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These solar-powered portable power stations keep your batteries full during power outages and off-grid campouts. Standby Diesel Generators
These days, gas-powered generators aren’t the only option for charging on the go. Solar-powered generators—also called portable power stations—are a growing sector of the power market. I started using these a few years ago and was thrilled with having a clean, efficient charging system that don’t roar or burn through gas.
I spend summer and winter on minimalist backcountry trips, but my shoulder seasons are spent base-camping in warmer climates with my truck camping system, and I often work remotely from the road. Car camping, overlanding, glamping, and van-based remote work have grown in over the past several years, allowing more gear versatility. This often means battery-powered items, whether it’s a smartphone, computer, rechargeable lights, or even a powered cooler or fridge.
I’m primarily in the market for the smaller, more portable units. I keep a Goal Zero Yeti 200X in my car camping bin, and have used Jackery’s fast-charging Explorer 240 as a backup when power might be unreliable. I’m usually looking to keep my phone, headlamp, and headphones charged, but I’ve used power banks to heat water in an electric kettle, grind coffee, and power my laptop during remote work sessions.
My primary concerns are portability and convenience, which means I appreciate fast wall and solar charging, and since I always like to have a backup, I seek out units that don’t drain power in storage. Ease of use is also important—is the display easy to read? Does it make sense on the screen? Bonus points if I can tell how much power is available via a quick glance. In the past few years, these criteria have become easier to meet. There are now plenty of compact, affordable units that have better charging capabilities than before. Think of these as giant versions of battery power banks used to charge phones during travel or when outlets are scarce.
Most power stations can be charged in a wall outlet, a vehicle's 12-volt port, or with solar panels (often sold separately). Once the charging station is juiced up, you can charge battery-powered gadgets on the go, or keep lights running off-grid with the bigger models. Some of the more high-powered units can even run household appliances during a power outage. Each unit holds a certain capacity for charging devices, measured in watt hours, or WH.
In the future, I’d love to see the weight-to-power ratio continue to progress, with lighter, more portable units that don’t skimp on charging capabilities. I’m also somewhat surprised that we don’t see more advanced screen options on most units, with most currently only offering a fairly basic LCD readout. It gets the job done, but some of the readouts and stats can be confusing to toggle through.
For these picks, I took into consideration my own testing and consulting, and how these performed with charging capacities, ease of use, weight, and what different people might need them for.
Finally, “solar-powered” doesn’t mean you need the sun to charge these power stations. They all have the capability to charge with solar panels, but almost all of them can charge in an AC wall outlet or with a 12-volt vehicle port.
One of the main differences in these models is how much charging capacity they each have. Consider the electronics you plan to pack, and how much juice you’ll need for each one. This can also pertain to generators you keep at home for power outages.
For instance, running a refrigerator will take a lot more power than recharging your phone or powering your lights. Consider making a list of the items you’ll need to charge or power, and how much each one needs to run. From there, consider how much time you’ll be off grid, and how long the solar-powered generator will take to recharge once it is depleted.
This goes hand in hand with your needs. Once you figure out what you’ll be charging, you can start comparing capacities per full charge on each unit. The price goes up as the capacity increases, but most people heading out for an off-grid weekend will want at least around 40 amp-hours, or 500 watt-hours.
If you’re looking for a home-powering backup for power outages, look for a model with at least 100 amp-hours and I recommend 200 watts of solar panels for recharging. Keep in mind that solar panels are not usually included with the unit, and I recommend buying both at the same time for maximum efficiency in charging.
I listed the watt hours as “wh” in the specs for each model for easier comparison.
While weight and size don’t directly connect to the technicalities of power banks, they impact the convenience of each model. Many campers and overlanding setups have limited space, so the more compact models likely have a higher appeal as a result.
That said, most units weigh at least 10 pounds, and the weight and size increase quickly with greater capacities. Before purchasing, consider where you plan to store the power bank, and the space in your vehicle or camper where it will live while you’re on the road.
