Recommended Free Tools
CNET’s 2026 refrigerator test found that the Fossibot 3600 Pro ran the test fridge longest, at 44.65 hours. The Oupes Mega 5 came next at 43.72 hours, followed by the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus at 38.58 hours and the Jackery HomePower 3000 at 32.05 hours. These are results with one specified Whirlpool refrigerator, not a promise of how long any particular household fridge will run.
How the 19-station fridge test worked
CNET tested 19 large and extra-large portable power stations by running a full-size Whirlpool refrigerator until each station’s battery was drained. The reported refrigerator specification was 60Hz, single-phase, 118V, and 7.2A at full load. CNET reported elapsed runtime.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This was a real-world-use refrigerator test, not the controlled laboratory procedure CNET used to measure round-trip efficiency. Runtime here reflects the combined result of the station, the test refrigerator’s operating cycle, and the test conditions. It should not be treated as a direct prediction for a different fridge or outage.
The four longest reported runtimes
| Rank | Power station | CNET-reported refrigerator runtime | Approximate days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fossibot 3600 Pro | 44.65 hours | 1.86 |
| 2 | Oupes Mega 5 | 43.72 hours | 1.82 |
| 3 | Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus | 38.58 hours | 1.61 |
| 4 | Jackery HomePower 3000 | 32.05 hours | 1.34 |
The Fossibot was the overall runtime leader in CNET’s reported ranking. The Oupes had a greater stated capacity, yet ran the test refrigerator for less time—a useful reminder that stored energy alone does not determine runtime.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra-Lightweight: At only 7.5 lbs, the Explorer 300 delivers a robust 292Wh capacity while remaining 17% lighter than the industry average. The sleek, integrated handle makes it effortless to carry on long hikes or pack with your camping gear, providing reliable off-grid power without adding bulk to your load.
- Versatile Power for 6 Devices: Equipped with 2 AC outlets, a 100W USB-C PD port, 2 USB-A ports, and a 120W car port. With a 300W rated output (600W peak surge), it easily handles laptops, drones, and cameras, while also serving as a dependable cpap battery for camping or a robust solar powered generator when paired with panels.
- Built to Last: Upgraded with premium LiFePO4 chemistry, this portable generator delivers over 4,000 charge cycles before reaching 70% capacity. This ensures more than 11 years of reliable service life, making it a sustainable and durable energy partner for a decade of exploration.
- Fast Solar Charging: Perfect for off-grid use, this solar powered generator pairs seamlessly with Jackery panels. Reach 80% capacity in approximately 2.8 hours with a 100W solar panel, or maintain your gear with a portable 40W panel (80% in 7.5 hours), making it an essential part of your hunting essentials.
- WHAT YOU GET: 1* Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station, 1*AC adapter, 1* car charger cable, 1* user guide (𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝.)
Where the other 15 stations ranked
For context, CNET’s reported 19-model ranking continued as follows. These are runtimes in the same refrigerator test, not category-independent guarantees.
| Rank | Power station | Runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bluetti Apex 300 | 30.43 hours |
| 6 | Bluetti AC200L | 29.27 hours |
| 7 | Anker Solix F3000 | 28.97 hours |
| 8 | Pecron E3600LFP | 28.15 hours |
| 9 | Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 | 27.40 hours |
| 10 | Bluetti Elite 200 | 26.32 hours |
| 11 | Anker Solix F3800 Plus | 25.68 hours |
| 12 | Bluetti FridgePower | 23.43 hours |
| 13 | ETAKER M2000 | 22.48 hours |
| 14 | DJI Power 2000 | 22.42 hours |
| 15 | BougeRV Rover 2000 | 21.10 hours |
| 16 | Dabbsson 2000L | 21.00 hours |
| 17 | Grecell H2400 | 17.75 hours |
| 18 | GoalZero Yeedi 1500 | 16.50 hours |
| 19 | OSCAL Power Max 2400 | 12.58 hours |
CNET separately identified the Bluetti AC200L as the leading model in its large category. That category distinction is not the same as the overall win: the Fossibot 3600 Pro had the longest runtime across all 19 models.
Rank #2
- 【SLIM & POCKETABLE】This portable power bank is about the size of a smartphone (6.5×3.3×4 inches) and weighs only 2.54 pounds. It features an ergonomic soft handle for easy portability. It easily fits into a backpack for convenient portability. Pro Tip: Fully charge and discharge the battery twice initially for the best experience.(Solar panel and cable not included)
- 【DUAL INPUT/OUTPUT (AC + DC)】The portable power station comes with a 89.6Wh capacity LiFePO4 battery pack(not NCM) and 100W, features 7 output ports, including 2 AC sockets (100W),2 USB-C port (45W/15W), 2 USB-A port (18W/15W), and DC5521 ports (60W). The LED display can clearly show the working status and remaining power.(Please peel off the protective film on the screen after unboxing)
- 【Ultra Fast Charging】With unique fast charging technology,the portable generator can be charged from 0-80% just in 1.5hrs. The solar power bank power station has Four methods to charging: AC wall socket fast charging, USB-C DC two-way PD fast charging(AC and DC can be charged at the same time) ,car charging and solar panel charging.Fast charging solar power bank portable charger suitable for for emergency home backyard outdoor power outages off-grid camping essentials
- 【ULTRA-QUIET & EMERGENCY-READY POWER STATION】Experience silent, fanless operation perfect for sleeping, working, or camping, while the built-in 4-level LED flashlight (with steady/SOS modes) ensures emergency readiness. Its accidental-touch-proof design requires a long-press to activate, ideal for charging devices during outages or outdoor adventures without noise disruption.(Only suitable for powering devices within 100W).
