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The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Laura Lancaster

We tested the top solar generators side by side to see which models pack the most punch


The post The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.



                              

                   
The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Laura Lancaster

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                                          data-hr**="ht**://www.amazon.c**/Goal-Zero-Watt-Hours-Solar-Powered-Generator/dp/B09X69K8NY?tag=camdenxodl-20&ascsubtag=0000OL0000183579O0000000020231005030000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=ht**%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.c**%2Ffeed"
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            Best Overall
         
            The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is the best for overlanding.
         
            Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
         
           
               
                  SEE IT
               
           
         

            Best Value
         
            The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
         
            EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel
         
           
               
                  SEE IT
               
           
         

            Best for Camping
         
            The Goal Zero is the most customizable.
         
            Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator
         
           
               
                  SEE IT
               
           
         

 





Whether you are outfitting your home in case of an extended power outage or looking for a steady supply of off-grid power for your overlanding setup, it’s never been a better time to purchase a solar generator. But sifting through all the available options on the market—power stations that are lunchbox-sized to luggage-sized, solar panels that can pack in a backpack to multiple eight-foot long panels you chain together—can take a lot of time and effort. To help you choose the best solar generator for your purpose, we tested some of the most innovative models from Jackery, EcoFlow, Goal Zero, Bluetti, Anker, Zendure, and BioLite side by side to see how they stacked up.









How I Tested the Best Solar Generators





There are two co*ponents to a solar generator—a solar panel and a power station. To understand the performance of the overall package, I looked at each co*ponent and then also assessed how they worked in tandem. 






  • Solar Panels were initially tested in early fall, when the angle of the sun is less ideal than it would be at the peak of summer, affecting the potential of each panel to reach its claimed maximum output. Additional solar panel testing was conducted in the spring and summer months; however, a control panel (the Anker 625) was used to ensure similar testing conditions. In all rounds of testing, there were clear skies, though haziness, time of day, and season can affect power output. In those instances where the Anker 625 showed a greater or lower solar input than from the initial test, the other panels were weighted appropriately. I tested solar panels using power stations of the same brand, but where possible, I also used different panels with different power stations to see if that affected the results. 




  • Power Stations were evaluated on a number of criteria. After fully charging all the power stations, I left them in a climate-controlled room for three days and then outside for twenty-four hours in near-freezing temperatures—none of the power stations registered any loss of power during this test. Next, I plugged various appliances into all of the power stations to see how they handled the volume: a dehumidifier, a sunlamp, two laptops, one of the best power banks for camping, a pair of headphones, another power station, etc. Using these setups, I ran each power station down to half its estimated output. Finally, I considered how co*patible each power station was with other solar panels, as well as additional features, such as Bluetooth-co*patible apps, display panels, wireless charging, USB-C input ports, and more. 





Solar Panels Tested





In my initial test, I looked at six solar panels rated for both 100W and 200W capacity from Goal Zero, Anker, Jackery, and BioLite. I checked that all the solar panels were pointed in the same direction and at the same angle when testing their measured output against their claimed output. 





Solar panels sitting in the grass.
The six solar panels in my initial test ranged in size and portability.  Laura Lancaster




Additional follow-up tests were conducted to co*pare the power output of 100W, 200W, and 400W panels, from Zendure, Bluetti, and EcoFlow, with this initial set. I also conducted a retest of the BioLite panel, which was the lowest performing panel in the original group. In each instance, I set up a panel from my initial testing group to ensure similar testing conditions.





ModelPriceWeightSize (unfolded)Output PortsWarrantyClaimed OutputMeasured Output
Zendure 400W Solar Panel$140039 pounds1000 x 2240 x 25 mmXT-903 years400W382W*
EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel$65021 pounds820 x 1830 x 25 mm XT-601 year220W197W*
Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel $70018 pounds540 x 2320 x 25 mmDC1.5 years200W184W
Goal Zero Boulder 200W$55042 pounds40 x 53.5 x 1.75 inchesHigh Power Port (HPP)2 years200W145W
Anker 531 Solar Panel$55020 pounds23.75 x 83.75 x .75 inches XT-602 years200W158W
Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel$30013 pounds533 x 1652 x 21 mmDC1 year120W110W*
Goal Zero Boulder 100W$30020 pounds40 x 26.75 x 1.75 inchesHigh Power Port (HPP)2 years100W73W
Anker 625 Solar Panel$33011 pounds57 x 20.75 x 1.75 inchesXT-602 years100W94W
BioLite Solar Panel 100$40010 pounds20 x 57.5 x 1 inchesHigh Power Port (HPP)1 year100W70W*
*Actual measurements for follow-up tests were recalibrated using the control panels to match the solar energy potential of the initial test.




