Best Portable Power Stations for Air Conditioners

Aug 12, 2025

When the summer heat hits and the lights go out, you’ll wish you had an EcoFlow DELTA Pro — the best portable power station for air conditioner use. It’s powerful, reliable, and keeps you cool. Stick around to see why it beats the rest.

Our Top Picks for Powering an AC Unit

Best for High-Powered RV or Window Units: EcoFlow DELTA Pro

The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is a powerhouse with a 3600Wh battery and high surge capacity. It has multiple charging options and can comfortably handle the heavy starting watts of RV or large window AC units.

It’s also expandable up to 7200Wh, making it ideal for extended run times. While heavier than most, its performance easily justifies the size.

EcoFlow portable power station with wheels and telescopic handle being pulled outdoors.

Best for a Small Portable AC or Swamp Cooler: Bluetti AC200MAX

With 2048Wh capacity and 2200W output (peak 4400W), the Bluetti AC200MAX is excellent for smaller portable AC units or swamp coolers. It recharges quickly via AC power and offers a generous range of ports for other devices.

Perfect for camping, temporary cooling, or short-term outages, it balances capacity and portability well.

Best for Off-Grid and Solar Charging: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro delivers 2160Wh and is designed for both traditional and solar charging. This makes it perfect for remote cabins, outdoor events, or any off-grid situation.

It offers a robust 2200W output and can recharge from a wall outlet in just two hours. Pairing it with solar panels keeps you running even in extended off-grid use.

Essential Factors When Choosing a Power Station for an AC

Understanding Watts, Watt-hours, and AC Power Needs

Air conditioners are often rated in BTUs, while portable power stations are measured in watts. To convert, divide the BTU figure by 3.412.

For example, 5,000 BTU ≈ 1,466 watts. Remember, the starting watts are typically 1.5–2 times higher than the running watts. This extra surge must be accounted for when choosing a power station.

Calculating Run Time for Your Specific AC Unit

To estimate run time, multiply your AC’s running wattage by the number of hours you want to operate it. This gives you the watt-hours required.

For instance, a 1,000W AC running for 8 hours needs around 8,000Wh. Check your chosen power station’s battery size and surge capability to ensure it can handle both the start-up load and the full runtime.

EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station with extra battery on a white background.

What to Look for in a Power Station

Key factors include:

Battery capacity (Wh) and output power (W)
Inverter type — pure sine wave inverters are best for AC units
Charging options — wall, vehicle, and solar
Portability — weight, handles, or wheels
Durability — strong casing and weather resistance

Tips and Best Practices for Using a Power Station with an AC

Maximising Efficiency and Battery Life

Use eco-mode or a slightly higher temperature setting to reduce load
Pair with solar panels to extend runtime
Improve insulation to minimise cooling loss
Consider battery expansion packs for long outages

Safety Precautions and Avoiding Overload

Ensure the unit’s output can meet your AC’s start-up wattage
Avoid running multiple high-draw devices at the same time
Keep the ventilation clear to prevent overheating
Follow the manufacturer’s charging and storage instruction

EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 portable power station in use outdoors, powering a yellow grill on a camping table.

Can a portable power station replace a traditional generator for an AC

Yes, for short- to medium-term use. Portable power stations are quieter, cleaner, and require less maintenance than petrol generators. However, their battery capacity is finite unless you use them alongside solar charging.

What is the minimum wattage required to run an air conditioner

It depends on the unit:

Small portable or window AC: 500–1,500W

RV AC: 1,000–2,000W

Mini-split systems: 1,500–3,000W

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