Generators have been in use for a long time as power backup devices in case the mains go down. Other people have used it in other cases such as remote cabins or when out on the trails. However, traditional gasoline generators do not do the best job at these kinds of use cases. They are bulky and extremely loud to begin with. Even the quietest of gasoline generators are unbearable at close range, which is where you want your portable generator. They also produce fumes that make it uncomfortable to be around and they pollute the environment too.
Portable battery generators have now become the norm because they literally have none of the drawbacks traditional generators do. They are quiet, portable, powerful and do not generate any fumes, hence no polluting the environment can even be used indoors. Finding a solar powered generator that fits your needs can be difficult. We all want the best solar generator, but it might be quite hard to make the best decision since there is a lot. Fear not because we got you covered; we have prepared a list of 10 portable generators to suit almost anyone’s needs. However, before that, these are the important factors to consider before making your selection.
Things to Consider When Buying A Portable Battery Generator
How Long Does It Last?
It is important to have a huge capacity battery that can last long. Also, it is best to choose ones with lithium batteries as they are usually light and last longer.
What Does It Come With?
The accompanied accessories are crucial to consider. Some portable battery generators have many accessories to accommodate different devices while others don’t. Some have all chargers included while those without can be bought later.
Ease of Use and Convenience
Because this is a portable device, it needs to be easy to use and set up. Look for devices with simple inputs and LED/LCD displays if possible for easy monitoring and operation. Also, look if they have carrying handles because those are really important for something labeled as portable.
Battery Charging Options
A good portable generator should have at least two charging options; solar and AC plug. However, three is best, allowing you to charge using other DC sources such as in your car. This affords you much more flexibility should the portable battery generator die.
Durability
Consider the build quality of the device (plastic or metal construction) and look into other customer reviews on Amazon or eBay. Also, a good portable battery generator should have BMS (battery management system) to prevent the batteries from wearing out prematurely or even exploding from overcharging. A good manufacturer warranty is extremely crucial.
Power
A good portable battery generator needs to be powerful enough to power the devices you require it to. If you are only powering small devices such as laptops and phones, it is no big deal. However, if you want to power AC equipment such as a small fridge, having a powerful pure sine wave inverter is very important.
Best Portable Battery Generator Reviews
Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power...
Goal Zero is without a doubt one of the most popular brands in the portable solar generators and accessories industry. Their products such as the Yeti 400 Lithium portable power station have been used to benchmark other portable generators which says a lot; it is one of their powerful and robust solar generators. The Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station measures in at 8 by 10.2 by 8 inches and only weighs 29 pounds making it easy for almost anyone to carry.
This device is well kitted starting with the 396Wh of energy capacity from a lithium battery. This makes the Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station capable of powering many DC devices such as phones at once at 12V and 33Ah output. Goal Zero fitted the Yeti 400 with the latest battery management technology to prevent premature failures in addition to keeping users safe; Lithium batteries can be quite dangerous!
The Yeti 400 features 300W continuous output with a surge capability of up to 600W from its pure sine wave inverter. This has two AC 110V outputs for your AC loads. These are not the only power outputs; the Yeti 400 has two 2.1A USB outputs and 120W ports to power 12VDC items. This portable battery generator also features three ways to charge it. To begin with, just Plug it into a wall socket and it will be full within 5 hours. With a solar panel, it will take longer to recharge at an estimated 8 hours and 13 hours from a car cigarette lighter charger. This device continues to impress, with the capability of using other Goal Zero Yeti to increase the run time.
For easy monitoring of the Goal Zero Yeti 400 portable battery solar generator, it features an LCD display that shows important information such as output of the generator in watts, charging input and the available battery capacity.
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SUAOKI Portable Power Station,...
The Suaoki Portable Solar Generator is also an industry favorite thanks to the 13,500mAh battery pack and modified sine wave inverter. This device also features small but quite handy features such as a flashlight. The Suaoki Portable Solar Generator is lightweight and small, allowing it to fit in a backpack making it extremely easy to move around with; carrying a generator on your hand can be quite tiring and uncomfortable. However, it retains a hide carrying handles should you wish to.
The Suaoki Portable Solar Generator is equipped with one AC socket that is grounded and another two-prong socket for powering your AC devices. It also has four USB sockets (QC 3.0 (1) USB port (up to 18W) and 5V/2.1A USB ports (3)), and four 12-volt coaxial sockets for your 12VDC needs. I was impressed to find electrical adapters and cords included, to ensure your vast electrical needs are catered for.
