Skip to content
toppro10 Independent notes on the things people buy, use and repair at home. Site updated
Tools & PowerFrom the archive

Top 10 Best Solar Generators Reviews

First published 7 min read

Top 10 Best Solar Generators Reviews

Photo: Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable Power Station with WiFi Battery Pack with MacBook Pro - USB-C Power Delivery Specification (PD spec) (43467687445) — Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons.

There are many reasons to own a solar generator. From providing energy during emergencies, to having a clean and green power system for your camping or any other adventure. Solar generators are very much beloved in eco-friendly circles, but their complexity makes them a little difficult to understand. This top 10 solar generators review for 2017 is aimed at providing you with a buying guide, explaining the important aspects of such a generator, and a list of the top generators for this year.

Solar Generator Buying Guide

A solar generator is basically a high-tech gadget made from a combination of technologies. In order to get the right generator that will fit your needs, you need to pay attention to the following features:

– Power Rating in Watts

There are 2 areas to pay attention to here. The first is the power rating of the solar panel or panels. The second is the power rating of the inverter. The solar cells convert light energy into electricity, so the size of your panels determine how much power you can generate from the sun. The inverter is an electronic device that converts Direct Current (DC) into Alternating Current (AC), which you can run your home appliances with. Its power rating determines how many appliances you can run at once.

– Battery Capacity

This refers to how much energy that can be stored in the generator’s battery. Battery capacity is usually measured in kWh, which refers to the amount of electric energy needed to run a 1-kilowatt appliance for 1 hour. The higher the kWh rating of a battery, the better it is. If the battery is a lead-acid battery, then a deep-cycle type is recommended for long life.

– Portability

There are many different types of solar power generators based on their portability. There are the compact types, which are perfect for traveling and camping. There are smaller devices, designed for charging appliances, and expandable systems that can grow with your needs.

– Components & Extras

Different solar generator firms offer different extras. These include USB ports, DC and AC ports, plug-and-play functionality, and a chaining system for hooking up multiple batteries together.

10. Suaoki 400Wh Portable Solar Generator with 300W Inverter

  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.5 x 9.1 inches
  • Item Weight: 12.3 pounds

This solar charger system comes with a solar panel for charging, but it can also be charged using a mains AC socket and a 12 or 24Volt vehicle power supply. It offers 4 USB outputs to charge electronic devices, a 300 Watt pure sine AC inverter for home appliances, plus a DC port for a wide range of uses. Its battery management system prevents the system from overloading by peaking usage at 444Wh. This solar generator is very portable and can be used for a wide variety of activities. It is additionally backed by an 18-month warranty.

  • Pros: 3 charging methods, AC, DC and USB outputs, system protection, 18-month warranty.
  • Cons: N/A

9. Wagan Solar Power Cube Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 21.2 x 15.5 x 20.9 inches
  • Item Weight: 122 pounds

The Wagan Power Cube is designed for both efficiency and portability. Featuring its very own wheels, the entire solar generator can be easily transported like a suitcase. It has 5 solar panels integrated into it, generating a total of 80 Watts. It can also be charged via an AC outlet or a car DC power source. Its battery is a 100Ah hybrid AGM/gel battery, and it provides 2x AC outlets, 2x DC outlets and 2x USB ports. This system is also expandable with more panels and batteries, and it is supported by a 2-year warranty.

  • Pros: Lovely design, 1,500Watts inverter, 80 Watts solar panel, 2 USB ports, AC and DC.
  • Cons: A little expensive.

8. Humless 2x 130 Watt Portable Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 8.85″ x 8.85″ x 14″
  • Item Weight: 34.5 lbs

Featuring 2x 130 Watt solar panels, this Humless solar generator is designed with the best of eco-friendly technology. The solar panels can be folded, the system stores energy using advanced lithium technology, and the generator is encased in a metal shell. There are 4 USB ports, AC and DC outlet, and in addition to solar panels, the system can also be charged using the mains AC or a vehicle DC outlet. Humless offers a

  • Pros: 2 foldable solar panels, lithium battery, 1-year warranty.
  • Cons: Not very portable.

7. HomeGrid 5000HD Heavy-duty Portable Solar System

  • Product Dimensions: 16 x 20 x 43 inches
  • Item Weight: N/A

With up to 5,000 Watts of the power supply, this portable solar generator can deliver enough power for most homes. It features 400-Watt solar panels, a 3.7 kWh deep cycle battery, 120V and 240V AC power. This system comes in a heavy-duty welded steel frame with a durable protective coating. This machine can handle up to 20,000 Watts of the power surge, and is the ultimate portable solar generator.

