What Size Power Station Do I Need for a TV?

Ever had the telly cut out right as someone kicks the winning goal? Or worse—midway through the grand final? Whether you're roughing it out bush or stuck in the middle of a blackout, having a portable power station that can run your TV isn't just a luxury—it's a game-changer. This guide breaks down how to pick the right size power station for your setup, without any waffle or tech jargon.

Determining Your TV's Power Consumption

Locating Your TV's Wattage Information

First up, you need to know how much juice your TV actually uses.

Check the back label, dig out the manual, or have a stickybeak online. Most manufacturers list wattage under the "power consumption" spec. That’s the number that tells you how much energy your TV draws while it’s running.

And yes, TV types vary. Here’s a rough guide:

• LED TVs: 60–150W

• OLED TVs: 50–120W

• Plasma TVs: 150–300W

Estimating Your Viewing Time

Now, how long do you reckon you'll be glued to the screen?

If it’s just a quick catch-up on the news or a couple of episodes during a power cut, your needs are different to watching the whole NRL round while camping. Jot down your typical viewing time—that’ll come in handy next.

Let’s say you want to watch your 120W LED TV for 5 hours. Time to do some quick maths.

Calculating the Required Energy (Watt-Hours)

Daily or Trip Energy Needs for TV Use

This bit’s easy. Just multiply your TV’s power usage by the number of hours you plan to use it.

Wattage × Hours = Watt-Hours (Wh)

So, for a 120W TV running for 5 hours: 120 × 5 = 600Wh

That’s your target capacity. A power station with at least 600Wh will keep your TV going for five hours straight.

Selecting a Power Station with Adequate Capacity

Matching Battery Capacity to Desired Runtime

Once you know your watt-hour needs, don’t settle for the bare minimum.

Power stations aren’t 100% efficient, and it’s always better to have a bit of headroom.

If 600Wh is your requirement, aim for 700–800Wh. That way, if your mate plugs in his phone charger, or the kids want the fan running too, you’re still covered.

Considering Inverter Efficiency Losses

Most portable power stations lose about 10–15% of energy converting battery power to usable AC output.

So if you’re cutting it fine with your numbers, you could end up short.

Factor in those losses by bumping up your power station size. Need 600Wh? Go for 700Wh to play it safe.

Accounting for Simultaneous Use of Other Devices

Powering Streaming Sticks, Soundbars, etc.

Watching TV on the go usually means more than just the TV.

You might have a streaming stick (10W), soundbar (20W), or even a modem/router (10W). These extras can add up quicker than expected.

Example setup:

• TV: 120W

• Soundbar: 20W

• Streaming stick: 10W

Total: 150W × 5 hours = 750Wh

Add inverter losses, and you’re looking at a 850Wh+ power station.

Example Power Station Sizes for Different TV Usage Scenarios

These numbers are based on average power draw for a 5-hour viewing session.

If you’re plugging in extras like lights or charging gadgets, pad the numbers out by 100–200Wh. Better to have extra grunt than hit empty during the big game.

Wrapping It Up

With the right portable power station, your TV keeps humming whether you're camping under the stars or riding out a blackout at home.

All it takes is knowing your TV's power needs, how long you want to use it, and what else you plan to plug in. No more guessing. No more interruptions.

Just power when you need it—no matter where you are.

You might also like:

• https://truegear.com.au/blogs/news/what-size-power-station-do-i-need
• https://truegear.com.au/blogs/news/what-size-power-station-do-i-need-to-run-a-fridge
• https://truegear.com.au/blogs/news/what-size-power-station-is-best-for-camping
• https://truegear.com.au/blogs/news/what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-power-station

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.