Refrigerator backup
Power stations that can run a refrigerator
Every unit below has enough inverter output and stored energy, by its own Amazon listing, to keep a standard fridge cold through an outage. They're ordered by our Bench Rating, with the estimated runtime worked out from each unit's capacity.
- Average fridge draw
- 120 W
- While the compressor runs
- 200 W
- Start-up surge
- ~1,200 W
Runtime estimates assume 85% inverter efficiency and a fridge left closed. A full-size fridge uses roughly 1–1.5 kWh a day.
Ranked by Bench Rating
Fridge-capable power stations
Capacity and output figures come from each live listing.
- #1BROWEY
BROWEY 1600W (3200W Peak) Portable Power Station with Built-in Solar…
4.8(106 ratings)~7.3 hours of fridge runtime
1,024 Wh · 1,600 W continuous · $799
Surge rating of 3,200 W covers a compressor start.
$799 at Amazon(paid link) - #2BLUETTI
BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station 2073.6Wh 2600W Solar…
4.6(681 ratings)~15 hours of fridge runtime
2,074 Wh · 2,600 W continuous · $1,199
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$1,199 at Amazon(paid link) - #3Jackery
Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Power Station
4.6(187 ratings)~1.1 days of fridge runtime
3,584 Wh · 3,600 W continuous · $1,709
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$1,709 at Amazon(paid link) - #4BLUETTI
BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station for Camping 1024Wh 1800W
4.5(651 ratings)~7.3 hours of fridge runtime
1,024 Wh · 1,800 W continuous · $899
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$899 at Amazon(paid link) - #5GRECELL
Portable Power Station 1000W 999Wh Solar Generator for Outdoor Home…
4.3(642 ratings)~7.1 hours of fridge runtime
999 Wh · 1,000 W continuous · $380
Surge rating of 2,000 W covers a compressor start.
$380 at Amazon(paid link) - #6pecron
PECRON Portable Power Station F3000LFP
4.5(136 ratings)~22 hours of fridge runtime
3,072 Wh · 3,600 W continuous · $899
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$899 at Amazon(paid link) - #7GRECELL
Portable Power Station 500W
4.5(232 ratings)~3.7 hours of fridge runtime
519 Wh · 500 W continuous · $300
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$300 at Amazon(paid link) - #8GRECELL
Portable Power Station 1000W 999Wh Solar Generator for Outdoor Camping
4.5(232 ratings)~7.1 hours of fridge runtime
999 Wh · 1,000 W continuous · $380
Surge rating of 2,000 W covers a compressor start.
$380 at Amazon(paid link) - #9GRECELL
GRECELL 999Wh Portable Power Station 1000W for Outdoor & Home Backup
4.4(165 ratings)~7.1 hours of fridge runtime
999 Wh · 1,000 W continuous · $380
Surge rating of 2,000 W covers a compressor start.
$380 at Amazon(paid link) - #10GRECELL
1000W Portable Power Station 999Wh
4.4(144 ratings)~7.1 hours of fridge runtime
999 Wh · 1,000 W continuous · $300
Surge rating of 2,000 W covers a compressor start.
$300 at Amazon(paid link) - #11GRECELL
GRECELL 999Wh Solar Generator 1000W Portable Power Station for Outdoor
4.3(3,126 ratings)~7.1 hours of fridge runtime
999 Wh · 1,000 W continuous · $500
Surge rating of 2,000 W covers a compressor start.
$500 at Amazon(paid link) - #12GRECELL
Portable Power Station 500W
4.3(3,126 ratings)~3.7 hours of fridge runtime
519 Wh · 500 W continuous · $300
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$300 at Amazon(paid link) - #13BLUETTI
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station 1152Wh 1800W LiFePO4 Solar…
4.6(1,861 ratings)~8.2 hours of fridge runtime
1,152 Wh · 1,800 W continuous · $449
Surge rating not stated on the listing.
$449 at Amazon(paid link)
Before you buy
What it takes to run a fridge
The numbers that decide whether a unit keeps your food cold.
What size power station do I need to run a refrigerator?
A full-size US refrigerator averages about 120 watts over a day of compressor cycling, draws roughly 200 watts while the compressor runs, and can spike to about 1200 watts on start-up. Look for at least 400 Wh of capacity for a short outage, 1,000 Wh or more for overnight, and an inverter rated at 400 watts continuous or higher so the start-up surge is comfortably covered.
How long will a power station run my fridge?
Divide usable capacity by the average draw: a 1,000 Wh unit at about 85% inverter efficiency runs a 120-watt fridge for roughly 7 hours. Keeping the door shut stretches that considerably, because the compressor cycles on less often.
Will the compressor's start-up surge trip the inverter?
Compressors briefly pull several times their running watts. Units that publish a surge rating at or above 1,200 watts handle a standard fridge without tripping; where a listing doesn't state a surge figure, we say so rather than assume it.
Can I recharge the power station during a long outage?
Yes — most units accept solar panels or a car 12V socket, so a daytime solar top-up can keep a fridge cold indefinitely. Check each product page for its stated solar input.