Camping, traveling in your RV or a home power outage all present problems regarding how to keep your electronics ready for use. The best portable solar generator gives you the power that you need so that you have access to your small electronic devices during these situations.
Everyone has different needs, so it is important that you take your time and explore all of your options. Knowing more about these generators, their capabilities and what your specific needs are will help you to navigate the market.
When you choose the best solar generator, you will never be without the small items that offer safety and convenience in a situation where you cannot use grid power. Check out some popular options and learn more about the features to ensure that you make the best choice.
In A Hurry? The Top 5 Picks Compared
Last update on 2022-05-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The 5 Best Portable Solar Generator Options
1. Jackery Portable Solar Generator
The Jackery Solar Generator lets you charge the battery using a portable solar panel so that you can get a full charge anywhere there is direct sunlight. Get up to four full charges for your laptop or 18 charges for your cellphone on a single internal battery charge.
Weighing under seven pounds, you can take this generator on a hike or quickly pull it out of storage when your grid power fails. Use the handle to grab it easily so that you only need one hand to carry it around.
When it is running, there is no noise or vibration, ensuring a comfortable environment. Never worry about gas fumes since it provides power via a battery.
There is an LCD display that shows you information about how the generator is working. Easily read the information since this display is backlit.
There are two USB ports on this generator, allowing you to provide power to your mobile devices easily. Use the standard outlets for other small items, such as a lamp, fan or similar items that have a cord with two or three prongs. No matter what you plug into the generator, the items will be safe since it provides clean power.
- Battery type: Lithium
- Charging methods: Solar, wall outlet and car
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Recharging time: About eight to 10 hours
What We Liked
- The battery is durable
- It is easy to carry around
- You get numerous charges for small devices from one full battery
What We Didn’t Like
- Sometimes the battery will not charge beyond 80 percent
Our Overall Impression
You can transport this generator just about anywhere. Easily charge it with a solar panel, or one of the other two options. Enjoy hours of power during a blackout or as an amazing camping generator.
2. ROCKPALS Generator
The ROCKPALS Solar Generator can keep your 32-inch television going for up to four hours or a standard lamp running for as long as 70 hours. Use the multiple outlets to plug in several items simultaneously. This includes four USB outlets so that there is space for all of your mobile devices.
It features 300 surge watts, allowing you to provide power to larger items, such as a mini cooler. The power that it produces is clean, eliminating the risk of a voltage surge damaging your tablet or similar items. This feature is thanks to this generator’s pure sine wave inverter.
You have several charging options so that you can maintain the internal battery charge no matter where you are. Just ensure direct sunlight when you are using a portable solar panel to recharge the lithium battery. On average, it takes fewer than eight hours to fully charge the internal battery so that you can use the generator.
To keep the generator cool during operation, there is a small fan on the side of the device. It works quietly so you do not need to find a way to try and muffle the noise. There are no emissions or fumes to worry about when you are using this generator.
- Battery type: Lithium
- Charging methods: Solar, vehicle or wall outlet
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Recharging time: About six to seven hours
What We Liked
- Charge and power many items at the same time
- The internal battery charges fast
- You can carry this device easily
What We Didn’t Like
- Some consumer stated that there is a strong moldy plastic odor
Our Overall Impression
Use this generator for power emergencies or when you are out in nature. It is quiet and can power a few items at the same time. Easily recharge your mobile devices, have a fan for cooling or keep your lanterns fully charged.
3. Jackery Generator 160
The Jackery Portable Solar Generator 160 is a good choice for people who spend a lot of time camping and those seeking a viable backup power source for their home. Since you can charge it via several methods, it is easy to ensure that the battery is always ready for use.
The power is clean, ensuring eco-friendly operation and that your devices are safe once you plug them in. It is very quiet and will not emit carbon monoxide or other dangerous emissions when you are using it.
This device charges relatively fast. If you plug it in when you go to bed, by morning you will have a full, or mostly full charge, depending on the charging option that you choose. Maintain control over the battery thanks to the battery management system.
