Running a laptop and monitor on backup power
The short answer
A laptop and monitor uses about 45–150 watts while running . Over 8 hours it uses roughly 144–1,200 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 55 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 36.5–121.6 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 power stations for camping; The best portable power stations for camping with a fridge.
The numbers behind that
A laptop draws its full charger rating only while charging a depleted battery. An external monitor adds a steady load on top.
What it draws while it is actually on.
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.
Plugs into an outlet
This appliance plugs into a normal socket, so a power station or a generator's outlet can run it directly.
Check this yourself
Read the laptop charger's watt rating and add the monitor separately.
What can run it
Sized for 8 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 | 36.5–121.6h | Will work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 28.6–95.2h | Will work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 26.1–87.0h | Will work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 23.2–77.4h | Will work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 22.6–75.4h | Will 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 |