To protect the massive lithium battery, the SUAOKI portable generator has a Battery management system (BMS) that meets nationally recognized Safety Standards and obtained UL Certification for advanced battery management protocols to safeguard your digital devices.
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Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable Power Station
Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable...
The Goal Zero Yeti 1400Wh Lithium is the industry powerhouse. It can power up to 10 devices simultaneously, thanks to its massive 1400MAh lithium battery and an integrated pure sine wave inverter. For connections, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400Wh Lithium has two 120VAC outputs, with 60W USB-C power delivery ports for your mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones.
Their patented pure sine wave inverter has a continuous output rating of 1500W and a 3000W surge capacity. Interestingly, the inverter features a multi-stage surge protection that adapts to the AC devices plugged in for ultimate protection. This is a feature not many portable battery generators can boast of.
The Goal Zero Yeti 1400Wh Lithium portable power station can get charged from the wall outlet or through solar panels. The integrated PWM charge controller helps charge the lithium batteries quickly and efficiently through solar. The Goal Zero Yeti 1400 also features waterproof seals in the battery segment to prevent water damage while being used outdoors. There is also an advanced cooling system for temperature regulation because its huge inverter produces more heat.
One neat feature is its wi-fi capabilities. Thanks to this feature you can use the Goal zero Yeti App to control your device. For starters, you can monitor and control the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 lithium solar generator from your phone. Also, you can monitor power input and output conveniently from the palm of your hands. This device is a powerhouse and would be a great buy for anyone looking at a solar portable generator for heavy use cases.
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Suaoki Portable 400wh Solar Generator
SUAOKI 400Wh/120,000mAh Portable...
The Suaoki Portable 400wh Solar Generator is a lightweight but powerful battery generator, that can serve the needs of avid over landers or just as a simple backup in case the lights go out. It features a continuous 300W max output inverter that will surge up to 600W for those devices with motors such as a small fridge. This inverter is also a pure sine wave, which provides a clean energy for sensitive electronics.
The Suaoki Portable 400wh has two DC Ports in addition to four USB ports for your smartphones and cameras. It also features a cigarette lighter socket to power 12VDC devices or you can use it to jumpstart a gas car under 4L engine capacity.
This portable battery generator can be topped up via various means. You can use DC power from either a 12V or 24V car. There is also an AC power from home wall outlet option and finally, a solar power panel, allowing you to run for long in the wild or in the case of an extended blackout.
This portable battery generator also has a big LCD screen to show the status of charge and battery consumption figures. There are also LED lights to indicate if the device is charging or show any warning lights should there be an issue with the generator. The Suaoki Portable 400wh Solar Generator also features an Integrated BMS to monitor voltage, temperature, and current in order to protect the battery and lengthens its lifespan and efficiency. The Suaoki model is one of the best solar generators and would be a great buy for anyone looking at portable battery generators.
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Maxoak Bluetti EB150
MAXOAK Portable Power Station BLUETTI...
The MAXOAK BLUETTI EB150 Portable Power Station features a 1500Wh lithium ion battery pack, for you in case of a power failure or when exploring the outdoors. With the inbuilt inverter, it can run big power devices up to 1000W), making it more robust than other power stations on the market. BLUETTI EB150 Features 4 USB Outputs (Type-C Quick Charge (Max.45W)), Two AC Outlet, and Car Port allowing you to use the device for most use case scenarios. The device can be charged using two modes, either a wall plug or with solar. Unfortunately, there is no car plug for this one, which is a bummer, but at least it’s not AC only.
The MAXOAK BLUETTI EB150 Portable Power Station has an easy carry handle which makes it easy and convenient to transport. It also features an LCD display, which will show remaining power and battery status. The display is also backlit, enabling you to easily read under the sun or in dark conditions. It is great for camping, cottage trips, overlanding, or in the case of an outage.
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ECOFLOW River
EF ECOFLOW River Portable Power Station...
The Ecoflow River features a lightweight industrial design, while remaining powerful for heavy duty use. The EcoFlow RIVER can be charged in three ways (solar, car, AC outlet) and comes included with its AC, 12V car charger and solar input. It can be charged to full with a 50w solar charger in 10-15 hours. This makes this portable battery generator easy and convenient no matter where you are.
The Ecoflow River uses a 114Ah lithium-ion battery with 412Wh of capacity. It also has a pure sine wave inverter surge of 600 watts and 300 watts continuous output. The Ecoflow River also has a huge LCD display for battery life and charge status information. It will also display the amount of energy being put out with the device.
