Portable Power Station Selector
Find the capacity and output class of power station you need.
Find the capacity and output class of power station you need. Free, private, and it shows its working.
How to use this tool
List the devices you want to run, their watts, and hours per day. The selector totals your daily energy, the output you need if everything runs at once, and any startup surge.
The result is a size class, not a brand. Compare models by usable capacity, output, chemistry, weight, and warranty – see our review methodology.
This tool is for planning and education only. It does not store your entries. Read our disclaimer.
Worked example
Here is what the Portable Power Station Selector returns with its starting values. Replace them with your own numbers for a real plan.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Safety margin | 25 % |
Devices in the example: Laptop (65 W for 8 h/day); Wi-Fi router / modem (15 W for 10 h/day); Starlink Mini (average, per spec sheet 25-40 W) (30 W for 8 h/day); 12V fridge (average) (45 W for 24 h/day); Phone charging (10 W for 3 h/day); LED lights (20 W for 5 h/day).
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Daily energy needed (with margin) | 2,650 Wh |
| Size class | Large (1,500-3,000 Wh) |
| Continuous output needed | at least 222 W |
| Surge output needed | No surge loads entered |
| Solar to refill in a day (4.5 sun hours) | about 800 W |
How the calculation works
- Daily Wh = sum of watts x hours for every device = 2,120 Wh, plus 25% margin.
- Continuous output = all devices running at once x 1.2 headroom.
- Solar refill assumes 4.5 peak sun hours and 25% losses.
Tips for more accurate results
- List every device you will run on your heaviest realistic trip, not your lightest one.
- Check the surge figure for fridges and pumps, and plan how you will recharge each day.
Related guides
When this tool helps most
Use it before you compare models. Knowing your daily energy and peak output first makes product pages far easier to read and stops you from overbuying or underbuying.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing only the devices for a light trip.
- Ignoring startup surge for fridges, pumps and some tools.
- Planning no way to recharge each day.
Step-by-step guides that use this tool
These guides explain the decisions behind the numbers, so you can act on your result with confidence.
Understanding your results
- Recommended capacity: the watt-hours your list of devices needs, with inverter losses included.
- Output check: whether your largest device fits within continuous output.
- Recharge plan: how much solar or vehicle charging you need to keep up.
Two quick scenarios
Weekend tent camping
Phones, lights and a fan rarely need a large station. A small unit keeps weight down.
Fridge or CPAP
A fridge or CPAP usually moves you into a much larger class, plus a reliable recharge source.
Before you rely on the numbers
- Check surge rating for fridges and pumps.
- Confirm solar input voltage limits.
- Prefer DC and USB-C outlets to save energy.
- Ask your equipment supplier before relying on medical devices.
Keep planning with Portable power station for camping and Portable fridge for camping.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
What size power station do I need for camping?
Add up the watt-hours of everything you will run in a day, add a safety margin, and make sure the continuous and surge output can handle what runs at the same time.