Solar generators are clean, renewable power sources that can provide electricity on the go or during power outages. Unlike gas generators, solar generators convert energy from the sun into usable electricity through solar panels. The electricity is then stored in a battery for use anytime.
In this article, we will be reviewing some of the best portable, mid-size, and full-size solar generators on the market in 2024. We’ll look at key factors like battery capacity, power output, charging speeds, weight, and price.
Portable solar generators are compact, lightweight options perfect for camping and outdoor adventures. Mid-size generators offer more power capacity for extended off-grid use. Full-size generators can run high-draw appliances and keep your home powered up during grid failures.
Having reliable backup power is essential these days with increasingly common power shutdowns. Whether you need a small portable unit or a high-capacity full-home system, solar generators provide sustainable electricity to meet your needs. Read on for a look at the top-rated solar generators across three size classes.
Portable Solar Generators
Portable solar generators are ideal for camping trips, emergency preparedness, and other outdoor activities. These compact units typically have a capacity between 200-300 watt hours (Wh), making them lightweight and easy to transport. Portable solar generators allow you to charge and run small devices like smartphones, laptops, drones, and portable refrigerators when you’re off the grid.
The Anker 256 is a popular 8.2 pound portable solar generator with 256Wh capacity. It can charge a smartphone over 50 times or a mini fridge for 3 hours on a full battery. The Anker 256 has good charging speeds and includes a convenient carry handle.
Another top portable solar generator is the Jackery 300. Slightly lighter at 7.1 pounds, the Jackery 300 gets great reviews for its 293Wh capacity and dual AC outlets. It can power a CPAP machine overnight or run a TV for 2 hours. The Jackery 300 charges quickly and is known for reliability.
EcoFlow offers the EcoFlow 288 portable solar generator with 288Wh capacity. Weighing 11 pounds, the 288 can run larger devices up to 600W thanks to a pure sine wave inverter. You could use the 288 to power a blender or microwave for short periods of time. The EcoFlow 288 allows you to connect additional batteries to increase capacity.
Finally, the Bluetti 268 delivers 268Wh and 600W power in a 10 pound package. The Bluetti 268 can run high draw appliances like blenders and coffee makers thanks to its advanced inverter. It includes Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for long 10+ year lifespan. The Bluetti also has the fastest recharge time of any portable solar generator, going from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Anker 256
The Anker 256 is a compact and lightweight portable solar generator weighing just 8.2 pounds. With a capacity of 256 watt-hours, it can charge smartphones and other small devices many times over. You’ll get around 51 full charges for your iPhone or GoPro camera, and can charge a laptop like a MacBook about 4 times before the Anker 256 battery runs out.
It’s great for powering and recharging small appliances when camping or during short outages. You can run a mini fridge or CPAP machine for a few hours off the Anker 256. Small power tools like drones or drills can be charged about twice with this model.
While it doesn’t have the capacity to power larger devices continually, the Anker can give you about an hour of backup power for a home refrigerator in a pinch. The Anker 256 strikes a nice balance between portability, capacity, and price.
Jackery 300 – Rugged and Reliable Solar Power
Jackery comes from a long line of solar generator makers that have been providing reliable, rugged products in the US for many years.
The Jackery 300 is an excellent mid-range portable solar generator option with 293Wh of capacity. It’s capable of charging smartphones over 50 times, laptops 5 times, running mini fridges for 3.5 hours, and powering CPAP machines 3.5 times on a single charge.
Compared to the Anker 256, the Jackery 300 is slightly better with a higher battery capacity of 293Wh versus 256Wh in the Anker. It also enjoys excellent reviews on Amazon with over 6,700 ratings and a competitive $299 price point.
Other key features of the Jackery 300 include:
- Max power output of 300W
- Weighs only 7.1 pounds – lighter than the Anker 256
- Outputs: 2 USB ports, 1 USB-C port, 2 AC outlets, 1 car lighter charger
- Charges from 0-80% in 2 hours
- Backed by lithium-ion battery technology
The Jackery 300 provides a nice bump up in capability from the entry level portable generators. It offers fast charging, a robust feature set, and reliability from a top brand. For these reasons, the Jackery 300 is an excellent choice as a mid-sized, portable solar generator.
Ecoflow 288
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Ecoflow 288 is from a company which knows what it’s doing. The Ecoflow range of products, whether it’s a portable to a large generator, have extremely good reputations in the market.
The ecoflow 288 is beautifully designed and easy to carry around with you. It has 288 Watt hours of capacity. This places it in the middle between the Jackery 300 at 293 Watt hours and the Anker 256 at 256 Watt hours.
