The Best Solar Powered Generators of 2024

When extreme weather hits, these portable power stations will keep the lights on (and so much more).

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The Best Solar Powered Generators of 2024

The uptick in extreme weather means more homeowners nationwide are dealing with power outages, whether from hurricanes, hailstorms or heat waves that tax the electrical grid. The best protection used to be a gas backup generator, but our experts in the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute now say it's worth checking out another solution: a solar powered generator.

I keep one at my home in Brooklyn, where it provides peace of mind and is great for powering electronic devices during outdoor parties and on the occasional camping trip. Also known as portable power stations, these rechargeable devices combine a backup battery with solar panels that harness energy from the sun (they can also be charged at a wall outlet or even off your car). The result is a quiet, zero-emission source of backup power that can help get you through your home's next electrical outage. Since solar generators burst onto the scene about five years ago, I've led the team at the Institute that has reviewed more than 20 models from all the leading brands. We look for generators that combine maximum capacity with fast charge times and enough ports to power a range of appliances and electronics. Here are the solar powered generators that shined the brightest in our latest tests:

For my money, this Geneverse solar generator offers the best combination of power capacity, charge time and the ability to hold the charge for as long as possible.

The HomePower TWO Pro 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.

I like that 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. Keep in mind, however, that 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, I was 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 is another leader in the backup power space, and the Anker 757 solar generator is the model I recommend to friends and family who are looking for top value. It 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 Anker 757's 1,500-watt capacity is 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 slew 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.

With its durable enclosure and ergonomic design, the GB2000 is my 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. Given how well those machines have performed in our tests over the years, we're excited about Generac's entrance into the solar generator category, where we expect the same performance and reliability.

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 liked 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.

For maximum capacity in fairly compact housing, I love Jackery's Explorer 3000 Pro. 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 boasts 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.

I remember when Goal Zero put 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 36 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.

When solar power generators first hit the market, they weren’t powerful enough to keep large houses running. That’s changing at a rapid clip, as our experts found when they tested the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra in a 3000-square-foot suburban home.

The EcoFlow system consists of a battery and inverter with a total output of 7,200 watts. It’s scalable too, all the way up to 90,000 watts with the addition of 15 batteries. That’s enough to keep an average American home running full tilt for an entire month. You’d be looking at an all-in cost of around $50,000 for that maximum output; a good middle-ground option that will get most homeowners through routine power outages is the EF ECOFLOW 12kWh Power Station, which includes an extra battery and sells for under $9,000.

A professional electrician was needed for the installation of our DELTA Pro Ultra, since we opted for the add-on Smart Home Panel 2, which allows homeowners to connect specific circuits to the backup battery — for example, the one for the refrigerator, lighting, furnace and central air conditioner. I like that the smart panel features automatic switchover, so your home will remain powered through an outage even when you’re away (the same way a standby gas generator kicks on automatically when a power failure strikes).

The Delta Pro Ultra’s display screen allows you to program circuits and it also contains other useful information, like the current load and charge level, as well as how long the battery will last under current conditions. Or you can access this info through the EcoFlow app, which our testers found intuitive and easy to use. The app even allows homeowners to take advantage of time-of-use rates from the utility company, such as programming appliances to run during off-peak hours, when electricity prices are lower.

That’s not going to put too much of a dent in the steep upfront cost of the Delta Pro Ultra. But with a life span of 3,500 cycles, the system should deliver decades of service, so the savings will add up over time — though keeping your whole house running during a power outage is the main benefit.

Solar power generators also come in extremely compact sizes, like the Portable Power Station EB3A from Bluetti. Its 269-watt capacity is not meant to keep your house running, but I'm including it here because it will provide a few hours of run time for less power-hungry equipment, like personal electronics and small appliances.

Weighing just 10 pounds, and about the size of an old-fashioned box radio, the BLUETTI is also perfect for taking on the road. Between its small capacity and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, charging times are extremely swift. Whether you use a wall outlet or the 200-watt solar panel (sold separately), the EB3A can reach a full charge in under two hours.

The portable power station 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.

Here's another whole-house solution that uses semi-solid state battery technology, which is extremely durable and fast-charging. 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 suited to houses of all sizes.

Make no mistake: This is a massive solar generator. I needed help from one of our brawnier testers 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. It's an investment, but 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.

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.

Our product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute keep constant tabs on the solar generator market to find the models consumers are most likely to find in stores and online. They also stay on top of the latest innovations by attending trade shows, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the National Hardware Show.

For this report, my team and I did a thorough technical review of more than 25 solar generators and called in samples for testing, both in the Institute's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab 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 instance, 1,500-watt space heaters for large-capacity generators and laptop computers for small-capacity ones.

Consumer testers also measured 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 our review. For example, we noted 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 (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, capcity tells you how much power a generator can deliver. Think about your home's total 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.

In many ways, solar generators are now the better option.

Gas-powered generators are noisy and guzzle a lot of fuel (which you need to have on hand before the power goes out), plus they must be operated outdoors to prevent their deadly fumes from entering the home. Solar generators have none of these downsides.

On the other hand, most solar generators are still not 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. Plus, a solar generator is much easier to take with you, whether you're toting it along as part of your camping gear or powering your next tailgate party.

I've covered the residential energy market for 25 years. In that time, I've reported extensively on energy-efficient solutions for the home, as well as emerging technologies in alternative energy. As director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, I oversee all solar generator testing, working closely with our team of engineers and product analysts. I'm also a regular at trade shows, where I love keeping up with the latest industry innovations, and also speaking publicly on all topics related to housing and home improvement.

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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