Two solar panels have been tested twice as a part of this test: the BioLite Solar Panel 100 and the Jackery SolarSaga 200W. The BioLite panel was retested at the manufacturer’s request; they had initially sent a reviewer sample and felt that the performance of the actual panel would show improvement. The second panel was 17 watts more powerful than the initial panel, and the numbers in the above table reflect that change.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Retesting the BioLite Solar Panel 100 along with an initial test of the Bluetti PV120; the Anker 625 Solar Panel served as the control.  Laura Lancaster




Jackery sent two new SolarSaga 200Ws along with their new 2000 Plus power station. During testing, these two panels were not as powerful as the initial SolarSaga 200W I had tested in tandem with the 1000 Pro. These two panels were about 10 watts and 20 watts less powerful than the original panel. There is no visible difference in these newer panels co*pared to the original. As I have not had the chance to retest any other panels from the initial test, I have left the original, higher value as the official number.





In October 2023, I took advantage of the typical gloomy weather of the Pacific Northwest to conduct a new set of tests: power generated in low light (cloudy) conditions. This test did not include the full range of solar panels I have tested in the past, as a few were sent back to the manufacturers, did not perform well in enough testing to warrant a further look, or had other mechanical issues. However, I was able to include the top models in this test, including the Jackery SolarSaga 200W, Anker 531, Anker 625, and Bluetti PV120.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
The Anker 625 and Bluetti PV120 solar panels being tested under cloudy skies.  Laura Lancaster




Testing took place on the dock outside where I lived, with the 100W panels and the 200W panels tested separately under different cloudy conditions. I used the same power station for each panel during this test, and alternated between each panel several times to ensure my readings of the co*parative wattages were as accurate as possible. Here are the results.





ModelPriceOutput PortsClaimed OutputMeasured Output (Sun)Measured Output (Clouds)
Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel $700DC200W184W49W
Anker 531 Solar Panel$550XT-60200W158W42W
Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel$300DC120W110W25W
Anker 625 Solar Panel$330XT-60100W94W22W




While there were some obvious performance differences between the different solar panels, what’s most striking here is that all of the solar panels had a 75 percent or so reduction in output in cloudy conditions. If you are looking to figure out the panel wattage you’ll need to keep your home going during a blackout and you don’t live somewhere with year-round reliable sun, plan to quadruple the solar panel capacity you are planning on.





Power Stations Tested





The power stations I tested ranged in size from 403 watt-hours to 6,438 watt-hours, and were capable of either 110 volts or 120 volts (the latter is what you’ll need to run most major appliances).





Solar generators sitting in the grass.
The five power stations in my initial test, from Anker, Goal Zero, Jackery, and BioLite.  Laura Lancaster




While my initial testing field was reasonably co*parable in terms of weight and overall size, further testing has included power stations that were as heavy as I am as well as units that were on the line between power station and one of the best power banks.





ModelPriceWeightWhInput PortsInput Max for SolarMax Voltage for the AC Outlet App? Warranty
Zendure SuperBase V6400$7000130 pounds6,438XT-903000W120VYes5 years
EcoFlow Delta 2 Max$190050.7 pounds2,048AC and XT-601000W120VYes5 years
Anker SOLIX F2000$200067 pounds2,048AC and XT-601000W120VYes5 years
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus$220061.5 pounds2,043AC and DC1400W120VYes5 years
BioLite BaseCharge 1500$170026.5 pounds1,521USB-C, high power port (HPP)400W110VNo2 years
Goal Zero Yeti 1500X$180045.5 pounds1,516USB-C, 8mm, high power port (HPP)600W120VYes2 years
Anker SOLIX C1000$100028.4 pounds1,056AC and XT-60600W120VYes5 years
Anker 555$90029.8 pounds1,024DC and USB-C200W110VNo5 years
Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro$110025.5 pounds1,002AC and DC800W120VNo3 years
Bluetti AC60$70020.1 pounds403AC and DC200W120VYes6 years




All of the power stations were capable of holding a charge for extended periods of time, losing no power in either the three-day indoors test or the 24-hour outdoors test in subfreezing and near freezing temperatures. However, where the power stations in the initial test have begun to show a drop in power retention over time; I have noted as such.





