Because we never know what life will throw at us, it’s always good to have a backup for everything. This includes a generator so that if the power ever goes out, you can carry on with your day as per usual. That said, generators that run on gas aren’t a good idea because of the environmental consequences, plus they’re noisy and smelly.
This makes portable solar panels the best option as they’re compact, easy to use, more affordable, and don’t worsen climate change. To help you pick one out, here’s a roundup of the best models that are currently available on the market.
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Best Portable Solar Generator Comparison Chart
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station
The best portable solar generator overall.
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station is number one in our book because it’s an incredible powerhouse. It’s a high-capacity solar generator equipped with a 1,500-watt lithium battery. To put that into perspective, it’s enough to charge your mobile phone 100 times or keep the refrigerator up and running for an entire day. You can even use it to power up appliances and devices all in one go, whether it be your phone, laptop, oven, or refrigerator.
The best part is that it’s easy to use. Just push the button and it will immediately supply you with the electricity you need. You can also control it via the Yeti 3.0 app. In addition, its 2,000-watt AC inverter is easily among the best you can get on the market right now. To top things off, it comes with an MPPT charge controller which boosts efficiency by 30% when you recharge it with a Goal Zero solar panel.
Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator
The best in portability.
All the solar generators on this list are portable but there’s no beating the Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator’s compact and lightweight design. It’s only 13.3 pounds and measures in at 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.5 inches, making it ideal to bring on camping trips. But don’t let its size fool you because it’s durable and packs a lot of power. Thanks to its 500-watt inverter, you can use it to charge multiple devices at a time via its USB ports or AC and DC ports. It’s convenient that it comes with an AC adaptor and car charging cable too.
If you need to recharge it, you can either plug it into an AC wall outlet or use a Jackery SolarSaga solar panel but you’re going to have to buy this separately. Also, do note that you’re going to have to replace its 518-watt rechargeable battery after 500 uses or so but you would’ve taken it on countless adventures by then.
Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station
The best value for money.
Solar generators are getting more affordable these days because the technology is continuing to improve. But that said, most of them will still set you back by at least $200. If you want the best bang for your buck, the $140 Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station is a good one to purchase. Aside from being affordable, it’s also one of the most lightweight solar generators you can get your hands on, weighing in at only 3.97 pounds. It’s the perfect pick for the budget travelers out there.
It’s powerful enough to charge your phone and laptop and even power up small appliances like an electric fan. Do note, however, that while it has a 150-watt voltage, it’s best not to use with gadgets with a 100-watt rating or higher. As for charging, you can do so via a solar panel or plug it into a wall or car outlet.
Bluetti AC200P 2000WH/2000W Portable Power Station
The best splurge.
If you’re willing to go all out for a solar generator, the Bluetti AC200P 2000WH/2000W Portable Power Station is the one to splurge on. While it’s on par with our number one pick in terms of power, what really sets it apart are the little details that make it so convenient to use. When it comes to charging, for example, there are five different ways to do so, namely via solar panels, car plug, wall outlet, another generator, or lead acid battery. It even comes with not one, not two, but three charging cables. As for output ports, there are 17 of them, all of which are protected by a high-quality dust cover.
Its most impressive feature though would have to be its LED touchscreen, something you don’t see too often on generators. With its display, you can easily check up on how much energy you’re using up as well as how much juice is left in the tank. You even have the option to set it to Eco mode which will automatically shut things down when it hasn’t been in use for a number of hours.
Verdict
A portable solar generator can come in handy in many different situations.
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station
The best overall
Bluetti AC200P 2000WH/2000W Portable Power Station
The best splurge
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station is the one to beat when it comes to power. Thanks to its 1,500-watt lithium battery, it can power up something as large as a refrigerator for an entire day. That’s pretty impressive to say the least. Another powerhouse that’s worth the splurge is the Bluetti AC200P 2000WH/2000W Portable Power Station. It’s the little details like its LCD screen and wide selection of output ports that really make it stand out. But if you have a more conservative budget, you can’t go wrong with the Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station which you can get for less than $150. As for the Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator, its light and compact design makes it the perfect pick for campers and travelers.
FAQs
The Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator. It’s only 13.3 pounds and measures in at 11.8 x 7.6 x 9.5 inches, making it ideal to bring on camping trips.
The Bluetti AC200P 2000WH/2000W Portable Power Station. It comes with a bunch of handy features such as an LCD screen, an Eco mode, and 17 output ports.
If you have a more conservative budget, you can’t go wrong with the Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station which you can get for less than $150.
The Jackery Explorer 500 Solar Portable Generator and the Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station are both good options for camping.