Reference
Device Wattage Library
Typical power draw for 22 devices people actually back up — so your runtime and sizing estimates start from realistic numbers, not guesses.
Every figure below is an estimated running-watts range for a device class, not a measurement of any specific model. That’s good enough for planning — and the “Estimate runtime” link on each row drops the typical figure straight into the Battery Runtime Calculator. But before you spend real money on a battery, it’s worth pinning down your own device’s real draw.
How to verify your device’s real wattage
- Check the device label or power brick. Most gear lists its power input near the plug. Note this is usually a maximum rating — real draw is often lower. If it only lists amps and volts, watts ≈ amps × volts.
- Look up the manufacturer’s spec sheet. Search the exact model number plus “specifications.” Spec sheets often list typical and maximum consumption separately, which is exactly the split you want.
- Measure with a plug-in watt meter. A basic meter costs about $15–25, sits between the device and the outlet, and shows the actual draw as you use the device. It’s the only method that captures how your settings and usage change the number — and it settles the question for good.
Our assumptions and formulas are documented on the How We Estimate page. When you know your watts, the Power Station Sizing Calculator turns them into a capacity recommendation.
No devices match that search. Try a shorter word, like “fridge” or “laptop”.
Connectivity & internet
Modems, routers, hotspots, and satellite terminals — the loads most people back up first, and usually the cheapest to cover.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router | 10W | 5–15W | Small home routers idle low; Wi-Fi 6 and mesh nodes trend higher. Each extra mesh node adds its own draw. | Estimate runtime |
| Modem | 8W | 5–15W | Cable modems and fiber ONTs mostly sit under 10W. Remember both modem and router need power for internet to work. | Estimate runtime |
| Router + modem combo | 15W | 10–25W | ISP-supplied gateways combine both functions in one box — one plug to back up instead of two. | Estimate runtime |
| Mobile hotspot | 5W | 2–10W | Charge draw while in use; one of the lightest loads on this list. A small power bank can run one for a very long time. | Estimate runtime |
| Satellite internet terminal | 75W | 50–100W | Standard residential dishes. Draw rises during heavy use and in snow-melt mode; check your model's published range. | Estimate runtime |
| Starlink Mini-style satellite internet terminal | 30W | 20–40W | Compact portable terminals designed for lower power draw — a much easier load for mid-size batteries than a full residential dish. | Estimate runtime |
Computing & work
Laptops and work gear. Draw swings a lot with workload, so the ranges here are wider than for most categories.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop | 50W | 30–100W | Varies with workload: light browsing near the low end, video calls and heavy apps higher. Charging the battery adds draw on top of use. | Estimate runtime |
| Gaming laptop | 160W | 100–240W | Under gaming load these pull like small appliances. Check the power brick's rating — it approximates worst-case draw. | Estimate runtime |
| Portable monitor | 10W | 5–18W | USB-powered 14–16 inch panels; screen brightness drives most of the range. | Estimate runtime |
| External hard drive | 8W | 5–20W | Bus-powered portable drives sip around 5W through the computer; desktop 3.5-inch drives with their own wall adapter draw more. | Estimate runtime |
Small electronics
Phones, chargers, lights, and entertainment devices. Individually tiny — but they stack, so count each one you plan to run.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | 10W | 5–20W | Draw while charging — fast charge peaks early, then tapers. A full charge uses roughly 15–20Wh. | Estimate runtime |
| Tablet | 18W | 10–30W | Charge draw; larger tablets with fast charging sit at the top of the range. A full charge uses roughly 30–40Wh. | Estimate runtime |
| LED light | 8W | 3–15W | A single LED bulb or lantern. String lights and light panels stack up — count each one. | Estimate runtime |
| Camera battery charger | 10W | 5–15W | Charge draw while batteries are in the cradle; dual-bay chargers run higher. Each camera battery holds roughly 10–20Wh. | Estimate runtime |
| Gaming handheld | 25W | 10–45W | Draw while playing and charging at once; demanding games push toward the top of the range. | Estimate runtime |
| USB-C charger (phone/laptop) | 45W | 18–100W | Draw depends on what's charging, not the brick's rating — a 100W charger topping up a phone pulls far less than 100W. | Estimate runtime |
| Portable projector | 60W | 30–90W | Mini LED models at the low end; brighter portable projectors climb quickly. Built-in speakers and brightness modes change the draw. | Estimate runtime |
Comfort
Fans and similar comfort devices. Speed settings change the draw substantially, which matters over a long outage.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small fan | 30W | 15–50W | USB and desk fans at the low end; box fans on high speed near the top. Lower speeds cut draw substantially. | Estimate runtime |
Appliances
Refrigeration and TVs. Watch the surge badges: compressor start-up can pull two to three times the running watts shown here.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini fridge Surge | 60W | 40–100W | Running watts while the compressor is on; startup surges 2–3× higher. It only runs part of the time (roughly 30–50% duty cycle), so average consumption is lower. | Estimate runtime |
| Full-size refrigerator Surge | 150W | 100–250W | Running watts; compressor start can surge to 600–1,200W, so the battery's surge rating matters more than its continuous rating. Duty cycle keeps daily average well below running watts. | Estimate runtime |
| Small TV | 40W | 30–60W | 24–32 inch LED sets. Brightness settings matter; older or larger panels draw noticeably more. | Estimate runtime |
Health devices
Medical equipment is the one category where an estimate is not good enough — verify exact requirements before relying on battery power.
| Device | Typical watts | Range | Notes | Runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPAP-style device Medical | 40W | 30–60W | Base airflow only. A heated humidifier or heated hose can multiply draw to 90W or more. Confirm exact power requirements with the device manufacturer and your doctor before relying on battery backup. | Estimate runtime |
Wattage figures for medical devices are illustrative only. Always confirm power requirements with the device manufacturer and your doctor before relying on battery backup. This is not medical advice.
Turn a wattage into a plan
Some links on this page may be paid links. If you buy through them, Cynosure LLC may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not claim to have personally tested products unless clearly stated.
Frequently asked questions
Are these wattages exact for my device?
No — they are realistic ranges for each device class, drawn from typical manufacturer specifications. Your specific model may sit anywhere in the range, or outside it. For a number you can actually plan around, measure your device with a plug-in watt meter; they cost about $15–25 and take seconds to use.
Should I size with the typical watts or the high end of the range?
Use the typical figure for runtime estimates and lean toward the high end when sizing a battery you have not bought yet. Our calculators already apply an 85% efficiency assumption and hold back a 10% reserve, so you get honest headroom either way.
Do these figures include startup surge?
No — the table shows running watts. Devices flagged with a Surge badge, like refrigerators, can briefly pull two to three times their running watts (or more) when the compressor starts. Check that a battery’s surge or peak output rating clears that spike, not just its continuous rating.
Calculations are estimates only. Real runtime depends on battery age, inverter efficiency, device behavior, temperature, surge loads, manufacturer limits, and actual measured wattage. Always verify product specifications before buying or relying on a setup.