What size power station for a garage door opener (1/2 HP)?

It needs a station with at least 875 W of continuous output and a surge rating of at least 3,225 W to start it. At the default 85% efficiency it takes about 103 Wh of rated capacity for its typical 6 min a day, and 1,029 Wh for 1 hour of use. 33 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it. The smallest one that keeps it going for 1 hour of use is the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus (1,265 Wh).

Updated October 6, 2026

875W
Continuous output
3,225W
Surge to start it
103Wh
Capacity for its typical 6 min a day
1,029Wh
Capacity for 1 hour of use
33 of 54
Stations that power it

Wattsestimate

Typical figures for this type, from the sources at the foot of this page. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

Running, typical: 875 W
Running, low to high: 875 Wone published figure
Starting: 3,225 W3,225 W to 3,225 W, 3.7 times running
Typical use a day: 6 minhours the motor actually runs
Average draw while on: 875 W
Voltage: 120 V

Assumes the motor runs the whole time; real use is often less.

Explained in: Watts vs watt hours, explained, How to read an appliance label for watts and Starting watts explained.

The math

Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.

Output875 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 875 W.
Surge3,225 W to start, so its surge rating must be at least 3,225 W.
Average draw875 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on, as if the motor never paused.
A typical day875 W × 6 min = 88 Wh a day.
Typical 6 min a day875 W × 6 min = 88 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 103 Wh of rated capacity.
1 hour of use875 W × 1 h = 875 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,029 Wh of rated capacity.
On the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus1,265 Wh × 0.85 = 1,075 Wh usable, ÷ 875 W = 1.2 h of use.

Stations that run it

Every power station in the data with this appliance alone plugged in, at 85% efficiency. Type the running watts from your own label and the table works it out again.

Running watts

Typical 875 W, from 875 W to 875 Westimate. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

33 of 54 power stations run it at 875 W and 3,225 W to start.

