If you appreciate using solar energy and you are always on the go, you might want to consider a portable solar generator. Whether you are camping, in an RV, or looking to power your speakers for an event, portable solar generators are a way to be eco-friendly and to save on energy expenses.
Simply put, they are portable devices with panels that use solar light to produce usable energy. Instead of being mounted on a roof, they come in a neat little package that is fairly portable. Let’s figure out what you need to look for when buying a portable solar generator. We also have 5 options for you to look at in this article.
Top 5 Portable Solar Generators
Portable Solar Generator Buyer’s Guide
There are a few different things that you will want to look for before settling down with one specific portable solar generator. Let’s talk about the most important features and considerations to keep in mind right now.
Battery Capacity and Power
Probably the most important thing to look for when buying a portable solar generator is how much power the battery can store and what its maximum power rating is. All of the models that we will look at below have a power rating between 30,000 and 60,000 mAh.
Not to get too technical here, in simplest terms, the higher the number is, the more energy you will have available for use. Some of these portable solar generators put out as little as 100 watts, with others putting out around 300 watts or more; it really depends what you need it for. If you plan on powering televisions and other appliances, you are going to need a lot more power than for simple phone or tablet charging. In other words, knowing what type of devices you want to hook up and what their power requirements are is important to keep in mind.
Power Output Options
The next thing that you want to pay attention to when you are purchasing a portable solar generator is what the connectivity options are. In other words, what kinds of devices and cables can it handle? The best portable solar generators will feature multiple AC, DC, and USB outlets too. AC outlets are used for powering devices like television, small fridges, small lights and other such appliances.
The DC and USB outlets are usually best for charging and powering smaller devices like flashlights, phones, tablets, and other such things. You need to figure out what the portable solar generator in question comes with and weigh those features against your needs. Some of these items do not come with AC outlets, but most are compatible if you buy the right accessories. Just make sure you know what kind of devices you want to hook up to your portable solar generator before buying one that might not suit your needs.
Size and Weight
Since the whole point of buying a solar generator is to provide you with energy that is highly portable, you want to take a closer look at the size and the weight of the specific model. The portable generators we have discussed below are all below one foot wide and tall, and they all weigh under 6 pounds.
You want to consider what you will need the generator for and what your own spatial requirements are. To be quite honest, the difference between 3 and 6 pounds is not huge, and there are other more important factors to keep in mind.
Safety Features
You also want to get a solar generator that has a few key safety features. Yes, these things have been improved and built to last, but things can and do go wrong, so having an array of safety features is a pretty big deal.
For one, you want to get a portable solar generator that has overload protection and overcharge protection. This will help stop you from overloading the unit itself and it will stop the unit from overcharging your devices. You should also look for a model that has surge and short circuit protection, as both of those events can do some serious damage to these items.
Solar Rechargeable
One thing that we want to make very clear here is that the various portable solar generators we have reviewed below are all power stations; they are not actually generators per se – they are more or less really big batteries. However, they do all have the ability to be charged with solar energy. With that being said, solar panels usually never come included with the power station, as is the case with all 5 of the solar power stations that we will review below.
Check this post if you are looking for affordable solar panels that will convert your standalone power station into a powerful solar generator kit.
Portable Solar Generator Reviews
1. Webetop 155Wh 42000mAh Portable Generator
This little guy comes in at 7.67 x 6.73 x 3.54 inches, making it one of the smallest portable solar generators on the market today. This unit weighs only 3.5 pounds, also making it one of the lightest options you can go with; this makes it very convenient and versatile as you can fit it pretty much anywhere. Transporting the Webetop Portable Solar Generator is about as easy as it gets thanks to its small size.
The Webetop Portable Solar Generator has a power generation capacity of 42000 mAh, which makes it quite powerful and efficient considering its small size. While you cannot power a whole household, or even one very large appliance like a big fridge, it is a good backup power source for various needs.