Best Solar Generators: Reviews & Reco*mendations





Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro (Explorer 1000 Pro + Solar Saga 200W)




    id="jackery-solar-generator-1000-pro-explorer-1000-pro-solar-saga-200w"
    class="ProductCardSimple"
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>
 

                         
                   

            The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is the best for overlanding.
                     

                 
           

 

         

       

Jackery



     

             


                 target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT
     


     





Key Features






  • Power Station Capacity: 1002 watt-hours




  • Solar Panels: Four 200-watt solar panels




  • 184 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight




  • Max AC Output: 120 volts and 1000 watts




  • Also available with a 2000Wh power station 




  • Also available with two 80-watt panels





Pros






  • Powerful solar panel




  • Easy to use





Cons






  • Smaller power station than other models I tested





The Power Station




Along with the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and Anker 555, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro had one of the more streamlined user interfaces of anything I’ve tested. There are separate buttons to activate the USB outlets, AC outlets, and DC outlet, along with a button to turn on the power station’s light (in case you want to light up your camp or home) and one to turn on the display. The display here gives you the bare minimum of information—watts in, watts out, percent of the battery remaining, and the time to charge or deplete the battery based on the current conditions. 





The Explorer 1000 Pro has an output of 1000 watts (2000 watt peak), which is enough juice to power many modern refrigerators. But given that its battery life is only 1002 watt-hours, it can only supply that power for about a day (assuming it’s not charging anything else) unless it’s also being supplied with fresh juice from a solar panel setup at the same time. For some, this won’t be an issue, as they’ll simply be using the battery to channel power to their other devices during the day while it’s charging, and then using the battery at night to power more low-key items like the best camping fans or maybe one high-energy device like a portable fridge. 





One of the most power-hungry appliances in my home is a dehumidifier, which was on track to take down a fully charged Explorer 1000 Pro in a couple of hours.
One of the most power-hungry appliances in my home is a dehumidifier, which was on track to take down a fully charged Explorer 1000 Pro in a couple of hours.  Laura Lancaster




At over 25 pounds, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro, is one of the more transportable units I looked at, but it’s still not something that you’d want to lug more than a hundred feet or so at a time. It’s proven to be very capable at holding a charge long-term, even after months of sitting in an unheated garage.





The Solar Panel 




I originally tested the SolarSaga 200W solar panel as a full setup, with four panels plugged into a single power station. This test showed the full power of the array, which registered 650 watts of power generation on a sunny (albeit hazy) day. I retested a single panel in tandem with the rest of the units in this review more recently, and under co*pletely clear skies, the panel was even more impressive: It registered 184 watts of energy co*ing from a single panel. If you don’t have much time to recharge your power station from the sun, then the full setup with all four panels is a no-brainer. (More recent testing of newer panels showed a slight drop in power; however, it is unclear if this is because of natural variation or drop in the product’s efficiency. Either way, this is still a best-in-class panel.)





It is, though, a little co*plicated. Each panel co*es with a carrying case and a cable that connects back to the two DC ports on the Explorer 1000 Pro. If you see a math problem here, that’s correct: You’ll also need two of the Jackery Solar Panel Connectors, which, strangely, are not included in the purchase price. Two of these can be used to double the number of panels you can connect to the Explorer 1000 Pro. 





Each of the panels has three kickstands, which provided plenty of stability during testing.
Each of the panels has three kickstands, which provided plenty of stability during testing.  Laura Lancaster




Setting up and taking down this many panels takes some time, but I was impressed by how easy and intuitive it was. That’s because Jackery streamlined the number of ports on each unit, making it that much clearer what cable connects to what unit in what port. 





