh | 10-18 hours | EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus, Jackery 1000 V2 |
| 2048Wh | 20-36 hours | Bluetti AC200L |
| 4096Wh | 40-68 hours | EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 |
Estimates assume 60-100W average fridge draw and 85% inverter efficiency.
The Runtime Formula
Runtime (hours) = Capacity (Wh) × Inverter Efficiency ÷ Average Fridge Draw (W)
Most portable power stations have an inverter efficiency of approximately 85% (0.85). This means a 1000Wh station delivers about 850Wh of usable AC power.
Example: 1056Wh (Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2) × 0.85 ÷ 70W average fridge draw = 12.8 hours
Understanding Fridge Power Draw
Refrigerators don’t draw constant power. The compressor cycles on and off:
Compressor ON: 100-200W for a standard fridge, 300-400W for older or larger models.
Compressor OFF: ~0-5W (just the control board).
Startup surge: 800-1200W for 1-2 seconds when the compressor kicks on. You need a power station with at least 1000W output for most full-size fridges.
Average draw over time: 60-100W for a modern Energy Star fridge. The compressor runs about 30-40% of the time.
Find Your Fridge’s Actual Draw
EnergyGuide sticker: Every US fridge has one. Take the annual kWh, divide by 365 for daily consumption, divide by 24 for average hourly draw. Example: 400 kWh/year = 46W average.
Kill-A-Watt meter: A $25 device that measures actual consumption. Plug it between the wall and your fridge for 24 hours.
General estimates by type: Mini fridge: 30-60W avg. Modern full-size: 40-80W avg. Older full-size (10+ years): 80-150W avg. Side-by-side with ice maker: 70-120W avg. Chest freezer: 30-50W avg.
Runtime by Fridge Type
Modern Energy Star Full-Size (60W avg)
| Power Station | Runtime |
|---|---|
| Anker C1000 Gen 2 (1056Wh) | ~15 hours |
| Jackery 1000 V2 (1070Wh) | ~15.2 hours |
| Bluetti AC200L (2048Wh) | ~29 hours |
| Jackery 2000 V2 (2042Wh) | ~28.9 hours |
Older Full-Size (100W avg)
| Power Station | Runtime |
|---|---|
| Anker C1000 Gen 2 (1056Wh) | ~9 hours |
| Bluetti AC200L (2048Wh) | ~17.4 hours |
Mini Fridge (40W avg)
| Power Station | Runtime |
|---|---|
| EcoFlow River 3 (245Wh) | ~5.2 hours |
| Jackery 300 Plus (288Wh) | ~6.1 hours |
| Anker C1000 Gen 2 (1056Wh) | ~22.4 hours |
Tips to Maximize Fridge Runtime
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Keep the door closed. Every opening lets warm air in and adds 10-15 minutes of compressor runtime. Plan what you need and grab everything at once.
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Fill empty space with water bottles. Frozen bottles act as thermal mass, keeping the fridge cold longer between compressor cycles. Fill gaps in the freezer and fridge before storm season.
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Lower the thermostat before the outage. If you know a storm is coming, set the fridge to its coldest setting 12-24 hours ahead. A colder starting temperature means longer safe time.
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Move the power station close to the fridge. Long extension cords lose energy to resistance. A 100-foot 16-gauge cord can lose 5-10% of power.
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Add solar panels for indefinite runtime. A 200W solar panel ($200-300) generates enough power during daylight hours to offset most fridge consumption, effectively extending runtime indefinitely during the day.
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Turn off the ice maker. Ice makers add 30-50W of draw during ice-making cycles. Disable it during outages.
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Consider your freezer too. A full freezer stays safe for 48 hours unopened, a half-full freezer for 24 hours. You may not need to power the freezer at all during short outages.
Minimum Power Station Size for Fridges
For a standard residential fridge, you need at minimum:
- Output: 1000W+ (to handle compressor startup surge of 800-1200W)
- Capacity: 500Wh+ (for at least 5-8 hours of runtime)
Power stations under 500W output (like the EcoFlow River 3 at 300W base) can run mini fridges but cannot handle the startup surge of a full-size refrigerator compressor.
Recommended minimum for fridge backup: The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 at $649 delivers 2000W output and 1056Wh capacity — enough for 10-18 hours of fridge runtime. It’s the best value for fridge-specific backup.
FAQ
Will a 500Wh power station run a full-size fridge? It depends on the output wattage more than the capacity. If the power station outputs 1000W+, it can start the fridge compressor. At 500Wh, expect 5-8 hours of runtime. If the station only outputs 300-600W, it likely cannot handle the compressor startup surge and won’t run a full-size fridge at all.
Can I run a fridge and freezer at the same time? Yes, if your power station has enough output. A fridge (100-200W running) plus a freezer (80-150W running) together peak at 300-350W average. Any 1000Wh+ station handles both easily. Runtime will be shorter since you’re powering two appliances.
Should I get a power station or a gas generator for fridge backup? For most homes, a portable power station is better. It works indoors (no carbon monoxide), runs silently, requires no fuel, and provides enough runtime for typical outages (4-12 hours). A gas generator only makes sense if you need multi-day backup without solar panels.
How do I connect my fridge to a power station during an outage? Simply unplug the fridge from the wall outlet and plug it into the power station’s AC outlet. Use the shortest, thickest extension cord possible if the power station isn’t next to the fridge. Turn on the power station’s AC output before plugging in the fridge.