How long will the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run a full-size fridge?

About 9.5 hours from a full charge. A full-size fridge averages about 45 W (150 W running, on about 30% of the time), and the 499 Wh battery gives about 424 Wh after inverter losses. That is 11% of the battery an hour.

Will the Goal Zero Yeti 500 start a full-size fridge?

Yes. It needs about 1,000 W for a moment when the compressor starts, and the Goal Zero Yeti 500 is rated for 1,000 W surge, 1.0 times that. Avoid starting other motors at the same moment.

How much of the battery does a full-size fridge use in a day?

About 1,080 Wh a day (45 W × 24 hours), more than the 424 Wh the Goal Zero Yeti 500 can deliver, so plan to recharge every 9.5 hours.

Goal Zero · Will it run?

Can the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run a full-size refrigerator?

Published October 10, 2026

Short answerYes

Yes. The Goal Zero Yeti 500 runs a full-size fridge for about 9.5 hours from a full charge. It needs about 1,000 W for a moment when the compressor starts, within the 1,000 W surge rating, then about 150 W while running against 500 W continuous.

Add your other devices

Key numbers

Runtime: 9.5 hrs; from a full charge
Battery used per hour: 11%; at 45 W average

Full-size refrigerator

Running: 150 W; 100–200 W range
Start-up: 1,000 W
Average: 45 W; on 30% of the time

Goal Zero Yeti 500

Battery: 499 Wh; about 424 Wh usable
Output: 500 W; continuous
Surge: 1,000 W; start-up peak

How we worked it out: 499 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 45 W average (150 W × 0.3 duty) = about 9.5 hours. The 0.85 covers inverter and battery losses. We do not test units ourselves; the numbers come from the official spec sheets and typical device draws. How we pick

Goal Zero Yeti 500

499 Wh · 500 W output · 1,000 W surge · 16.1 lb

Full specs and runtimes

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What else the Goal Zero Yeti 500 runs

One device at a time, from a full charge.

Other power stations for a full-size fridge

The nearest sizes that also run it.

Keep going

Real runtime depends on the model you own, room temperature and battery age. The 9.5 hours above is an estimate, not a measured result.

Common questions

How long will the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run a full-size fridge?: About 9.5 hours from a full charge. A full-size fridge averages about 45 W (150 W running, on about 30% of the time), and the 499 Wh battery gives about 424 Wh after inverter losses. That is 11% of the battery an hour.
Will the Goal Zero Yeti 500 start a full-size fridge?: Yes. It needs about 1,000 W for a moment when the compressor starts, and the Goal Zero Yeti 500 is rated for 1,000 W surge, 1.0 times that. Avoid starting other motors at the same moment.
How much of the battery does a full-size fridge use in a day?: About 1,080 Wh a day (45 W × 24 hours), more than the 424 Wh the Goal Zero Yeti 500 can deliver, so plan to recharge every 9.5 hours.