Top 5 Best Solar Generators 2024 - Which One Is Best?

Introduction

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, from power stations that are lunchbox-sized to luggage-sized, and from solar panels that can pack in a backpack to multiple 8ft 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 have listed the top solar generators for 2024 and their key features. This will help you choose the best one for you. For more information on the product, I've included a link in the description box down below, which is updated with the best prices on each product. Like the video, comment, and don't forget to subscribe. Be sure to stay tuned till the end so you don't miss anything. Now, let's get started.

Number 5: Anker Solix C1000 Solar Generator

Without complaining about the physics of Battery tech, there is very little I can say about this device that isn't positive. It's not a cheap investment but it's generously equipped and it can help out in off-grid camping, remote device charging, and if you live somewhere you can't trust the power grid. Gone are the times when an extra battery pack was something a heavy user might have to top up their phone. Okay, not gone far from it, but Power banks are now available in a much greater range of capacities, some of which can bring electricity on the road and off it.

The Anker Solix C1000 can store 1,056 watt-hours and deliver it through USB-C or USB-A sockets as you'd expect with any power bank, a car-style 12V socket, and an inbuilt inverter to provide AC power through four main sockets. These are supplied to match the market you buy the device in; I'm testing in the UK so they are three-pin. The device also has sockets for input from AC electricity including a high-speed charging option and solar panels.

In terms of power, this beast of a brick can deliver 1,800 watts of continuous power. On top of that, the system has a trick for handling devices with motors or heating elements that draw a lot more power as they get going. It has a surge pad which can nudge the wattage up to 2,400 doubling by allowing the voltage to dip slightly. When it comes to capacity, the 1,056 watt-hours is already a big win since the device arguably competes with a lot of devices that are nearly but not quite 1,000 watt-hours. Anker has thought of everything with the Solix C1000 and implemented it well for a competitive price.

Number 4: Bluetti AC60 Plus Bluetti PVU 120 Solar Panel

I've had the opportunity to review around 10 different portable power systems at this point from at least six different companies. Familiarity with what so many different companies are offering allows me to see the commonality of design across these companies along with the areas where they set themselves apart. I've reviewed other Bluetti products in the past, and so in many ways, reviewing the new Bluetti AC60 feels like reviewing a second generation of their products.

There are a lot of more subtle upgrades to previous Bluetti products I've reviewed, but the biggest unique trend that I've seen with Bluetti's newest designs is their embrace of a more modular design. Many of their newer power stations are compatible with a lineup of expansion batteries like the B80, each of which adds 86 watt-hours of storage. If you are more visually oriented, you can see all of my findings on the AC60 and B80 in my video review below or just keep reading.

One of the key upgrades I quickly noticed is that the AC60 is much more ready for facing the outdoors than many of the units I've tested. It's always been a bit strange to me when portable power stations being advertised for camping don't have an IP rating. That's not a problem here as the AC60 carries an IP65 rating. IP stands for ingress protection and a rating of IP65 tells us two things. The first number six is from a scale of 0 to 6 that measures protection against the intrusion of solid particles like dust. This would be considered dust-tight or fully sealed against dust. Another key area of improvement is in the power flow.

The AC60 had an external power brick and in many ways, that external brick was the limiting principle. The adapter itself was limited to 20 watts of input power so that in turn meant that the unit itself was designed around a maximum input of 200 watts regardless of the charging source.

Number 3: Anker Solix F2000 Solar Generator

The Anker Solix F2000 provides dependable backup power for almost any household device with enough storage to get even heavy-duty appliances through a significant power cut. It's big and full of heavy batteries but with robust wheels and a handle, it's surprisingly easy to lug around. That helps make the F2000 ideal for large camping groups or to add heavy-duty mains power to smaller camper vans.

With a range of charging options, including solar, it could even keep you off-grid for an extended period. The Anker Solix F2000 Powerhouse 767 is closely related to the Anker Solix F1200. Similar to F1200, the F2000 feels extremely sturdy with large handles and a strong plastic body. Inside, there's a metal cage to hold the electronics and batteries. Importantly, these are lithium iron phosphate (LFP or LiFePO4) cells.

These are inherently more stable than standard lithium cells and are less likely to experience thermal runaway, which could lead to fire. They also offer a much greater service life than standard lithium-ion. Anker says the batteries will retain at least 80% of their capacity after 3,000 cycles, and it backs that up with a 5-year warranty. You can charge the Solix F2000 from mains electricity, from a vehicle, or from solar panels. Of these, car charging is the most straightforward.

