With a wide variety of portable power stations offered by Bluetti, you might be wondering which can power a games console.
All Bluetti portable power stations can run a games console. However, the run time will depend on the battery capacity and the required output to power the console. The smallest Bluetti EB3A will run a PlayStation 5 for 1 hour 02 minutes, while the AC200MAX would last just under 9 hours.
PlayStation isn't the only games console either, so let's take a look at the top consoles in 2023, and which Bluetti would be best for running them.
Table of contents
Different game consoles have different power needs, and various models of Bluetti have varying capacities. So how long will the top games consoles in 2023 run?
PlayStation 5 - 201 watts
| Model |
PlayStation 5 Runtime |
| EB3A | 1 hours, 02 minutes |
| EB55 | 2 hours, 19 minutes |
| EB70 | 2 hours, 53 minutes |
| AC60 | 1 hours, 42 minutes |
| AC180 | 4 hours, 49 minutes |
| AC200P | 8 hours, 45 minutes |
| AC200MAX | 8 hours, 58 minutes |
Xbox Series X - 153 watts
| Model |
Xbox Series X Runtime |
| EB3A | 1 hours, 22 minutes |
| EB55 | 3 hours, 03 minutes |
| EB70 | 3 hours, 47 minutes |
| AC60 | 2 hours, 14 minutes |
| AC180 | 6 hours, 19 minutes |
| AC200P | 11 hours, 30 minutes |
| AC200MAX | 11 hours, 47 minutes |
Xbox Series S - 74 watts
| Model |
Xbox Series S Runtime |
| EB3A | 2 hours, 49 minutes |
| EB55 | 6 hours, 19 minutes |
| EB70 | 7 hours, 50 minutes |
| AC60 | 4 hours, 38 minutes |
| AC180 | 13 hours, 05 minutes |
| AC200P | 23 hours, 47 minutes |
| AC200MAX | 24 hours, 21 minutes |
Nintendo switch (OLED) - 6 watts
| Model |
Nintendo switch (OLED) Runtime |
| EB3A | 34 hours, 50 minutes |
| EB55 | 77 hours, 52 minutes |
| EB70 | 96 hours, 40 minutes |
| AC60 | 57 hours, 06 minutes |
| AC180 | 161 hours, 17 minutes |
| AC200P | 293 hours, 20 minutes |
| AC200MAX | 300 hours, 22 minutes |
Steam deck - 22 watts
| Model |
Steam deck Runtime |
| EB3A | 9 hours, 30 minutes |
| EB55 | 21 hours, 14 minutes |
| EB70 | 26 hours, 22 minutes |
| AC60 | 15 hours, 34 minutes |
| AC180 | 43 hours, 59 minutes |
| AC200P | 80 hours, 00 minutes |
| AC200MAX | 81 hours, 55 minutes |
These are based on estimated power consumption when the console is active and running a game.
How do you calculate how long your games console will run?
To calculate how long your games console will run, you will need the following:
- The battery capacity of the power station,
- the power consumption of the games console, and,
- the power station efficiency (values here).
To help, I built a simple calculator for each model of Bluetti.
Alternatively, you can use the following calculation to determine how long your games console will run for any portable power station.
Run-time calculation
Battery capacity (watt-hours) / Games console power (watts) * Power Station efficiency (%) = run-time (hours)
To build my calculator, I used the following details.
Bluetti Power Station battery capacity
| Model |
Battery Capacity |
| EB3A | 268Wh |
| EB55 | 537Wh |
| EB70 | 716Wh |
| AC60 | 403Wh |
| AC180 | 1,152Wh |
| AC200P | 2,000Wh |
| AC200MAX | 2,048Wh |
Games console power consumption
Your games console may have a sticker indicating its power consumption, or you should be able to find the power required from the manufacturer's website or manual when you purchased the console. Remember, your games console wattage will vary whether you are running a game, installing, or on standby. For all of the estimates below, I am using the wattage while running a game.
Games consoles need:
| Games console |
Power |
| PS5 |
220 watts or 201 watts for newer versions |
| Xbox Series X |
153 watts |
| Xbox Series S |
74 watts |
| Nintendo switch (OLED) |
6 watts |
| Steam deck |
22 watts |
But we need to consider not just the games console's wattage. You may also need to consider other devices, including:
- WiFi router
- TV
- Controller charging
Each device will draw its power which you should consider for your setup.
Different Bluetti's will have varying efficiencies, and there will be a difference between AC and DC powering.
But, most games consoles will need to be powered by AC, so let's look at the AC inverter efficiencies by each model:
| Model |
AC Inverter Efficiency |
| EB3A | 78% |
| EB55 | 87% |
| EB70 | 81% |
| AC60 | 85% |
| AC180 | 84% |
| AC200P | 88% |
| AC200MAX | 88% |
Bluetti EB3A Play Station Runtime
I know its older, but I ran a PS4 in my living room with my EB3A, drawing just over 135 watts continuously while playing a game.
The display shows that I could run my PS4 for nearly 2 hours.
If you want to play on your games console, you will need a TV, and more often than not connection to the internet (WiFi router).
