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Powerful backup for home outages or camping trips. Portable Power Source
Keeping the lights on and the fridge running during a power outage used to mean firing up a gas backup generator. These hefty machines get the job done, but they're noisy and guzzle lots of fuel. Plus, you have to operate them outdoors to prevent their deadly fumes from entering the home. In short: not a perfect solution.
Enter the solar generator. These portable devices, which combine a backup battery power station with solar panels that harness energy from the sun, are a quiet, zero-emission source of backup power that can help get you through your home's next electrical outage.
What's the best solar generator for most people? After more than 100 hours of testing (including hands-on usage and time spent charging and draining batteries), our experts named the Geneverse HomePower TWO Pro the best overall solar generator, thanks to its robust power, fast charge times and durable battery design. If you can settle for less capacity, you'll save more than $1,000 on the Anker 757 PowerHouse and still end up with a high-quality solar generator.
To be clear, today's solar generators are not quite as powerful as their gas counterparts, with most models delivering between 1,500 and 3,000 watts, versus the 3,000 to 8,000 watts you can get with a gas generator. But that's enough juice to keep various home essentials running during a power outage, including appliances, room air conditioners and personal electronics, as well as CPAP machines and other important medical equipment. Plus, a solar generator is so much easier to take with you, whether you're toting it along as part of your camping gear or powering your next tailgate party.
So it's no wonder the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been seeing them everywhere. "Five years ago, there were only a handful of solar generators on the market," says Rachel Rothman, executive technical director at the GH Institute. "Now you have more than a dozen reputable brands competing in the space."
As our experts found during more than 100 hours of testing for this roundup, the longer you own a solar generator, the more uses you'll discover. Here are the best models to serve every need, based on our tests.
After our list, keep scrolling to find out exactly how we test the top solar generators and get shopping tips for buying one for yourself. Interested in fueling more of your life with solar power? Check out our picks for the best solar-powered lights for holidays and outdoor entertaining and our guide to what to know before installing solar panels on your home.
The best solar generators combine ample capacity with fast charge times and the ability to hold the charge for as long as possible. Based on our extensive tests, this Geneverse solar generator hits that sweet spot as well as any generator on the market.
You'll pay a premium for the HomePower TWO Pro, but the result is a robust, 2,200-watt generator that, thanks to its lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, needed just two hours or less to reach a full charge in our tests using an AC wall outlet, or four hours using solar panels.
The well-configured generator includes three AC outlets for appliances, power tools, CPAP machines and the like, plus two USB-A and two USB-C outlets for your small electronics. One caveat: The HomePower TWO Pro is not the most rugged solar generator we tested, so our experts recommend it for home use, rather than on camping or construction sites.
If you don't need quite as much power, our experts were also impressed by Geneverse's HomePower ONE. The 1,000-watt generator packs less power, and its lithium-ion battery takes longer to charge. But the 23-pound generator is easier to transport and has plenty of juice for smaller electronic devices.
Anker has been a leader in the backup power space for years. One of the brand's products made our list of the best solar-powered phone chargers, for example, and many of its home electronics do well in our tests, including its projectors and outdoor speakers. Not surprisingly, the Anker 757 solar generator impressed our testers with its smart design, solid construction and competitive pricing. When plugged into a wall outlet, its lithium iron phosphate battery can reach an 80% charge in less than an hour.
The generator's 1,500-watt capacity makes it mid-tier in terms of output, so it's best suited to more modest energy needs — say, keeping your home's electronics going through a power outage, rather than a bunch of major appliances. Its feature set is respectable, including six AC ports, four USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. As for solar charging capabilities, it can input up to 300 watts from solar panels, which, much like its power output, places it in the middle of the pack compared with other generators on the market.
For the most part, solar generators shouldn't be thought of as whole-house backup power systems. But, with a capacity of 6,438 watts and the option to add satellite batteries that can multiply its output many times over, the SuperBase V6400 is a clear exception. Make no mistake: This is a massive solar generator. Two of our brawnier testers were needed just to get the 130-pound device out of the box, though from there, the wheels and telescoping handle made it easy to transport.
Thanks to its semi-solid state battery technology, charge time at the wall outlet was a swift 60 minutes, even in frigid conditions; a trio of 400-watt solar panels can reach a full charge in less than three hours. The SuperBase is loaded with outlets, including both 120-volt and 240-volt ACs, so you can keep larger systems and appliances running, including the oven and central air conditioner.
It's scalable too. The base unit can take four stackable satellite batteries, increasing its total capacity to more than 30,000 watts; Zendure's Smart Home Panel can connect the base to your home's electrical circuits to supply power throughout the house. That’s a serious investment, costing more than $20,000, not including installation. But with a life span of 3,000 cycles, the system should deliver decades of service, potentially paying for itself in reduced energy costs for the home — though keeping your whole house running during a power outage is the main benefit.
Weighing just 10 pounds, and about the size of an old-fashioned box radio, the BLUETTI is perfect for taking on the road, where its 268-watt capacity will provide a few hours of run time for less power-hungry equipment, including personal electronics and small appliances.
Between its small capacity and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, charging times are extremely swift. Whether you use a wall outlet or 200-watt solar panel (sold separately), the EB3A can reach a full charge in under two hours.
It offers two AC ports, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port and a wireless charging pad for your cell phone. Its 2,500-cycle life span makes it one of the longest-lasting solar chargers from our tests. An LED light with a strobe setting for emergency use — for example, if your car is broken down on the side of the road — is a nice safety add-on.
