As the weather cools down and the days turn shorter, now's the time to prepare for the colder months ahead. While you're at it, you should prepare for winter-storm induced power outages by picking up a solar generator that can keep your essentials running even when the grid goes down.
Our top-tested pick is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus. When paired with the Jackery Solar Saga 200 panels, our favorite portable solar panels, it delivers impressive power and portability, storing more charge in less time than many rivals. It's lighter too, making it easier to move around your home or take on the road. Eyeing something different? There are plenty of great alternatives. EcoFlow's latest solar generators are another solid choice, offering strong performance and plenty of capacity for both home use and outdoor set ups.
And right now, you can snag an excellent deal on many of the top solar generators and accessories. October Prime Day is about to kick off, and CNET's shopping experts are rounding up the best Prime Day discounts across top-rated brands so you can save big while preparing for the season ahead.
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All the solar generators on this list have been undergone empirical testing at CNET's lab to ensure that they deliver dependable performancee when you need it most. Whether you want something compact for camping or a larger unit for emergency home backup, these solar generators deliver the goods.
The 5 best solar generators of 2025
CNET Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Best overall and fastest charging solar generator The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a fast-charging portable power station that can be bundled with SolarSaga 200W panels for recharging off-grid. It replaces its predecessor, the Solar Generator 2000 Pro, which is generally unavailable these days offering much of the same capabilities and features. In testing, it hit 100% charge using AC power from a wall outlet in just less than 2 hours -- about twice as fast as the other large solar generators we tested. Jackery says the generator can charge with solar in 2 hours with six of its SolarSaga solar panels (a total cost of more than $6,000 without discounts). It can be expanded to a 6,000-watt capacity with additional batteries (an additional $1,599 at MSRP) and can be paired with a transfer switch (an extra $399) for a whole-home power backup solution. Our lab tests showed that the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus (the power station part of this generator) uses about 88% of its stated capacity of 2,160 watt-hours. That's about average for the industry. The Jackery SolarSaga 200 (the solar panel part of the generator) has an impressive 24.3% efficiency rating and a capacity of 200 watts. The solar generator can be charged with a maximum solar input of 1,400 watts. It has a simple yet informative display and weighs 61.5 pounds, making it lighter than many similarly sized competitors. It has the features you expect from a solar generator -- two outlets for USB-A, two USB-C, four AC plugs and a 25A AC output and 12-volt car ports. The warranty is nothing to scoff at, with a three-year standard warranty and an automatic two-year extended warranty if you purchase directly from Jackery. $1,959 at Best Buy $1,999 at B&H Photo-Video
Steve Conaway/CNET Bluetti EB3A with PV200 solar panels Best small solar generator Once again, my pick for the best small solar generator is the one that charges the fastest. In this case, the Bluetti EB3A was three times faster than similarly sized generators in our wall charging test, reaching a full charge in just 81 minutes. Bluetti's stated recharge times from solar are at least twice as fast as many similar units. It has an easy-to-read display that moves beyond just the basics such as overall charge and tells you how much power is flowing in and out and with which outputs you have turned on. (Other smaller units typically have more limited displays.) Bluetti's PV200 portable solar panel offers up to 23.4% efficiency. Under ideal conditions, the solar panel can recharge the generator in less than 2 hours. The PV200's charging capacity of 200 watts is the EB3A's maximum solar input. Combined with AC charging from your wall, the charging capacity reaches 430 watts, and the generator can recharge in as little as 1.2 hours. CNET's tests found that the EB3A used less of its battery than the Jackery Solar Generator 240. It starts with a larger battery, though, so its usable capacity is actually a bit higher. Its base price is just a bit higher, but the clear, informative display and powerful panel make up for it. $598 at Bluetti Power