I plugged in an extension lead and connected my 55" OLED TV, along with my BT Wifi Router, which all together pulls 189 watts. The display suggests that I could play for a little over an hour.
I then took it a step further and plugged in the controller to charge while playing. In total it was pulling 191 watts so only 2 watts more. This has very little impact on the overall runtime.
Straight out of the box, your Bluetti should be configured to run A/C appliances, including a games console.
But, before using your Bluetti to power your games console, you should first charge its internal battery.
Your user guide will explain how to charge your specific power station. You can find a digital copy of your user guide on the Bluetti website here.
In general, one of the easiest ways to charge your Bluetti will be using the included power cable in a wall outlet tied to the grid.
Once your power station is charged, you can plug your games console straight into the A/C outlet on the Bluetti.
However, if you are planning to power multiple devices, you may choose to plug an extension cord with multiple outlets into your Bluetti. This could allow you to power additional ancillaries needed for use with your games console, including:
Want to learn more? See my article exploring running a TV with a Bluetti.
Even the smallest Bluetti is capable of powering a games console, even with a TV and WiFi router connected. However, you might find its battery lacking, which is why we recommend the Bluetti EB55 as the best portable power station for a games console.
However, if you are running a portable games console such as the Nintendo switch or Steam deck, save your money and stick with the EB3A.
Bliuetti EB55
We recommend the EB55 when choosing a Bluetti to run a games console.
Boasting a 700W output and a 537Wh battery, it can run a games console, full-size TV and router for more than 6 hours!
But how does the Bluetti stack up with its competition?
Bluetti makes some fantastic portable power stations, all of which are more than capable of running a games console. However, you may consider cheaper alternatives or other brands which offer more features for your money.
We have tested models from the leading portable power station brands, Bluetti, EcoFlow, and Jackery.
| Portable Power Station |
Inverter Power |
Battery Size |
| Bluetti EB55 |
700 watts |
537 Wh |
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max |
500 watts |
512 Wh |
| Jackery 500 |
500 watts |
518 Wh |
Based on its inverter output, battery capacity, build quality, and price, the Bluetti EB55 is the best in its class.
However, if you were not looking at running other more power-hungry appliances, I would also strongly consider the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max; especially if it were on sale cheaper than the Bluetti EB55.
You will often find Bluetti and EcoFlow products on sale. Check out their latest prices below:
Bluetti EB55 Latest Price
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Latest Price
Jackery 500 Latest Price
A great feature of a Bluetti is that you can charge your battery while powering a games console. If you are at home, you can use your mains power to keep your Bluetti fully charged while using your games console.
This can be a great option to use your BLuetti as a UPS to keep your games console running during a power outage. By also plugging in your TV and WiFi router, you will have plenty of time to finish your game and save your progress.
But what if you are on the road or don't have access to mains power?
Two other great ways to keep your power station charged are:
- Solar power
- DC power
Solar power
Bluetti works excellently with solar panels. Whether you have yours hard mounted on the roof of your house or portable for camping, using the sun's rays to charge your battery is a great way to boost performance.
Your power station will include a solar charge cable pre-terminated to MC4, a widespread solar connector.
While Bluetti sells solar panels specifically for their power stations, they can be expensive compared to others on the market.
Bluetti PV200 Solar Panel
The PV200 Solar Panel is compatible with all their portable power stations and provides 200W of solar power. However, they cost more than double what you can pay for a similar-performing panel from other manufacturers.
But, if you use your own solar panels, be careful; you must ensure that they are within the specification of your Bluetti.
Important!
Ensure you refer to the owner's guide, which will tell you the Open Current Voltage (OCV), maximum input current, and maximum input power.
Do not exceed these parameters, or you will damage your power station!
DC power
Charging your portable power station with DC power is one of my favourite ways to extend its run-time.
Bluetti offers pass-through charging, meaning you can charge your power station while simultaneously powering a games console.
So, even if you own their baby EB3A, you can get hours of extra run-time by charging with DC.
You can charge your Bluetti with:
- Cigarette Lighter Port (12V/24V) or,
- 8A max, 200W max DC (Solar input, but can take DC from any source)
Powering by another DC battery is one of my favourite ways to add extra battery capacity cheaply!
My setup allows me to more than double my battery capacity for much less than buying the next model up.
This allows me to charge my Bluetti EB3A at 152w, which is more than enough to extend the battery on the EB3A while powering a games console.
Even better, I get to use the EB3A's improved screen to see exactly what percentage of the battery remains (the EB55 lacks this). Plus, I can use it for other projects too!
To replicate, you will need the following:
While powering your games console off-grid with a portable power station is a great solution, it will only be suitable for some.
Some other alternative ways to power your games console include:
- solar
- diesel generator
- gas (propane) generator
- buy a games console which has a battery built-in (for example a handheld device such as a Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally)
- UPS
To stay as green as possible, we always recommend, where possible, powering your devices using solar power.
About the author
Andy Vickery has been DIY'ing energy projects for years. From solar and home electrics, to car rewires, Andy is passionate about sharing his personal experiences.