How long will a power station run a CPAP during a power outage?
Short answer (checked October 29, 2026): a 1,000 Wh class power station runs a typical CPAP for about 2 to 10 nights of 8 hours. The two things that decide where you land are the heated humidifier and whether you plug into the AC outlet or use a DC cord. With the humidifier off and a DC connection, the same battery lasts about five times longer than with the humidifier, heated tube and AC outlet all running.
The cheapest fix is often a DC cord and a dry night or two, not a bigger battery. Here is the math to redo for your own machine.
This is general information about power, not medical advice. Your therapy settings belong to you and your clinician.
How many watts does a CPAP use?
Far fewer than the power brick suggests. The best public data comes from ResMed's own Battery Guide, which lists the measured current draw at 12 V DC (through ResMed's DC-to-DC converter) for each machine, pressure and humidifier setting. Here is the AirSense 10 at a pressure of 10 cm H2O. Watts are amps x 12 V.
| AirSense 10 setup at 10 cm H2O | Draw at 12 V DC | Watts | Energy per 8-hour night |
|---|---|---|---|
| No humidifier, SlimLine tube | 0.93 A | 11.2 W | 89 Wh |
| Humidifier at setting 4 | 2.30 A | 27.6 W | 221 Wh |
| Humidifier at setting 8 | 3.66 A | 43.9 W | 351 Wh |
| Humidifier at 8 + ClimateLineAir heated tube at 30°C | 4.92 A | 59.0 W | 472 Wh |
Three things jump out:
- The humidifier is most of the bill. At 10 cm H2O the blower alone uses about 11 W. A mid humidifier setting more than doubles that, and a high setting with a heated tube makes it more than five times as much.
- Pressure matters less. In the same ResMed table, going from 6 to 16 cm H2O with no humidifier only moves the draw from 0.70 A to 1.23 A, about 8 W to 15 W.
- Newer machines are not in the guide. For the AirSense 11, the ResMed user guide gives a typical power consumption of 56.1 W and a peak of 73.2 W with its 65 W power supply, without saying which settings that covers. Treat 56.1 W as a "humidifier and heated tube on" planning number, and expect much less with them off.
For Philips machines, the DreamStation 2 manual does not list a typical wattage, but it does confirm the machine can run from a 12 V battery using the Philips DC power cord and battery adapter cable. If your manual gives no figure, measure it: a plug-in energy meter on one normal night gives you watt-hours directly.
The hidden drain: the power station's own AC inverter
When you switch on a power station's AC outlets, its inverter uses power just to stay on. Jackery publishes this figure as "standby power consumption": 18 W for the Explorer 1000 v2 and 12 W for the Explorer 300 Plus.
Put that next to the table above. A CPAP with no humidifier draws about 11 W, so on the AC outlet the station can spend more keeping its inverter running than your CPAP uses. That is why ResMed's guide says it strongly recommends DC-to-DC converters over inverters: they are more efficient, regulate the voltage and shut off before draining a battery flat.
Both Jackery units have a 12 V, 10 A car port, which is the kind of outlet a CPAP DC cord or converter plugs into. 12 V x 10 A is 120 W, comfortably above even the worst case in the table.
Runtime table: nights per charge
Our assumptions, stated plainly:
- Usable energy = rated capacity x 0.85, from Jackery's runtime formula.
- DC route: battery drain = the ResMed 12 V figure.
- AC route: battery drain = the CPAP figure plus Jackery's listed standby consumption. We are treating that standby figure as the inverter's overhead while the AC port is on, which is our assumption, so read AC numbers as rough and on the cautious side.
- One night = 8 hours.
Runtime (hours) = rated Wh x 0.85 / drain (W)
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1,070 Wh, 909 Wh usable)
| CPAP setup | DC cord: hours | DC: nights | AC outlet: hours | AC: nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirSense 10, no humidifier (11.2 W) | 81 | 10.2 | 31 | 3.9 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 4 (27.6 W) | 33 | 4.1 | 20 | 2.5 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 8 (43.9 W) | 21 | 2.6 | 15 | 1.8 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 8 + heated tube (59.0 W) | 15 | 1.9 | 12 | 1.5 |
| AirSense 11 at ResMed's typical 56.1 W | 16 | 2.0 | 12 | 1.5 |
A small 300 Wh class unit (Explorer 300 Plus specs: 288 Wh, 245 Wh usable)
| CPAP setup | DC cord: hours | DC: nights | AC outlet: hours | AC: nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirSense 10, no humidifier | 22 | 2.7 | 11 | 1.3 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 4 | 9 | 1.1 | 6 | 0.8 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 8 | 6 | 0.7 | 4 | 0.5 |
| AirSense 10, humidifier 8 + heated tube | 4 | 0.5 | 3 | 0.4 |
The small unit is a perfectly good one-night backup if you run it on DC with the humidifier off. On the AC outlet with full humidification it will not get you through a single night.