Steve Conaway/James Martin/CNET Oupes 600W Solar Generator Kit Best value solar generator (Currently out of stock) With a stated battery capacity of 595 watt-hours and a 100-watt solar panel, the Oupes 600-watt Solar Generator Kit is a great value at its current discount price on Amazon. Even considering that our tests showed that closer to 83% of that capacity is usable (which is in line with industry averages), you're still getting close to one watt per dollar spent. The Oupes also boasts one of my favorite displays for ease of reading and all the ports you're looking for (USB-A, USB-C, 12-volt car charger and AC wall outlet). The Oupes charges a bit slower than others and its 100-watt solar panel has a 20% efficiency rating, slightly below others we tested. If fast solar charging is what you're after, this Oupes isn't for you. It can connect only one panel at a time. Still, for its cost, it's a great value. $498 at Amazon $448 at Oupes
Fossibot/CNET Fossibot F3600 Pro with SP420 Solar Panel Best solar generator with high power solar panels The Fossibot F3600 Pro offers a compelling solar generator solution for those seeking an extra-large portable power station. Its substantial 3,840Wh capacity provides ample power for home backup, putting it in the same size category as the Anker Solix F3800, our current best extra-large portable power station. The Fossibot stands out with an 89% measured capacity versus 79% on the Solix. Given the size, the charging speed is relatively fast, with the power station charging to full in less than 3 hours. Speaking of charging, the F3600 Pro can be paired with a 420W solar panel for recharging, which is one of the highest-power portable solar panels we've seen. The panel has a 23.4% power efficiency and you can buy between one and four additional panels as a bundle with the Fossibot F3600. It can also be paired with up to two expansion batteries, giving you a potential total capacity of 11.52Wh. The unit features a range of USB-A, USB-C, AC and DC ports, allowing simultaneous powering of up to 15 devices with a maximum output of 3600W. UPS functionality is built in, with a 10-millisecond switchover, making it a reasonable way to back up home appliances that aren't too sensitive, such as a computer. It supports app monitoring with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Price is another big selling point. The portable power station and the solar panel go on frequent sales. Currently, you can get a bundle that includes an F3600 Pro and two SP420 solar panels for $3,099 (MSRP $4,989), 38% off its full price. It can also be paired with a coupon code for additional savings. $1,299 at Fossibot
Grecell T-1000 Solar with 200W Solar Panels Best midsized solar generator The Grecell T-1000 is a capable midsized solar generator with an 888 watt-hour battery. We tested it to a 86% measured usable capacity. That's pretty solid overall and it'll charge to full in just shy of 7 hours, which isn't the fastest we've seen but falls in the middle of the pack with the competition. It can charge up to 10 devices at the same time and can pair with 200W solar panels so you can keep it running off-grid. The 200W portable solar panel (an additional $399) has a 23.5% efficiency rating, just shy of the 200W Jackery Solar Saga. The portable power station part supports pure sine wave to help you charge more sensitive electronics and appliances. It's well equipped with outlets: two AC outlets, one USB-C PD port, three USB-A ports, two DC outputs, one car outlet and a wireless charging pad on top, which is a nice feature we like to see on portable power stations. At just 18 pounds, the T-1000 is the cheapest power station in its immediate weight class and even without sales it's 40% cheaper than its immediate competitors. It's currently available for $230 off with a coupon, bringing the price down to $469. Both the portable power station and solar panel come with a 24-month warranty.
$580 at Amazon
Factors to consider when choosing a solar generator
For a relatively new product, there are a lot of solar generators on the market. Instead of getting overwhelmed by options, focus on a few key specifications of the products and compare from there.
Capacity
Perhaps the most obvious consideration is the capacity of the portable power station and the solar panels. The power station's capacity measures how much energy you can store, while the solar panels' capacity measures how much solar energy you can funnel into the battery at one time. Another measure of capacity you'll want to note is how many solar panels you can plug into the portable power station at once. Some power stations are limited to one panel at a time, while others allow you to plug in multiple panels or daisy-chain them together. The greater the capacity, the more devices you can run for longer, but the weight and cost of the whole setup will increase as well.
