When electricity bills increase, it’s time to opt for cheaper solutions. Depending on natural sources of energy is one such alternative. Solar energy is readily available, economical, and can be stored for later use. You may want to purchase a solar powered generator that will work best for you. However, this choice can be difficult to make because of the number of models and brands on the market. To make your search easier, we have compiled a list of the top 10 solar powered generators.
Our 5 Favorite Solar Powered Generator
Top 10 Revealed Best Solar Powered Generator Reviews
1. ECOFLOW RIVER Portable Power Station
Features
The River has a capacity of about 412Wh and is very powerful since it can power about 11 devices at a go. This mobile power station has 2-AC outlets, 2 USB quick charge, 2 USB, 2 USB-C type, 2 DC outlets and 1-12V car port (hence 11 devices). It has a lithium-ion battery and is relatively light (weighing about 11lbs).
It is convenient because it is a portable charger. Another key feature is that the battery can hold a charge for about a year. There is a regulator that makes the charging of devices safe and also efficient. The Ecoflow River can be used at home or even for outdoor settings, for example during camping or commercial use.
PROS
- Portable, making it very convenient
- Charges multiple devices at the same time
- Lightweight
- Powerful
CONS
- Does not have a protective casing
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $500-$600.
Durability
The quality of this product is high since it provides, clean, quiet, and safe power. It is convenient and practical to use when one is hunting, camping, or overloading. We rated the product 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
This product comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
2. Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station
Features
This is one of the lightest yet smallest solar powered generators. It weighs approximately 3.84lb and has a capacity of 167Wh (11.6Ah, 14.4V). The DC input is about 12V-30V and 42W. It can charge up to 5 devices at the same time since it has an AC inverter outlet, 2 USB–A output ports, a USB-C output port, and a DC output port.
It is portable and can power other devices while it recharges except with the DC 12V output port. This portable solar powered generator can charge smartphones, laptops, cameras, and also tablets.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Has an LED display for seeing the status of the battery
CONS
- Solar panels sold separately
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $150-$250.
Durability
The Jackery portable station can hold a charge for a long period when stored. Based on this we gave it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
This product comes with a two-year warranty from the manufacturer.
3. Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station
Features
This is a high capacity (428Wh) solar powered generator. It is a lithium portable power station able to power about 7 devices. It has a wave inverter and two AC outlets, 3- 2.4A USB ports, and 2- 12V ports. It is able to charge cameras, smartphones and also tablets.
PROS
- Offers clean and silent power
- Can recharge in about 4 hours
- Can recharge while being used
CONS
- Solar panels sold separately
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $400-$600.
Durability
This product can readily be charged from the wall, facilitated by an included cable. Recharging from the wall takes about 7 hours but this generator can also be used while it charges. We gave the durability of this product 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
4. Inergy Apex Lithium Portable Solar Power Station
Features
The product is ultra-lightweight at about 20lbs but heavier compared to the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station. The dimensions are 14*8*7 (L*W*H). When recharging using solar, its minimum charge time is 2.5 hours. It has deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, and the charging capacity is 1100Wh with 2000 cycles.
PROS
- Durable and versatile
- It has a variety of charging options
- Has high current charging ports
- It has an expected life of about 10 years
- Easy to use
CONS
- Minor control issues
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $400-$600.
Durability
We gave the durability of this product 3 stars because the product can easily be charged from the wall, but when the temperatures are extremely low, recharging tends to destroy the batteries.
Warranty
This product comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Check Latest Price5. Chafon UPS Battery Backup Generator
Features
This product is portable and weighs about 7.4lbs. It is convenient for both indoor and outdoor settings. The working time for the product is 346Wh with a capacity of about 372Wh.
Its dimensions are 11.4*4.5*5 (L*W*H). It can be recharged using a 110V AC wall plug cable or a 12V car charger cable or using a 40-120W solar panel. It is able to charge 11 devices, with 3- 110V AC outlets, 4- 12V DC ports and 4- 5V USB ports.
PROS
- Charges multiple devices
- Easy to use
- Portable and convenient
- Built-in LED light
- Built-in battery management systems
CONS
- It produces some sound during operation
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $400-$600.
Durability
We give this product 4.5 out of 5 stars because it has a great design, it is lightweight, and it comes with lithium-ion-based UPS.
Warranty
This product comes with an 18-month warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
Check Latest Price6. Suaoki 500 Portable Solar Generator
Features
The Suaoki 500 operates quietly, allowing you to work undisrupted. Convenient for both indoor and outdoor settings, this generator also has a three-way charging system: AC power from the wall outlet and DC power from the car and the solar power.
