10 Best Solar Generators with Advanced Buyer’s Guide

The charge controller, the inverter, the difference between lead-acid and lithium-iron batteries… choosing the best solar generator can be confusing if you’re not an expert.

Ask 10 people and most can’t even tell watts from volts.

To help you, I’ve got the lowdown on the 10 best solar generator units, together with the pros and cons of each product, so you can choose the one that works for you. 

I'll also explain how a solar generator works, why you might need one, and things to look out for when buying one.

Let’s get down to it and find out what are the best solar generators in the market right now.

My Top 3 Picks for the Best Solar Generators

The 10 Best Solar Generators (Reviewed by An Electrical Engineer)

Comparison Table: The Ultimate Showdown!

What Is A Solar Generator?

A solar generator is a device you can use to power your appliances in case of an outage or when you don’t have access to grid power.

In the off-grid mode, solar generators use solar panels to charge up, so manufacturers sometimes offer special “solar generator + panel” deals.

Most solar generators are made to be portable — designed as a sturdy box that contains the battery, inverter, and the control circuits. 

On the outside, a solar generator usually has:

However, not all solar powered generators are the same and not all generators work with all solar panels. There are a few things you need to know before you go shopping.

But first, let me explain how these power stations work.

How Do Solar Power Generators Work?

Every solar generator today consists of two main parts:

When you plug your device into a solar generator you’re basically using the power stored in its battery. 

You can charge it in three ways:

Grid Charging

This is the easiest way — just plug the solar powered generator into a wall outlet and charge it like any battery-run device until it beeps 100%. 

This is also the fastest way. EcoFlow solar generators can go from 0-80% in just one hour via grid charging. 

However, I don’t need to tell you that grid charging is only possible when you have access to… well, the grid. 

This is why we value and rate solar generators for their ability to take charge from solar panels in the first place.

Solar Charging

Solar panels provide free and clean power during the day and for many users, the main point of having a solar power generator is to be able to charge it from the sun. 

Solar charging speed depends on the following:

• Size and number of your panels
• Size of the battery
• Solar input power that the generator can take

For solar charging, you need a special solar adapter cable that some manufacturers include in the solar generator kit. 

An average solar charging time is around 5 hours, but large generators like the Renogy Lycan 5000 and the Bluetti EP500 have a dual-charging mode which lets you charge from the grid and solar at the same time. 

This way you can charge even a 5,000Wh battery in just 1 hour. 

Car Charging

This is definitely the slowest way of charging, but here’s the deal:

If you have to drive all night and need your solar generator locked and loaded by tomorrow morning, that 12V car charger becomes your best friend.

The Bluetti AC200P, for example, takes 14 hours to top off with a 12V charger. 

What to Look For When Buying A Solar Powered Generator

Always Go Portable

Whether you need a solar generator to take camping, load aboard your boat, or keep at your home as backup power, you need a product you can carry relatively easily.

If you’re an outdoorsy type, you already know what I’m talking about. You already have a lot of gear to haul around, and to be honest, a solar generator is not the lightest item on the list.  

"But I don’t plan to take mine anywhere," you say.

Well, I’m sure that the good people of Houston didn’t plan to go anywhere as well, but when Harvey struck in 2017 and flooded the whole area, many of them were running for their lives. 

Believe me when I say that portable is always better, so you best choose one with a solid carrying handle. 

High Solar Input and Charging Speed

The solar input wattage tells you how much power the generator can receive from solar panels. 

For example, the Bluetti AC200P has a solar input of 700 watts. This means that you can hook it up to 7x100W or 3x200W solar panels and its 2,000Wh battery will recharge in 3-4 hours. 

Such efficient solar charging wouldn't be possible without the MPPT (Multiple Power Point Tracking) controllers.

This device evens out the voltage difference between an undercharged battery and solar panels. As a result, almost all the solar energy they produce is used to charge the generator. 

The MPPT controller is a standard feature of many modern solar generators, but please go through the specs sheet before you buy. 

So to conclude, if fast solar charging is your priority, look for solar generators that offer plenty of solar input. 

On the other hand, if you want to fully use the enormous 1,200W solar input of the Bluetti EP500 and fill up its 5,100Wh battery, you’ll have to deploy 12x100W or 6x200W solar panels.

There’s no magic to it. Having high solar input is always good, but you’ll definitely need more than two solar panels to reach it. 

This is why it’s important to prioritize your needs and buy the solar generator you can make the most use of. 

Always ask two questions:

The More Outlets the Merrier

I rarely need to use all six USB ports, but I always recommend generators with at least three AC outlets.

On the other hand, having a regulated 12V and a fast-charging 60W USB-C port is always a bonus as you can charge the laptop and leave a 110V outlet free for another appliance. 

Choose Lithium 

Lithium batteries have become the gold standard for solar generators. They are lightweight and can take a deep discharge of up to 80-90% without losing capacity over time. 

Talking of losing capacity, these batteries are rated by their life cycles or the number of times you can fully charge and discharge them until their capacity drops below 80%.

These life cycles often spark a lot of heated discussion in the online community — how much is too much and how much is too little?

The answer is simple: If you’re just going to use your solar generator every weekend or twice a month, even a 500-cycle Jackery Explorer would serve you 10 years easily. 

On the other hand, if you’ll be using your solar generator day in and day out, choose something with more life cycles, such as the Bluetti AC200P. 

You’ll see that some products have lithium-ion (Li-ion) and others have lithium-iron (LiFePO4) batteries. 

