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
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