Cost
As with most other purchases, you'll likely consider the cost. It can get a bit tricky to compare costs across solar generators because they come in different sizes and configurations. Some comparisons can be fairly easy: You can compare costs for different-sized power stations or solar panels (all else being equal) by calculating how many dollars per watt you're spending. In other instances, it might come down to personal preference: How much more are you willing to pay for a power station that charges two hours faster than a competitor? How much would you pay to be able to attach two, four or six solar panels instead of one?
Output
Not only can portable power stations store different amounts of energy but they can also push out different amounts of energy. If you want to use your solar generator to run a specific device, make sure its output can meet the energy requirements of that device. For example, if you need to run a device that draws 120 watts of electricity, but your power station can provide only 100, you'll need a bigger power station.
Also, be on the lookout for surge output. Devices that have motors often require extra electricity to start up. If you'll need to back up a fridge or run a power tool, for example, make sure that your power station can meet the surge requirements, too.
Weight
Solar generators don't have to be portable, but many are designed to be. A solar generator is only as portable as your ability to move it. If you're going to be schlepping it around a worksite every day, or just moving it every once in a while while you're camping, weight may be more or less important to you.
How we test solar generators
Testing for solar generators in the CNET lab takes place in two stages: One for the portable power station portion and one for the solar panels. Here's how we test each.
Power station battery capacity
For the battery capacity test, we start with a fully charged battery. Then we plug lights into the fully charged battery and turn them on. We measure the amount of energy the lights are drawing and time how long they take to drain the battery.
Here's why that's important: The stated capacity of a battery isn't always the same as the battery's usable capacity. If a solar generator has a stated capacity of 100 watt-hours and you plug in a lightbulb that draws 20 watts, you can expect it to run for 5 hours (20 watts times 5 hours equals 100 watt-hours). If the battery runs out in 4 hours, its actual capacity is 80 watt-hours or 80% of its stated capacity. The usable capacity is the amount of energy storage you actually get.
Power station charge time
There is a surprising diversity of charge times across solar generators. We measure the time it takes to charge from empty to 50%, from 50% to 80% and then from 80% to full. Many manufacturers will tout the speed that you can charge their solar generators to 80%. That's because 80% is a significant portion of the battery, and the last bit of the battery takes longer to charge.
Portable solar panels
At CNET we rely on hands-on tests and empirical data as much as possible, but the solar panel portion of a solar generator is more difficult to pull off in a lab setting. Instead, for the solar panel portion, we had to rely on the specifications each company published about its solar panels, paying special attention to the efficiency rating, durability and warranty period.
Read more: Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out our list of best portable solar panels and solar batteries.
Other solar generators we tested
Bluetti AC200P: The AC200P was in a dead heat for the best large (and best overall) solar generator. It tops CNET's best list for portable power stations. It has an impressive battery usage -- using 95% of its 2,000-watt-hour capacity -- and a respectable charging time. It also has the most detailed display, which might be more than the average user needs. It holds a ton of energy and can provide a slightly higher surge output than my pick, the Jackery 2000 Pro. Ultimately, I chose the Jackery for its faster solar charge time and lighter weight.
Anker 757 Solar Generator Currently out of stock): The Anker 757 was considered for a top spot on our best list and would be a good choice. It charges speedily from the wall, filling its 1,229-watt-hour capacity in a brief 88 minutes and can accommodate 300 watts of solar charging. Its usable battery capacity was right in line with industry averages, and its solar panels (the same that come with the Anker 555) are efficient too.
Rockpals 300W Power Station and 100W Solar Panel (currently unavailable): This solar generator performed just fine in our tests. It was the fastest charging of the rest in its smaller size category (though much slower than our favorite, Bluetti's EB3A). Rockpals is very reasonably priced and, depending on discounts, could rival our value pick. Its look is a little different from others too, with more pronounced grills, if that's a factor in your decision-making.