Power stations for a garage door opener (1/2 HP) at 875 W
Power station	Can it power it	Running time	Output	Start surge
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2	Runs it	60 min of use	1,800 W	3,600 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic	Runs it	60 min of use	1,800 W	3,600 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3	Runs it	60 min of use	1,800 W	3,600 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus	Runs it	60 min of use	1,800 W	3,600 W
DJI Power 1000	Runs it	60 min of use	2,200 W	4,400 W
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus	Runs it	1.2 h of use	2,000 W	4,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti 1500	Runs it	1.5 h of use	2,000 W	3,600 W
Jackery Explorer 1500 v2	Runs it	1.5 h of use	2,000 W	4,000 W
Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra	Runs it	1.5 h of use	1,800 W	3,600 W
ALLPOWERS R2500 V2	Runs it	1.9 h of use	2,500 W	4,000 W
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2	Runs it	2.0 h of use	2,200 W	4,400 W
Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2	Runs it	2.0 h of use	2,400 W	4,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max	Runs it	2.0 h of use	2,400 W	4,800 W
Pecron E2400LFP	Runs it	2.0 h of use	2,400 W	4,000 W
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2	Runs it	2.0 h of use	2,400 W	4,000 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus	Runs it	2.0 h of use	3,000 W	6,000 W
BLUETTI Apex 300	Runs it	2.7 h of use	3,840 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 300	Runs it	2.9 h of use	2,400 W	4,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra	Runs it	3.0 h of use	3,600 W	7,200 W
Anker SOLIX F3000	Runs it	3.0 h of use	3,600 W	7,200 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus	Runs it	3.0 h of use	3,600 W	7,200 W
Pecron E3600LFP	Runs it	3.0 h of use	3,600 W	7,000 W
ALLPOWERS R3500	Runs it	3.1 h of use	3,200 W	6,000 W
ALLPOWERS R4000	Runs it	3.4 h of use	3,600 W	6,000 W
BLUETTI Elite 400	Runs it	3.7 h of use	2,600 W	5,200 W
Anker SOLIX F3800	Runs it	3.7 h of use	6,000 W	9,000 W
Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus	Runs it	3.7 h of use	6,000 W	9,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000	Runs it	3.9 h of use	3,600 W	7,200 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3	Runs it	4.0 h of use	4,000 W	8,000 W
OUPES Guardian 6000 V2	Runs it	4.5 h of use	6,000 W	9,000 W
Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus	Runs it	4.9 h of use	7,200 W	14,400 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra	Runs it	6.0 h of use	7,200 W	10,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X	Runs it	11.9 h of use	12,000 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 200 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 300 W.	none	200 W	300 W
Jackery Explorer 240 v2	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 300 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	300 W	600 W
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 600 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 1,200 W.	none	600 W	1,200 W
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 600 W. Needs 3,225 W to start. Its surge rating is not published, and its 600 W continuous rating is lower.	none	600 W	not published
Jackery Explorer 300 v2	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 300 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	300 W	600 W
Goal Zero Yeti 300	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 350 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	350 W	600 W
Goal Zero Yeti 500	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 500 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 1,000 W.	none	500 W	1,000 W
DJI Power 500	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start. Its surge rating is not published, and its 1,000 W continuous rating is lower.	none	1,000 W	not published
Jackery Explorer 600 v2	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 500 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 1,000 W.	none	500 W	1,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti 700	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 600 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 1,000 W.	none	600 W	1,000 W
BLUETTI Elite 100 mini	Cannot power itNeeds 875 W running at once; this station gives 700 W. Needs 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 1,050 W.	none	700 W	1,050 W
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 3,000 W.	none	2,000 W	3,000 W
Pecron E1000LFP	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 3,000 W.	none	1,800 W	3,000 W
Anker SOLIX C1000	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 2,400 W.	none	1,800 W	2,400 W
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 3,000 W.	none	1,500 W	3,000 W
BLUETTI AC180	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 2,700 W.	none	1,800 W	2,700 W
ALLPOWERS R1500	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 3,000 W.	none	1,800 W	3,000 W
OUPES Mega 2 Pro	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start. Its surge rating is not published, and its 2,500 W continuous rating is lower.	none	2,500 W	not published
DJI Power 2000	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start. Its surge rating is not published, and its 3,000 W continuous rating is lower.	none	3,000 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start. Its surge rating is not published, and its 2,600 W continuous rating is lower.	none	2,600 W	not published
Anker SOLIX F2600	Cannot power itNeeds 3,225 W to start; this station peaks at 2,800 W.	none	2,400 W	2,800 W

Add it to the runtime calculator with the rest of your list

What moves the number

The only official figure is a generator maker's: 875 W running for a 1/2 HP opener and 3,225 W to start. Belt drive openers with DC motors may draw less, but no maker publishes the motor watts. Each run lasts seconds, so the start is the number that matters.

Questions

How many watts does a garage door opener (1/2 HP) use?

About 875 W while running. That figure is an estimate: few published figures exist for this type. It needs about 3,225 W for a moment at start. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

Can a portable power station run a garage door opener (1/2 HP)?

Yes. 33 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 875 W of continuous output and a surge rating of 3,225 W.

How long will a power station run a garage door opener (1/2 HP)?

It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 (1,024 Wh), gives about 60 min of use. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 11.9 h of use.

Why does a garage door opener (1/2 HP) need a high surge rating?

Its motor draws about 3,225 W for a moment at start, 3.7 times its 875 W running figure. A station whose surge rating is below that cannot start it, even when the continuous output is enough. 33 of the 54 stations pass that check.

Sources

Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time. The check corrected at least one figure.

Generac GP Series 3600-8000 Watt Portable Generators brochure (How much power do you need? table) generator maker guide, checked October 6, 2026

We read published figures and do the math; we do not measure appliances. The methodology states every formula on this page. Capacities are rated watt hours: 1,000 Wh rated gives 850 Wh usable at the default.