The Explorer 300 Plus is listed as discontinued on Jackery's Canadian store, so treat it as a size class and check the car port and standby figures of whatever 300 Wh unit you buy.
How big a battery for a multi-day outage?
Flip the formula: rated Wh needed = Wh per night x nights / 0.85. On DC:
| Setup (AirSense 10 at 10 cm H2O) | 1 night | 3 nights |
|---|---|---|
| No humidifier | 105 Wh | 315 Wh |
| Humidifier 4 | 260 Wh | 780 Wh |
| Humidifier 8 + heated tube | 555 Wh | 1,665 Wh |
On the AC outlet, add the inverter's standby draw for every hour it is on. With an 18 W standby figure that is 144 Wh per night, or about 170 Wh of rated capacity per night once you apply the 0.85 factor.
Set it up so the outage doesn't wake you
ResMed points out that in an outage a CPAP simply shuts off, and with a ResMed battery you have to move the plug yourself. If you don't wake, you can still breathe room air: nasal mask users breathe through the mouth, and full face masks have an anti-asphyxia valve. ResMed still says to reconnect to backup power if you can, to avoid apneas for the rest of the night.
A power station can remove that step. Jackery says the Explorer 1000 v2 has a UPS function that switches the AC output to battery within 20 ms when the wall power fails, and that it supports pass-through charging without hurting battery life. Jackery also says it is not a zero-millisecond UPS. Before trusting it at night:
- Plug the station into the wall and the CPAP into the station, start the CPAP during the day, and pull the station's wall plug. Confirm the CPAP keeps running and its settings did not reset.
- Check for an energy saving or auto power-off setting. Jackery lists an Energy Saving Mode on the 1000 v2 that can be turned off. Read your manual for what triggers it so the outlet doesn't shut itself off overnight.
- Ask your equipment supplier whether your model is fine on this setup. The FDA's advice is to read your instructions or call the distributor or manufacturer to confirm a device can run on batteries or a generator.
Note the trade-off: auto switchover uses the AC outlet, which costs runtime. A good compromise is pass-through on AC for the first night, then switching to the DC cord once you know the outage will be long.
Pre-storm CPAP checklist
- Get the DC cord or converter now. For ResMed that is the converter for your series (for the AirSense 11, the Air11 DC/DC converter, rated 12 V or 24 V input and 24 V, 3.75 A output, per ResMed's product page). You also need a cable that matches the power station's car port.
- Charge the power station to 100% when a storm is forecast, and test it on one normal night so you know your real watt-hours.
- Decide your humidifier plan in advance with your clinician: off, low, or on for the first night only.
- Tell your electric company and fire department that you use a powered medical device. The FDA lists this as a step for power outages, and its power outage booklet helps you record your device details and plan.
- Keep the CPAP and its cords dry. The FDA warns not to plug in a cord or device that is wet.
- After power returns, check that your settings have not reset to defaults, which the FDA says often happens.
- Recharging plan: a car with the engine running, solar, or a generator. Jackery quotes about 12 hours to recharge the 1000 v2 from a 12 V car outlet. ResMed warns never to start a vehicle engine while the CPAP is running from the vehicle's battery, because voltage spikes may damage the device.
Outside the US: Canada, the UK and Australia
The runtime tables still apply. Canada uses the same 120-volt system as the US. In the UK and Australia, buy the 230-volt version sold there: Jackery's UK/EU and Australian Explorer 1000 v2 list the same 1,070 Wh battery, 12 V 10 A car port and switchover within 20 ms, and Jackery Europe lists the same 18 W standby figure, so the DC and AC numbers above carry over. ResMed's DC/DC converter cited above is listed on ResMed's GB store. Jackery's own regional stores listed the standalone 1000 v2 at C$1,099 (Canada), £899 (UK) and A$699 (Australia, was A$799) on October 29, 2026.
One setting to check on a multi-night run. Jackery's Australian manual says Energy Saving Mode, which is on by default, turns all outputs off after 12 hours when the AC load is 25 W or less. A CPAP with the humidifier off can sit under that line. For an outage longer than one night, turn Energy Saving Mode off in the app or check your own manual's threshold.
Register as a medical power user before the storm season:
- UK: join the free Priority Services Register with both your energy supplier and your network operator. Ofgem says you can join if you use medical equipment that needs a power supply, and network operators such as National Grid list sleep apnoea equipment and offer power cut alerts for medically dependent customers. Report a power cut on 105 in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Australia: the Australian Energy Regulator's life support guide names a positive airways pressure respirator as life support equipment. Tell your electricity retailer or distributor; they register you and send a medical confirmation form for your doctor to sign. Distributors such as Essential Energy say you'll get written notice at least four business days before planned outages, but also that registration doesn't guarantee an unbroken supply, so you still need the battery plan.
- Canada: we couldn't find a national register to point you to. Ask your local utility whether it keeps a list of customers who rely on medical equipment.
