1,000 Wh or 2,000 Wh: which size do you need?
A clear verdict by use, with how long each size lasts, and the output limit that often matters more than the battery.
Quick verdict
- Choose about 1,000 Wh for phones, a laptop, the router and lights, short outages of a day or less, or camping weekends without a fridge.
- Choose about 2,000 Wh to keep a fridge running for a day or more, to run a fridge and internet together, or for camping with a 12V fridge.
- Neither is enough for a space heater, central air conditioning or whole-home backup.
How long each size lasts, by use
Each size is rated at 1,000 or 2,000 Wh, and about 85% of that is usable after inverter loss. The table divides that by the energy each use needs per day.
| Use | Energy per day | 1,000 Wh lasts | 2,000 Wh lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Router, laptop and phones (the basics) | 780 Wh | 26.2 h | 2.2 days |
| Fridge only (50 W average) | 1,200 Wh | 17.0 h | 34.0 h |
| Fridge, router and phones | 1,620 Wh | 12.6 h | 25.2 h |
| Starlink Mini all day and a laptop 6 hours | 1,200 Wh | 17.0 h | 34.0 h |
| Camping weekend day: 12V fridge, phones, lights, laptop, speaker | 876 Wh | 23.3 h | 46.6 h |
Is a 1,000 Wh power station enough for a fridge?
For about 17.0 h if your fridge averages 50 W over the day, which is close to a full day but not quite. Add anything else and it falls short. A 2,000 Wh unit gets you about 34.0 h.
Is a 2,000 Wh power station enough for home backup?
For essentials only. Fridge, router and phones for a full day come to about 1,620 Wh, which a 2,000 Wh unit covers for roughly a day. It does not cover heating, cooking appliances or whole-home loads.
1,000 Wh or 2,000 Wh for camping?
It depends mostly on the fridge. Without a 12V fridge, 1,000 Wh covers lights, phones and a laptop for a long weekend. With a 12V fridge, 2,000 Wh gives you about two days before a recharge.
The output limit that catches people out
Battery size and output watts are separate numbers. A 2,000 Wh unit does not always have a bigger inverter than a 1,000 Wh one, and some 2,000 Wh units are rated at only 1,500 W. If you want to run a microwave or other high-draw device, check the output rating and the surge rating as well as the watt-hours.
Other things that differ
- Weight and size: larger units are noticeably heavier, which matters for camping and carrying.
- Battery chemistry: LiFePO4 cells generally last more charge cycles than other lithium types, so check which your unit uses.
- In-between sizes: if your number lands near 1,500 Wh, a unit in that class may suit you better than either.
If your result is under about 1,000 Wh
These sizes match a result up to about 1,000 Wh.
If your result is between 1,000 and 2,000 Wh
These sizes match a result from 1,000 to 2,000 Wh.
Use your own numbers
Skip the guesswork. Add your devices in the home backup power calculator or the camping power calculator and you get the battery and inverter size for your exact list.
Related guides
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- How to keep your internet and phones working during a power outage
- Power station Black Friday deals: what to check before you buy
- What can a 1,000 Wh power station run, and for how long?
- Can a power station run a space heater?
Estimates only. Real draw varies by device. Not for medical or life-support equipment. Figures last checked October 2026.