Watts vs Watt-Hours: The Two Numbers That Decide What a Power Station Can Do
Spec sheets throw two numbers at you: watts (W) and watt-hours (Wh). Confuse them and you will either buy a station that cannot run your kettle, or a huge battery that is overkill for your needs. Here is the difference in plain language.
Watts = How Fast; Watt-Hours = How Long
- Watts (W) measure power — how much energy a device draws at any instant. This is the "speed" number.
- Watt-hours (Wh) measure energy — the total fuel in the tank. This is the "distance" number.
Think of a car: watts are the horsepower, watt-hours are the size of the fuel tank. You need both to know where you can go.
The Runtime Formula
Runtime (hours) ≈ Station Wh × 0.85 ÷ Device W
The 0.85 factor accounts for inverter losses (real-world efficiency is typically 85–90%). Examples with a 1008Wh station like the T11:
| Device | Draw | Runtime on 1008Wh |
|---|---|---|
| LED camp lights | 10W | ~85 hours |
| Wi-Fi router | 12W | ~71 hours |
| Laptop | 65W | ~13 hours |
| Portable fridge (avg) | 45W | ~19 hours |
| TV (LED, 43") | 100W | ~8.5 hours |
| Rice cooker | 700W | ~1.2 hours |
Why the W Number Matters Just as Much
A 288Wh unit like the A3C and a 2016Wh unit like the C20 can both charge a phone — but only the C20 can run a 1500W induction cooktop, because its inverter delivers 1800W continuous. The inverter wattage is the ceiling for what you can plug in, regardless of battery size.
Also check surge rating: motors and compressors (fridges, pumps, power tools) briefly draw 2–3x their rated wattage at startup. A 3000W inverter with strong surge handling — like on the T50 — starts a full-size fridge compressor without tripping.
Reading Heding Power Specs the Easy Way
| Model | Capacity (Wh) | Inverter (W) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 145 | 200 | Phones, lights, drones |
| A5 | 520 | 500 | Weekend camping essentials |
| T11 | 1008 | 1200 | Fridge + devices weekend |
| C18 | 1680 | 1800 | Basecamp, cooking |
| T30 | 2688 | 3000 | Home backup, heavy appliances |
| T50 | 5376 | 3000 | Multi-day backup, off-grid living |
One Last Tip
When comparing brands, always compare Wh to Wh and W to W. A "600W generator" with 300Wh stores less than half the energy of a "500W generator" with 520Wh. Specs only make sense as a pair. Compare all models →