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Solar-Powered Generators Are a Clean, Quiet Source of Backup Power
These portable power stations will keep the lights on (and much more) during power outages and camping trips.
Solar-powered generators used to be a niche product geared towards off-the-grid living. They still do the job in that scenario, but as the market matures, with an ever-expanding range of sizes and configurations, the quiet, emissions-free generators are becoming an essential source of backup power for all kinds of homeowners.
Also known as portable power stations, the devices can keep appliances and lights running during emergency outages — but they're also handy for campsites, construction sites and outdoor entertaining. While they're designed to be charged by solar panels (sold separately), they can also be powered up by wall outlets or even from your car's battery.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts spent the last three years getting hands-on with over a dozen models to find the best solar-powered generators for various needs. Our evaluations focused on charge time, capacity and port availability to ensure that every generator we recommend delivers on its power promise.
Jackery HomePower 3000 Portable Power Station
Pros
- Outstanding power output for high-demand devices
- Plenty of ports
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- No LED light or cord storage
- Comparatively pricey
Capacity: 3,072 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 11 hours | Charge time (AC): 2.2 hours | Battery shelf life: 3 months | Weight: 59.5 lbs | Dimensions: 16.4” ×12.8” ×12” | Life span: 4,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: The 3,072-watt capacity on this Jackery makes it the Goldilocks of solar generators — not so small that it can’t get you through an extended power outage, but not so massive that it’s impossible to take on the road. While it weighs almost 60 pounds, that’s lighter than other generators with that kind of power output, plus its built-in handles improve portability.
HOW IT WORKS: The generator comes equipped with five AC ports and four USB ports. It can generate up to 3,600 watts of power output, or 7,200 watts in surge mode, which is enough to keep a full-size refrigerator running for several days. However, the Jackery is missing a few features we appreciated in other models, such as an LED light and onboard cord storage.
POWER PERFORMANCE: The Jackery delivers the most power for its mid-size category of generators that are truly portable (in contrast to whole-house options that can weigh several hundred pounds). The lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery charges in just over two hours via a wall outlet, or in under 11 hours using solar panels.
TESTER NOTES: During testing, the Jackery’s battery shelf life was particularly long-lasting. "We had the generator sitting in a closet for close to six months and when we powered it back up the battery was still at 100%,” reported one tester. That peace of mind will go far if your home is prone to sudden power outages.
Pros
- Superb value
- Long-lasting battery can be charged 3,000 times
- Extremely lightweight, portable design
Cons
- Not suited to larger appliances
Capacity: 300 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 3 to 6 hours | Charge time (AC): 1 hour | Battery shelf life: 3 months | Weight: 7.7 lbs | Dimensions: 9.6" x 8.4" x 5.5" | Life span: 3,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: EcoFlow has one of the most diverse lineups of solar generators. Its River series includes an array of compact power stations that are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. The RIVER 3 took home a Good Housekeeping Travel Award with that use case in mind (think camping trips and tailgate parties), though it will also do the job keeping small electronics charged closer to home.
HOW IT WORKS: The generator’s smart configuration includes two AC outlets for appliances, power tools or CPAP machines, along with two USB-A and one USB-C outlet for smaller electronics. The generator can be charged at the wall outlet before you leave home or by a car battery or solar panel when you’re on the go.
POWER PERFORMANCE: The RIVER’s 300-watt capacity is modest compared to other solar generators we’ve tested, including several from EcoFlow. But it’s perfect for charging your phone and laptop, and it can keep a mini fridge running for several hours. The device also features a boost mode that can take its output up to 600 watts, though that drained the battery quickly in our tests, so it’s best thought of as an emergency feature.
TESTER NOTES: Our team of testers included a camping expert who used the EcoFlow River to inflate an air mattress in a tent. Everyone appreciated how quickly the device powered up their devices, as well as the abundant charging options. “Nice portability for picnics and small outings and is easy to store," said one tester. "Excellent power station at this price point," another concluded.
Anker 757 PowerHouse
Pros
- Competitive price
- Durable design
- Lots of ports
Cons
- Less power output than other generators
Capacity: 1,800 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 3.6 hours | Charge time (AC): 1 hour | Battery shelf life: 12 to 16 months | Weight: 43.9 lbs | Dimensions: 18.2" x 9.3" x 11.3" | Life span: 3,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: Our experts like how Anker has solutions at every power capacity need and price point. The Anker 757, a mid-sized generator, impressed testers with its smart design, durable construction and competitive pricing.
