As much as it may not sound big, a 700-watt portable can run a couple of low-power indoor and outdoor items including light bulbs, humidifiers, microwave oven, AM/FM radio, electric drill, inflator pump, TV, CRT computer, refrigerator plus more!
When it comes to generators, the wattage refers to the amount of power it can generate. The number of watts is usually written on the side around the same area the name of the generator is written. From this figure, you can determine which appliance can run on the generator as the wattage written is the maximum it can produce.
At times, the power output might not be in watts but in amps and volts or even horsepower. If you have amps and volts, you get watts through the formula: watts = amps x volts. You basically multiply the amps by the amps to get the watts. If it’s written in horsepower, just multiply the horsepower by 745.7 since 1 horsepower is equal to 745.7 watts.
There is also the aspect of knowing the starting and running wattages for electronic appliances. The starting wattage is what an appliance needs to start while the running wattage is what’s needed to keep the appliance on and running. The starting wattage is usually higher than the running wattage and getting a generator requires matching it with the starting cost to use the appliance.
Electronics at or below 700 watts
With your 700-watt generator, you can run the following appliances:
| Appliance | Running Wattage | Starting Wattage |
| Light bulb – 60 Watt | 60 | 60 |
| Light bulb – 70 Watts | 75 | 75 |
| Humidifier – 13 Gal | 175 | 175 |
| Quartz halogen work light – 300 | 300 | 300 |
| Quartz halogen work light – 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Electric drill – 3/8”, 4 amps | 440 | 600 |
| AM/FM radio | 100 | 100 |
| CD/DVD player | 100 | 100 |
| Box fan – 20” | 200 | 200 |
| Microwave oven – 625 Watts | 625 | 625 |
| Food processor | 400 | 400 |
| Electric can opener | 168 | 168 |
| VCR | 100 | 100 |
| Stereo receiver | 450 | 450 |
| Color N – 27″ | 500 | 500 |
| PlayStation, X-Box, Game Cube | 40 | 40 |
| Security system | 500 | 500 |
| Fax machine | 65 | 65 |
| Inkjet printer | 80 | 80 |
| Color N – 13″ | 150 | 150 |
| Outdoor light string | 250 | 250 |
| Cell phone battery charger | 25 | 25 |
| Inflator pump | 50 | 150 |
| Electric space heater (low) | 600 | 600 |
| Waterbed heater (10 hours per day) | 450 | |
| Window unit AC, Small | 500 | 500 |
| Evaporative cooler | 400 | 400 |
| 52” ceiling fan (high speed) | 90 | 90 |
| 48” ceiling fan (high speed) | 75 | 75 |
| 36” ceiling fan (high speed) | 55 | 55 |
| 42” ceiling fan (high speed) | 24 | 24 |
| Refrigerator (compressor) | 700 | 700 |
| Refrigerator (average) | 160 | 160 |
| Desktop computer (17” CRT monitor) | 500 | 500 |
| Desktop computer (sleep mode) | 20 | 20 |
| 17” CRT monitor | 90 | 90 |
| 17” LCD monitor | 40 | 40 |
| Laptop computer | 45 | 45 |
| 50-56″ plasma TV | 340 | 340 |
| 50-56″ LCD TV | 260 | 260 |
| 50-56″ DLP TV | 170 | 170 |
| 42” plasma TV | 270 | 270 |
| 42” LCD TV | 210 | 210 |
| 32” LCD TV | 125 | 125 |
| 19” CRT TV | 90 | 90 |
| Xbox 360 | 165 | 165 |
| Xbox | 70 | 70 |
| PS2 | 30 | 30 |
| mixer | 225 | 225 |
| Trash compactor | 400 | 400 |
| Sewing machine | 75 | 75 |
| Clock radio | 4 | 4 |
You can run more than one appliance as long as the total wattage is 700 or below.
Top 700-watt Generators
If you’re in the market for a 700-watt generator, the names below should be high on your shopping list. We have included some generators above 700 watts for your consideration since it’s always wise to get more power than you’ll be needing.
| Generator | Watts | Features |
| VTPOWER 577WH | 700 | Lithium Battery Multifunction Power Supply With AC Outlet USB Ports |
| BLUETTI EB70 | 700 | LiFePO4 Battery Backup w/ 4 110V AC Outlets, 2 100W USB-C, Regulated 12V |
| Draper Tools 28853 Petrol Generator | 700 | Recoil starter. 2-stroke petrol engine at 2.0 HP. Fuel tank has 2.5L capacity. Voltage output of 230V. |
| Clarke G720 Petrol Generator 720W | 720 | Recoil starter. Petrol engine. 6.5h operating time. 230 output voltage.Weighs 17kg. |
| Sealey GG0720 230V Generator 2hp | 720 | 12V and 230V outlets. 2hp 2-stroke engine. Small and handy. |
| Instant Power Portable Suitcase Inverter Petrol Generator | 800W | 12V and 230V outlets. 4 stroke engine at 2.6HP. Quiet at only 54dB. Has DC charging wires. |
| Wolf 800W Petrol Generator Portable Inverter | 800 | Has econo switch to switch to idling mode when no power is being drawn. Weighs only 9kg. Output for 12V and 230V. |
Any one of these generators will solve your needs for electronics at or below 700 watts of power.
Further Reading