5 Best Portable Solar Generators of 2024

I recently got the AFERIY Portable Power Station 2400W for both home backup and camping trips, and after putting it to the test, I’m thoroughly impressed with its performance and versatility.

One of the key selling points for the AFERIY power station is its fast charging capability. It can fully charge in just 1.5 hours when using both the AC input (1100W) and a solar panel (500W). I didn’t have the solar panel handy during my initial test, so I relied solely on the AC input, and true to its claims, the station was fully charged in just under 2 hours. This fast charging time is a game changer, especially for situations where you need to quickly power up before heading out for an off-grid adventure.

The device is equipped with LiFePO4 batteries, offering a solid 2048Wh capacity. This is a significant advantage over traditional gas-powered generators or smaller portable power units, and it provides enough power to run multiple devices during camping trips or power outages. During my camping trip, it powered a mini fridge, lights, and charged multiple phones and laptops, and still had juice left over by the end of the day. The pure sine wave output ensures that it provides stable power for sensitive electronics, which was reassuring when I plugged in my laptop.

This power station is extremely versatile when it comes to charging and powering devices. It features 13 output ports in total, which means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without any hassle. I used it to charge everything from phones to a drone, and even ran a portable electric grill off it. It’s also compatible as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), and I tested this by connecting it to my home office setup. When I simulated a power outage, the station kicked in within 10 milliseconds, keeping my devices running smoothly without any noticeable interruptions.

Weighing in at 22kg, the AFERIY power station isn’t exactly light, but it’s compact enough (39.8cm x 28cm x 31.5cm) to be portable for camping trips or outdoor activities. The unit feels solid and well-constructed, and it comes with a protective cover and a handy tool bag, making it easy to transport and protect during travel. Despite its weight, the large battery capacity and multi-functionality make it worth carrying.

One of the most attractive features of the AFERIY Portable Power Station is its long lifespan. Thanks to the LiFePO4 batteries, it can endure over 3500 charge cycles, giving it an estimated lifespan of 10 years or more. This is a major advantage if you’re looking for a long-term power solution. Plus, the BMS (Battery Management System) helps protect the unit by regulating voltage and temperature, so I never had to worry about overheating, overcharging, or any other potential safety risks. I also found the LED light with its SOS mode useful during nighttime, especially in remote camping locations.

The AFERIY Portable Power Station 2400W has proven to be a reliable and versatile power source for both outdoor adventures and home backup needs. The combination of fast charging, large capacity, and multiple output ports makes it ideal for powering a wide range of devices. Its LiFePO4 batteries ensure it will last for years, and the added safety features provide peace of mind when using it for more critical applications.

Built by California-based solar power experts Jackery, the Explorer 500 is just one of a series of their brilliant portable power stations. Whether you’re going on a camping trip or working “off grid”, this is the best solution for keeping your gadgets charged when you’re not close to mains electricity.

One of the limitations of most “off grid” power banks is that they’re limited to 12 Volt. This isn’t the case with the Explorer 500. You get a proper three-pin AC power outlet to plug in any device up to 500 Watts of power. Alongside this are three USB ports, a 12 Volt outlet like you’d find in a car, and a pair of DC outlets too.

All wrapped up in a handy carry case, there’s everything you need to power up your batteries on the go. It’s the ideal solution for keeping your tools charged up on site when there’s no mains connected. You can even run small power tools like jigsaws or multi tools at the very bottom of your garden!

But what about charging up the Explorer 500 itself? You could simply plug it into the mains at home or juice it up in the back of your car on your next adventure. But the real fun comes from the SolarSaga 100 portable solar panel array. You get a pair of rugged solar panels that can power up your Explorer 500 using nothing but the sun’s rays.

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my Explorer 500 portable power station. It means I can get outdoors with all my tools and gadgets without running for the nearest plug socket. Having a reliable and sustainable source of power in a package you can carry around is a bit of a revelation for me, and feels like the future!

I recently tested the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 Power Station to use on a camping trip. After spending some time with it, I’m really impressed with its performance and features.

The most striking feature of the FlashSpeed 1500 is its rapid charging. With a 1500W AC input, this unit can charge from 0-100% in just 1 hour. This is easily one of the fastest charging times I’ve experienced with a portable power station. I was able to get a full charge in an hour without needing a bulky AC adapter. For those who rely on solar energy, it also supports 400W solar input and 200W DC input, which, when combined, can fully charge the unit in 45 minutes. This is a huge plus for anyone looking for an efficient power station, especially when off-grid or during emergencies.

With a 1548Wh capacity, the FlashSpeed 1500 has more than enough power to run multiple devices over an extended period. I’ve used it to run a refrigerator, charge phones, and power a CPAP machine all at the same time, and it performed without any issues. For those needing more power, you can expand the capacity to 3096Wh with the optional extra battery, doubling its runtime. While I haven’t added the extra battery yet, the expandability is an excellent option for those who require longer use.

The V-Beyond Technology is another impressive aspect of this power station. It allows the AC inverter to handle devices that require more than 1500W, so I didn’t have to worry about overloading the system with high-power tools or appliances. During my test, it easily handled a portable electric stove and a small heater, both of which typically push the wattage limits of standard power stations.