It has a versatile output that enables it to charge about 8 devices. LCD display screens and buttons are also constructed to monitor the battery charge and discharge status.
PROS
- Quiet and has zero emissions
- Easy and safe to use
- Versatile applications
- Durable and reliable
CONS
- It cannot be used while it uses solar to recharge
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $300-$500.
Durability
The design of the product is good, portable, and serves as a great emergency backup power. We gave this product a 4-star rating.
Warranty
This product comes with a 24-month warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
Check Latest Price7. Anker Powerhouse Compact Portable Generator
Features
The Anker is a portable solar powered generator station that is able to power lamps, phones, laptops, and even televisions. It has a capacity of 434Wh and is able to charge a laptop up to 15 times. It allows up to 4 devices to be charged at the same time through the fast charge feature. It has a clean and environmentally friendly power source since it does not emit any noise or fumes during operation.
PROS
- Highly reliable
- Has multi-device charge feature
- Easy to use
- Environmentally friendly
- Portable
CONS
- Costly compared to similar products
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $400-$600.
Durability
This product is great for people who love to camp and use CPAPs. This is because it provides power at the camping sites. This convenience earned the product 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
This product comes with a 24-month warranty and friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
8. Renogy Phoenix Portable Generator
Features
This product has a capacity of 210Wh and is capable of charging a laptop up to 5 times. It is portable, designed for outdoor settings and power-outages emergencies. It has a 16Ah lithium battery that can hold a charge for approximately 2 months. It has a compact lightweight design of about 13lbs.
PROS
- All-in-one portable solar power
- Easy to use
- Reliable and convenient
CONS
- Overheats when left in excess heat
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $400-$600.
Durability
We gave the durability of this product 4.5 out of 5 stars because it is very easy to use and has a great design. It also has adapters and cables for charging and consumption.
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
Check Latest Price9. Paxcess Portable Generator Power Station
Features
This product is powerful enough to keep all AC, USB, and 12V outputs fully charged. It charges a variety of devices ranging from iPhones, iPads, and DSLR cameras, and it also runs lights. This solar powered generator can easily be recharged from the wall, the car, or solar panels. It uses clean power instead of gasoline.
PROS
- It has a battery management system
- It is light and easily portable
- Environmentally friendly
CONS
- Not for large power electrical appliances
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $100-$200.
Durability
This product is great for camping because it is small and portable. It is also good because it is quiet while in use. We gave the durability of this product 4 stars.
Warranty
This product comes with a 12-month warranty and friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
Check Latest Price10. Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable Power Station
Features
The Goal Zero Yeti comes with a wall charger that allows it to charge in about 25 hours. It can also be charged using the solar panels that are usually sold separately. This product weighs 43.7lbs and can operate between 0-40 degrees of temperature. It has a capacity of 1425Wh.
PROS
- It has a battery management system
- Charge Multiple Devices
- An application can be used to check the performance of the battery Element
- Environmentally friendly
- It has a long shelf life of about one year
CONS
- Batteries are not easily replaced.
Price
This product is available on Amazon for around $1700-$2000.
Durability
This product is useful in providing backup power and works well during camping when there is no power at the site. Based on our review we gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
Check Latest PriceHow We Reviewed
Our comprehensive review of these products was based on the following: features and capacity, pros & cons, price, durability, where to buy, and warranty. The research we did included analyzing customers’ reviews on products, conducting interviews, and contacting manufacturers and sellers for insight. The information we gathered enabled us to come up with an exhaustive list that will help you find the best solar powered generator.
Overall Price Range of Solar Powered Generators
Depending on your choice of a solar powered generator, the products should cost around $100-$2000.
Frequently Asking Question
1. What Is a Solar Powered Generator?
This is a generator that uses solar energy to supply power, unlike conventional generators that rely on fuel for power.
2. How Does a Solar Powered Generator Work?
Solar panels in the generator capture photons which are used to charge the battery. This energy is then inverted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) and is made available for use.
3. Where Can You Buy a Solar Powered Generator?
The best solar powered generators can be bought on Amazon, eBay, and other online and offline retailers that sell genuine products.
4. How Long Does a Solar Powered Generator Take to Charge?
The length of time will primarily depend on the intensity of the sun. A generator that starts charging in the morning will charge faster than one that has been left to charge a few hours before the sunset sets.
The Verdict: Best Solar Powered Generator
The list we compiled above should help you choose the best model that will suit your needs. In case you need more information, always make sure to rely on credible sources such as the manufacturers of the products. There are a number of solar powered generators on the market and it is important to be able to distinguish the best ones.
While all the products we reviewed are the best of the best, the Jackery Explorer 160 Portable Power Station is our top choice for solar powered generators.
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