HOW IT WORKS: The portable Anker offers a solid set of features, including six AC ports (more than most models in its size category), four USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. It's also one of the fastest charging generators we tested — its LiFePO4 battery can reach an 80% charge in less than an hour when plugged into a wall outlet. That's helpful in cases where a storm is coming in fast but you haven't used the generator in a while and it's low on juice, or out of it completely.
As for solar charging, the Anker 757 supports up to 300 watts of input, putting it in the middle range compared to similarly sized solar-capable generators on the market.
POWER PERFORMANCE: With a 1,800-watt capacity, the Anker 757 is best-suited for moderate energy needs, such as keeping essential electronics running during a temporary blackout rather than powering multiple major appliances.
TESTER NOTES: "It came in handy at an outdoor party," said one tester. "The DJ was used to running extension cords to the nearest outlet and this generator kept him going for the entire night."
Pros
- Water-resistant design
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Not powerful enough for extended outages
Capacity: 500 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 3 hours | Charge time (AC): 1.5 hours | Battery shelf life: 3 months | Weight: 16.1 lbs | Dimensions: 11.32” x 7.72” x 6.78” | Life span: 4,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: Goal Zero revolutionized the market with its launch of the first-ever portable power station in 2017. While it now faces stiff competition from more innovative brands, our experts say the Yeti 500 remains an excellent option, thanks to improvements made by the brand around performance and reliability.
HOW IT WORKS: The Yeti 500 was built for outdoor use. It’s the only portable power station in our roundup with a water-resistant IPX4 rating and it can maintain steady power output through extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
POWER PERFORMANCE: Its 500-watt capacity, with a 1,000-watt surge mode, puts this Yeti squarely in the middle of the pack in terms of power output. It's not going to keep your house running for days on end during an extended outage. But it hits the sweet spot between power and portability, making it one of the most versatile power stations on our list.
TESTER NOTES: Our experts who tested early-generation Goal Zero generators applauded the Yeti 500’s upgraded battery technology (from lithium-ion to LiFePO4). “Older models took forever to charge,” said one tester. “Now Goal Zero is up there with the fastest.” Testers also noted that the 4,000-cycle life span makes the Yeti 500 one of the most durable options around.
Bluetti Portable Power Station EB3A
Pros
- Extremely easy to transport
- Fast charge times
- Long life span
- LED with strobe light for emergencies
Cons
- Limited power capacity
Capacity: 268 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 1.8 to 2 hours | Charge time (AC): 1.3 to 2 hours | Battery shelf life: 3 to 6 months | Weight: 10 lbs | Dimensions: 10.04" x 7.09" x 7.2" | Life span: 2,500 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: Bluetti’s Portable Power Station EB3A is the epitome of an ultra-compact solar power generator designed for true on-the-go power. Its lightweight design makes it a great choice for camping and recreational use.
HOW IT WORKS: Weighing just 10 pounds, this generator is roughly the size of an old-fashioned box radio, making it ideal for road trips. Thanks to its smaller capacity and LiFePO4 battery, it charges incredibly fast. Whether using a wall outlet or the 200-watt solar panel (sold separately), the EB3A can fully recharge in under two hours.
This portable power station features two AC ports, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port and a wireless charging pad for your phone. Its 2,500-cycle life span makes it one of the most durable solar chargers we tested. Additionally, it includes an LED light with a strobe setting, which is a useful safety feature if you find yourself needing emergency assistance, such as during a roadside breakdown.
POWER PERFORMANCE: With a 269-watt capacity, it won't power your entire house, but it can keep essential devices like phones and computers running for a few hours during an emergency.
TESTER NOTES: “Great for car camping,” said one tester. “I liked being able to reach a full charge from the solar panel in a couple hours or less, depending on the amount of sun.”
Generac GB2000 Portable Power Station
Pros
- Rugged design
- Wireless charging pad allows you to charge cell phones
- Onboard cord storage
Cons
- Short battery life span
Capacity: 2,106 watts | Battery type: Lithium ion | Charge time (solar): 80% in 5 hours | Charge time (AC): 80% in 3.3 hours | Battery shelf life: Up to 6 months | Weight: 43 lbs | Dimensions: 16.8" x 10.4" x 15.1" | Life span: 1,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: With its durable enclosure and ergonomic design, the GB2000 is our top choice if you're looking to take your solar generator outdoors, including job sites where it's liable to take its hits from dropped hammers, steel-toed boots and the like.
