The Best Solar Generators Ever Built
Hi, I'm Mike. I am a Solar Engineer installing panels by day and blogging by night.
The number 1 question I get asked is "Which Solar Generator should I buy?" : Well here is my answer, Keep Reading!
A Solar Generator is a complex electronic device. A combination Battery, Solar Charge Controller, Solar Panels and an Inverter.
And, as you may have guessed, being a Solar Engineer, I just love complicated electronics. Especially, Solar Generators that create energy magically from the Sun.
But, I am going to steer clear of the geeky stuff in this article. Look for links at the end of this article that will satisfy the nerd in you.
For now, let us jump straight to the Best Solar Generators. Each of these Solar Generators scored very highly on design specifications and performance estimation.
And most importantly, they have outstanding customer reviews.
We will start with my selection of the Best Solar Generators with SOLAR PANELs!
Typically, these are more expensive because of the additional cost of solar panels.
However, you could save by buying the Solar Panels separately. And, most of these models have a cheaper version without Solar Panels as well.
Or you can scroll down to the next section that covers the Best Solar Generators WITHOUT Solar Panels!
Best Solar Generators with "Solar-Panels".
Great Value : Natures Generator 1800
- 1This Solar Generator produces an outstanding 1800 watts of AC power.
- 2With that much power, you can pretty much run anything in your home other than your washer dryer or Central AC. The kit includes one 100 watt solar panel
- 3It retails for around a thousand bucks with free shipping. That's awesome value! It's about 90 pounds. Fortunately it comes with a set of wheels.
- 4The Battery is Sealed Lead Acid. Lithium would have been better. But can't have it all. Total power is 720 watt hours. And Adding more power is easy with extra Battery pods.
POWER - 720 wh
AC OUTPUT
- 1800 w
100 w Solar Panel
nature Generator 1800
Natures Generator 1800 in pictures
Mr Reliable : Goal Zero Yeti 1250
- 1A favorite of many Survivalists, the Yeti 1250 has a reputation for rugged reliability. It packs a wallop of power; 1250 watt hours. Survivalists love it as adding more power is easy with an optional connecting cable. For example, a Marine RV deep cycle 12 V, 100 AH adds 1200 watt hours of extra power.
- 2The Yeti 1250 costs about a thousand two fifty with free shipping. However, be warned, the dude is heavy at 116 pounds. Thus, the roll cart is a blessing.
- 3The two solar panels produce 100 watts of power. Hence, they take around 15 hours to charge the Yeti 1250. Adding a second set of solar panels is an excellent investment.
POWER - 1250 wh
AC OUtput - 1200 W
Two 50 watt Solar PanelS
YETI 1250
Goal Zero Yeti 1250 in pictures
Campers Delight : Goal Zero Yeti 400 Li
- 1An upgrade from the earlier AGM Battery based Yeti 400, the Yeti 400 Lithium is a distinct improvement. Lighter at 16 pounds, and with Lithium batteries that will last at least 5 years.
- 2A huge plus with the Yeti 400 Lithium, is a replaceable battery. In a few years you will be able to just swap out the old run down battery with a new one. Thus, it is a future proof Solar Generator.
- 3It retails for around seven hundred and fifty dollars with the included 50 watt solar panel. However, you can always avoid buying the solar panel and saving around two hundred dollars.
- 4Charging time is around 10 hours of bright sunlight with the 50 watt solar panel. Cleary, for those living off grid, adding a second panel is a necessity.
POWER - 428 wh
AC OUtput - 300 W
one 50 watt Solar PanelS
YETI 400 Lithium
Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium in pictures
Traveling Companion : Renogy Phoenix
- 1James Bond would be proud of the Renogy Phoenix. That's because it could have been built, by Q at MI5 headquarters. The Renogy Phoenix is simply the most futuristic looking solar generator.
- 2Even the solar panels come packaged in the brief case. Solar Panels, electronics, outputs; the works, weigh a paltry 13 pounds. And the retail price around Four hundred seventy five dollars is fairly reasonable.
- 3Lithium Battery producing a very respectable 150 watts of AC power. With 210 watt hours of storage you can run your office communications off the Renogy Phoenix. Adding external solar panels is also easy.
TOTAL
POWER - 720 wh
AC POWER
1800 w
RENOGY PHoenix
Renogy Phoenix in pictures
Best Solar Powered Generators without Solar Panels
Solar powered generators featured in the earlier section will not be reviewed here.
However, all of them are also available without solar panels. Don't forget to check them out too.
Extreme Power : Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Li
- 1This is the big daddy of the solar generator world. 3024 watt hours of Lithium Battery power is good to run a small home for day.
- 2Goal Zero has optional AGM Battery packs and a transfer switch that turns the Yeti 3000 in an automatic home backup system.
- 3The Yeti 3000 weighs about 68 pounds, and has a set of wheels for locomotion. It's retailing online for around three thousand dollars.