When a generator makes sense, and how not to get hurt
For outages longer than your battery's nights, a generator can recharge the power station during the day. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near an open window. The CDC says to keep it outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and to have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector inside. Never backfeed your house through a wall outlet; any connection to home wiring needs a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
Example scenarios
These are illustrations with stated assumptions, not real people.
A Gulf Coast homeowner on an AirSense 10 at 10 cm H2O who likes the humidifier on 4. Planning for 3 nights on DC: 3 x 221 Wh / 0.85 = 780 Wh. A 1,000 Wh class unit covers it with about a night to spare. On the AC outlet the same unit gives about 2.5 nights, so the DC cord is what makes 3 nights comfortable.
An RV owner boondocking with a 300 Wh unit and no humidifier. On DC, about 2.7 nights per charge, and a small solar panel on sunny days can keep it topped up.
Someone in a winter storm area using an AirSense 11 with heated tubing in a cold bedroom. At ResMed's 56.1 W typical figure, a 1,070 Wh unit gives about 2 nights on DC and 1.5 on AC. If a 3-night outage is realistic, either budget about 1,600 Wh of rated capacity on DC or agree a lower-humidity plan with your clinician ahead of time.
When a power station is the wrong answer
- Life-support or oxygen equipment: Jackery states its power stations are not recommended for medical or life-support equipment. Talk to your supplier about medical-grade backup.
- Very long outages: no single portable battery replaces a recharging plan. Pair it with solar, a vehicle or a generator used safely outdoors.
For the fridge side of the same outage, see what size power station runs a fridge. More guides are on our medical and CPAP backup page.
Sources
Checked on October 29, 2026.
Jackery Europe Help Center: Explorer 1000 v2 basic information (230 V model, 1,070 Wh, 18 W standby, 20 ms UPS)
Jackery Australia: Explorer 1000 v2 user manual (230 V outlets, Energy Saving Mode 25 W and 12 hour rule) and product page; Jackery UK and Canada product pages (listed prices)
Ofgem: Join your supplier's Priority Services Register; National Grid: Priority Services FAQs; UK Government Be Ready: Be ready for emergencies (105)
Australian Energy Regulator: Life support registration guide; Essential Energy: Life support
ResMed: Battery Guide, using stand-alone deep-cycle batteries (AirSense 10 current draw at 12 V by pressure and humidifier setting; converter versus inverter)
ResMed: AirSense 11 user guide (65 W power supply, 56.1 W typical, 73.2 W peak)
ResMed: Air11 DC/DC converter product page (input and output ratings)
ResMed: Should I get a CPAP battery? (what happens in an outage, breathing room air)
Philips: DreamStation 2 instructions for use (DC power cord and battery adapter)
Jackery: Explorer 1000 v2 basic information (1,070 Wh, 18 W standby, 12 V 10 A car port, 20 ms UPS, energy saving mode, car charging time)
Jackery: Explorer 300 Plus basic information (288 Wh, 12 W standby, 12 V 10 A car port)
Jackery Help Center: runtime formula (capacity x 0.85 / watts)
Jackery: Explorer 1000 v2 product page (medical-device note)
FDA: Tips about medical devices and natural disasters and power outage planning booklet
Have a measured overnight reading for your machine? Send it to us and we will add it.
Quick answers
How long will a 1,000 Wh power station run a CPAP?
Roughly 2 to 10 eight-hour nights. Using ResMed's measured draw for an AirSense 10 at 10 cm H2O, a 1,070 Wh station gives about 10 nights on DC with the humidifier off, about 4 nights with the humidifier on a mid setting, and under 2 nights with the humidifier and heated tube running through the AC outlet.
Should I plug my CPAP into the power station's AC outlet or use a DC cord?
Use the manufacturer's DC cord or DC-to-DC converter if your machine supports one. ResMed strongly recommends converters over inverters because they waste less energy, and a power station's AC inverter has its own overhead (Jackery lists 18 W standby consumption for the Explorer 1000 v2), which can be bigger than the CPAP itself.
Is it safe to sleep without my CPAP if the power goes out?
ResMed says that if the machine stops you can still breathe room air: nasal mask users breathe through the mouth, and full face masks have an anti-asphyxia valve. It is still better to reconnect to backup power to avoid apneas. Ask your doctor or equipment supplier what is right for you.
How do I keep my CPAP running without waking up when the power fails?
Some power stations can pass power through from the wall and switch to battery automatically. Jackery says the Explorer 1000 v2 switches within 20 milliseconds. Test it during the day before relying on it, and confirm with your supplier that your machine tolerates the switch.
Dale Becker is the pen name of The Outage Planner's editorial team. Figures come from the manufacturer specs and public sources linked above and were checked on the date shown. Prices and specs change, so confirm before you buy. Example scenarios are illustrations with stated assumptions, not real households. Some links may be affiliate links that pay us a commission at no extra cost to you.