Charging your Gopro or a drone is light duty work for this beast. With its two dedicated USB Type-A and USB Type-C quick charge ports, you are guaranteed to fill up all your devices as quickly as they can take in the juice.
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Jackery Explorer 500
Sale
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer...
The Jackery Explorer 500 is currently their highest-capacity portable battery pack currently offered by the company. It features a 24ah lithium battery to power multiple devices simultaneously. Coupled to this is a PURE SINE WAVE inverter to power a variety of AC devices such as TVs, and small blenders among others. However, they must be rated under 500 watts with a surge 1000W because that is the maximum the inverter will handle. However, with this AC output, you can safely power critical light power appliances for short blackouts. However, the Jackery Explorer 500 is also great for use in the wild, such as on your overlanding trips. It features three USB ports for your mobile devices and a car port for devices that require it.
This portable battery generator is lightweight and easy to move around, thanks to a carrying handle. There is also a 5W LED flashlight which comes in very handy in dark conditions, if you forgot your torch, or there is a sudden blackout.
This device also features an LCD display for easy monitoring of the device’s battery at any given time. It also shows the output wattage and charge status of the device, ensuring you are always informed. It features three charging modes (solar energy, car, or AC outlet) allowing you to conveniently charge it with the available source. This comes in very handy while you are out exploring, as an AC wall outlet can be hard to find.
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Renogy Phoenix 210Wh Solar Suitcase
Renogy Phoenix 246.24Wh/150W Portable...
The Renogy Phoenix 210Wh Solar Suitcase is a portable solar power system that was specifically engineered for mobile, off-grid applications. It is extremely compact and lightweight despite featuring two Renogy 10W Monocrystalline Solar Panels. It also features a 17. 1Ah lithium battery, which Renogy made replaceable, potentially giving the Phoenix 210Wh Solar Suitcase limitless power.
The suitcase design makes the device extremely portable, making it ideal for almost any quick weekend trip, or emergency situations such as search and rescue. It can be used to power devices in motion. Renogy gave the Phoenix 210Wh a rugged construction, making it well suited for the adventurous traveler or the weekend warrior. It features a heavy-duty handle making it easy to transport.
The Renogy Phoenix 210Wh Solar Suitcase has both AC and DC outputs, making sure you will never be left stranded with any device as they can all be charged or operated with their own adapters or other ports on this portable battery solar generator.
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Anker Powerhouse
Anker Powerhouse, Compact 400Wh /...
Anker is a name that is known in the industry for its quality products. The compact Anker Powerhouse portable station is no different, and in our opinion, offers the perfect solution for people looking to go camping with their portable battery generator. It is very light and compact, allowing it to be easily moved around. The Anker Powerhouse features a 434Wh lithium battery for all your outdoor camping devices. With the Anker powerhouse, you can charge your smartphones, laptops, action cameras and slightly power-hungry devices like coolers or small electric stoves for the ultimate outdoor experience.
One of the downsides of the Anker powerhouse is that it is only rechargeable through a wall outlet. It takes 10 hours to fully recharge, so make sure you have the time to charge, preferably overnight or when away at work or school before a weekend trip. It can be used to charge many devices (up to 40) once it is full, so if it’s a couple weekend out or a small family, it can sustain you over the weekends. Whether you are in the great outdoors, or in your home, Anker made sure you will not run out of power and remain connected.
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COOLIS 150Wh
COOLIS 150Wh Portable Power Inverter...
The COOLIS 150Wh is one of the relatively affordable, portable solar generators on the market. Despite being cheap, it still features an LED screen to monitor the portable battery generator, and has a pre-applied film to protect it against any damages while it's out in the wild, making the COOLIS 150Wh perfect for the outdoors. It is also extremely light weight making it easy to move around.
The COOLIS 150Wh also features integrated with a BMS for maximum battery protection and utilization. With the BMS the device can protect itself against overcurrent while controlling the voltage and temperature for longevity and reliability.
The COOLIS 150Wh portable battery generator has a dual AC output rated at 110V but amazingly, it has a universal input to allow different types of devices from multiple regions such as the UK, China, and Europe to be connected. Most electric appliances nowadays can operate from 110-220v. This offers so much convenience for those of us who like to import accessories meant for other regions. In addition, there are also two USB outputs and triple DC output allowing the device to be used by many devices at a go.
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Conclusion
If you simply want a battery generator, any of the above options are great. However, if you want the best of the best, then the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Portable Power Station is the one. It offers so much capacity and functionality to satisfy avid campers, professionals who work remotely or someone who simply wants a beefy and robust portable battery generator. You may also check some of the best portable ozone generator at todaysgardener.com.