Appliance Wattage & Running Cost
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What size generator or power station for a wifi router? (50+ W)

To run a wifi router, choose at least
50 W running.

A wifi router draws about 8 W while running. Pick a generator, inverter or power station rated comfortably above these numbers.

Battery runtime calculator

Estimated runtime

Assumes about 85% usable capacity. Motors need extra headroom for startup surge.

How long a power station lasts

Power stationEstimated runtime
300 Wh31 h 53 min
500 Wh53 h 8 min
1,000 Wh106 h 15 min
2,000 Wh212 h 30 min
3,000 Wh318 h 45 min

Sizing guide

Minimum running watts50 W
Minimum starting watts50 W
Suggested inverter100 W or higher

See also wifi router wattage and running cost.

FAQ

How many watts does a wifi router use?

Typically 5-20 watts running continuously.

Should I turn off my router at night?

It saves only pennies and disrupts updates - most people leave it on.