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What size power station do I need?

Multiply the watts by the hours, then divide by 0.85 for the power lost turning battery power into AC. That gives the smallest station, in watt-hours, by the factor Jackery, EcoFlow and Anker SOLIX each use.

W
h

For several things at once, type a sum, such as 60 + 10.

Power station size

At least 565Wh

60 W × 8 h = 480 Wh used. 480 Wh ÷ 0.85 = 565 Wh. By Jackery’s, EcoFlow’s and Anker SOLIX’s factor, a station listed at 1,000 Wh covers it.

Each maker’s allowance for losses

  • Jackery, EcoFlow and Anker SOLIX: ÷ 0.85 = 565 Wh
  • Bluetti AC180: ÷ (0.9 × 0.85) = 628 Wh, or 785 Wh counting about 15 W the AC180 uses itself on small loads
  • Bluetti, for Starlink: ÷ 0.8 = 600 Wh
  • AC output: a continuous rating above 60 W, the total of what runs at once. A device that starts with a surge needs the station’s surge rating to cover the starting watts its maker gives.
  • As a UPS: at least 75 W, CyberPower’s rule of the load × 1.25.
  • For 12 V devices on a 12 V battery: 40 Ah (480 Wh ÷ 12 V), before any limit on how far it can be drained. AC devices through an inverter need more: EcoFlow puts the loss at 10 to 20%.
  • Use the watts on each device’s label or in its manual. If the label gives amps and volts, multiply them for the watts.

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Why divide by 0.85

A station stores power as DC, and its inverter turns it into the AC your plugs use. EcoFlow says that step always loses a little, typically 10 to 20%, so a 1,000 Wh battery may supply only about 800 to 900 Wh of AC power.

Where the makers differ

Each maker’s runtime factor, as its own page gives it
MakerFactorWhere it’s given
Jackery0.85Explorer 300 page
EcoFlow0.85Blog, “for a conservative estimate”
Anker SOLIX0.85Runtime and sizing blog posts
BLUETTI0.9 × 0.85, plus about 15 WAC180 page: its depth of discharge, inverter and own use
BLUETTI0.8Starlink guide, for AC loads

Bluetti says its AC180 formula isn’t suitable for loads with compressors, such as fridges and air conditioners. Anker SOLIX adds a 20% margin to the day’s total for appliances with motors, which need extra power just to start.

Watt-hours and watts are two different limits

Watt-hours tell you how long a station lasts. Watts tell you how much it can power at once. Jackery’s Explorer 300 shuts off if the total on its AC outlets goes over 300 W, however much charge is left.

EcoFlow describes two ratings: a continuous one for steady running, and a surge capacity that handles a short spike above it. Anker SOLIX names fridges, power tools, pumps and portable coolers as loads with startup surges.

If you run an extension cord from the station, check its gauge with What Bulb For’s cord gauge chart.

Common questions

How long will my power station last?

Jackery's formula is the station's Wh × 0.85 ÷ the device's watts. Its own example is the 293 Wh Explorer 300 running a 30 W fan for about 8.3 hours.

Is a station's DC port more efficient than its AC outlet?

Bluetti says a DC-to-DC kit that bypasses the inverter can raise efficiency to 90% or more, writing about Starlink on a station's 12 V or 48 V ports. Anker SOLIX says a DC adapter improves a CPAP's efficiency.

Where we get our information from

The factors come from Jackery’s Explorer 300 page, EcoFlow’s and Anker SOLIX’s blog posts and Bluetti’s AC180 page and Starlink guide; the UPS rule from CyberPower and the 12 V arithmetic from Renogy, all read on October 25, 2026. Checked against published data from Anker SOLIX, BLUETTI, Jackery, EcoFlow and Renogy (plus 1 more).

See all 8 sources
  • Jackery, Explorer 300 Portable Power Station (product page and FAQ)
  • EcoFlow blog, How Long Will a 3000-Watt Solar Generator Run?
  • Anker SOLIX blog, How Long Will a Power Station Last?
  • Anker SOLIX Canada blog, Portable Power Station Calculator: Runtime Formula and Tips
  • BLUETTI Australia, AC180 Portable Power Station page (FAQ: How long can it run my device?)
  • BLUETTI blog, How Long Can BLUETTI Power Starlink?
  • Renogy Learn Center, Batteries
  • CyberPower blog, Runtime Recommendations

Battery sizes come from battery makers' datasheets and device makers' own manuals and help pages. Check your device's manual or the old battery before you buy. If anyone may have swallowed a battery, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline at 1-800-498-8666 or your poison center at 1-800-222-1222 straight away.