I’m a seasonal car camper. This means I take off for base-camping trips in spring and fall when the deeper wilderness is harder to access here in Montana. I’ve spent the last few seasons testing a variety of solar-powered generators to power my smaller items, like phones, headphones, small battery packs, speakers, headlamps, and sometimes my laptop. Since my car camping setup is low-tech (no portable fridge to be found), I’ve rarely needed anything bigger than 300WH, or the equivalent of about 25 phone charges. I have tested larger models for the express purpose of gear trials, however.
My testing ranged from a quick overnight to more than a week on the road, and included charging power banks in AC outlets, in the 12V outlet in my truck on road trips, and with solar panels. I compared charging capacity, weight, power input, and how easy each unit is to use and transport. For the ones I didn’t personally test, I talked to overlanding experts and car campers, looking for a range of models that will suit everyone from users with less charging needs (like myself) to people looking for a backup for household appliances and to power their camper appliances.
It’s all about compromise, which means balancing charging capacity with weight and price. The heavier models with lower charging capacities and longer recharge times didn’t make the cut, and I did my best to balance the criteria for a variety of models that suit different needs. Price typically doesn’t factor into my picks, though I did list a few smaller, more affordable models.
This is a fan favorite for car campers, remote workers, and overlanders. I used it on a media trip where we had to keep multiple camera batteries charged during a week-long outing. It has a max capacity of 1,002 watt-hours, which is lower than others on this list, but can actually power items for longer than some higher-capacity models. This won’t be your best bet for larger appliances, but it’s an ideal power station for smaller items and off-grid camping.
We charged our photographer’s camera batteries while we were charging the power bank on solar power (it was a very sunny winter day), which proved effective and efficient.
This model has eight ports, including two AC outlets, two USB-C ports, a 12-volt car port, and two standard USB-A outlets. It can charge a typical laptop eight times or power a small refrigerator or powered cooler for over 15 hours.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 can be charged with solar panels or a 12-volt outlet in your vehicle while you’re on the move, and we did both on our trip. It has fairly standard charging times, with 11.5 hours in a car outlet, 6.5 hours for solar panels, and just 5.5 hours to fully charge in a wall outlet. I did find this somewhat hard to use after dark, and had to use my phone flashlight to see the sides of the power bank that didn’t have lights. Otherwise, very few complaints.
This is the power bank I take on shorter trips where I’ll be working remotely, but won’t have 100% reliable access to power outlets. It weighs just 5 pounds and fits in my car camping bin, and I can also charge it using the 12V outlet in 8 hours, or halfway in just a few hours. It’s easy to plug in for drives between locations, and is also a solid backup to leave charged in a to-go bin in the chance you wind up somewhere without accessible power.
I use this for items like my phone, a small speaker, and headphones, but I’ve also powered my laptop on it for two full power cycles. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a portable, compact generator for charging phones, portable speakers, headlamps, cameras, and earbuds… basically anything where you won’t need to be powering an RV or refrigerator.
The Yeti 200X charges fully in 8 hours via the 12-volt car charging port, and I’ve charged it fully in 3 hours with solar panels on a sunny day. It only has four ports—a 12-volt outlet, an AC port, and two USB ports—but it will suffice for most quick needs. Keep an eye on the charging capacity after a few seasons. I have started to notice it diminish in the past year.
Most of my needs are for charging smaller items… I don’t own a camper or RV, and I don’t need to power a refrigerator out in the wild. It’s hard to say what’s more relevant for outdoors people, but for those who have low-maintenance car camping setups like myself, this 240WH power station is probably all you need.
This is reasonably priced, weighs just over 6.5 pounds, and is reliable for its cost. I’d recommend this for people heading out for an overnight or weekend but want to keep lower-powered devices charged. It’s also a great backup to leave stashed in a vehicle for emergencies, as it doesn’t take up too much space. I was surprised that you need to push the buttons to activate the charging (I had assumed I could just plug something into the port and it would start charging), but double-check that your gear (or the unit) is actually charging.