POWER PERFORMANCE: The 2,106-watt lithium-ion battery packs plenty of power in a relatively compact package, and the "parallel ports" make it possible to connect two units together, effectively doubling the power output. The generator is equipped with three AC outlets, two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, along with a convenient wireless charging pad on top for cell phones and other small electronics.
TESTER NOTES: One thoughtful feature our testers appreciated is the storage pocket located at the back of the unit, perfect for keeping all the charging cords organized when you’re on the move. A downside testers noted is the 1,000-cycle lifespan of its battery, which is shorter than that of some of our other top picks.
Anker Solix F3800 Portable Power Station
Pros
- System can be scaled up to power an entire home for days
- Runs on a long-lasting LiFePO4 battery
- Kicks on automatically
- Charges quickly
Cons
- Professional installation required
- Supplemental power panel, sold separately, required for backup power to turn on automatically
Capacity: 3,840 watts | Battery type: LiFePO4 | Charge time (solar): 2 hours (via 2,400W input) | Charge time (AC): 1.8 hours | Battery shelf life: Up to 12 months | Weight: 132.3 lbs | Dimensions: 27.56" x 15.57" x 15.26" | Life span: 3,000 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: When it comes to extended power outages, whether from extreme weather or issues with the electrical grid, the best backup battery solutions kick on automatically. That's what so great about the Solix F3800. While it can be used as a portable battery, it can also be set up to deliver instant power to your home in the event of a blackout.
HOW IT WORKS: The Solix F3800 pairs with Anker's Home Power Panel, which is sold separately for around $1,600. The panel allows homeowners to program specific circuits — like those for the fridge and HVAC — to automatically power up during an outage, similar to a standby generator that runs on propane or natural gas.
POWER PERFORMANCE: This portable power station has a 3.84 kWh battery capacity, which is enough to run multiple major appliances and electronics. It uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, a relatively new technology with a long lifespan that provides fast charging. Up to seven LiFePO4 batteries can be added to expand the capacity to 53.76 kWh, providing whole-house backup power.
TESTER NOTES: One of our testers in Houston, where weather-induced outages are common, installed this system with the help of a professional electrician in one day, then successfully simulated an outage by cutting the home's power. The system “worked beautifully,” he reported. “The interruption was so short that not even the TV went off in the process. The AC was running, and the refrigerators were all humming.”
Pros
- Exceptional capacity
- Durable, long-lasting battery
- Helpful display screen and app
- Scalable
Cons
- Expensive
- Very heavy and takes up significant storage space
- Supplemental smart panel needed for power to come on automatically
Capacity: 7,200 watts | Battery type: Lithium ion | Charge time (solar): 2 hours | Charge time (AC): 2.5 hours | Battery shelf life: 3 to 6 months | Weight: 218 lbs | Dimensions: 27.2" x 18.9" x 8.4" | Life span: 3,500 cycles
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Delta Pro Ultra consists of a battery and an inverter, which converts low-voltage, DC battery power into the 240-volt AC electricity needed to power things like ovens and central ACs. Like the Anker Solix F3800 system, the Delta Pro Ultra is scalable, reaching up to 90,000 watts with the addition of 15 batteries — enough to power the average American home for an entire month.
HOW IT WORKS: We had a professional electrician install our Delta Pro Ultra, since we opted for the Smart Home Panel 2 add-on. This feature allows homeowners to connect specific circuits to the backup battery for automatic switchover, ensuring your home remains powered during an outage even when you're not there. Alternatively, appliances and electronics get plugged into the device, as with other solar generators.
The Delta Pro Ultra's display screen allows you to program circuits and it also monitors current load and charge levels. Plus, it estimates how long the battery will last under the present conditions.
POWER PERFORMANCE: The system boasts a total output of 7,200 watts, making it the most powerful source of backup battery power in our tests — which is why it's our top pick for homes in hurricane country.
TESTER NOTES: Testers liked the EcoFlow app, finding it intuitive and easy to navigate. It even enabled them to take advantage of time-of-use rates from utility companies, allowing appliances to run during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower.
How we test solar generators
Our product experts keep close tabs on the solar generator market, tracking popular models and the new innovations at trade shows like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the National Hardware Show.
For this guide, our experts conducted a detailed technical review of over 30 solar generators, then performed hands-on testing of the top dozen models, both in our Lab and in the homes of a dozen consumer testers over the course of several months. Our evaluations focused on the following:
✔️ Charge Time and Capacity
- Verified claimed charging times using solar panels and AC wall outlets in our Lab.
- Tested claimed capacity by running electronic devices with corresponding energy loads (e.g., 1,500-watt heaters for large-capacity, laptops for small-capacity) in our Lab.
