GoKawiilThis is such a handy little gadget for outdoorsy folks. It has a 288 Wh battery (that can deliver up to 300 watts), and most helpfully, a handy pop-up lantern that makes it ideal for hiking and camping. It can fast-charge all your devices, too, including phones, laptops, headphones, and cameras. The included XT60 port has a maximum solar input of 100 watts and can fully charge in around three or four hours. If you plan on hiking with it, consider the 60-W panel bundle ($299), as it folds down very small.
From power cuts to camping trips, I’ve used this solar generator more than any other and have tested it with a wide variety of different solar panels. It has an XT60 port with a maximum solar input of 600 watts and can charge in under two hours. The design is solid and durable, weighing in just under 30 pounds, and I find it relatively easy to lug around using the two strong handles. It offers a 1,024-watt-hour capacity and can deliver 2,000 watts (3,000-W surge).
If you need more power, Anker offers a wide range, including the expandable Anker Solix F3000 with 400-W solar panel ($2,000).
EcoFlow Solar Generators
Another manufacturer that offers a wide range of solar generators, EcoFlow’s power stations stand out on charging speed and can often be charged more quickly than competitors in the right circumstances. They also tend to feature robust build quality, generous port options, and easy expandability.
Photograph: Simon Hill Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Ecoflow Delta 3 Plus $899 $699 (22% off) Amazon
This stylish, compact design has the screen and ports at one end. It offers 1,024 watt-hours, can consistently provide 1,800 watts, with a 2,600-W surge mode. I’m highlighting this model because of the two solar ports (XT60i) for faster solar charging up to 1,000 watts (500-W apiece). It can also charge from an outlet in an hour, has lots of ports (6 x AC, 1 x Car, 2 x USB-A, 2 x USB-C, 2 x DC5521), and can pull UPS duty with an impressive 10-millisecond response time. The only drawback I encountered was the fan noise. It wasn't overly loud, but I found that it kicked in very frequently even under a low load.
If you can get by with something smaller, the 768 watt-hour River 2 Pro is even more portable and has an XT60 port, but the maximum input is 220 watts. It’s a nice size, with a big handle along the back, and can put out 800 watts (1,600-W surge). You can also buy it bundled with a 160-W solar panel ($569).
EcoFlow’s Delta range includes a ton of different capacities and designs bundled with various solar panel configurations.
Other Good Solar Generators I’ve Tried
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