You can’t go wrong with either kind.

Li-ion batteries weigh less and keep the whole price down, while LiFePO4 batteries are heavier but last much longer (3,000-5,000 life cycles). 

Ask About the Company’s Reputation

This one is fairly easy — just look for the company’s website. If the presentation is full of information, downloadable manuals and tech sheets, and instructional videos, you’re probably at the right place. 

Reputable companies have issued a number of products over time, improving the capabilities and design in every generation. 

These companies usually offer their proprietary solar panels, extra batteries, inverters, and other pieces of solar equipment that are most likely compatible with their solar generators. 

Stay away from products you can only buy on e-commerce sites. These are most likely made with substandard components and sold under obscure brand names. 

What To Avoid When Choosing A Solar Generator

Say No to Lead-Acid Batteries 

Although these batteries use a reliable and time-tested technology and cost less than any type of lithium battery, in my opinion, lead-acids have had their heyday and now it’s time for retirement. 

Not only do lead-acid batteries weigh more than lithium batteries, but they are also more sensitive to the depth of discharge (DoD). 

If you regularly discharge the battery completely, you are reducing the number of life cycles. The manufacturers usually recommend discharging lead-acid cells to only 50% of their capacity. 

On the other hand, lead-acid is still fine for your car since the battery is taking charge as you drive so the capacity rarely drops under 50%. 

As an added bonus, lithium batteries have a high energy density, which means they are better suited for power-hungry appliances that drain batteries fast. 

Poor Power-Capacity Ratio

Many solar generators failed to enter this Top 10 list because they either had a ton of power rating but low battery capacity or the other way round.

A high power rating of 2,000 or even 3,000 watts means little if the battery can deliver only 1,500 watt-hours of charge. 

Your solar generator should be able to run powerful appliances, but it has to be supported by a decent battery.

The other way round also makes little sense — why would you haul almost a 100 lbs weight of batteries if you can barely power a 1,000W microwave with that system.

Among other things, we handpicked the products in this list for their optimum power-battery combos.  

How to Determine the Size of Solar Generator that You Need

The size of a solar powered generator means two things: 

Battery Capacity 

The battery capacity determines how long you can power your appliances or devices without having to charge the generator. 

This value is measured in watt-hours (Wh). 

For example, if a generator has 3,000Wh, it can power a 100W TV for 30 hours, a 60W laptop for 50 hours, or a 1,250W electric grill for 2.4 hours. 

To find the right generator capacity for your needs, you need to add up all power ratings you want to use at the same time and multiply them with the number of hours.

Let’s say you need to power:

fridge (160W) + TV (110W) + electric blanket (100W) + lighting (50W) = 420W

For seven hours each day

420W x 7h = 2,940Wh

Based on our computation, you'll need a generator with a capacity of 2,940Wh. A quick scroll to the comparison table above and the generator you need is the Bluetti AC500 + B300S.

Of course, if you need less power, you don’t need to splurge with such a big battery. 

Power Rating

Tells you the total wattage the solar generator can deliver at the same time until the battery runs out. 

For example, the 1000W Jackery Explorer can power:

And there’s still plenty of power left to charge my GoPro, phone, and drone. 

There’s also the surge output, which is the extra-high wattage the generator can deliver over a few milliseconds to fire up machines that suck a lot of power at startup.

Benefits Of A Solar Generator

Solar generators have many benefits over fuel-powered generators.

Delivers Free and Clean Energy

Once you pay for the solar power generator and the panels to go with it, everything else is pretty much free. You have an unlimited supply of energy from dawn to dusk, no matter how far from the nearest outlet. 

With a solar generator, I don’t have to think about fuel price fluctuations. Solar all the way, baby!

Has Low Running Cost

Since there’s no fuel, no lubricants, and no moving parts that can wear out, solar generators need very little maintenance.

If you charge it as instructed, take care of the battery, and not try anything your generator isn’t made for, you won’t have to replace anything for many years. 

Lets You Hear The Leaves

Back in the day you could easily tell if there’s another campsite nearby by the characteristic rumbling sound of a gas generator. 

Solar generators are virtually noiseless and in my opinion much more wildlife-friendly. I‘m sure that Mrs. Squirrel cares little about the noise your old gas generator used to make. 

On the other hand, if you plan to use the generator inside, keep in mind that cooling fans still produce a kind of whirring noise when engaged to full power. 

Make sure you read user reviews to confirm the manufacturers’ claims on noiseless fans.  

Take it Everywhere You Go

Gas-powered generators need an IC engine and a fuel tank, both of which add serious bulk to the whole rig.

Solar generators, on the other hand, use lithium batteries that make the total package much more compact and portable. 

You don’t see any carrying handles on gas generators, eh?

How to Maintain a Solar Generator?

Apart from keeping it clean with a soft cloth, all the maintenance tips are more-less similar to any piece of electronic equipment. 

Don’t Let It Get Wet

While some solar powered generators have some degree of water resistance, it doesn’t mean you can leave yours outside in a rain. If you’re out in the woods, protect it from the elements with a piece of tarp or at least bring it under your tent awning. 

Keep It Out of Sunlight

Here’s the deal: Solar panels need a lot of sunlight while the solar generator doesn't need any. Keep yours in a cooler place so the fans can do their job if the battery gets too hot. 

Don’t Let It Catch Cold

The temperature range of most solar generators starts at 0°C or 32°F. If you’re camping in sub-zero conditions, do yourself a favor and bring the generator inside overnight. 

FAQ

My Recommended Solar Generator