- 4The Tesla Power wall is the high end Battery backup solution from Elon Musk. This is a much cheaper alternative which is equally reliable.
TOTAL
POWER - 3024 wh
AC POWER
1500 w
yeti 3000 lithium
Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Li in pictures
Portable Heavyweight : Inergy Apex
- 1This is my personal favorite. It is the new avatar of the earlier hugely successful Inergy Kodiak Solar Generator.
- 2What simply delights me, is its awesome power 1100 watt hours capacity and 1500 watts AC power. Yet, incredibly, it weighs just 25 pounds. All thanks to a Lithium NMC battery and crazy smart electronics.
- 3Expansion capability options include both Lithium and AGM batteries. Just add 1200 watt hours with a single 12 V deep cycle 100 amp hour AGM battery.
- 4Fast Charging is available, however, the included standard wall charger is slow (11 hours). Be sure to buy the optional fast charger. The Apex retails for around sixteen hundred dollars.
TOTAL
POWER - 1100 wh
AC POWER
1500 w
Inergy apex 1100
Inergy Apex in pictures
Marine & RV special : Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Li
- 1The Yeti 1400 Lithium is a lower power version of the Yeti 3000 Lithium with a 1425 watt hour battery. With 1500 AC watts, you can run anything up to a RV window AC unit.
- 2Everything else is the same under the hood. You have the new fast charging USB port that lets you connect your Mac directly without an adaptor for a really fast charge. Similarly fast charging is standard for many Android products.
- 3The Yeti App on your phone is the control center. It gives a lot of of power for a lot of devices ; charge up to 10 different devices at once. Pricing is around eighteen hundred dollars.
TOTAL
POWER - 1425 wh
AC POWER
1500 w
YEti 1400 Li
Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Li in pictures
Mr Dependable : Suaoki 500
- 1Rugged and reliable, the Suaoki 500 is great for your communication and entertainment needs. However, its 500 watt hour power will not run power tools.
- 2It is 22 pounds of dependability with an easy carry handle. Additionally, 2 AC outlets, placed far enough apart to allow two large devices to plug in; each drawing no more than 300 watts.
- 3High speed USB ports, DC outputs and a car charger output are standard. That's true for all the solar generators in this article.
- 4The internal Lithium Battery is not replaceable. That is a disappointment, but fortunately the battery will last you at least 5 years. The Suaoki 500 retails for around five hundred dollars.
TOTAL
POWER - 500 wh
AC POWER
300 w
suaoki 500
Suaoki 500 in pictures
Tailgate Specialist : Jackery 500
- 1Jackery's 500 watt capacity unit is one of the best combinations of value, quality and convenience.
- 2At around four hundred dollars this is a steal. What i really like about the Jackery 500 is the small price, big 500 watt hours of power, and the very small footprint. Anyone looking for both power and value will like this solar generator.
- 3Powered by Lithium Batteries that produces clean AC power: 300 watts maximum. Also at 12.5 pounds, with the easy carry handle, it is easy to party with. A tailgate specialist for sure.
TOTAL
POWER - 500 wh
AC POWER
300 w
Jackery 500
Jackery 500 in pictures
Beach Party Power : Anker Powerhouse 400
- 1Anker's Powerhouse 400 is their most popular solar powered generator. A perennial bestseller that combines power, small size and great design.
- 2You are likely to see one of these at the beach or campsite. Built rough and tough, fans love its longevity and ability to take punishment. Additionally at 9.26 pounds its really easy to carry.
- 3The 434 watt hour Battery capacity is surprising for such a small solar generator. That's a testament to Anker's design skills and technology knowhow. It is around Five hundred dollars online when on sale.
TOTAL
POWER - 434 wh
AC POWER
120 w
anker powerhouse 400
Anker Powerhouse 400 in pictures
Super Compact : Prymax 300
- 1This is a take out for a day Solar Generator. It is compact and light, just 6.5 pounds. That is enough power for a day outdoor or even a couple with planning.
- 2Lithium powered, the Prymax has 298 watt hours of back up power. Thus, its easy to power your PC and display or xBox for a couple of hours. Similarly, Phones, Tablets and Laptops are simply par for the day.
- 3Prymax 300 retail prices online are around Two Hundred Seventy bucks. That's an excellent value buy. Charging is best from a wall plug and takes about 8 hours.
- 4Eye catching design and looks are matched by high quality internal electronics. The display, outputs and indicators packed tightly in the front panel.
TOTAL
POWER - 298 wh
AC POWER
300 w
Prymax 300
Prymax 300 in pictures
Here are answers to some common questions about Solar Generators
Why can a Solar Generator power?
Why should I buy a Solar Generator?
How much do Solar Generators cost?
Will I need to buy Solar Panels with a Solar Generator ?
How do Solar Generators work?
How long will a Solar Generator last?.
P.S.: I hope you liked reading about the Best Solar Generators.
To learn more about the technology and see reviews a lot of other solar generators that did not make it to my selection, continue reading right here........
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