For maximum capacity in a standard form, our experts recommend Jackery's Explorer 3000 Pro, which came out in spring 2023. It weighs a hefty 63 pounds, but wheels and a telescoping handle enhance its portability, making it a good option for home, recreational or construction-site use.
The battery cranks out an impressive 3,000 watts and is loaded with five AC ports and four USB ports. It's also one of the few solar generators we tested with a large 25-amp AC outlet, good for powering high-load electronics, like a portable air conditioner, an electric grill or even an RV. Charge time of the lithium-ion battery is a respectable 2.5 hours via a wall outlet, or less than four hours using solar panels. The Jackery is missing a few other features we like in other models, including an LED light and onboard cord storage.
With its durable enclosure and ergonomic design, the GB2000 is our top pick for a solar generator you can take anywhere.
Generac is well regarded by our experts for its established line of gas-powered backup generators. "Those machines have performed extremely well in our tests over the years, so we're excited about Generac's entrance into the solar generator category, where we expect the same performance and reliability," says Rachel Rothman, executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
The 2,106 watt–capacity lithium-ion battery packs plenty of power into relatively compact housing, and the so-called "parallel ports" make it possible to combine two power stations, doubling the total power output. The unit features three AC outputs, two USB-A outputs and two USB-C outputs. There's also a wireless charging pad at the top of generator for cell phones and other small electronics. Another small touch that our testers like is the storage pocket at the back of the enclosure to keep all the various charging cords in one place when you're on the go.
One caveat: The 1,000-cycle life span of its lithium-ion battery is shorter than that of some of our other top picks.
Credit Goal Zero for putting solar generators on the map, with its launch of the first-ever portable power station in 2017. Though it now has plenty of competitors, including some who are pushing ahead with innovation, the Yeti remains a solid option.
The 1,500-watt battery is designed for medium-size power loads, which is one reason we like it for camping and other recreational use. The other reason is its relatively slow charge time (about 14 hours via a standard, 120-volt wall outlet and 18 to 70 hours via solar power) and short shelf life (three to six months).
That means the Yeti is not ideal in emergency situations — e.g., a storm is bearing down, and you need to recharge your backup power ASAP. Also, with a life span of 500 cycles, the Yeti 1500X is best for occasional use.
Research for this project began in early 2023, when our experts met with more than a dozen manufacturers at major trade shows, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the National Hardware Show.
Based on their preliminary reporting, our pros did a thorough technical review of more than 20 solar generators and called in samples for testing, both in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute and at the homes of expert testers.
Over the course of several weeks, evaluations included verifying the claimed charging times of the devices using solar panels and AC wall outlets. We then tested claimed capacity by running electronic devices with commensurate energy loads — for example, 1,500-watt space heaters for large-capacity generators and laptop computers for small-capacity ones.
Consumer testers also tested solar charge times and capacity in the real-world conditions of their homes. And engineers checked the technical data to confirm the shelf life (how long a generator holds its charge) and life cycle (how many times its battery can be recharged).
Overall usability was another important part of the assessment, such as, for example, noting the total number of outlets, which indicates how many devices a generator can charge at once. Generators also received points for user-friendly features like a carrying handle and wheels, an LED light and onboard storage for accessories. Finally, we assessed the durability of the both the generator and its solar panels to judge how long the equipment will last.
In-Lab testing of solar generators at the Good Housekeeping Institute includes seeing how long large-capacity units can power energy-intensive 1,500-watt space heaters.
Our experts also check the claimed charging capacities of solar generators by hooking them up to solar panels, as pictured, and leaving them in full sun for the period of time estimated by the manufacturer.
Solar generators come in all shapes and styles to serve a variety of needs. Here are the key factors to consider:
✔️ Capacity: Typically measured in watts, this tells you how much power a generator can deliver. First and foremost, think about your power needs. The chart below lists how many watts various devices you might need to charge will use in approximately one hour. The smallest generators have capacities around 250 watts, while the largest deliver 3,000 watts or more. Overloading a generator can damage the device itself, as well as any connected electronics.
It's important to think about run time, or how long you will need to power each device. To keep a 200-watt refrigerator running for 10 hours, you'll need a 2,000-watt generator. To keep a 40-watt CPAP machine running for eight hours while you sleep, a 500-watt generator will do the trick.
Pay attention to the capacity of the solar panels too, since it indicates how quickly the panels will charge the battery. Our experts recommend solar panels with a capacity of at least 100 watts; in many cases, multiple panels can be used at the same, accelerating the charge time. Generators that can be charged at a wall outlet and by solar panels are even faster.
✔️ Battery type: There are three kinds of batteries generators use:
✔️ Portability: Some solar generators are easier to move around than others. The biggest consideration is weight, which can range from 10 pounds to 100 pounds or more. Weight tends to correspond with capacity, so if you need a powerful generator that you plan to move around frequently, look for user-friendly features such as wheels and a telescoping handle. Solar panels can get heavy too, so panels that have a handle and carrying case help improve portability.
Dan DiClerico has covered the residential energy market for more than two decades. In that time, he has reported extensively on energy-efficient solutions for the home, as well as emerging technologies in alternative energy. As director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Dan oversees all solar generator testing, working closely with our team of engineers and product analysts. Dan is a regular at trade shows, where he keeps up with the latest industry innovations, and also speaks publicly on all topics related to housing.
For this project, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director at the GH Institute. Another thought leader in the space, Rachel brings extensive hands-on testing of alternative energy products, leveraging her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. She has also tested many solar generators in recent years at her home on Long Island, New York.
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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