Courtesy of retailer
GENERATORS USED to be loud, smelly, and gas-powered, and unless you were eking out a survivalist lifestyle in a cabin in the woods, you probably didn’t have much need for one. However, in these days of renewable energy, we’re rethinking the idea of generators. Solar generators (aka portable power stations or portable power banks) seem to be everywhere now. It’s no surprise: They’re smaller, quieter, and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. They’re also clean enough to run indoors and, with enough sunlight, can be recharged indefinitely. Plus, in our tech-hungry world, almost everyone has a use for them. For campers, in particular, packing a portable power station is as important as packing a tent, a hiking backpack, and a proper s’mores kit.
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Best Overall Solar Generator
Portable Power Station Explorer 500 Solar Generator
Jackery
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Best Compact Solar Generator
300W Portable Power Station
Rockpals
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Best Solar Generator for Overlanding
Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station
Goal Zero
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Best Solar Generator for RV Campers
AC200MAX Portable Power Station
Bluetti
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Best Solar Generator for Portable 12V Appliances
PLB40 Portable Lithium Battery
Dometic
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Best Solar Generator for Emergencies
1000W/1280Wh Portable Power Station
JUDY Power
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Best Solar Generator for High-Draw Devices
Delta Mini Portable Power Station
EcoFlow
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Most Versatile Solar Generator
HomePower ONE: Backup Battery Power Station
Geneverse
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Best Value LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping
500W Portable Power Station/Solar Generator
Itehil
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Best Entry-Level LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping
535 Portable Power Station
Anker
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If you’re reading this, you might already be shopping for solar generators. So, by now, you know comparing the options might seem impossible without a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. The long list of techno-jargon—things like “MPPT charge controllers,” “lithium iron phosphate cores,” and “monocrystalline cells”—doesn’t help, either. So, we dove into the best options out there to find the best of the best solar generators for camping in 2022. (Pro tip: Despite the name, solar generators don’t actually generate electricity; they only store it. To recharge yours in the field, you’ll also need a portable solar panel or two.)
Read More: Best Outdoor Gear
Best Overall Solar Generator
Jackery
Portable Power Station Explorer 500 Solar Generator
Capacity
518Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
11.84 x 7.59 x 9.2 inches
Weight
13.32 pounds
Best Compact Solar Generator
Rockpals
300W Portable Power Station
Capacity
280.8Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (L x W x D)
10.5 x 5.3 x 8.5 inches
Weight
7.7 pounds
Best Solar Generator for Overlanding
Goal Zero
Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station
Capacity
1516Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
19 x 14 x 14 inches
Weight
43 pounds
Best Solar Generator for RV Campers
Bluetti
AC200MAX Portable Power Station
Capacity
2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches
Weight
62 pounds
Best Solar Generator for Portable 12V Appliances
Dometic
PLB40 Portable Lithium Battery
Capacity
512Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions
7.76 x 7.76 x 10.02 inches
Weight
16.1 pounds
Best Solar Generator for Emergencies
JUDY Power
1000W/1280Wh Portable Power Station
Capacity
1,280Wh LiFePO4 battery
Dimensions
11.42 x 10.16 x 8.27 inches
Weight
30.8 pounds
Best Solar Generator for High-Draw Devices
EcoFlow
Delta Mini Portable Power Station
Capacity
882Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
14.9 x 7.2 x 9.4 inches
Weight
23.6 pounds
Most Versatile Solar Generator
Geneverse
HomePower ONE: Backup Battery Power Station
Capacity
1,002Wh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
13 x 9.15 x 9.57 inches
Weight
23 pounds
Best Value LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping
Itehil
500W Portable Power Station/Solar Generator
Capacity
518Wh LiFePO4 battery
Dimensions
10.85 x 9.1 x 8.4 inches
Weight
18.74 pounds
Best Entry-Level LiFePO4 Solar Generator for Camping
Anker
535 Portable Power Station
Capacity
512Wh LiFePO4 battery
Dimensions (L x W x H)
11.5 x 9.9 x 7.4 inches
Weight
16.75 pounds
How to Shop the Best Solar Generators (for You)
Shopping for electronics can be intimidating, especially if you’re not a “techie.” Battery technology can be especially complicated, sometimes making you feel as though you need an advanced degree just to compare products. Under the hood, solar generators are complicated little devices. But, finding the right model doesn’t have to be impossible. Here are the most important things to consider when shopping for the best solar generator (for you):
Capacity: Generally, everything comes down to capacity, measured in watt-hours (represented Wh). It’s the measure of how much “juice” a particular battery can store. In automotive terms, solar generator capacity is like the size of a car’s gas tank. While there are some smaller models, most entry-level generators feature a 500Wh capacity. Larger, but still portable models store around 1,000-1,500Wh. Even larger alternatives are available, but, the larger the capacity, the heavier the generator. Anything more than 1,500Wh is likely to weigh north of 60 pounds which is more than most car campers are willing to lug around.Your personal energy needs: A full assessment of your own energy needs can get very complicated. But, in general, a 500Wh solar generator is often enough for the “average” small family of campers for a long weekend. That assumes a group of 3-4, all of whom recharge their smartphones every day or so and have a handful of other devices (a couple of tablets, laptops, and, say, a digital camera) in tow. For especially tech-heavy groups or for extended trips, consider something beefier, like a 1,000Wh option. For more detailed info, check the manufacturer’s website. Most rate their solar generators in terms of how many charges that generator will give your smartphone, laptop, iPad, etc.
Battery type: The majority of solar generators currently on the market use traditional lithium-ion battery technology. It’s safe, reliable, relatively lightweight, and can be discharged and recharged many times for years. Next-generation solar generators are starting to use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, however. It’s even safer, more efficient, and lasts far longer than lithium-ion (in some cases, a decade or more). LiFePO4-powered solar generators are more expensive, but are worth the extra expense if they’re within your budget.
In today’s modern age, having power—especially when you’re out in the wild—is more important than ever. To find the best solar generators for camping, our editors researched, tested, and hand-selected these 10 generators from dozens of options on the market. While testing, we considered everything from size and weight (which can impact your load when camping) to power capacity. We were also mindful of the overall design, the user experience, and, of course, the price. The options above are our top picks for the best solar generators to buy in 2022.
Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008.
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