What size generator to run a mini-fridge?
Mini-fridge sizing at a glance: it draws 90 running watts, surging to 270W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 90W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 270W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 500W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because a mini-fridge has a motor, it surges to about 270W at startup — roughly 3× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the mini-fridge switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the mini-fridge on its own with a safety margin. In a real outage you'll run other things too — and the right method is your total running load plus the single largest surge among everything, not the sum of every surge. Use the full calculator to size your actual setup:
Common questions
How many watts does a mini-fridge use?
A typical mini-fridge draws about 90 running watts, but needs roughly 270 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs a mini-fridge?
For the mini-fridge alone plus a safety margin, a 500W (≈0.5kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.