Best Portable Power Stations for Large Appliances

Real compatibility results for 4 large appliances devices across 33 generators. 60% of tested pairings pass with SAFE or TIGHT headroom.

Devices

Generators

Compatible

60%

Devices tested

SAFE + TIGHT pairings

Soft-start salvageable

1.25x

Avg surge ratio

Voltage mismatch

#1 failure reason

60% of the 132 pairings in this category pass our True Surge protocol (SAFE or TIGHT).

Highest surge ratio: 2x (French Door Refrigerator). Peak power headroom matters more than rated capacity here.
21% of pairings fail on voltage alone. Some devices here need 240V, which most portable stations can't supply.

What matters in this category

Refrigerators run on duty cycles (30-50% of the time), so average draw is lower than rated watts. But the compressor still surges each time it kicks on.
Clothes dryers are 240V / 5,000W+ appliances. No portable power station can run one.
Washing machines draw modest power during wash cycles but can surge on spin cycle startup.

How to choose for Large Appliances

For refrigerators, capacity matters more than wattage. A fridge draws 150-250W when running but only cycles on 30-40% of the time, averaging 60-100W. A 1,000Wh station can keep a fridge cold for 10+ hours. For washing machines and dishwashers, focus on heating element wattage if the unit heats its own water. Electric dryers are not compatible with any portable station.