What the Ecoflow 288 does better than the others is its larger power output of up to 600 watts. This allows it to run bigger devices, though not for long periods. For example, the Eco 288 can run a microwave for about 20 minutes or a blender for 45 minutes. These are two devices the Anker 256 and Jackery 300 cannot power.
The Ecoflow 288 can also run a desktop computer for about 50 minutes and charge a laptop about 4 times. It has enough power to run your TV or Xbox for 2 hours. The increased 600W power output allows it to output more energy quicker than its peers. As a result, you’re able to run bigger devices the others can’t.
The Ecoflow 288 is well reviewed on Amazon with over 1900 reviews and competitively priced at $219. It’s slightly heavier at 11 pounds with a Lithium-Ion battery.
It has a range of outputs, including 2 regular USBs, 1 fast charging USB, a 100W USB C Port, 2 DC 12V ports, 3 AC outputs totaling 600W, and a cigarette lighter charger.
With the Ecoflow 288, you can add extra batteries, significantly increasing capacity. Just buy another 288 Wh battery that attaches to the bottom to get 576 Wh total.
The Ecoflow 288 also charges incredibly fast. It can recharge from 0-80% in just 1 hour! This rapid recharge time is better than its competitors.
The Ecoflow 288’s combination of 288Wh capacity, 600W max power, and ultra-fast 1 hour recharge make it a top portable solar generator choice.
Bluetti 268
The fourth portable solar generator we’re looking at is the bluetti 268. This is my favorite among the four portable solar generators. It’s a 268 watt hour unit, easy to carry around and great for trips. All the portable generators have pretty good displays with input output and state of charge indicated in them and the blueetti 268 has a good display as well.
Bluetti is powered by lithium ferrous phosphate battery and it’s got a large inverter and like the ecoflow 288 it’s got a Max AC power of 600 watts which allows it to really play beyond the portable solar generator category and power much larger devices.
Let’s look at what this guy can power in terms of devices. It can charge an iPhone or a GoPro for about 53 times and you can charge power tools like your drill, charge your drone for about two times. A large home fridge for about an hour or so, a TV for about two hours. It’s able to run your blender for about 45-50 minutes. You’ll be able to run your desktop computer for about 50 minutes with this unit.
This unit is powered by a lithium ferrous phosphate battery. These are the best type of batteries in the market. They’ll give your solar generator a life of at least 10 years. This unit weighs about 10.14 pounds. Recharging is really really fast with this one. It’s the fastest recharge available, zero to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
It’s got more outputs than its peers including wireless charging your phones, 2 AC charge Outlets, a cigarette charger Outlet, DC 12 volt Outlets, it’s got a 100 watt USB C output and two 15 watt regular USB outputs so you’ve got a whole range of outputs powered by the Best in Class lithium ferrous phosphate batteries. Awesome power 2562 reviews and a wonderful 209 dollar price makes the Bluetti 268 a winner in my list.
Mid-Size Solar Generators
Mid-size solar generators provide a nice balance between portability and power capacity. With battery capacities ranging from 500 to 1000 watt-hours, they are ideal for RV and emergency power needs, and can run some appliances and small electronics. If you need more power than a portable model but don’t require a heavy-duty full-sized generator, a mid-size unit is a great choice.
Growatt 538Wh
The Growatt 538Wh solar generator has 538 watt-hours of battery capacity. It can charge a laptop up to 9 times and run a mini fridge for around 7 hours on a single charge. The Growatt has a 600 watt AC inverter so it can handle devices like blenders and some small appliances. It’s powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries for longevity and includes multiple USB ports for charging small electronics. At 18 pounds, the Growatt 538 strikes a nice balance of substantial power capacity while still being reasonably portable.
Ecoflow River 2 768Wh
With 768 watt-hours of capacity, the Ecoflow River 2 768 can deliver even more power. It has an 800 watt AC inverter to run higher-draw devices. You could power a microwave for over an hour, refrigerator for 3+ hours, or charge a laptop up to 12 times on one charge. The Ecoflow uses premium LiFePO4 batteries and charges quickly – from 0 to 80% in under an hour. It has a variety of output ports and is lighter than competing models at 17 pounds. The Ecoflow River 2 768 provides excellent power capacity in a mid-size form factor.
Bluetti AC200P
The Bluetti AC200P is an innovative mid-size solar generator with a modular battery design. The base unit comes with a 716 watt-hour battery but can connect up to 2 additional batteries for over 2000 watt-hours of capacity. It has a 2000 watt AC inverter to handle high surge appliances with ease. Weighing in at just 17 pounds by itself, the Bluetti AC200P is lightweight and portable. It uses lithium iron phosphate batteries for safety and longevity. The modular design provides flexibility – buy just the capacity you need now and add more batteries later as your needs grow. Overall an excellent mid-size solar generator with advanced features.
