Running a chest freezer on backup power
The short answer
A chest freezer uses about 80–500 watts while running , and needs up to 2,200 watts for a split second when it starts. Over 24 hours it uses roughly 288–5,400 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 50 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 10.9–68.4 hours.
Sized in a full plan
This load is part of a plan we ran against every unit we track, with picks: The best portable generators for home backup.
The numbers behind that
Like a fridge, a freezer cycles. A full, unopened chest freezer can hold safe temperature for a long stretch without any power at all.
What it draws while it is actually on.
The momentary surge when a motor or compressor kicks in. Undersized systems fail here, not on running watts.
How much of the hour it is actually drawing power. This is what turns running watts into energy.
Multiply the battery capacity you are considering by roughly 0.85 to compare like with like.
Usually plugs in
Most units plug into a normal socket. If yours is wired into the wall instead, treat it as the case below.
Check this yourself
Read the nameplate. A full freezer holds temperature longer than an empty one.
What can run it
Sized for 24 hours of use during a 24-hour outage, using the higher end of the range.
| Product | Continuous | Surge | Runtime | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zendure SuperBase V6400 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 10.9–68.4h | Will work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 8.6–53.6h | Might work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 7.8–49.0h | Might work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 7.0–43.5h | Might work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 6.8–42.4h | Might work |
| Honda EU2200i Super Quiet Inverter Generator | 1,800W | 2,200W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| Honda EU3000iS Inverter Generator | 2,800W | 3,000W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| FIRMAN WH03242 Dual-Fuel Inverter | 3,200W | 4,000W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
What will not work, and why
5 of 58 products cannot run this.
- Jackery Explorer 300D — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 288–5,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.5h before recharging.
- Anker SOLIX Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station - 288Wh | 300W — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 288–5,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.5h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 300 v2 Portable Power Station — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 288–5,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.5h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus — 243Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 288–5,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.5h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station — 208Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 288–5,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.4h before recharging.