Running a refrigerator/freezer on backup power
The short answer
A refrigerator/freezer uses about 100–700 watts while running , and needs up to 2,900 watts for a split second when it starts. Over 24 hours it uses roughly 480–8,400 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 49 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 7.8–54.7 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 generators for home backup; Which EcoFlow DELTA 3? The whole family, judged against one plan; The one-kilowatt-hour class: Jackery 1000 v2, Anker C1000, EcoFlow DELTA 3; The home-backup class: DELTA Pro 3, SOLIX F3800, Explorer 5000 Plus and the rest; How much battery it takes to run a refrigerator, and which power station does it; The best backup power for a well pump; EcoFlow DELTA 3 vs DELTA 2: what changed, and which one to buy; Anker SOLIX F3800 vs F3800 Plus: the real differences; Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs 1000 Plus: the expandable one or the cheaper one; Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2.
The numbers behind that
A fridge compressor cycles on and off. It is not drawing power continuously, which is why energy use is far lower than the running-watt figure suggests. Opening the door in a warm house pushes duty toward the high end.
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 inside the door frame. A 2005 side-by-side and a 2024 Energy Star unit differ by several times.
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 | 7.8–54.7h | Might work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 6.1–42.8h | Might work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 5.6–39.2h | Might work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 5.0–34.8h | Might work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 4.8–33.9h | Might 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 |
| Champion 201444 5500W Inverter | 4,000W | 5,500W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
What will not work, and why
6 of 58 products cannot run this.
- BLUETTI AC50B Portable Power Station — 381Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.5h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 300D — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h 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 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 300 v2 Portable Power Station — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus — 243Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station — 208Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 480–8,400Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 0.3h before recharging.