Appliance · Outdoor
How many watts does a powered PA speaker use — and what can run it?
A 12 in powered PA speaker (QSC K12.2) draws about 228 W at 1/8 power — typical music, per QSC. Which power stations run it, and for how long.
The representative speaker is the QSC K12.2, a 12-inch powered PA speaker. QSC's K.2 series specifications list current consumption at 1/8 power — 1.9 A at 120 VAC, the same across the K8.2, K10.2 and K12.2 — and describe 1/8 power as representative of typical music program material with occasional clipping. The site turns that into 228 W.
What changes the draw
Volume and material. A powered speaker draws more as its amplifier is asked to deliver more, so louder levels and bass-heavy material raise the draw above the 1/8-power figure, and quiet background music keeps it below. The amplifier ratings on the same page — 1,800 W LF and 225 W HF peak — are output peaks, not wall draw, and are not used for sizing here. The page assumes 4 hours of use a day, 912 Wh.
No starting surge
A speaker has no motor start, so there is no starting figure on this page. Continuous output decides the fit: stations rated 100 W or less fail at 228 W; stations rated 300 W pass.
Reading the tables
Runtime is at 228 W with nothing else connected; a mixer, second speaker or lights add to it. Example: the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 record has no maker factor, so the default 0.85 applies: 1,070 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 228 W = 4.0 hours. The Anker SOLIX C300 gives 1.1 hours by the same arithmetic.
Power stations that can run it
Pass = continuous output ≥ 228 W. Runtime = capacity × maker's factor ÷ 228 W, nothing else plugged in. Method.
| Model | Fits | Runtime at 228 W | Capacity | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARBERO 88Wh Portable Power Station (M82) | No | — | 89 Wh | $119.99 |
| DARAN R100 (89.6Wh) | No | — | 90 Wh | $149.99 |
| Bluetti EB3A | Yes | 57 min | 269 Wh | $219 |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus | Yes | 1.1 h | 286 Wh | $299 |
| Anker SOLIX C300 | Yes | 1.1 h | 288 Wh | $429.99 |
| Anker SOLIX C300 DC | No | — | 288 Wh | $349.99 |
| Jackery Explorer 300 | Yes | 1.1 h | 292 Wh | $289 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Yes | 1.9 h | 499 Wh | $499.95 |
| Bluetti AC70 | Yes | 2.9 h | 768 Wh | $359 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | Yes | 3.8 h | 1,024 Wh | $499.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 | Yes | 3.8 h | 1,024 Wh | $699 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic | Yes | 3.8 h | 1,024 Wh | $599 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | Yes | 3.8 h | 1,024 Wh | $799 |
| Anker SOLIX C1000X | Yes | 3.9 h | 1,056 Wh | $469.99 |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | Yes | 4 h | 1,070 Wh | $559 |
| Bluetti AC180 | Yes | 3.9 h | 1,152 Wh | $499 |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | Yes | 4.7 h | 1,264 Wh | $699 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500 | Yes | 5.6 h | 1,505 Wh | $1,499.95 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 1500X | Yes | 5.7 h | 1,516 Wh | $1,124.89 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Max (2000) | Yes | 7.5 h | 2,016 Wh | — |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,042 Wh | $999 |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,043 Wh | — |
| Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,048 Wh | $899.99 |
| Bluetti AC200L | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,048 Wh | $899 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,299 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,199 |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus | Yes | 7.6 h | 2,048 Wh | $1,599 |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | Yes | 7 h | 2,074 Wh | $899 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | Yes | 11 h | 3,072 Wh | $1,499 |
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | Yes | 14 h | 3,840 Wh | $2,599.99 |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 | Yes | 15 h | 4,096 Wh | $3,299 |
Generators that can run it
| Model | Fits | Load | Published run time | CO sensor | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion 100396 3400W Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter | Yes | 7 % (gasoline) | 7.5 h @ 25 % | No | — |
| Champion 201241 13,500W Electric Start Tri Fuel Generator | Yes | 2 % (gasoline) | 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Champion 201319 4500W Electric Start Dual Fuel Inverter | Yes | 7 % (gasoline) | 14 h @ 25 % | Yes | — |
| DuroMax XP13000EH | Yes | 2 % (gasoline) | 17 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,299 |
| DuroMax XP9500iH | Yes | 3 % (gasoline) | 21 h @ 25 % · 11 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,999 |
| Generac GP8000E (with COsense, model 7715) | Yes | 3 % (gasoline) | 10 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Generac iQ3500 (with COsense) | Yes | 8 % (gasoline) | 14.1 h @ 25 % · 8.9 h @ 50 % | Yes | — |
| Honda EU2200i | Yes | 13 % (gasoline) | 8.1 h @ 25 % · 3.2 h @ 100 % | Yes | $1,199 |
| Honda EU3200i | Yes | 9 % (gasoline) | 8.6 h @ 25 % · 3.3 h @ 100 % | Yes | $2,799 |
| Honda EU7000iS | Yes | 4 % (gasoline) | 16 h @ 25 % · 6.4 h @ 100 % | Yes | $4,899 |
| WEN DF680iX | Yes | 4 % (gasoline) | 6.1 h @ 50 % | Yes | $803.40 |
| WEN GN400i | Yes | 7 % (gasoline) | 7 h @ 50 % | No | $479.99 |
| Westinghouse WGen7500DFc | Yes | 3 % (gasoline) | 11 h @ 25 % | Yes | $1,299 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DF | Yes | 2 % (gasoline) | 12 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | No | $1,249 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DFc | Yes | 2 % (gasoline) | 12 h @ 25 % · 8 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,399 |
| Westinghouse WGen9500DFc EFI | Yes | 2 % (gasoline) | 15 h @ 25 % · 10 h @ 50 % | Yes | $1,549 |
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a powered PA speaker draw?
Does an 1,800 W amplifier need an 1,800 W power station?
How long can a power station run a PA speaker?
Sources
- QSC — K.2 Series overview, specifications (K8.2/K10.2/K12.2 current consumption) (accessed 2026-10-31)
Page updated 2026-10-31.