Running a phone charging and small usb devices on backup power
The short answer
A phone charging and small usb devices uses about 10–40 watts while running . Over 24 hours it uses roughly 48–576 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 136.8–547.2 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 home backup; The best portable power stations for camping; The home-backup class: DELTA Pro 3, SOLIX F3800, Explorer 5000 Plus and the rest; Anker SOLIX F3800 vs F3800 Plus: the real differences; The best portable power stations for camping with a fridge.
The numbers behind that
A phone only draws power while it is actually charging, so the duty band is low even when the charger is plugged in all day.
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
Check the charger's output rating. Fast chargers draw far more than older 5W bricks.
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 | 136.8–547.2h | Will work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 107.1–428.4h | Will work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 97.9–391.7h | Will work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 87.0–348.2h | Will work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 84.9–339.5h | 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 |