How Many Watts Does a Heating Pad / Electric Heat Wrap Use?
Heating pads provide pain relief for muscle and joint conditions. They use 20-100W depending on size and heat setting. Low settings (20-40W) are very battery-friendly. Like electric blankets, they heat you directly rather than the room.
Typical Power
60W
Power Range
20-100W
Daily Usage
120Wh
(2 hrs/day typical)
Heating Pad / Electric Heat Wrap Runtime Calculator
Range: 20-100W
Continuous Runtime
13.6 hours
Days at 2hrs/day
8.0 days
Daily Consumption
120Wh
Usable Battery
960Wh
Recommended Equipment
* Calculations assume 85% inverter efficiency and 80% depth of discharge (LiFePO4).
Battery Runtime Examples
| Battery Size | Voltage | Runtime at 60W |
|---|---|---|
| 50Ah | 12V | 6.5 hours |
| 100Ah | 12V | 13 hours |
| 200Ah | 12V | 27 hours |
* Assumes 85% inverter efficiency and 80% depth of discharge for LiFePO4 batteries.
Heating Pad / Electric Heat Wrap Power Tips
- •Low heat setting uses 20-40W - very sustainable on battery
- •High setting (80-100W) drains batteries faster but still manageable
- •A 100Ah battery can run a heating pad for 8+ hours on low
- •Consider 12V DC heating pads designed for RV/automotive use
- •Heating pads are far more efficient than space heaters for pain relief
- •Automatic shutoff is common - restart may be needed for long sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I run a heating pad on battery?
On low setting (30W), a 100Ah battery lasts 27+ hours. On high (80W), about 10 hours. This makes heating pads very practical for battery backup.
Is a heating pad better than a space heater on battery?
Absolutely. A heating pad at 60W provides targeted relief while a space heater at 1500W depletes batteries in under an hour. For pain management, a heating pad is the clear choice.
What inverter size for a heating pad?
A 150-200W inverter is plenty. Heating pads have no startup surge. For even better efficiency, use a 12V DC heating pad with no inverter needed.