Running a microwave on backup power
The short answer
A microwave uses about 800–1,800 watts while running . Over 24 hours it uses roughly 384–3,456 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 48 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 3.0–6.8 hours.
The numbers behind that
A microwave is a heavy but very brief load. It rarely dominates total energy, but it can exceed a small station's continuous output outright.
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.
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
Use the input watts from the nameplate, not the cooking-power figure on the front panel. A '1000W' microwave typically draws 1,500W or more.
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 | 3.0–6.8h | Will work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 2.4–5.4h | Will work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 2.2–4.9h | Will work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 1.9–4.4h | Will work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 1.9–4.2h | 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
7 of 58 products cannot run this.
- Jackery Explorer 600 v2 — Continuous output is 500W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.
- BLUETTI AC50B Portable Power Station — Continuous output is 700W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.
- Jackery Explorer 300D — Continuous output is 140W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.
- Anker SOLIX Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station - 288Wh | 300W — Continuous output is 300W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.
- Jackery Explorer 300 v2 Portable Power Station — Continuous output is 300W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus — Continuous output is 600W. Your selected loads draw at least 800W running together, so this unit cannot run them even in the best case.