The handle is comfortable to carry, and since this is such a small power bank, the top handle is sufficient for moving it around. I’ve been able to fully charge this with the Jackery SolarSaga 60W solar panel in just under 5 hours, which is pretty rad for a power bank that can charge an iPhone 24 times.
The Explorer 240 can charge five devices at once, with a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and a 100-watt AC outlet. It’s one of the most portable on this list, and is also super convenient for fast charging for an overnight trip.
A relative newcomer to the larger solar-powered generator game, BioLite’s model weighs 26.5 pounds and has a sleek interface with easy-to-read metrics that let you know the charging status and available power at a glance. It also has a top-deck wireless charging pad that I used for charging my phone, which helped eliminate the tangle of cords when charging other small items.
This is a heavy unit, but it would feel clunkier to transport if it didn’t have in-cut side handles, and I secured it in my truck bed with one ratchet strap. The ventilation kicked in when I was powering more than one item, which helps prevent overheating… a good thing during desert car camping trips.
Like some of my other top picks, this has the integrated maximum power point tracker (MPPT) that optimizes charging and accelerates the process to a full charge. Just make sure to charge this well ahead of time if you’re charging it at home. It took a full overnight to fully charge.
This was the model I tested last year on extended off-grid camping trips, using it to charge phones, speakers, headphones, and a laptop, and also to power a small refrigerator during the testing period in a friend’s setup. It charges via a 100-watt solar panel in just 4 hours with good conditions, and also can be fully charged in an AC outlet or the car’s 12-volt port, though it will be quite a bit slower.
BioLite also makes a weekend-optimized version of this model, with 622 watt-hours and a low weight of 13 pounds. I haven’t tested this smaller model, but it’s gotten good feedback for efficient charging from people in my outdoors group.
For extended trips, in-home outages, or big items, this high-powered generator is a reliable option. My parents had this (and I’ve used it at their house) before they got a home generator, and it was helpful to power their refrigerator and freezer during extended power outages in New England winters. Like the BioLite generator, the Bluetti EB240 has a MPPT built in, which helps optimize energy flow between the solar panels and the generator. This allows it to charge to full capacity in less than 10 hours with good conditions, pretty incredible for such a large-capacity model.
The unit is capable of accepting a 500-watt input, which is higher than other units and helps get the station charged faster. It can be fully charged via a car’s 12-volt outlet, a wall outlet, or through solar panels.
I recommend this (heavy!) model for longer road trips and as a backup for home emergencies, as it’s strong enough to power a refrigerator during a power outage. I’d love to see a better charging unit for the wall outlet, as this one is the same as the lower-powered Bluetti model with 1500 watt hours, and it does take upwards of 12 hours to charge in a wall outlet.
Optimized for campers who spend extended periods of time off-grid, this high-powered generator has a 600-watt input, allowing it to fully charge in just a few hours with the right equipment. This model will run a full camper or serve as a reliable backup for home power, and the simple interface and charging adapters add to its appeal.
I love the adaptability of this unit, which comes with additional add-ons like the Home Integration Kit, which allows people to hook it up to an in-house circuit breaker. It also has something the brand calls the “Expansion Module,” which gives it the ability to charge it via your vehicle’s alternator on the road. This is a solid all-around pick for anyone who doesn’t want to be caught off-guard with power needs and wants a few ways to make sure the power bank stays charged.
This is one of the best-selling power stations on the market, with enough juice to run a full-size fridge for more than 28 hours and charge a smartphone 127 times. It has over 1,500 watt-hours of capacity, making it a stellar option for running a camper. It can be recharged in anywhere from six to 14 hours in a wall charger, depending on what gear you have.
This model comes with a few different options for solar panels—just be sure to read the specs and charging time before deciding which one to get. The Goal Zero’s 100-watt solar panel takes roughly 18 to 36 hours to recharge the power station, depending on conditions.