- Consumer testers measured solar charge times and capacity under real-world conditions at home.
- Our engineers reviewed technical data to confirm shelf life (how long charge is held) and life cycle (number of recharges).
✔️ Usability
- Checked total number of outlets to gauge how many devices can be charged simultaneously.
- Assessed user-friendly features such as carrying handles, wheels, LED lights and onboard storage.
✔️ Durability
- Tested durability of both the generator and solar panels for long-term performance.
FAQs
How do I decide between a solar vs. a gas generator?
Gas backup generators were once the go-to for power outages, but our experts recommend considering solar-powered options. While gas generators are effective, they're noisy, fuel-hungry and must be used outdoors to avoid harmful fumes. In contrast, solar-powered generators are emissions-free, safe for indoor use and much quieter, ensuring they won't disrupt your household while keeping everything running.
When deciding between a solar and gas generator, consider your power needs and budget. For lower power needs under 3,000 watts, solar generators are ideal, while gas generators work better for larger demands, especially 10,000 watts or more.
If automatic backup power is essential, a standby gas generator is reliable and easier to install, although some solar options offer this with more complex setups. Solar generators are safer as they produce no emissions, making them suitable for indoor use, while gas generators can pose potential carbon monoxide risks. Read more in our guide to solar vs. gas generators.
How do solar-powered generators work?
A solar generator is essentially a large rechargeable battery that powers electronic devices. The fastest way to charge it is by plugging it into a wall outlet, similar to charging a phone or computer. However, solar generators can also be charged using solar panels, making them invaluable during extended power outages when plug-in charging isn’t an option.
What size solar panels do I need?
Large whole-house generators can be integrated with rooftop solar panels, functioning similarly to a battery backup system like the Tesla Powerwall, storing energy until it's needed.
Solar generators of all sizes can also be charged with portable solar panels, which connect to the battery via a standard solar cable. These panels typically range from 100 to 400 watts and can be daisy-chained for faster charging.
Depending on conditions, a solar generator may be fully charged by the sun in as little as four hours, though it can take up to 10 hours or longer. Therefore, it's essential to plan ahead, especially when extreme weather is on the horizon.
Why are solar-powered generators also called portable power stations?
Since this is still an emerging category, the industry is still figuring some things out — including what to call this new type of generator. It's also worth noting that the market for solar-powered generators is now splitting into "portable" and "whole-house" categories, similar to how gas generators come in either portable or standby models. Comparatively, whole-house power stations, while heavy (100+ pounds), are technically portable since they can be moved, unlike standby generators. However, consumers are unlikely to haul one outside to charge via solar power.
What to look for when shopping for solar-powered generators
Solar generators come in various shapes and sizes to meet different needs. Key factors to consider include:
✔️ Capacity
The more watts, the more power a generator can deliver, so consider your home’s power needs. Small generators have capacities around 250 watts, while larger ones offer 3,000 watts or more. Overloading a generator can damage it and connected electronics.
Also consider run time: to power a 200-watt refrigerator for 10 hours, you'll need a 2,000-watt generator. For an eight-hour run of a 40-watt CPAP machine, a 500-watt generator is sufficient.
✔️ Solar panel compatibility
Solar panel capacity affects charging speed. Our experts recommend at least 100-watt solar panels, and daisy-chaining multiple panels can speed up charging. Generators that can charge via wall outlets, but solar panels are the fastest.
✔️ Battery type
There are three main battery types — lithium ion, LiFePO4 and solid-state — each with pros and cons.
- Lithium-ion batteries are most common, offering safe, reliable power and have been the standard for solar generators for years.
- LiFePO4 batteries are the latest technology, providing longer lifespans and faster charging, though they struggle in extremely cold temperatures.
- Solid-state batteries are emerging and rely on solid electrolytes rather than the liquid electrolyte solution found in lithium batteries. They offer higher capacities but tend to be bulkier and heavier.
✔️ Portability
Weight, which can range from 10 to over 100 pounds, often correlates with capacity. If you need to take your generator on the go, look for user-friendly features like wheels and telescoping handles for easier transport. Solar panels can also be heavy, so handles and carrying cases improve portability.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dan DiClerico has covered the residential energy market for 25 years, focusing on energy-efficient solutions for the home, as well as emerging alternative technologies. As the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Dan oversees solar generator testing with our engineers, product analysts and consumer testers. He regularly attends trade shows to stay current on industry innovations and to speak on housing and home improvement topics.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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