One thing that can be said about the Webetop Portable Solar Generator is that it provides you with many different options in terms of powering and charging a wide variety of devices and smaller appliances.
For one, the Webetop Portable Solar Generator comes with many different high-power AC, USB, and 12V DC power outlets for a variety of needs. You can use the dual AC outlets for things like air fans, laptops, Christmas lights, and more. You can use one of the 3 DC power ports for things like car vacuums, mini fridges, car chargers, and such. You also get a car cigarette lighter cable. Also, you can use the USB ports for phones, tablets, cameras, MP3 players, and other small electronic devices.
We like the Webetop Portable Solar Generator because it is very easy to recharge. The solar panels used here are quite efficient, and with peak sunlight, they can produce a fair amount of power. If you leave this unit sitting in the sun, it can fully charge itself in 5 to 8 hours, depending on the strength of the sun.
Just in case there is not much sun where you are, the Webetop Portable Solar Generator can also be charged using a wall outlet or even with your car. It’s nice to know that it can be charged even if there is no sun to speak of. One thing to keep in mind is that the solar panel is not actually included with the generator, so you will need to buy it separately.
Another cool feature is that the Webetop Portable Solar Generator comes with a built in LED flashlight that is very bright and far reaching. The integrated flashlight can last for up to 125 hours on a single charge. The Webetop Portable Solar Generator uses a special battery management system to make sure that it stays in tip top shape for years to come. It comes with surge and over-charge protection, low battery protection, over-temperature protection, and other important safety features.
Features
- Compact and light
- Battery indicator with 1 AC output, 3 USB 5V 2.1A output and 3 DC 12V output
- Three ways of recharging: wall outlet, solar panel and car charger
- Come with bonus cigarette light adapter
- Built-in LED flashlight with blink mode
- Excellent customer service
- Come with all necessary power adapters
- Small enough to carry with backpack
- Buzzing noise due to impure sine wave
- Only 12 months of warranty
2. SUAOKI Portable Power Station 150Wh Quiet Gas Free Solar Generator
It can be charged in various ways. First off, it can be charged with the solar panel, which is the best way of doing it. The solar panel, when sitting in strong sunlight, can charge the unit in just a few hours. However, just like the first portable solar generator we looked at, the SUAOKI Portable Power Station does not come with the solar panel included; you do need to buy the solar panel separately.
Next, you can charge this particular generator by plugging it into a wall outlet, which should take around 8 hours. Finally, the SUAOKI Portable Power Station can also be charged by plugging into your car’s 12V socket. Being able to charge this unit in various ways is a bonus.
It has an energy production capacity of. 150Wh (3.7V 40500 mAh/11.1V 13500 mAh). In other words, it can produce about 100 watts of power, with peak power performance being around 150 watts. While it is not the most powerful solar generator on the market today, it works just fine for smaller items.
SUAOKI Portable Power Station comes with 3 different forms of power outlets for all of your needs. First off, it comes with dual AC outlets with 150 watt peak performance, which is great for Christmas lights, camping stoves, laptops, and many other things. The SUAOKI Portable Power Station also features 4 DC ports for things that need to be recharged. It also comes with various USB ports that you can use to charge and power various devices. Versatility is a big bonus that you get with the SUAOKI Portable Power Station.
It is very silent, which is also something that we can appreciate. It also comes with several safety features to keep both you and it in top condition. It comes with a BMS or battery management system that helps to protect from surges, overcharging, overheating, and other such events. All in all, we think that the SUAOKI Portable Power Station is one of the best options on the market today. We also like the 18 month warranty that comes with this particular portable solar generator.
