How Long Will a 1000Wh Power Station Last? Runtime Examples
How long a 1000Wh portable power station runs common devices, with the simple formula and examples from a router to a mini fridge.
By PowerStationWiki Editors
Updated October 4, 2026
This guide is based on manufacturer specifications, published information and buyer feedback. We do not claim hands-on testing. Always follow the instructions that come with your own equipment.
A 1,000 Wh power station can run a 100 W device for roughly eight to ten hours, but real runtime depends on what you plug in and how efficient the unit is. This guide shows the formula and common examples.
The formula
Runtime in hours = battery capacity (Wh) x efficiency / load (W). For efficiency, 0.8 to 0.85 is a sensible estimate for AC devices because of conversion losses. For a 1,000 Wh unit running a 100 W load: 1,000 x 0.85 / 100 = about 8.5 hours.
Runtime examples
| Device (typical watts) | Approximate runtime on 1,000 Wh |
|---|---|
| Phone charging (10 W) | Many full charges over a day or more |
| Wi-Fi router (15 W) | About 55 hours |
| LED light (10 W) | About 85 hours |
| Laptop (60 W) | About 14 hours |
| TV (100 W) | About 8 hours |
| Mini fridge (70 W while running) | About 12 hours of running time, longer in real use because it cycles |
| Microwave (1,000 W) | About 50 minutes |
| Space heater (1,500 W) | About 35 minutes |
These numbers are estimates to help you plan. Check the real wattage of your own devices and the output rating of the power station.
Why real runtime is shorter
- Conversion losses. Turning DC battery power into AC wastes some energy, more at low loads.
- Fan and standby use. The unit itself uses power, especially with the AC output switched on.
- Cold weather. Cold reduces usable capacity.
- Surge at start-up. Motors draw extra power when they start.
- Battery age. Capacity falls slowly over many cycles.
Stretching your runtime
- Use DC or USB ports for small devices where possible.
- Turn off the AC output when you do not need it.
- Choose efficient devices such as LED lights and laptops.
- Recharge during the day with solar if you have panels. See how many panels you need.
For a custom estimate, use our runtime calculator. To see what else a 1,000 Wh unit can run, read what can a 1000Wh power station run.
Runtime in everyday scenarios
A quiet evening in an outage. Router 15 W, two LED lamps 20 W, a laptop 60 W and a TV 80 W total about 175 W. On 1,000 Wh at 85% efficiency that is roughly 4.9 hours. Turn the TV off and the load falls to about 95 W, which extends runtime to roughly 9 hours.
Overnight with a fan and phone charging. A 40 W fan plus 10 W of charging is about 50 W, giving around 17 hours.
A camping weekend. LED lanterns, phone charging and a small fan use little power. A mini fridge is the biggest load. Many campers add a solar panel to keep the battery topped up.
Efficiency and standby losses
Inverters are less efficient at very low loads, and the unit’s display, fan and wireless features use some power. If you only need to charge phones, using the USB ports directly avoids inverter losses.
Check your estimate in practice
Watch the percentage after an hour of typical use and extrapolate. This real-world check is often more accurate than any formula. See also our runtime calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 1000Wh power station run a refrigerator all night?
Often it can run a standard refrigerator for many hours, but it depends on the fridge, how often the door is opened and the unit’s surge rating. See our refrigerator guide.
Is 1000Wh enough for a power outage?
It is enough for essentials like a router, lights and device charging for a day or more, but not for heaters, ovens or air conditioners. See can a power station power a house.
Why does my power station show less than 1000Wh?
Rated capacity is measured at the battery. After conversion losses, fewer watt-hours reach your devices.
About the author
The PowerStationWiki editorial team researches portable power stations and solar generators from manufacturer specifications, published reviews and buyer feedback, and writes plain-English buying guides.