Growatt 538
The Growatt 538 is a mid-size solar generator with 538Wh of capacity and 600W of power output. This allows the Growatt 538 to power a wide range of devices:
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You can run a mini fridge for about 7 hours on the Growatt 538’s battery capacity. That’s enough to keep food fresh overnight while camping or during shorter power outages.
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Power tools like drills and saws that pull around 500-600W can run for about 1 hour on the Growatt. You can recharge the battery during the day to use tools as needed off-grid.
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A regular television drawing around 120W can run for over 4 hours on the Growatt 538. That’s plenty of evening entertainment off the grid.
The Growatt 538 weighs about 18 pounds, so while not ultra-portable it’s still reasonable to move around as needed. It uses lithium ferrous phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries which provide excellent longevity and around 2,000 charge cycles. Overall the Growatt 538 hits a nice sweet spot for a mid-sized solar generator that can power a range of appliances and electronics off-grid.
Ecoflow River 2
The Ecoflow River 2 is an exceptional product in the mid-size solar generator range. This unit packs a powerful 768Wh capacity battery that can store plenty of power for off-grid use.
But what really makes the Ecoflow River 2 stand out is its outstanding 800W power output. With this high power capacity, the River 2 is able to run most appliances you’d need while camping or during a power outage.
You can comfortably power small appliances like blenders and coffee makers that typically need 600-800W. The River 2 can even handle larger loads like refrigerators and some AC units for limited time periods.
For perspective, here is a sample of what the Ecoflow River 2 can run:
- Coffee grinder for ~15 minutes
- Microwave for ~1.2 hours
- Desktop computer for ~3.3 hours
- Mini fridge for ~7 hours
- Laptop charged ~12 times
- Home fridge for ~3.5 hours
The Ecoflow River 2 is an excellent choice for a mid-sized solar generator that packs ample power capacity of 800W to run most appliances you need for power outages or off-grid activities. The 768Wh battery provides solid capacity for extended runtimes as well.
Bluetti AC200P
The Bluetti AC200P is an outstanding midsize solar generator option. It offers 648Wh of capacity, which is provided by two swappable LFP batteries. This innovative modular battery design lets you hot swap batteries as needed, essentially doubling your capacity if you have extra batteries on hand.
The AC200P outputs a max of 600W, allowing you to run most midsize appliances and tools, like mini fridges, power tools, TVs, and CPAP machines. While it can’t handle high-draw devices like an AC unit or electric saw, the 600W is sufficient for lighting, small kitchen appliances, power tools, entertainment devices, and other modern essentials during a power outage.
With its trailblazing swappable batteries, impressive 600W capacity, and large 648Wh capacity, the Bluetti AC200P is my top choice for a midsize solar generator. Its modular and lightweight design makes it easy to transport and expand as needed. Given Bluetti’s reputation for quality and the AC200P’s long battery life, it’s a solar generator that will reliably serve you for years.
Full-Size Solar Generators: Whole Home Power, Off-Grid Living
Full-size solar generators with capacities of 1000Wh+ are designed to provide whole home power and enable off-grid living. They have the capacity to meet the energy needs of most homes, powering fridges, TVs, microwaves, and more. Here’s an overview of top full-size solar generator models from leading brands:
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000X has 983Wh of capacity and can output 1000W of power. It can charge phones 196 times, laptops 16 times, and run a mini fridge for 13 hours. With 1000W output, it can handle most home appliances except an electric saw or window AC unit. The Yeti 1000X weighs 37lbs and has a lithium ion battery. It retails for $1299.
Anker 757 PowerHouse
The Anker 757 PowerHouse packs a huge 1229Wh of capacity in a portable generator. With 1500W of power output, it can run bigger appliances like a window AC unit for 45 minutes or an electric saw for 1 hour. It can charge phones 245 times and laptops 20 times on a single charge. The Anker uses lithium iron phosphate batteries for 10+ years lifespan. Priced at $1099, it’s a compelling option for off-grid solar power.
Jackery 2000 Pro
With a massive 2200Wh capacity, the Jackery 2000 Pro is one of the largest solar generators available. It can output 2200W, enough to power full home loads including window ACs, electric saws, fridges, and more. The 2000 Pro provides 432 phone charges, runs a fridge for 10 hours, and powers a microwave for 3 hours per charge. With lithium-ion battery, it retails for $1849. The Jackery 2000 Pro is ideal for off-grid living and whole home solar power.