- 【Long-Lasting & Safe LiFePO4 Battery】: 3500+ life cycles (far exceeding standard batteries). Durable LiFePO4 batteries last 3x longer than standard lithium batteries! Advanced BMS provides 12 safety protections, monitoring voltage, current & temperature. Powers your smartphone, laptop, mini-fridge, camera, and drone simultaneously.
Why a larger battery did not always last longer
A refrigerator does not draw its full operating power continuously. Its compressor switches on and off, so the station must handle both periods of active cooling and periods when the fridge is in standby. During those lighter-load periods, inverter efficiency and the station’s own idle consumption can make a meaningful difference to how much stored energy reaches the appliance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
CNET’s measurements illustrate the effect. The Fossibot 3600 Pro had a reported measured capacity of 3,293.74Wh and 860.03Wh of inverter overhead during the test, or 26.11%. The Oupes Mega 5 had a higher measured capacity of 4,352.86Wh, but its overhead was 1,730.22Wh, or 39.75%. In this context, “overhead” is energy the power station used to operate its inverter rather than energy delivered to the refrigerator. The difference helps explain why the lower-capacity Fossibot ran the test fridge nearly an hour longer.
Rank #3
- [288Wh On-the-Go Power] - Only 9.4 lbs lightweight, carry it anywhere during storms! 288Wh capacity meets daily & outdoor needs—camping, road trips, beach visits, or home emergencies. Extend your smart green energy life to every corner of your ideal lifestyle with this compact entry-level power station.
- [600W Continuous & 1500W Surge Power] - Get a full 600W output—twice as much as others. When you need serious power, activate Power Lifting Mode for 1500W power (vs. the typical 600W). It runs everything from essential camping lights, speakers, and car fridges to critical devices like laptops and CPAP machines and even a small kettle or toaster—ideal for stormy days at home or outdoor trips.
- [50% Lower Power Consumption] - Upgraded UltraCell tech & smart cooling system cut power consumption by 50%. Enhances overall energy efficiency, extends device runtime. Excellent durability & environmental adaptability for extreme outdoor climates and long-term operation.(Standby power only 4.5W, DC 5W, AC 8W)
- [8 Charging Modes & 380W Fast Wall Charge] - Supports AC wall charge (380W/200W adjustable), solar, car charging, etc. 0-80% in 45 mins, 0-100% in 70 mins (battery-safe). Match PV60L solar panel for on-the-go recharging. Flexible charging solutions for city, wilderness, daily or emergency scenarios.
- [Reliable UPS] - Never lose data or stop your devices during winter storms/blackouts! 10ms ultra-fast UPS switch protects CPAP, laptops, routers—critical for home emergencies when power cuts suddenly.
Other reported overhead losses were 46.63% for the Anker Solix F3800 Plus, 15.75% for the Pecron E3600LFP, 18.21% for the Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2, and 22.16% for the Bluetti AC200L. These figures are specific to CNET’s test and should not be read as universal efficiency ratings for every load or setup.
When comparing stations for refrigerator backup, consider usable energy and performance at light loads alongside advertised battery capacity. A station can store more energy but still deliver less of it to a cycling appliance if it consumes more power maintaining its inverter.
Rank #4
- Powerful yet Compact: Boasting a 1,500W AC output and a 3,000W surge peak, the Solar Generator 1000 V2 can power multiple appliances, including AC units, fridges, and electric pots. With a 1,070Wh capacity and a lightweight build of only 23.8 lbs, along with a foldable handle, it makes an excellent companion for outdoor camping, road trips, or emergencies.
- One Hour Fast Charging: Charge your Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station from 0% to 100% battery level in just one hour with emergency charging activated via the Jackery App. It defaults to 1.7 hours for a full charge to optimize battery health. Engineered with advanced ChargeShield 2.0 technology, this power station charges safer, faster, and smarter.
- 10 Year Lifespan: The Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station is equipped with a durable LFP battery, maintaining over 70% of its original capacity even after 4,000 charge cycles, offering longevity exceeding 10 years.
- Tailored for Versatility: Featuring two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, one DC car port, and three pure sine wave AC ports, along with LED lights, the Solar Generator 1000 V2 is capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously, meeting power needs in various scenarios. PD 100W fast USB-C charging ensures a rapid charging speed, even without power adapters.
- Smart App Control: Effortlessly switch between different charging modes with Jackery’s App—including one hour emergency charging from 0 to 100%, 30 dB quiet overnight charging mode, and energy efficiency mode. Maximize the freedom to adjust the power station to meet your needs.
