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
1,530 W
Running, low to high
1,500 W to 1,800 W
Starting
No start surge
Typical use a day
15 minthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
Average draw while on
1,530 W
Voltage
120 V

The math

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

  1. Output1,530 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,530 W.
  2. SurgeNo start surge: the running figure covers it.
  3. Average draw1,530 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on.
  4. A typical day1,530 W × 15 min = 383 Wh a day.
  5. Typical 15 min a day1,530 W × 15 min = 383 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 450 Wh of rated capacity.
  6. 1 hour of use1,530 W × 1 h = 1,530 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,800 Wh of rated capacity.
  7. On the ALLPOWERS R2500 V21,920 Wh × 0.85 = 1,632 Wh usable, ÷ 1,530 W = 1.1 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

A microwave sold as 1,000 W cooks with 1,000 W; it takes more from the outlet, 1,500 W to 1,800 W for the countertop models in our sources. Size a station by the input watts on the rating label, not by the cooking power.

Questions

How many watts does a microwave oven (1,000 W cooking power) use?
About 1,530 W while running, from 1,500 W to 1,800 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 microwave oven (1,000 W cooking power)?
Yes. 42 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 1,530 W of continuous output.
How long will a power station run a microwave oven (1,000 W cooking power)?
It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 (1,024 Wh), gives about 34 min of use. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 6.8 h of use.
Does a microwave oven (1,000 W cooking power) need extra watts to start?
No start surge is published for this type, so the site checks it at its 1,530 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. The check corrected at least one figure.

  1. GE 1.3 Cu. Ft. Countertop Microwave Oven - JES1344SK maker product page, checked
  2. GE 1.2 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Microwave Oven - JES1288SH maker product page, checked
  3. GE Full-Size Countertop Microwave Oven - JE1550GW maker product page, checked
  4. Generator Wattage Chart: Common Appliances & Tools (Champion Power Equipment) generator maker guide, checked
  5. Choosing a Generator, Quick Reference Wattage flyer (Champion Power Equipment) generator maker guide, checked
  6. 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.