Quick answer: A typical household camping or 1-day outage load of 4,000 Wh requires a 5,000 Wh power station (with 20% buffer) to ensure adequate runtime and headroom.
Portable Power Station Sizing Calculator
Find the right capacity for your loads and runtime. Matched recommendations from top brands.
How we calculate power station capacity
The calculator sums your daily watt-hour demand across all appliances, adds a 20% safety buffer, and matches the result to power station models that meet your requirements.
Models from EcoFlow, Jackery, Bluetti, and Anker are matched by capacity tier and output wattage to ensure your peak loads are covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I choose the right portable power station size?
- Calculate total watt-hours: multiply each appliance's watts by hours of use per day. Add 20% buffer. A station should meet or exceed that number.
- Can a portable power station run a refrigerator?
- Yes — a modern compressor fridge draws 100–150W. At 8 hours per day, that's 800–1,200 Wh. A 1,500 Wh station will run a fridge for about 8–10 hours, or longer with solar recharging.
- What's the difference between LFP and NMC batteries in power stations?
- LFP (lithium iron phosphate) lasts 2,000–3,500 cycles vs 500–1,000 for NMC. LFP is heavier but lasts 5–10× longer. Recommended for home backup use; NMC is fine for occasional camping.
Reviewed April 2026
Methodology and source note
PowerSizing calculators use shared formulas, documented assumptions, and current planning inputs that are summarized on the methodology page. Use these tools for first-pass planning, comparison, and sanity checks, then confirm local code, pricing, utility tariff, and installer specifics before you buy equipment.