Use the LED flashlight built into the unit so that you can see in the dark without needing to carry a separate flashlight. This safety feature prevents accidents when you need to move around in the dark. In addition, there are other safety features that provide safeguards against too much voltage, the unit’s temperature getting too high and short circuiting.
- Battery type: Lithium
- Charging methods: Solar, vehicle or wall outlet
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Recharging time: About five to 10 hours
What We Liked
- This generator is very portable
- You can carry it with one hand due to the handle
- Charge it while using it for power simultaneously
What We Didn’t Like
- It may lose some efficiency and power over 70 watts
Our Overall Impression
This generator operates quietly so that it is comfortable to use it anywhere. Charge it up relatively fast so that you have power when you need it the most.
4. ROCKPALS Generator 250 Watts
The ROCKPALS Portable Solar Generator 250 Watts features multiple outlets, including USB, 12V and AC. This makes it easy to connect your items so that you can recharge or supply them with power as needed. Its AC output is upgraded, allowing it to handle up to 300 surge watts and 250 rated watts so that you have things like a fan, or a mini cooler should your power go out during hot weather.
This unit has a handle and only weighs about 5.5 pounds, allowing you to take it hiking, easily store it in a closet or transport it on your next RV trip with ease. Get solid power from each charge, such as 25 cellphone charges or four hours of operation for lights and small appliances.
Its pure sine wave inverter ensures no damage to your plugged-in items. The quiet fan on the side controls the temperature of the generator so that it does not get too hot. There are no exhaust fumes, so you can use this generator anywhere comfortably and safely.
- Battery type: Lithium
- Charging methods: Solar, vehicle or wall outlet
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Recharging time: About eight hours
What We Liked
- The energy is clean
- Charge it in several ways
- This generator has sufficient wattage
What We Didn’t Like
- The run-time for a CPAP machine may be shorter than the manual states
Our Overall Impression
Run your CPAP machine overnight, keep cool with a fan or ensure your mobile devices always have a full charge with this generator. Since there are several outlets and it runs efficiently, you can use it in the way that best meets your needs.
5. PAXCESS Generator
The PAXCESS Solar Generator provides long-lasting power and a relatively large battery capacity. Run small appliances for a couple hours at a time or charge your laptop up to four times using this generator. No matter what items you connect, it operates efficiently.
Use one of the five outlets to recharge or power a variety of devices. You can plug in more than one item at a time, depending on the overall size of the items. For example, charge your cell phone, camera and tablet simultaneously.
Weighing under six pounds, you can carry this generator anywhere you need to use it. There is an ergonomic handle on the top so that all you need is one hand to grab and carry the generator.
Due to the lack of noise and vibration, use this device when you are sleeping without being kept awake. This also makes it a good choice for a campsite. Since there are no fumes, you do not have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning or getting sick from any emissions.
There are several safety features that help you to prevent problems with voltage, temperature and short circuiting. Always know the status of the battery thanks to this unit’s battery management system.
- Battery type: Lithium
- Charging methods: Solar, vehicle or wall outlet
- Voltage: 110 volts
- Recharging time: About five to 10 hours
What We Liked
- The power is clean
- It is very powerful for its size
- Charge many items at once
What We Didn’t Like
- Similar generators have a stronger output
Our Overall Impression
It features a strong battery that can be recharged often without it losing function or efficiency. There are multiple outlets so that you can get power to all of your needed items when you are outdoors or going through a power outage.
Best Portable Solar Generator Buying Guide
To ensure that you buy the best portable solar generator, it is important to know exactly what to look for. Here you will see common portable solar generators questions with the answers that will steer you in the right direction.
- How Does Solar Power Work for the Best Portable Solar Generators?
- What Are the Benefits of Solar Power with a Solar Generator?
- Where Can You Use a Solar Generator?
- What Are the Different Types of Solar Panels for Solar Generators?
- How Much Battery Capacity Do Portable Solar Generators Provide?
- What is the Ideal Inverter Rating for Portable Solar Generators?
- How Portable is the Best Solar Generator?