Safety is always a top concern with portable power stations, and the FlashSpeed 1500 doesn’t disappoint. It features SuperSafe LIFEBMS protection, which includes over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, and short-circuit protection. Knowing it has up to 10 different protection mechanisms gave me peace of mind, especially when using it in rough outdoor conditions. Additionally, the LiFePO4 (LFP) battery technology offers over 3000 charge cycles, which is significantly better than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This means that even with frequent use, the battery will last for years, maintaining at least 80% of its original capacity.

One of the most important features for home use is the UPS function. With a switchover time of less than 20ms, the FlashSpeed 1500 can keep your critical devices like CPAP machines, computers, and refrigerators running without interruptions during power outages. I tested this by connecting my desktop PC and router to it, and when I flipped the main breaker to simulate a blackout, the switch was seamless. There was no downtime, which is essential for anyone relying on continuous power, especially for medical devices.

The 400W solar input is ideal for those who prefer to rely on renewable energy, and it makes the FlashSpeed 1500 an excellent option for off-grid use. I haven’t had the chance to fully test this feature yet, but having the ability to charge with solar panels adds tremendous versatility. At 25kg, it’s on the heavier side for a portable power station, but the high power capacity and fast charging more than make up for its weight. The design is sturdy, and the build quality feels robust enough to handle frequent transport.

Overall, the VTOMAN FlashSpeed 1500 is an excellent choice for those who need a reliable, fast-charging, and expandable power station. Whether you’re using it as a backup power source at home or taking it off-grid for camping, it offers plenty of capacity and versatility. The UPS function, expandable battery, and solar input options make it one of the most feature-packed power stations I’ve used.

I recently picked up the Anker SOLIX C800 Portable Power Station to use as a backup power source for camping trips and occasional home power outages. It’s a well-designed, powerful unit that offers plenty of versatility for a variety of situations.

The SOLIX C800 packs 768Wh of battery capacity and delivers 1200W of rated power, which is more than enough for most of my essential devices. I’ve used it to power a mini fridge, charge multiple phones, run a laptop, and even power a small electric grill. The station can handle 89% of common devices with ease, making it a reliable solution for both outdoor activities and emergency backup.

Anker’s SurgePad technology allows the unit to support appliances up to 1600W temporarily, which is great for more power-hungry devices like a coffee maker or power tools. I tested this feature with a portable electric heater, and it worked flawlessly without tripping or shutting down.

One of the standout features is the number of available ports—you can connect up to 8 appliances at once. The ports include multiple AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and a car charging port, which provides flexibility for charging different devices simultaneously. During one of my camping trips, I had everything from a portable speaker to a drone charger plugged in, and the SOLIX C800 handled it all without any issues.

A small but useful feature is the built-in storage compartment. It’s a nice touch that allows you to store cables and small accessories like adapters or phone chargers directly in the unit. This saved me from rummaging through my bags to find charging cables, which is especially handy during camping trips when you want to stay organized.

The InfiniPower technology in the SOLIX C800 is designed to last for over 3,000 cycles, which translates to about 10 years of daily use. This is significantly longer than many other portable power stations on the market. It gives peace of mind that I won’t need to replace the unit anytime soon, even with heavy usage.

When it comes to charging, the UltraFast charging feature is a major plus. I was able to fully recharge the unit in just 58 minutes, which is about 17% faster than standard charging speeds. This is incredibly useful when you need to quickly recharge the station before heading out. For those who prefer renewable energy, the station also supports solar charging with up to 300W input. I tested it with a compatible solar panel and reached 80% charge in just over 2 hours, which makes it perfect for off-grid situations.

Weighing in at around 9kg, the SOLIX C800 is fairly portable for a unit of this size and capacity. It’s compact and easy to carry around, but it’s not something you’d want to lug around for extended distances without a proper setup (like a vehicle or camping van). The design is sleek and minimal, with a user-friendly interface and an easy-to-read digital display that provides real-time power usage and charging status.

The Anker SOLIX C800 is a robust and reliable portable power station that excels in both performance and versatility. It’s powerful enough to run most household appliances and outdoor gear, and its fast charging options (both AC and solar) make it ideal for people on the go or for emergency backup power. The 10-year battery life and UltraFast charging features really set it apart from other options in its category.

The BEAUDENS Portable Solar Power Station is a must-have for campers. This power station really is portable! It measures a mere 17.2 x 15 x 8cm, and it weighs a meagre 2.2kgs. Whether you’re camping, spending a day at the beach or even hiking, this little generator can be brought along with you – offering reliable power in any emergency.

This generator offers good performance, albeit with a smaller capacity than others I’ve recommended, at 166Wh. It charges your smartphone 11 times, tablet 7 times, laptop up to 3 times, It comes with a reliable 166Wh battery, as well as AC, DC and USB outputs.

In case of an emergency, this generator comes with a range of handy features. There’s an LED flashlight as well as an SOS mode. The solid metal shaft ensures it’s able to withstand heavy duty and outdoor use.

This unit can be charged using your car, a solar panel or mains power. The only real downside is that there is no display indicating the battery life, but this is expected on such a compact unit.

Finally, this generator is very quiet to run, even when working at maximum capacity. This makes it suitable for tents, caravans and other sleeping areas.

The smaller size and capacity of this unit is reflected in the much lower price tag than others I’ve recommended. However, the robust build ensures it should still last a very long time. If you’re looking for a great value for money and affordable generator for emergency power out and about, this model should be at the top of your list!