Watts

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
1,875 W
Running, low to high
1,500 W to 1,875 W
Starting
No start surge
Typical use a day
6 minthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
Average draw while on
1,875 W
Voltage
120 V

The math

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

  1. Output1,875 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,875 W.
  2. SurgeNo start surge: the running figure covers it.
  3. Average draw1,875 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on.
  4. A typical day1,875 W × 6 min = 188 Wh a day.
  5. Typical 6 min a day1,875 W × 6 min = 188 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 221 Wh of rated capacity.
  6. 1 hour of use1,875 W × 1 h = 1,875 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 2,206 Wh of rated capacity.
  7. On the Anker SOLIX F26002,560 Wh × 0.85 = 2,176 Wh usable, ÷ 1,875 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.

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

What moves the number

The heating element takes most of the power. 1,875 W is a full size dryer on its hottest, fastest setting, the usual US rating; cooler settings use far less. A few minutes of use is a small bite of battery.

Questions

How many watts does a hair dryer use?
About 1,875 W while running, from 1,500 W to 1,875 W across the models in our sources. 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 hair dryer?
Yes. 33 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 1,875 W of continuous output.
How long will a power station run a hair dryer?
It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 (1,024 Wh), gives about 28 min of use. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 5.6 h of use.
Does a hair dryer need extra watts to start?
No start surge is published for this type, so the site checks it at its 1,875 W running figure. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

Sources

Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time.

  1. Conair 1875 Watt Mid-Size Dryer Models 303 Instructions maker manual, checked
  2. Conair 1875 Watt Style & Shine Dryer Models 425 Instructions maker manual, checked
  3. Conair 1875 Watt Hair Dryer Instruction and Styling Guide (127 series) maker manual, checked
  4. Generator Wattage Worksheet (Generac, K182637) generator maker guide, checked

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.