Falling right in the sweet spot of weight, this power bank is lighter for its power than the Yeti 1500X, and it stays secure when strapped down in a moving vehicle or camper. The EcoFlow Delta has the most ports (13!) out of any power station on this list, which means more charging efficiency and easier tracking of charge drain, perfect if you need to power and charge several devices in a short amount of time.
This is a beefy generator. With 1,800 watts of total output and over 1,200 watt hours, this is powerful enough to charge anything you would bring overlanding or camping. It can even power up an electric vehicle if you get stuck with no charging station in sight.
Despite the larger capacity, this model can be charged with four 100-watt solar panels in just 4 hours with optimum conditions, and 8 hours in most conditions—which I find impressively fast for a power station of this size. It charges fast in a standard wall AC outlet as well, going from zero to 80-percent in just an hour. This is on the heavier side, but with that much power and so many charging options, it can be worth it for a one-and-done power setup.
Goal Zero has a stronghold on the power bank market, and for good reason. It has charging stations available in a range of sizes and capacities, and the Yeti 500X is the perfect middle ground for weekends off grid. This is a good compromise between an overnight power bank and a prohibitively heavy unit, and it works seamlessly with the brand’s solar panels, which come in a variety of powering capabilities. I love easy-access info, so I’m a fan of the built-in solar-charge controller, which makes tracking and charging easy.
Like the EcoFlow Delta, this unit comes with an inverter to power standard household appliances (though it doesn’t quite have the optimal power), but it can recharge a smartphone over 40 times, and a laptop 10 times on one charge. The people who I chatted with that use this have powered a portable mini-fridge, but it drains the battery fairly quickly, and I’d recommend it for smaller items or on an emergency basis for larger devices, not as a primary source.
As far as charging the actual power bank goes, it can be fully charged on a Boulder 100 panel in 6 to 12 hours, depending on conditions, but it will charge faster in a car’s 12-volt outlet. This is an update to tester Bryan Rogala’s favorite Goal Zero’s Yeti 400 Lithium, which he used to charge and power small devices like rechargeable lights, his phone, and a camera.
What are your priorities when choosing a solar-powered generator?
I am a low-maintenance camper, and most of my background is in lightweight backcountry travel. That means I prioritize space-saving and ease-of-use, so my go-to power banks have between 250 to 600 watt hours, and weigh less than 15 pounds.
This is perfect for a weekend trip, with the on-the-go (car or solar) charging capabilities to put my mind at ease for longer trips. Mostly I’m charging small items, so one charge lasts a long time. However, plenty of people in the van-life and remote-work world are powering their RVs and vans, and relying on multiple laptop charges. For that, I’d recommend one of the larger units.
What can a solar-powered generator charge and power?
A solar-powered generator can charge and run almost anything that requires power—it just depends on the capacity. These generators can charge power tools in the shop, laptops for remote work, and personal devices like bluetooth headphones and speakers.
A solar-powered generator with a higher power capacity can even power household appliances in the event of a power outage. And the fact that these are solar-compatible means you aren’t reliant on the electrical grid to recharge them.
What is the best way to charge a generator?
Every unit on our list has multiple charging options, including wall (AC outlet), car (12-volt), and solar. Each input method charges your unit at a different speed, and solar also depends on the conditions.
I try to charge up my power banks whenever I can, so I’m never caught off guard trying to leave on a trip with a dying power bank. If this happens (which it has), I’ll charge it in my vehicle's 12-volt port while I’m driving, though this is often slower than solar or a wall unit.
Solar power is the most sustainable and typically fastest way to power these— just be sure you have enough wattage in the solar panels to make it effective. I recommend keeping the generator stored with at least an 80 percent charge, and unplug them once they’re fully charged—keeping them plugged in longer than necessary can degrade the battery.
Most units will have a simple readout display showing the remaining battery charge, and it’s a good practice not to allow your battery pack to get below 20 percent.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
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