  • Pros: 5,000 Watts high power output, 3.7kWh deep cycle battery, steel construction.
  • Cons: Expensive, but should be worth it.

6. Rocky Mountain Radar Rocky 750 Portable Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 11.2 x 6.3 inches
  • Item Weight: 15.4 pounds

This Rocky Mountain Radar generator is designed to provide a portable and rugged power supply system, able to withstand even the harshest of conditions. It holds up to 750Wh of energy, it is relatively lightweight, and comes with an LED flashlight with many functions. There are 3x USB ports, 2x DC ports and 2x AC ports. The entire device measures 13.7 x 11.2 x 6.3 inches and weighs just 15.4 lbs.

  • Pros: Portable design, 750Wh battery, 1,200 Watts power, 17% discount
  • Cons: No solar panel included.

Ascent Solar Y1200 Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 18.5 x 14.1 x 14.2 inches
  • Item Weight: 47 pounds

Ascent Solar Y1200 is a small and very lightweight solar generator, designed to charge and power electronics on a larger scale. It offers 12V and 19V DC power outlets, 2x USB ports, and an AC outlet. Multiple devices can also be charged simultaneously. The Y1200 weighs just 42 lbs., making it one of the lightest solar generators in its class.

  • Pros: 1,200Wh lithium ion battery, comparatively lighter, multiple inputs and outputs.
  • Cons: N/A

4. Kisae 40400 1,800-Watt Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 25 x 21 x 2 inches
  • Item Weight: 10.5 pounds

Weighing just 10 lbs., Kisae’s solar generator can deliver up to 1,800 Watts of electric power through 4 AC outlets. Unlike other products that offer extras like USB and multiple DC outlets, this solar generator offers just AC outlets. Charging can be done using a mains AC outlet, or with the solar panel that comes with the package. This solar panel includes a 35-ft. connection cable, and a power output of 40 Watts. The system is also expandable with up to 130-Watt solar panels per battery, and as many battery modules as needed.

  • Pros: Expandable system, 60 Ah battery, 40-Watt solar panel
  • Cons: Offers only AC outlets

3. Be Prepared Solar 2,500 Watt Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 24 x 18 x 18 inches
  • Item Weight: 25 pounds

This solar generator is designed and packaged into a heavy-duty casing and transportation system. It comes with all-terrain wheels, weather-protected outlets and display. In addition to its sturdy build, this solar generator also provides up to 2,500 Watts of continuous power, with a peak of up to 5,000 Watts. It includes 2 solar panels for charging, a USB, 12V and 24V DC sockets, as well as a voltmeter. The main system is backed by a 1-year warranty, while the panels are backed by a 25-year warranty.

  • Pros: High powered inverter, 200 Watt solar panels included, includes multiple outlets
  • Cons: N/A

2. Nature Power 1,800-Watt PowerPak Portable Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 20 x 12 x 9.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 76 pounds

The PowerPak from Nature Power is a 1,800-Watt solar generator compactly designed like a luggage. It includes a single 90-Watt solar panel, plus a 1.5-Watt solar panel for battery maintenance, when the system is not in use. There is a digital display to show power statistics. The system can be charged using the included solar panel or an AC outlet. It provides 2x USB ports, 6x AC outlets and a DC outlets.

  • Pros: Portable luggage-style design, 6x AC outlets, digital display, 1,800 Watts power
  • Cons: N/A

1. Goal Zero 1,250Wh Yeti Portable Solar Generator

  • Product Dimensions: 16 x 14.5 x 11.5 inches
  • Item Weight: 103 pounds

Goal Zero’s Yeti features a 1,250Wh lead acid battery to provide portable power anywhere. It can power up to 10 devices simultaneously. There are 3x USB ports, a 12V DC and 3x AC outlets. The generator is compact, rugged and integrates a luggage roller. This system can be recharged using solar, mains AC and DC power from a vehicle. It can additionally be chained with other 100Ah batteries to extend its power delivery time-frame.

  • Pros: 1,250Wh of lead acid battery power, 1500W surge power, chainable with other batteries.
  • Cons: No solar panel included, but it can be added cheaply.

We have come to the end of our top 10 solar generators review. You have seen the different designs, features, capacities and prices. It is now your turn to make a choice, and although we provided you with our number #1 pick, it’s good to know that any of these top 10 solar generators is still a great buy.

Save

Save

More in Tools & Power

All