Power station for an electric blanket: what size?

By the Ferncharge team · Figures last checked 18 October 2026

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The short answer: a mains electric blanket is typically rated at 130–200 W (Energy Savers). To estimate runtime, multiply the power station's capacity in watt-hours (Wh) by about 0.81 for the mains (AC) sockets, then divide by the blanket's watts. A 1,000 Wh power station works out at roughly 4 hours at 200 W, or about 6 hours at 130 W, if the blanket runs flat out. A 12 V blanket plugged into the car-style 12 V socket uses less: the two we looked at are rated 48 W and 60 W.

Compared on manufacturers' published specs. Ferncharge has not tested these products. Estimates only: follow your blanket's and your power station's manuals.

Work out the size for your blanket (opens the sizing calculator pre-filled with a 200 W mains blanket for 8 hours; change it to match yours).

How many watts does an electric blanket use?

Your blanket's own figure is on its rating label or in its manual, and that's the number to use. The figure printed there is the most it's designed to draw. On a lower heat setting it may draw less on average, but we haven't found a published figure for how much less, so the runtimes below assume full power. If you want your own figure, a plug-in energy meter will show what your blanket actually uses on a given setting.

How long will a power station run an electric blanket?

The formula we use (explained on our methodology page):

• Mains (AC) socket: runtime (hours) = capacity (Wh) × 0.9 usable × 0.9 inverter efficiency ÷ blanket watts. That's capacity × 0.81 ÷ watts.
• 12 V socket: runtime (hours) = capacity (Wh) × 0.9 usable × 0.95 conversion ÷ blanket watts. That's capacity × 0.855 ÷ watts.

Both factors are planning assumptions for LiFePO4 batteries, not measured figures for any product. Older or cold batteries deliver less: EcoFlow says that as temperatures fall "the battery can lose usable capacity" (EcoFlow), and lists battery age among the reasons usable energy is lower than the stated capacity (EcoFlow). If your power station uses NMC lithium-ion, the usable share we assume is 80%, not 90%.

Worked runtimes at full power (rounded down to one decimal place):

Warming the bed, not running it all night

Electrical Safety First recommends unplugging electric blankets when you get into bed. If a blanket is used overnight, it says to make sure it has temperature control settings and safety features such as automatic shut-off and overheat protection (Electrical Safety First). We found no manufacturer guidance on running a blanket overnight from a power station: neither the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 manual nor the Anker SOLIX C1000 user guide covers it. Follow your blanket's and your power station's manuals. Jackery's manual, for example, asks for the power station to be used in a ventilated, dry place (Jackery manual), so don't cover it.

Of the two 12 V examples above, BougeRV lists a 1–3 hour timer (4–10 hours via its app) and overheat protection (BougeRV UK). The ObboMed page lists a single heat level and no timer or automatic shut-off. It does list "Dual-thermostats and UL 5 Amp fuse for protection against overheating" (ObboMed UK). It showed the blanket as out of stock on 18 October 2026, so we use it only as a wattage example.

How long to warm the bed: at full power, an hour of a 200 W mains blanket uses about 247 Wh of battery (200 ÷ 0.81), and an hour of a 48 W 12 V blanket about 56 Wh (48 ÷ 0.855).

If you plan for 8 hours anyway, for example for sizing: 8 hours at 200 W is 1,600 Wh at the blanket, or about 1,975 Wh from the battery after our 0.81 factor. The sizing calculator shows 2,371 Wh for the same blanket, because it also adds a 20% safety margin (1,600 ÷ 0.9 inverter × 1.2 margin ÷ 0.9 usable), as set out on our methodology page. On the same basis, a 48 W 12 V blanket for 8 hours is about 450 Wh before the margin.

Mains blanket or 12 V blanket?

• Mains (UK plug) blankets run from the power station's AC sockets through its inverter, which costs some energy (we assume 10%). All of them are well within the continuous AC rating of the power stations below. Check that the power station's AC output is pure sine wave if your blanket's manual asks for it; BLUETTI, for example, states "Pure Sine Wave" for the AC180 (BLUETTI UK).
• 12 V blankets plug into the car-style 12 V socket, skipping the inverter, so the same battery lasts longer. Check that the socket's current rating covers the blanket. A 60 W blanket at 12 V draws 5 A (watts ÷ volts). All four example models below state a 10 A car outlet, above that.
• Where you'll use it: at home in a power cut, a mains blanket you already own is the obvious option. For camping and vans, 12 V blankets are sold for that use, and the ones above are marketed for cars, campers and camping.

Example power stations: stated specs

Alphabetical by brand. These are manufacturers' own figures from their UK pages on 18 October 2026. It's a sample to show the numbers that matter, not a shortlist: see the full spec table for more models.

Using our formula, the RIVER 3's 245 Wh gives about 1 hour of a 200 W mains blanket, or about 4.3 hours of a 48 W 12 V blanket. The roughly 1,000 Wh models give about 4.2 to 4.6 hours at 200 W.

Using an electric blanket safely

From Electrical Safety First, the UK electrical safety charity:

• Check the blanket and its cable for damage before use, especially after storage. Frayed wires, scorch marks or rodent damage mean it needs replacing immediately.
• Don't use it folded, rucked or creased, and don't use pins to hold it in place.
• Avoid using a hot water bottle with an electric blanket, and don't touch it with wet hands or feet.
• Electrical Safety First recommends replacing an electric blanket every ten years.
• Buy from a reputable retailer and avoid second-hand blankets.

For the power station itself, follow its manual on where to place it and how to charge it. See our power station safety guide.

In a power cut

• Report a power cut by calling 105 for free in England, Wales and Scotland, or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland (Prepare).
• If you've reached state pension age, have a long-term medical condition, or use medical equipment that needs a power supply, you can ask to join your supplier's and network operator's Priority Services Register (Ofgem). The UK Government's Prepare site describes it as a free service (Prepare). In Northern Ireland, these registers are called Customer Care Registers (GOV.UK Prepare). NIE Networks, the network operator there, runs one for people who rely on electricity for healthcare needs (NIE Networks).
• A power station is a stop-gap for a few devices. It isn't a replacement for heating. See power stations for power cuts.

FAQs

Can a portable power station run an electric blanket?

Yes, if the blanket's watts are within the power station's continuous output, which is typically the case: blankets are rated at around 130–200 W (Energy Savers). The question is really how long. Use capacity (Wh) × 0.81 ÷ blanket watts for mains blankets.

How many watts does an electric blanket use?

The Centre for Sustainable Energy's Energy Savers lists 130–200 W for a heating blanket. Check the label on yours. The two 12 V blankets we looked at are rated 48 W and 60 W.

How long will a 1,000 Wh power station run an electric blanket?

About 4 hours at 200 W or about 6 hours at 130 W on full power, using our planning assumptions. A 48 W 12 V blanket would run for roughly 17 hours.

Is a 12 V blanket better for camping?

It uses less energy from the battery, because it runs from the 12 V socket without the inverter. Check that the blanket's current (amps) is within the socket's rating, and follow the blanket maker's instructions.

Can I leave an electric blanket on all night on a power station?

Electrical Safety First recommends unplugging electric blankets when you get into bed. If one is used overnight, it says it should have temperature controls, automatic shut-off and overheat protection. We found no manufacturer guidance on running a blanket overnight from a power station, so follow your blanket's and power station's manuals.

Related: What size power station do I need? · Runtime calculator · Power stations for power cuts · Power station for camping · Portable power stations compared · How we source specs · Power station safety

<a id="sources"></a>Sources are linked inline. Last checked 18 October 2026. Not safety or electrical advice: follow the manufacturers' instructions.