Features
- On-the-Go Power Source: 150Wh (3.7V 40500mAh/11.1V 13500mAh)
- Triple Outputs: (2x) AC outlet; (4x) DC ports; (4x) USB ports )
- Triple Input Modes: (1)Solar panel; (2) Wall outlet; (3) Car 12V socket
- Come with bonus cigarette lighter adapter for recharging
- Come with 18 months warranty
- Affordable price
- Plenty of DC and USB output ports
- Super compact and lightweight
- Buzzing noise due to modified sine wave
- Main power cord is only 3 feet long
3. imuto 182Wh/50000mAh Portable Generator Power Source Station
Although you can use solar panels to charge this unit fairly quickly, once again, the panels are not included with the imuto Portable Solar Generator; the solar panels need to be bought separately. This article is all about portable solar generators, so we obviously recommend purchasing compatible solar panels with which to charge this power station.
The imuto 36W(SOL-P36)/60W (SOL-P60) Solar Charger is probably your best option of solar panel to go with to charge the imuto Portable Solar Generator. With that being said, the imuto Portable Solar Generator can also be charged using a standard AC wall outlet or with a 12V to 14V car socket charger.
Being able to charge it in multiple ways is something that we always look for in a good portable solar generator and power station. It’s a good option to go with because you can produce and store energy without any noise or fumes. Being eco-friendly and producing no noise are both things which we appreciate.
It does come with many different outlet types including 1 fast input DC 12-24V outlet, 4 DC outputs (2x12V/5A, 1x19V/4A, 1×9-12.6V/15A ), 3 USB outputs (5V/2.4A), and 1 QC 3.0 USB output. In other words, you can charge phones, tablets, other electronic devices, and more, all with the imuto Portable Solar Generator.
A single full charge of this particular generator can charge a new MacBook close to 4 times and it can charge a new smartphone anywhere from 7 to 10 times with a single charge. The only issue we found is that it doesn’t support “pass-through” charging which means that you can’t charge your cell phone while it’s being recharging by your 12V car socket.
What is also quite impressive is that the imuto Portable Solar Generator is so small, especially considering how much power it can produce. It is lightweight, small, and highly portable, plus it even comes with a nice carrying handle. To make sure that it stays in one piece for a long time, it also comes with a battery management system to stop overcharging, overheating, and other such problems.
Features
- Compact portable charger of 50,000mAh @3.7V (16,750mAh @10.9V)
- Triple Input Modes: (1)Solar panel; (2) Wall outlet; (3) Car 12V socket
- Automatically enter standby mode if not used
- Built-in bright LED flashlight with SOS mode
- Equipped with European power adapter
- Super compact and sleek design
- Equipped with 10 DC adapter plugs
- No AC output port
- 110V AC inverter is not included
- Pass-through charging is not supported
4. NusGear Portable Power Station 155Wh Solar Generator
It comes with many different power output options for a wide array of power and charging needs. For one, it comes with a 110V AC power outlet. This is perfect for things like laptops, phones, small lights, and small appliances like mining fridges too. Heck, this thing can even power a 32 inch LCD television for about 3 hours, which is very impressive as far as we are concerned.
Moreover, the NusGear Portable Power Station also comes with 4 DC power outlets of 12V, which is great for charging various devices, as are the 4 integrated USB ports. All in all, when it comes to charging and powering devices, this thing is one of the best options that you could go with at this particular time.
It can power a standard laptop for up to 5 hours and it can charge a new iPhone over 18 times. What is pretty neat is that the NusGear Portable Power Station also comes with an integrated flashlight with a super-long battery life.
Although the NusGear Portable Power Station is a little bigger and heavier than the other portable solar generators we have looked at, it is still not too bad; it qualifies as being portable. It comes in at 9.1 x 4.3 x 5.2 inches and weighs just a little over 5 pounds. It also features a convenient carrying handle. You can fit this unit in your car with ease; it is simple to store, and very easy to transport as well, which is probably what you are going for.
The NusGear Portable Power Station can be charged in 3 different ways, just like all of the other options we have checked out so far. Keep in mind, while this particular item can be charged with a compatible solar panel, the panel is not included and needs to be purchased separately. However, it can also be charged in a few hours using a standard AC outlet, or it can also be charged with the cigarette power socket in your car.
