Best Solar Powered Generator: Top 10 Revealed
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.
Table
Solar Powered Generator FAQ
1. What Is a Solar Powered Generator?
2. How Does a Solar Powered Generator Work?
3. Where Can You Buy a Solar Powered Generator?
4. How Long Does a Solar Powered Generator Take to Charge?
How 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.
What We Reviewed
Image Source: Amazon
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with a two-year warranty from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with an 18-month warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
Durability
The design of the product is good, portable, and serves as a great emergency back up power. We gave this product a 4-star rating.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with 24-month warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with a 24-month warranty and friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
This product comes with a 12-month warranty and friendly customer service from the manufacturer.
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
CONS
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.
Where to buy
Warranty
Please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
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.
Featured Image Source: Unsplash
