Running a wi-fi router and modem on backup power
The short answer
A wi-fi router and modem uses about 15–40 watts while running . Over 24 hours it uses roughly 360–960 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 136.8–364.8 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; The home-backup class: DELTA Pro 3, SOLIX F3800, Explorer 5000 Plus and the rest; The best portable power stations for a sump pump; The best portable power stations for a gas furnace; Anker SOLIX F3800 vs F3800 Plus: the real differences.
The numbers behind that
Router and modem draw is steady, so the range reflects hardware differences rather than cycling. A mesh network with several nodes lands at the high end or above it.
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 wattage printed on each power adapter. A modem and a router are two separate adapters, and a mesh system is one adapter per node.
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 | 136.8–364.8h | Will work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 107.1–285.6h | Will work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 97.9–261.1h | Will work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 87.0–232.1h | Will work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 84.9–226.3h | 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 |
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 360–960Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 6.1h 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 360–960Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 6.1h before recharging.
- Jackery Explorer 300 v2 Portable Power Station — 245Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 360–960Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 6.1h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus — 243Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 360–960Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 6.1h before recharging.
- EcoFlow RIVER 3 Portable Power Station — 208Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 360–960Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 5.2h before recharging.