BioLite BaseCharge Solar Generator 1500: The BioLite BaseCharge 1500 solar generator combines Biolite's BaseCharge 1500 power station and Solar Panel 100. The 1,521-watt-hour power station uses a bit more than average of its battery capacity, includes an informative and easy-to-read display and was one of only three that we tested to feature wireless charging. In our wall charge test, it took more than twice as long to charge as the Bluetti AC200P and six times as long as the Jackery 2000 Pro. That said, the solar panel is one of the lightest of its size. You get a very respectable 10.53 watts for every pound of solar panel. You can buy a solar generator with one, two or four panels.
Bluetti EB55+ with PV120 Solar Panel: This solar generator was my solid second choice in the midsize category. It had the second-fastest charging time (although it was still twice as long as the EcoFlow Delta Mini) and a usable battery capacity slightly below average (81% of its 537 watt-hours), according to our tests. Paired with a 120-watt solar panel with an efficiency rating of up to 23.4%, it's a good option.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro: Jackery already has two entries on our best list, and the Solar Generator 1000 Pro is another solid offering. With good charge times and efficient solar panels (24.3%), there's a lot to like. With four SolarSaga 200 panels, it can charge as fast from the sun as from a wall: 1.8 hours. Read CNET's Brian Cooley's firsthand account.
Geneverse HomePower Pro Solar Generator: This sleek offering from Geneverse (until recently, Generark), is one of the faster chargers CNET tested, needing just 120 minutes to fill its 1,200-watt-hour capacity. It can also take up to 800 watts of solar charging, which means it'll charge from the sun faster than many on this list as well. Geneverse solar panels have efficiency ratings north of 23%. The HomePower Pro is a solid offering. The Jackery 2000 beat it out in the large category because of its larger battery and solar charging capacity but could be a better fit depending on your needs.
BioLite BaseCharge Solar Generator 600(Currently out of stock): BioLite's smaller model has some really nice features, including a thorough and easy-to-read display, and it was one of only three that we tested to have wireless charging. Hands-on, it was lighter and noticeably easier to move around than some other models. The 662-watt-hour power station charged slower than its similarly sized competitors (426 minutes from the wall), but it was more competitive than the larger BaseCharge 1500 in that respect.
Anker 555 Solar Generator(Currently out of stock): This solar generator from Anker had one of the most impressive usable battery capacity numbers of everything we tested, at 94% of its 1,024-watt-hour capacity, but a slower charge time of 361 minutes. For its size, it's chock full of ports, including three for USB-C. The package includes two 100-watt solar panels (with efficiency ratings of up to 23%), which also matches its maximum solar input.
Yeti 200X + Nomad 50 Solar Generator (currently unavailable): This small option from Goal Zero has had lower-than-average usable battery capacity (65% of its 187 watt-hours) and was one of the slower chargers (though not as slow as the Jackery 240). The power station is remarkably light, although the Nomad 50 solar panel (50 watts) is a bit heavier (and pricier) per watt than others on the list.
EcoFlow Delta Mini (Out of stock): Once our top pick for the best midsize solar generator, the Delta Mini is now sadly out of stock. When we tested it, we liked its 882 Wh battery which was capable of powering small appliances, with up to 300 watts of add-on solar charging capacity. It also came with five AC outlets, two USB-A ports, a USB-A fast charging port, a USB-C outlet and a 12.6-volt car power outlet, all while weighing 23.6 pounds.
What's new with the solar generator industry right now
IFA 2025 brought with it several useful innovations to the solar generator category. For example, Bluetti introduced a Sodium-ion battery based portable power station that can with stand extreme cold. This can come in particularly handy if you live in the northern regions of the country where winter storms can disrupt the grid, or enjoy some deep winter camping. Similarly, Jackery's updated Explorer 500 range packs the same 512Wh capacity into an even smaller form factor for convenient camping portability. We expect both these innovations to percolate across manufacturers and price bands over the coming year.