Goal Zero Yeti 1000X
The Goal Zero Yeti 1000X is a full-size solar generator with 983 Wh of capacity and able to output 1000W of power. This rugged and durable unit from Goal Zero can run most household appliances and devices.
With the 1000X, you can charge your iPhone around 196 times or a laptop about 16 times before needing to recharge. It can also power a CPAP machine for 13 hours, run a mini fridge for 13 hours, charge power tools like a drill 9 times, and keep a 50-inch TV running for 8 hours. For larger appliances, the 1000X can handle a home fridge for 4.5 hours, desktop computer for 3 hours, microwave for 1.5 hours, and a coffee grinder for 1.2 hours.
The only household appliances too large for the 1000X are an electric saw and window AC unit, since those require over 1000W to operate. Weighing 37 pounds with its lithium-ion battery, the Goal Zero 1000X is an excellent full-size solar generator with proven durability. It has 40 reviews on Amazon and retails for $1299.
Anker 757 PowerHouse
The Anker 757 PowerHouse is a new product in the market that provides excellent energy and power capacity. It has 1229 watt-hours of battery capacity and a very powerful 1500 watt power output.
The outstanding lithium iron phosphate battery in the Anker 757 allows it to run high-power devices. You can run a window AC unit for about 45 minutes or a power tool like an electric saw for an hour. It can also run smaller appliances like a coffee grinder for 1.4 hours and a microwave for almost 2 hours.
For smaller devices, the Anker 757 can provide 245 charges for your phone or GoPro and 20 full charges for laptops. With 1500 watts of AC power, the Anker 757 has 6 AC outlets so you can run multiple devices at the same time.
The Anker 757 charges incredibly fast – from 0 to 80% charge takes just 1 hour. It also has a good selection of output ports including 2 USB-C 100W outputs and 4 regular 12W USB outputs.
The Anker 757 is competitively priced at $1099 on Amazon and already has 168 reviews, even though it’s a newer product. The long-lasting lithium iron phosphate battery will easily last 10+ years. Overall, the Anker 757 PowerHouse is an excellent choice for a full-size solar generator.
Jackery 2000 Pro
The Jackery 2000 Pro is my choice for the best full-size solar generator. This powerful unit weighs 43 pounds and has a large 2048Wh capacity battery, giving it the biggest capacity of all the solar generators reviewed.
With its high 2200W power output, the Jackery 2000 Pro can run pretty much anything you have in your home or toolshed. You can charge your phone 432 times with this solar generator. It can even run a window AC unit for a reasonable amount of time, which isn’t possible with the other solar generators reviewed.
The Jackery 2000 Pro can run your regular fridge for about 10 hours straight. You can easily power electric saws, coffee grinders, and microwaves for hours with the ample power capacity of this unit.
Jackery is known for making really solid products, and the design keeps improving with each new generation. The Jackery 2000 Pro has 230 reviews on Amazon and retails for $1849, which is very competitively priced for a full-size solar generator of this capacity.
It comes with a lithium-ion battery and weighs 43 pounds. The charging time has significantly improved with the 2000 Pro, going from 0-100% in just 2 hours. That’s awesome for such a high capacity solar generator.
The Jackery 2000 Pro has lots of outlets, including 2 USB-A, 2 100W USB-C, and 3 AC outlets that together provide 2200W of power. With its excellent reviews, competitive pricing, and huge power capacity, the Jackery 2000 Pro is my top pick for full-size solar generators.
Conclusion
This review covered a range of solar generators in three size categories – portable, mid-size, and full-size. Let’s summarize the recommendations for each category:
Portable Solar Generators
The best portable solar generator is the Bluetti 268. With 268Wh capacity and a max 600W output, it can power tools, fridges, and other appliances for short periods. It uses high-quality LFP batteries for long lifespan. The superfast 30 min charging sets it apart.
Mid-Size Solar Generators
For mid-size generators, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the top choice. It strikes a balance between a large 648Wh capacity and a portable 44 lb design with removable batteries. Run time for fridges and other appliances is very good.
Full-Size Solar Generators
In the high capacity range, the Jackery 2000 Pro dominates with 2200Wh capacity and 2200W output. It can comfortably run high drain devices like ACs and power tools. With fast 2 hour recharge, it’s remarkably portable given the huge capacity.
With their ability to store solar energy for on-demand use, solar generators are extremely useful for outdoor expeditions, home backup power, and off-grid living. This review covered top products across portable, mid-size and full-size categories to help you find the perfect solar generator for your needs.