What size power station for a modern full size refrigerator?

It needs a station with at least 275 W of continuous output and a surge rating of at least 1,000 W to start it. At the default 85% efficiency it takes about 510 Wh of rated capacity for 8 hours of running, and 1,529 Wh for 24 hours of running. 49 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it. The smallest one that keeps it going for 24 hours of running is the Jackery Explorer 1500 v2 (1,536 Wh).

Updated October 6, 2026

275W
Continuous output
1,000W
Surge to start it
510Wh
Capacity for 8 hours of running
1,529Wh
Capacity for 24 hours of running
49 of 54
Stations that power it

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: 275 W
Running, low to high: 150 W to 400 W
Starting: 1,000 W800 W to 1,200 W, 3.6 times running
Energy per day: 1.3 kWh0.91 to 1.92 kWh; the compressor cycles on and off
Typical use a day: 24 hthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
Average draw while on: 54.2 W
Voltage: 120 V

Explained in: Watts vs watt hours, explained, How to read an appliance label for watts, Starting watts explained and Can a power station run a refrigerator?.

The math

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

Output275 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 275 W.
Surge1,000 W to start, so its surge rating must be at least 1,000 W.
Average draw1.3 kWh a day × 1,000 ÷ 24 h = 54.2 W, because it cycles on and off.
A typical day54.2 W × 24 h = 1,300 Wh a day.
8 hours of running54.2 W × 8 h = 433 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 510 Wh of rated capacity.
24 hours of running54.2 W × 24 h = 1,300 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 1,529 Wh of rated capacity.
On the Jackery Explorer 1500 v21,536 Wh × 0.85 = 1,306 Wh usable, ÷ 54.2 W = 24.1 h.

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 275 W, from 150 W to 400 W. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

49 of 54 power stations run it at 275 W and 1,000 W to start.

Power stations for a refrigerator (modern, full size) at 275 W
Power station	Can it power it	Running time	Output	Start surge
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus	Runs it	4.5 h	600 W	1,200 W
Goal Zero Yeti 500	Runs it	7.8 h	500 W	1,000 W
DJI Power 500	Runs it	8.0 h	1,000 W	not published
Jackery Explorer 600 v2	Runs it	10.0 h	500 W	1,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti 700	Runs it	10.6 h	600 W	1,000 W
BLUETTI Elite 100 mini	Runs it	15.8 h	700 W	1,050 W
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2	Runs it	16.1 h	1,800 W	3,600 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic	Runs it	16.1 h	1,800 W	3,600 W
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2	Runs it	16.1 h	2,000 W	3,000 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3	Runs it	16.1 h	1,800 W	3,600 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus	Runs it	16.1 h	1,800 W	3,600 W
Pecron E1000LFP	Runs it	16.1 h	1,800 W	3,000 W
DJI Power 1000	Runs it	16.1 h	2,200 W	4,400 W
Anker SOLIX C1000	Runs it	16.6 h	1,800 W	2,400 W
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2	Runs it	16.8 h	1,500 W	3,000 W
BLUETTI AC180	Runs it	18.1 h	1,800 W	2,700 W
ALLPOWERS R1500	Runs it	18.1 h	1,800 W	3,000 W
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus	Runs it	19.8 h	2,000 W	4,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti 1500	Runs it	23.6 h	2,000 W	3,600 W
Jackery Explorer 1500 v2	Runs it	24.1 h	2,000 W	4,000 W
Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra	Runs it	24.1 h	1,800 W	3,600 W
ALLPOWERS R2500 V2	Runs it	30.1 h	2,500 W	4,000 W
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2	Runs it	32.0 h	2,200 W	4,400 W
Jackery HomePower 2000 Plus v2	Runs it	32.1 h	2,400 W	4,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max	Runs it	32.1 h	2,400 W	4,800 W
Pecron E2400LFP	Runs it	32.1 h	2,400 W	4,000 W
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2	Runs it	32.1 h	2,400 W	4,000 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus	Runs it	32.1 h	3,000 W	6,000 W
OUPES Mega 2 Pro	Runs it	32.1 h	2,500 W	not published
DJI Power 2000	Runs it	32.1 h	3,000 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2	Runs it	32.5 h	2,600 W	not published
Anker SOLIX F2600	Runs it	40.2 h	2,400 W	2,800 W
BLUETTI Apex 300	Runs it	43.4 h	3,840 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 300	Runs it	47.3 h	2,400 W	4,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra	Runs it	2.0 days	3,600 W	7,200 W
Anker SOLIX F3000	Runs it	2.0 days	3,600 W	7,200 W
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus	Runs it	2.0 days	3,600 W	7,200 W
Pecron E3600LFP	Runs it	2.0 days	3,600 W	7,000 W
ALLPOWERS R3500	Runs it	2.1 days	3,200 W	6,000 W
ALLPOWERS R4000	Runs it	2.3 days	3,600 W	6,000 W
BLUETTI Elite 400	Runs it	2.5 days	2,600 W	5,200 W
Anker SOLIX F3800	Runs it	2.5 days	6,000 W	9,000 W
Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus	Runs it	2.5 days	6,000 W	9,000 W
Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000	Runs it	2.6 days	3,600 W	7,200 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3	Runs it	2.7 days	4,000 W	8,000 W
OUPES Guardian 6000 V2	Runs it	3.0 days	6,000 W	9,000 W
Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus	Runs it	3.3 days	7,200 W	14,400 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra	Runs it	4.0 days	7,200 W	10,800 W
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X	Runs it	8.0 days	12,000 W	not published
BLUETTI Elite 10 Mini	Cannot power itNeeds 275 W running at once; this station gives 200 W. Needs 1,000 W to start; this station peaks at 300 W.	none	200 W	300 W
Jackery Explorer 240 v2	Cannot power itNeeds 1,000 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	300 W	600 W
BLUETTI Elite 30 V2	Cannot power itNeeds 1,000 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 1,000 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	300 W	600 W
Goal Zero Yeti 300	Cannot power itNeeds 1,000 W to start; this station peaks at 600 W.	none	350 W	600 W

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

What moves the number

Three figures, three checks. The running watts, 150 W to 400 W, set the output check; the start of about 1,000 W sets the surge check; the daily energy sets the hours: 1.3 kWh a day typical among certified full size models, 0.91 to 1.92 kWh from efficient to thirsty. Through the door ice and larger cabinets sit at the high end.

Keep the door shut: food in a shut refrigerator stays cold for about four hours with no power. The refrigerator guide works through the start and the runtime.

Questions

How many watts does a modern full size refrigerator use?

About 275 W while running, from 150 W to 400 W across the models in our sources. It needs about 1,000 W for a moment at start. Over a day it uses about 1.3 kWh, because it cycles on and off. 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 modern full size refrigerator?

Yes. 49 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 275 W of continuous output and a surge rating of 1,000 W.

How long will a power station run a modern full size refrigerator?

It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus (286 Wh), gives about 4.5 h. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 8.0 days.

Why does a modern full size refrigerator need a high surge rating?

Its motor draws about 1,000 W for a moment at start, 3.6 times its 275 W running figure. A station whose surge rating is below that cannot start it, even when the continuous output is enough. 49 of the 54 stations pass that check.

Setups that include it

Sources

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

Generator Wattage Chart: Common Appliances & Tools - Champion Power Equipment generator maker guide, checked October 6, 2026
ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Refrigerators (data.energystar.gov dataset p5st-her9) government, checked October 6, 2026
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.