Four cables from each of the panels connected to two solar panels hooked up to the battery makes for a big cable-y mess.
Four cables from each of the panels connected to two solar panels hooked up to the battery makes for a big cable-y mess. Laura Lancaster




While at first glance there might appear to be a disconnect between the charging time capabilities of this setup and its battery life, it’s worth keeping in mind that conditions are not always optimal. One of the things that impressed me most about these units is the panel’s ability to generate electricity in lowlight conditions. Even in co*plete shade—dusk fast approaching—a single SolarSaga 200W was generating a 6 watt input. 





Read our full Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro review for more information.





Best Value: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel




    id="ecoflow"
    class="ProductCardSimple"
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>
 

                         
                   

            The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
                     

                 
           

 

         

       

EcoFlow



     

             


                 target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT
     


     





Key Features









Pros









Cons









The Power Station




The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max stood out from the co*petition for two reasons: it’s co*parative low weight and it’s co*parative low price. Of the 2,000 watt-hour power stations I’ve tested, this is the least expensive as a standalone unit, making it an excellent option for anyone looking for a serious power station on a budget.





I was also impressed by its low weight—the Delta 2 Max is 10 pounds lighter than similarly powerful units—and its low volume. If you have limited space and higher power needs, this is an excellent choice.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
The EcoFlow Delta Max 2 had a noticeably smaller footprint next to the similarly powerful Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus.  Laura Lancaster




In addition to having buttons to turn on the USB, AC, and car ports, there is also a main power switch. I’ll be testing over the next several months to see if this helps to prevent power loss for individuals storing their power stations over the long term for issues like power outages.





Something different about the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max co*pared to other power stations I’ve looked at is that the six AC outlets (as well as the car outlet) are on the back side of the power station, with the solar and AC input ports. If you plan to mainly use the USB-C and USB-A ports, this is unlikely to cause an issue but if there are AC plugs you need to access to, you’ll to consider how you orient your power station in your home or van to ensure easy access.





While it’s worth downloading the associated app to access control features that are not available on the actual device, like auto timeouts and discharge level controls, I wouldn’t reco*mend relying on it over the controls on the device itself due to the amount of energy it consumes.





The Solar Panel




It’s hard to find a better value than the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel. It produces more power for its cost and weight than anything else I’ve tested. And it’s XT-60 connector cable means it’s co*patible out of the box with other power stations, including the Anker SOLIX F2000.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
The EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel is an excellent value for its power generation potential.  Laura Lancaster




The downside to this solar panel is that it is surprisingly difficult to set up, and more fiddly to adjust, than anything else I’ve tested. While the other solar panels in this test rely on adjustable kickstand legs to optimize the angle of the panel toward the sun, the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel takes a different approach: It uses the carrying case to support the panel.





First, four clips attach to the four corners of the carrying case. You then clip into the panel itself, angling the carrying case at a wedge to create structure to the panel. The angle of the panel can be adjusted by zipping the carrying case up or down.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
While I appreciate that the carrying case is serving multiple functions with the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel, the actual setup can be a little frustrating.  Laura Lancaster




As you can see, this more or less works. I was able to set up the panel to face the sun at an optimal angle, but I found that zippering up the carrying case to adjust the angle of the panel once it was already in position was fairly difficult. If you’re used to adjusting your solar panels throughout the day to optimize the position of the sun, this could be an issue.





I was disappointed to discover while testing the solar panels in October of 2023 that the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel had warped in storage. While all of the best solar generators feature solar panels that are meant to bend, accordion-style, they typically easily unfold flat to maximize your ability to direct them at the sun. Not so the EcoFlow panel.





The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
This was as flat as the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel would go after several months of storage.  Laura Lancaster




After several months of storage, this panel had a permanent bend in it that affected its ability to sop up sunlight; as such, I removed it from the test of solar panels in cloudy conditions. While likely the panel would again lay flat (or at least flat-ish) if left with some light weights on it for some time, this gives me pause both about the effectiveness and the durability of this solar panel in the long term.





Best for Camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator




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