A rugged Australian man examines a portable power station at a bush campsite while his wife and two kids relax near a tent in the background

May 14, 2025

What Size Power Station Do I Need?

Ever hit the road, packed the swags, and brought the snags—only to realise you’ve got no way to charge your phone or keep the beers cold? Here’s the quick answer: You’ll need a portable power station that can handle the total wattage of your gear and run it for the hours you need. Stick around, and we’ll help you avoid blowing cash on the wrong unit—or ending up in a standoff over who gets the last USB port.

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A focused man in casual gear studies a clipboard labelled “Energy Requirements” while using a calculator to size his ideal portable power station

Understanding Your Power Needs

Assess Your Power Consumption

List of Essential Appliances and Devices

Before you pick a power station, jot down what you’ll actually be using out there. Whether you're heading bush, chilling at a caravan park, or prepping for blackout season, start with the must-haves:

Smartphone (5–10W)
Laptop (20–50W)
LED lights (5–10W)
Mini or 12V fridge (50–100W)
Power tools (500–1000W)

That list is your starting point—it’ll help you figure out what sort of grunt you need.

Calculating Wattage Requirements

Check the labels or manuals for wattage info. Add up the watts for all the devices you'll be running at the same time.

For example:

Laptop: 50W
Phone: 10W
LED light: 10W
Total = 70W. Not too shabby.

Peak vs. Average Power Draw

Some gear pulls more juice at startup. Fridges and power tools love to do this. It might say 100W on the label, but could spike to 600W when it kicks in.

Always factor in that extra burst when choosing your power station—or you'll be in for a rude shock.

Determine Usage Duration

How Long Do You Need Power?

Take your total wattage and multiply it by how long you’ll be using it.

Example: 70W × 5 hours = 350Wh.

So, a 350Wh battery gets the job done. Add a buffer just in case you feel like charging a drone or running a fan too.

Backup Power vs. Off-Grid Living

If you’re just covering the odd power outage, a mid-range unit will do the trick.

But for proper off-grid setups or multiday camping trips, go bigger. Add solar if you want to keep things going longer than a weekend.

Factor in Power Surges

Understanding Startup Currents

Some appliances pull a heap of power to get moving. That initial jolt—called a surge—can trip smaller units if you're not ready for it.

Think of it like cold-starting a chainsaw. You need extra oomph to get it going.

Choosing a Power Station with Sufficient Headroom

If your fridge peaks at 600W, don’t buy a 600W station and call it a day. Go for 800W or more, so the station doesn’t throw in the towel the second things get serious.

A rugged Australian man in a wide-brim hat crouches beside a portable power station at a bush campsite with a tent and camping chair in the background

Types of Power Stations and Their Capacities

Portable Power Stations

Small Capacity (for Camping, Emergencies)

200–300Wh: Good for a quick weekend trip or chucking in the ute for backup. Perfect for phones, lights, fans, and keeping the tunes going.

Medium Capacity (for Home Backup, Off-Grid Living)

500–1000Wh: Solid all-rounder. You’ll power fridges, laptops, and a handful of gadgets without breaking a sweat.

High Capacity (for Extended Off-Grid Use, High-Power Appliances)

1500Wh+: For serious setups. CPAP, coffee machines, power tools—you name it. If you’re remote or need the big guns, this is the gear.

Home Backup Generators

Gas-Powered Generators

Classic, loud, and reliable. But they drink fuel and should stay well outside the house. Great for worksites or when the grid’s gone walkabout.

Diesel Generators

A bit more efficient, especially over long hauls. Tradies and rural Aussies often swear by them.

Solar Generators

Whisper quiet and planet-friendly. Sunshine-dependent, but perfect for long-term camping or backup setups.

A middle-aged Aussie man squats next to a power station in the outback, reviewing device settings on his phone beside his off-road vehicle

Choosing the Right Size Power Station

Consider Your Budget

Balancing Performance and Cost

More capacity means a bigger hit to the wallet. Focus on what you actually need—not what sounds cool. Otherwise, you're paying for watts you'll never use.

Exploring Financing Options

Plenty of Aussie retailers offer Afterpay, Zip, or similar. Some even throw in panels or accessories in a bundle.

Evaluate Features and Technology

Battery Type and Capacity

Go for lithium-ion or LiFePO4—longer life, safer, and better value in the long run.

Battery size is measured in watt-hours (Wh). The bigger the number, the longer it lasts.

Output Ports and Connections

Check what plugs your devices use. Then check the power station.

A good mix includes AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and a 12V car port. The more variety, the better.

Charging Options (AC, Solar, Car)

Look for one that lets you charge how you want. Mains power at home, car charger on the road, or solar when you’re off-grid.

Read Reviews and Compare Models

Utilize Online Resources and Customer Feedback

Jump on YouTube or Aussie camping forums. Real-world reviews will tell you if a unit holds up in the heat, dust, and rain.

Consult with Experts

Still not sure? Give a local store a ring or hit live chat. They’ll steer you right if you tell them what you’re trying to run.

Safety Considerations

Proper Installation and Maintenance

Safety Precautions for Generator Use

Petrol and diesel gens need to stay outside, well away from the house or tent. Keep them dry and give them a once-over before every trip.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention

Don’t muck around with this—CO is deadly. Keep fuel-powered units outdoors only. Battery stations? No fumes, no dramas.

Fire Safety Guidelines

Don’t daisy-chain dodgy cords or push your gear past its limits. Keep things tidy, safe, and checked.

Environmental Impact

Noise Pollution

Battery stations hum quietly. Petrol generators? Not so much. No one wants to hear a lawn mower when they’re watching the sunset.

Fuel Emissions

Gas and diesel chuck out fumes. Battery and solar? Clean and green.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Options

Look for LiFePO4 batteries and solar inputs if you want to tread lighter. Quiet, reliable, and better for the bush.

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Timothy Jagger

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About the author:

What I love about getting outdoors is a chance to de-stress and hit the reset button. In my spare time, you used to catch me escaping out from under roofs, now you'll catch me helping others escape theirs.

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