How to check whether a station suits your refrigerator
- Find the refrigerator’s running demand. Check its rating plate or manual for electrical input, and use a power meter if you need to measure consumption in your own setup. Do not assume a full-load specification is the fridge’s constant draw.
- Check compressor startup demand. The brief surge when a compressor starts can be much higher than its usual running demand. Compare that requirement with the station’s peak output rating, as well as its continuous output rating.
- Estimate the outage duration you need to cover. A short bridge during an outage calls for a different energy reserve than keeping food cold through a prolonged interruption. Treat the CNET runtimes as a comparison under its test conditions, not a household runtime calculator.
- Compare usable energy and low-load behavior. Look for measured performance relevant to intermittent or light loads, including inverter overhead or idle draw where available. Battery capacity by itself does not settle the comparison.
- Confirm the station’s output fits the appliance. The refrigerator must remain within both continuous and peak output limits. If its startup requirement or electrical rating is unclear, consult the appliance and station documentation before relying on the setup.
What the cited sizing advice does—and does not—establish
The company representatives quoted in CNET’s July 13, 2026 article offered estimates and rules of thumb, not universal sizing guarantees:
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute- Sean Tan, PR manager at Anker Solix, described a survey of 759 Anker power-station customers in which 80% of respondents’ actual emergency-power needs fell under 200W. This is a company representative’s description of customer-survey data, not an estimate for the general population. Tan also cautioned that capacity describes stored energy, not necessarily the energy delivered to a device.
- Brian Essenmacher, EcoFlow’s head of North American business development, said the company generally recommends a 1kW or 2kW power station for common kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers. That is company guidance; it does not replace checking a specific fridge’s draw and startup demand.
- Marc Deng, Bluetti’s R&D manager, estimated that a 10- to 15-cubic-foot refrigerator during a four-hour outage may need around a 1kWh station. For larger 18- to 28-cubic-foot American refrigerators, which Deng described as typically consuming around 80 to 190W, he said around 2kWh may be more practical for longer outages. These are attributed estimates, not guarantees for every model.
- Deng said compressor startup surge can range from around 600W to well over 1,200W. Tan said a station needs 2,500–3,000W peak to reliably handle most residential refrigerators. Because startup demand varies, check the individual refrigerator and station specifications rather than treating either range as a universal requirement.
- Tan characterized a refrigerator as typically running at 100–200W and described 15–20W as “industry typical” idle draw. These are his attributed characterizations, not independently verified measurements for every refrigerator or station.
Fridge-oriented designs and a separate efficiency test
CNET identified the Bluetti FridgePower and Jackery FridgeGuard as slim designs aimed at refrigerator use, while describing the Anker Solix S2000 as a more traditional form factor. In the article, only FridgePower had completed CNET lab testing: it ran the test refrigerator for 23.43 hours, with a reported measured capacity of 1,621.09Wh and inverter overhead of 328.08Wh, or 20.24%. CNET said its at-home testing of FridgePower and FridgeGuard was ongoing; that statement is not a published test result for FridgeGuard.
Best Value
- 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟑𝟓-𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐮𝐩: With 6W idle power draw and 10% higher efficiency, this power station runs 20% longer than other 2kWh systems, keeping your fridge powered for 35 hours.
- 𝟏𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎-𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐅𝐏 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲: Powered by 314Ah LFP cells, S2000 has a 15-year lifespan, equivalent to 10,000 charge cycles.
- 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝐤𝐖𝐡 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the industry average, this power station measures just 8.2 × 11.1 × 12.7 in and weighs only 35.7 lbs.
- 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟗𝟗% 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬: 1,500W continuous output and 3,000W peak output keep nearly every essential appliance running. Actual runtime will vary depending on your refrigerator model, usage habits, and ambient temperature.
- 𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞: Supports up to 400W solar input. Power up via AC + solar, a wall outlet, a generator, solar panels, an alternator charger, or a car outlet—anytime, anywhere.
CNET also reported round-trip-efficiency category winners from a separate controlled laboratory test. Those results should not be confused with the fridge-runtime ranking:
| Capacity category | Reported efficiency winner | Round-trip efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Under 600Wh (small) | UDPower AC0600 | 72.92% |
| 600–1,299Wh (medium) | Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Bio-Based | 83.44% |
| 1,300–2,199Wh (large) | Bluetti Elite 200 | 81.08% |
| Over 2,200Wh (extra-large) | Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus | 79.66% |
Round-trip efficiency measures a different aspect of performance from elapsed refrigerator runtime, so a category winner on that metric is not automatically the longest-running station in the fridge test.
Source and scope
The runtime rankings and measurements above are CNET-reported results from “Our Lab Data Revealed the Portable Power Stations That Will Keep Your Fridge Running During Outages,” by Ajay Kumar, published July 13, 2026 and syndicated by Yahoo Tech. They are publication-reported measurements, not independently reproduced results. Current prices, listings, warranties, safety certifications, and manufacturer specifications are not established by these test results.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
