Best Solar Generators

We researched the best solar generators for emergency power to keep you safe and comfortable.
Overall best for homes
EcoFlow Delta Pro
  • pro
    Electrical panel integration
  • pro
    Less than 40 lb
  • pro
    4 standard AC outlets
Best power per charge
Bluetti EP500Pro
  • pro
    Electrical panel integration
  • con
    Over 180 lbs
  • pro
    4 standard AC outlets
Value pick
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro
  • con
    No panel integration
  • con
    Nearly 100 lbs
  • pro
    4 standard AC outlets
Best Capacity
Goal Zero Yeti 6000x
  • pro
    Electrical panel integration
  • pro
    Less than 45 lbs
  • con
    2 standard AC outlets
Best for basics
Anker 555
  • con
    No panel integration
  • pro
    Less than 30 lbs
  • pro
    6 standard AC outlets

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.

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Because they emit no carbon monoxide and don’t use flammable gasoline, solar generators are a much safer alternative to traditional gas generators. But the benefits don’t stop there—solar-powered generators are also easier to start, quieter, lower maintenance, and, of course, kinder to the environment.

Our favorite solar generator for emergency backup power is the EcoFlow Delta Pro. It combines a fast solar charge time with a generous 3.6 kWh capacity, can directly power your home’s electrical panel, and supports additional batteries for a total capacity of 25 kWh. Better yet, it’s not even the heaviest or most expensive option on our list.


Best solar generators


Compare the top solar generators for home use

Product
Best for
Price
Home integration option
Max. number of panels
Est. solar charge time
Max. Watt hours
Learn more
Best for homes
Icon Yes  LightYes
43 to 6 hours3.6–25 kWh
Best power per charge
Icon Yes  LightYes
35 hours5.1–10 kWh
Value pick
Icon No  LightNo
63-4 hours3 kWh
Best capacity
Icon Yes  LightYes
435 to 70 hours6 kWh
Best for basics
Icon No  LightNo
26 hours1 kWh

*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Best solar generators reviews

1. EcoFlow Delta Pro: Overall best for homes

Best for homes

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Everything about the EcoFlow Delta Pro makes it ideal for powering your home’s essentials during an outage. It integrates directly with your existing electrical panel through EcoFlow’s Smart Home Panel (sold separately) to supply continuous power through up to 10 circuits. Even without that integration, the Delta Pro’s 15 outlets should be more than enough to get you through an emergency.

pro
Pros
pro Chainable
pro 15 outlets/ports
pro 3.6 kWh capacity
pro Multiple charging options
pro Home integration option
pro Fast solar charging
pro 5-year warranty
pro Less than 40 lbs
pro Smartphone app
con
Cons
con Heavy panels
con Manual panel adjustment

You may need more than one Delta device to reach the 10-circuit maximum capacity, but that brings us to another swoon-worthy feature of this EcoFlow line: chainability. By connecting up to six Delta generators or batteries, you can create a total of 25 kWh of power—the highest kWh rating we encountered in our research. 

The Delta Pro solar generator recharges in up to six hours with four solar panels. It’ll recharge even faster if you have the opportunity to plug it into an AC adapter or an electric vehicle charging station.

Finally, the EcoFlow Delta Pro offers all of these features at one of the most affordable prices on the market. While it certainly still costs a solid chunk of change, you get a lot of power for the money.

2. Bluetti EP500Pro: Best power charge

Best power charge

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Bluetti EP500Pro takes about five hours to charge over 5 kWh of power—an incredible combination of fast solar charging and high power that’s tough to find. We also love that the Bluetti offers home integration for immediate backup power during a blackout.

pro
Pros
pro Chainable
pro 15 outlets/ports
pro 5.1 kWh capacity
pro Multiple charging options
pro Home integration option
pro Fast solar charging
pro 5-year warranty
pro Smartphone app
pro Smartphone app
con
Cons
con Very heavy (182 lbs)

If you need more than 5 kWh total, it’s super easy to add another Bluetti EP500Pro with a plug-and-play fusion box. 

This solar generator pairs with up to three solar panels, so it has a smaller overall footprint than other models. We love that it connects to Wi-Fi for easy firmware updates, and it even comes with an app that lets you check its power consumption and charge. Plus, there are two wireless charging pads on top of the generator. 

It’s a solar generator you don’t want to take camping simply because it weighs 182 lbs. However, it has wheels to help you move it around the house if you don’t choose the integration option.

3. Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro: Value pick

Value pick

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

When equipped with a full set of six solar panels, the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro (which comes with just two solar panels) charges in under three hours and has a 3 kWh capacity after a full charge. But because it lacks a home integration system and doesn’t support daisy chaining for increased capacity, this Jackery solar generator isn’t our favorite option for emergency use. However, its price is more palatable than its competitors.

pro
Pros
pro 9 outlets/ports
pro 3 kWh capacity
pro Multiple charging options
pro Fast solar charging
pro 5-year warranty
pro Fast solar charging
pro Smartphone app
con
Cons
con No home integration option
con Very heavy (99 lbs)
con Not chainable

On a single charge, the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro can run a refrigerator for up to three days. And because it recharges so quickly, you shouldn’t experience a power disruption.

Jackery also advertises this solar generator as a great option for camping, but at nearly 100 pounds, this isn’t the most portable power station. It does come with wheels and a handle for easier transportation, but that’s still a heavy weight to lift out of the car. The solar panels, on the other hand, weigh about 10 pounds each and fold for easy transportation.

 Jackery sells lighter solar generators, but they all have a lower capacity than the Explorer 3000 Pro. You may want to consider a balance between power and portability when shopping for a Jackery model for camping.

4. Goal Zero Yeti 6000x: Best capacity

Best Capacity

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you’re looking to balance power and price, the Goal Zero Yeti 6000x is a great choice. With a 6 kWh capacity, it can power more appliances and devices for longer periods than any other solar generator on our list, and it’s not even the most expensive option.

pro
Pros
pro Chainable
pro 12 outlets/ports
pro 6 kWh capacity
pro Multiple charging options
pro Home integration option
pro Less than 45 lbs.
con
Cons
con Slow solar charging

The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x has one major drawback—a slow solar charge time. Even with four solar panels, it can take 35 to 70 hours to fully charge this generator. If you’re using only about a third of its power each day, then it may be sufficient to use in an emergency. Otherwise, it’s best suited for camping or short bursts of use.

5. Anker 555 Solar Generator: Best for basics

Best for basics

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

When you want something to get you through a power outage in comfort but don’t need it to fully power medical equipment or the fridge, try the Anker 555 Solar Generator. Its 1 kWh can power one fan for almost a full day. But, since it features six AC outlets and takes just six hours to charge, there’ll be power to spare for other creature comforts, like the internet router.

pro
Pros
pro 12 outlets/ports
pro 1 kWh capacity
pro Multiple charging options
pro Fast solar charging
pro 5-year warranty
pro Less than 30 lbs
con
Cons
con Not chainable
con No home integration option

The Anker 555 is less useful for winter power outages because it only powers a small space heater (500W max.) for less than two hours. On the plus side, it can run a CPAP machine for over 18 hours on a single charge, allowing you to get a good (and safe) night’s sleep. 

This solar generator weighs nearly 30 pounds, comes with two solar panels, and features a built-in light - all of which makes it a great choice for camping too.

Final word

Because the EcoFlow Delta Pro Solar Generator recharges quickly and is capable of powering multiple appliances in your home, we think it’s the best solar generator for emergency use. To get the most out of it, purchase additional batteries and a full set of solar panels.

FAQ

The main disadvantage of solar generators is that it takes hours for them to recharge. Total charge time depends on weather conditions, your willingness to adjust the position of the panels throughout the day, and even your location on the globe.

Solar generators usually aren’t as loud as gas generators, but you may still hear some rumbling similar to the sound of a refrigerator.

You can do a little math to figure out if a generator’s watt-hour capacity meets your power needs. Watt-hours refer to the amount of Watts that it can power one hour. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is one thousand watt-hours (Wh).

You’ll need to estimate which appliances or devices you want to power and how many watts they use in total. Then, you’ll need to divide the generator’s watt-hours by the total watts to determine how many hours the generator can power those appliances. Consider whether the appliances need to run continuously and how long it takes for the generator to reach a full charge to determine if the generator’s capacity is sufficient.

For example, let’s say you just want to power your 400 W fridge and you’re considering the 3.6 kWh EcoFlow Delta Pro solar generator. First, we can convert 3.6 kWh to 3,600 Wh (3.6 x 1,000). Then, we can divide 3,600 Wh by 400 watts to get 9 hours. In other words, the 3.6 kWh generator could power the 400 W fridge for 9 hours on a full charge.

How we reviewed solar generators

We researched high-capacity solar generators and looked for features that would be most helpful during a power outage, like home integration and fast solar charging times. In addition to comparing specifications, we also read user reviews. Learn more about how we rank and review on the Safewise methodology page.

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Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of post date and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Cathy Habas
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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