- Will the Best Portable Solar Generators Have Built-In Solar Panels?
- Which Extra Features Are Beneficial with the Best Portable Solar Generator?
- How to Pick Durable Portable Solar Generators?
- Can Solar Generators Get Wet?
- Will a Portable Solar Generator Operate on Gas or Propane?
How Does Solar Power Work for Solar Generators?
When you are using a solar panel, electrons are essentially knocked free from light particles to generate electricity. In each panel are photovoltaic cells. These cells take the energy from the sunlight and turn it into electricity.
Solar generators typically use solar energy to charge a battery. This means that the sun is not directly powering the generator but providing it with the energy needed to charge the internal battery. You will connect the appropriate solar panel to the generator to get the energy needed to provide recharging of the battery as necessary.
What Are the Benefits of Solar Power with this type of Generator?
This generator type does not use any gasoline or propane. Because of this, you will never need to worry about adequate ventilation. There will also be no potentially dangerous fumes emitted from your solar generator. Using this generator is safer and more convenient because of this.
The sun offers an unlimited amount of energy that you can draw from to charge the internal generator battery. Just set up your portable panel and connect it to the generator to start charging the battery. There is no need to find a vehicle or wall outlet to charge your portable generator.
Solar power operates quietly. Recharging the generator battery will not cause any noisy disruptions during the process.
Where Can You Use a Solar Generator?
These are smaller generators that are a good choice when you need power for a few items. For example, you can run a fan, a light and charge your cellphone with this type of generator.
Use it at home to keep a few things going during a blackout. It will also work for an RV or when you are at a campsite. Since you charge them with solar panels, you only need access to direct sunlight to keep the internal battery charged and ready for use.
What Are the Different Types of Solar Panels for Solar Generators?
There are three major solar panel types on the market. These include:
- Poly-crystalline panels: Here you have a mid-range of efficiency and they are relatively affordable. Because of the features of this panel, they are usually the most popular option for recharging a solar generator battery.
- Mono-crystalline panels: This type is the highest quality and the most efficient. You can use them in environments with a high heat level. These panels are also the most expensive option.
- Thin film panels: These are the least convenient and efficient of the three types. However, these are the least expensive.
How Much Battery Capacity Do Solar Generators Provide?
This ultimately depends on the generator that you choose. To determine the battery capacity, look at how many charges you get for a particular item. For example, in the specifications, you will see that generator X can charge a cellphone 25 times while generator Y can provide 18 cellphone charges.
What is the Ideal Inverter Rating for Portable Solar Generators?
This rating describes the wattage maximum the generator provides at a specific time. If you need to run multiple items, or recharge your devices frequently, you will want a larger inverter rating. Ideally, your generator should have a 15:1 ratio regarding watt hours vs the inverter rating for optimal efficiency and usage.
How Portable is this type of Generator?
These generators tend to be small and weigh under 20 pounds. This ensures that you can carry them with you without any problems. Some of them will have a handle for extra portability but you usually do not need a handle to transport the generator easily.
Will the Best Portable Solar Generators Have Built-In Solar Panels?
While having a built-in solar panel sounds like a convenient choice, this is actually something that you want to avoid. If you choose one with a built-in panel, you will usually get a shorter battery life. This is because the battery can experience more heat compared to a generator that uses a separate solar panel. Heat can degrade the integrity of the battery, resulting in you needing to replace it more often.
Which Extra Features Are Beneficial with the Best Portable Solar Generator?
There are a few extra features that can make your generator more convenient to use:
- LCD display to monitor the functioning
- Parallel capabilities to connect to a second generator for more power
- Wireless connectivity to mobile apps for remote monitoring
How to Pick Durable Portable Solar Generators?
The casing should be a durable plastic. If there are rubber components on the edges, this can reinforce the durability.
Can Solar Generators Get Wet?
No, you have to keep the generator dry. Wetness can cause damage to the various components of the generator.
Will a Portable Solar Generator Operate on Gas or Propane?
These generators have a battery that they get their power from. There is no need for propane or gas, or a way to hook up a fuel source.