Convenience is a big selling factor on this model. The NusGear Portable Power Station comes with 5 different safety protection features including short circuit and over current protection, over power protection, low-voltage protection, and over temperature protection too.
Features
- 200WH Compact Battery Generator
- Triple Input Modes: (1)Solar panel; (2) Wall outlet; (3) Car 12V socket
- Additional accessory of MC4 Cord
- Pure sine wave that reduce buzzing noise
- Equipped with 3x AC, 4x DC, 4x USB output ports
- Well made with a sturdy body
- Equipped with plenty of AC output ports
- No overheating during recharging
- Great customer support
- Price is relatively high
- Special connector with MC4 may require when charging by solar panels.
5. SUAOKI 222Wh Portable Generator Power Source
This brand name, SUAOKI, is very reputable, trusted, and reliable, which is why our fifth and final portable power generator for today is the SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source. In terms of size and weight, it currently sits in the middle of the other options we have checked out.
The SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source comes in at 7.67 x 6.73 x 3.54 and weighs around 3.5 pounds. So, it is fairly small, compact, and lightweight, making it perfect for storing in small closets, transporting in your car, and even for carrying around in a camping pack. The carrying handle helps make life easier too. It is a good option to have in your arsenal if you plan on going camping, for at-home use, or even if you are taking a trip with your RV.
It is very powerful, featuring a high capacity of 60,000 mAh, making it the strongest and most powerful generator on our list today. It is powerful enough to power computers, laptops, TVs, small fridges, and other small appliances.
It features 2 110V AC outlets, which can be used for TVs, laptops, lights and so on. It also comes with 2 DC outlets for charging various small electronic devices. Furthermore, the SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source also comes with 2 USB outlets as well. All in all, this unit is very versatile and it can be used to power and charge a wide variety of electronic devices and appliances.
A full charge can charge a smartphone over 20 times, which is impressive. Moreover, the SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source features 2 different ways of charging. The high quality lithium ion battery can be charged using a classic AC wall outlet. This is convenient in case there is no sun around to power it. Of course, it can also be charged using a compatible solar panel charging kit. Keep in mind that the solar panel is not included with the SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source and needs to be bought separately.
The SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source comes with many safety features to keep both you and the product in good shape for many years to come. The safety features include over current, over voltage and over temperature protection. Something else that stands out about the SUAOKI Portable Generator Power Source is its high level of durability. This portable solar power station features a very strong aluminum shell that will keep it safe from scratching, denting, and protects it from falls as well. The pure sine wave output that is built in is great because it helps protect your sensitive electronic devices from electricity-related damage.
Features
- Compact portable charger of 20,000mAh @11.1V (60,000mAh @3.7V)
- Pure sine wave (Reduce buzzing noise during operation)
- Equipped with 2x AC outlets, 2x DC outlets, 2x USB ports
- Triple Input Modes: (1)Solar panel; (2) Wall outlet; (3) Car 12V socket
- Already charged when we received it.
- Reset when plugged into a charging source (e.g. AC outlet or car charger).
- Great customer support
- No built-in LED flashlight
- Only has 2 USB output ports
- Only 12 months of warranty
- A bit bulky
Who is the Winner?
Remember folks, do not just go out and buy the first portable solar generator and energy station that you see. While all those we have talked about are truly top notch, you still want to pay attention to their specs so you buy the one that best suits your needs You want to pay attention to the size, the power capacity, the output, the various output types, durability, and all of those other important aspects. We would obviously recommend our number one pick, the SUAOKI Portable Power Station 150Wh, but the other 4 options are great as well.
The fact of the matter is that solar energy is one of the cleanest energy sources you can get your hands on, not to mention that it ends up being really cheap in the long run. If you need a power backup in case power lines get knocked down, or you just need a power source for smaller items when you go camping, a portable solar generator is a great tool to have in your arsenal.
That’s it! If you’ve found this review useful, please share this article with your buddies and let us know in the comments below or leave a comment on our social pages. You can find more solar powered product reviews from here.
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