The F2000 comes with an adapter that supports charging at up to 120 watts. While that's good to have, you'd need to drive for more than 17 hours to charge a fully exhausted battery. We always subject power banks to harsh tests but the F2000's high specifications meant that it got a particularly rough ride. I began by confirming it could power my washing machine, which it comfortably could. It supplied more than 2,200 watts over about 5 to 10 minutes during the water heating phase.

Number 2: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max Plus 220W Solar Panel

The huge 2048W capacity of the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max power station will easily keep you powered up off-grid but be prepared for a workout when moving it from A to B. The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the first power station we've reviewed which doesn't have any buttons or a screen on what we would call the front of the device. The top is clear from ports and buttons too. Everything can be found at either end of the device with two extra ports on the back to allow you to add extra batteries to the power station.

The power station arrived with a 30% charge, so we charged it from the mains with a 13 amp plug. It took almost exactly 40 minutes to reach 80%. This means it charged 50% of its overall capacity in 40 minutes. The specifications read that you should be able to charge from 0% to 80% using AC in 53 minutes. Some back-of-envelope calculations told us our charge was a little slower than it should have been, but it was still very fast. You should be able to get a full charge in 43 minutes when the combined solar and AC input is 2400W.

You can't get much quicker than that. For photographers, EcoFlow claims you can charge your camera battery 99 times, a drone 39 times, and a laptop 26 times. It would take us a while to test those numbers exactly, but given how much we've used it and how difficult we found it to drain back to 0% once we've charged it up, we can believe every word. Maybe we were spoiled when we tested the Zendure SuperBase Pro, as the telescopic handles and all-terrain wheels made light work of transporting the power station from A to B, something we think would be a very useful addition to this power station. With the integrated handles, lifting the 50.7 lbs (23 kg) weight around is no mean feat. We want to move it around as little as possible, especially minimizing lifting it in and out of the trunk.

Number 1: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Portable power stations are soaring in popularity. They enable off-grid living, provide power for camping and road trips, and allow you to use power tools in sheds and garages without outlets. Some folks want a backup supply or emergency cover for power outages. The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus can do it all. It is quick and easy to charge from the mains or solar panels. It has plenty of ports and outlets for charging different devices.

Portable power stations are utilitarian and while the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is no exception, it manages to stand out from the crowd. The dark gray body of the Explorer 2000 Plus contrasts with the burst of orange in the recessed handles, the wheel rims, and the cables. Jackery's use of orange in the logo and highlights gives its products a distinct visual signature.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is heavy and bulky, weighing 61.5 lbs. You can lift it with the recessed handles on either side but I recommend extending the telescopic handle to take advantage of the rear wheels. Each battery pack weighs 41.9 lbs and can stack neatly on top of the Explorer 2000 Plus. Jackery provides an extremely thick orange cable that locks into place on the back to join the power station and battery packs together, and they effectively act as one when connected.

Jackery has upgraded from lithium-ion (Li-ion) to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries with the Explorer 2000 Plus. LiFePO4 batteries are less prone to overheating and combustion, making them safer. They also have a longer cycle life. Jackery promises 70% capacity after 4,000 cycles for the Explorer 2000 Plus and says you can expect a decade of service. For the Li-ion Explorer 2000 Pro, Jackery promises 80% capacity after just 1,000 cycles.

The stated capacity for the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus is 2042.8 watt-hours.

Introduction

• Solar Generator
• Extended Power Outage
• Off-grid Power
• Overlanding Setup
• Portable Power Stations
• Anker Solix C1000
• Bluetti AC60
• Anker Solix F2000
• EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
• Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
• Lithium Iron Phosphate
• IP Rating

Introduction

1. What is the best solar generator for off-grid camping? The Anker Solix C1000 is highly recommended for off-grid camping due to its substantial 1,056-watt hour capacity and versatile power output options.

2. What is the unique feature of Bluetti AC60? The Bluetti AC60 embraces a modular design and comes with an IP65 rating, making it highly suitable for outdoor use and expansion with additional batteries.

3. How long does it take to charge the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max? The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max can charge from 0% to 80% using AC power in approximately 53 minutes and a full charge in around 43 minutes when using a combination of solar and AC input.

4. What batteries does the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus use? The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, known for their safety and extended cycle life compared to standard lithium-ion batteries.

5. Can the Anker Solix F2000 handle heavy-duty appliances? Yes, the Anker Solix F2000 can comfortably power heavy-duty appliances. It supplied more than 2,200 watts over 5 to 10 minutes during testing with a washing machine.