Thanks to technological advancements, we now have more ways to approach renewable energy, and solar energy is among the best, most widely used options these days. This type of energy is especially suitable for off-grid living, but you need a good generator for that.
So, the remaining question is what is the best solar generator for off-grid living like? Where can you buy one? This post will answer both these questions.
Here are the best solar generators for off-grid living you can buy in 2024:
- Ultra-Lightweight: FlashFish 60000mAh Portable Power Station
- Best For Overload Protection: TACKLIFE Power Station
- Best For Small Appliances: Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator
- Most Durable: ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station
- Best For Longer Power Supply: Sungzu Portable Power Station
- Fast Charging: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer
| 6 Best Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living | ||
|---|---|---|
Ultra-Lightweight | FlashFish 60000mAh Portable Power Station | |
Best For Overload Protection | TACKLIFE Power Station | |
Best For Small Appliances | Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator | |
Most Durable | ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station | |
Best For Longer Power Supply | Sungzu Portable Power Station | |
Fast Charging | Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer | |
Ultra-Lightweight: FlashFish 60000mAh Portable Power Station
- Durable yet lightweight - heavy-duty metal silver case with plastic black ends
- Portable - a built-in handle
- Safe to use - over-current protection, over-voltage protection, lock-on protection, overheat protection, and more
- No auto-off function
This is our favorite do-it-all solar generator for off-grid living. It delivers 220Wh power, which is enough for various devices, plus, there are multiple outlets provided.
Compared to other solar generators, it feels a lot more durable thanks to the heavy-duty metal silver case with plastic black ends. Yet, the unit is extremely lightweight and easy to carry with a built-in handle.
For safety during use, it is made with over-current protection, over-voltage protection, lock-on protection, overheat protection, low-voltage protection, and short-circuit protection.
This solar generator can be charged by different methods: by plugging into a car 12V socket, by being plugged into the wall outlet, or from the sun with a solar panel.
| FlashFish 60000mAh Portable Power Station Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.28 pounds |
Running Time | 6.66 hours |
Charging Time | 5-6 hours |
Lifecycle | 500 charge cycles |
Overheat Protection | Yes |
Highlight Features | heavy-duty metal silver case with plastic black ends a built-in handle over-current protection, over-voltage protection, lock-on protection, overheat protection, low-voltage protection, and short-circuit protection |
The FlashFish 60000mAh Portable Power Station is our pick when we want something powerful, durable, yet ultra-lightweight for easy carrying.
Best For Overload Protection: TACKLIFE Power Station
- Manage overload protection - BMS system
- Provide stable power output - standard PURE SINE WAVE dual AC outlets
- Ultra-lightweight, quiet, and easy for smartphone charging
- A bit overpriced
- The 12v socket is not regulated
Managing overload protection has never been so easy as now with the TACKLIFE Power Station, due to its BMS system – something that other counterparts commonly don’t have.
It is also safe for your electric-powered appliances. By featuring standard PURE SINE WAVE dual AC outlets, it keeps the power output always consistent.
The 10W wireless charging design, on the other hand, makes smartphone charging a lot easier, with no adapter required. Unlike conventional combustion generators, it is lightweight and ultra-quiet so you can comfortably sleep at night.
Similar to the FlashFish above, it comes with three ways to recharge.
| TACKLIFE Power Station Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.07 Kilograms |
Running Time | 4-12 hours |
Charging Time | 3-10 hrs. |
Lifecycle | 500 times |
Overheat Protection | No |
Highlight Features | BMS system standard PURE SINE WAVE dual AC outlets 10W wireless charging design |
Highlighting the BMS system, the TACKLIFE Power Station is the solar generator that our reviewers refused to give back once they were done testing it.
Best For Small Appliances: Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator
- Suitable for small appliances – feature four USB outputs, four DC ports, and three AC outlets
- Multifunctional – able to be used as a backup battery
- Reliable – backed by a 12-month warranty
- The fan could work better
- A bit pricey for its size
- Instructions aren’t detailed enough
Giving 288Wh/500W with four USB outputs, four DC ports, and three AC outlets, we find the Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator is convenient and powerful enough for small appliances.
It can safely run CPAP machines, mini-fridge, drone, charge laptops 8 hours, or smartphones 40 times. During emergencies, it can be used as a backup battery as well. The small size also makes it ultra-lightweight and easy to carry around.
Buy this unit with peace in mind as it is backed by a 12-month warranty.
| Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.05Lb |
Running Time | 8 hours |
Charging Time | 8-10 hours |
Overheat Protection | No |
Highlight Features | feature four USB outputs, four DC ports, and three AC outlets able to be used as a backup battery backed by a 12-month warranty |
The Aeiusny Portable Solar Generator is a great choice for small appliances.
Most Durable: ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station
- Suitable for harsh outdoor conditions - temperature ranges of 14℉~104℉
- Super-convenient to use – multiple ports and outlets
- Easy to recharge – four methods
- Costly
- The LED could be improved
The ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station is an all-round generator that absolutely excels if used in harsh outdoor conditions.
It is professionally made to hold up well in temperature ranges of 14℉~104℉ with up to 1000 cycles to 80%. Besides, this solar generator is powerful enough to charge 32" TVs 7 hours, 45W mini-fridge up to 18 hours, 56Wh laptops about 7 hours, and 2000mAh smartphones 70 times.
Compared to similar solar generators, it is outstanding for the upgraded 110V/500W AC output, Quick Charge 3.0 USB, USB ports, 5V~9V/2A Type C outlets, giving you superior convenience.
The charging methods are leveraged from three (like most other counterparts) to four (added with the recharging way from another generator within 10 hours).
| ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 14.33 lbs. |
Running Time | 7 – 18 hours |
Charging Time | 3.8.5-9 Hours (13V~22V, 6A max Solar Panel) 2.7-8 Hours (12V Car Adapter) 1.7-8 Hours (110V AC Outlet) |
Lifecycles | ≥1000 cycles to 80% |
Overheat Protection | 14℉~104℉ |
Highlight Features | The LED could be improved the upgraded 110V/500W AC output, Quick Charge 3.0 USB, USB ports, 5V~9V/2A Type C outlets four recharging methods |
In designing the ROCKPALS 500W Portable Power Station, its manufacturer took the aspects of a durable solar generator that we like, making it function well in the harshest conditions.
Best For Longer Power Supply: Sungzu Portable Power Station
- Safe and dependable to use - CE RoHS FCC compliant & good warranty policies
- Super-powerful for longer power supply - 1010Wh of capacity
- It’s overpriced
This solar generator is designed to meet CE RoHS FCC safety standard, plus, it’s backed by a lifetime customer service commitment, an 18-month product warranty, and a 30-day hassle-free guarantee.
But what we like the most is its 1010Wh of capacity, which is much bigger than others, also meaning for longer power supply. It also provides you with an OLED screen for easy battery life status management, four USB ports, two DC ports, and two AC outlets.
It can power any electric appliance under 1000W, like CPAP, mini-fridge, power bank, fan, and so on.
| Sungzu Portable Power Station Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 25.4 pounds |
Running Time | 3-18 hours |
Charging Time | 14hrs by Sungzu 100W solar panel 8hrs by 200W 5.5~7hrs by wall socket |
Lifecycles | ≥ 800 times |
Overheat Protection | Yes |
Highlight Features | CE RoHS FCC compliant & good warranty policies 1010Wh of capacity four USB ports, two DC ports, and two AC outlets |
Using the Sungzu Portable Power Station, you’ll get more confidence to join extended off-grid trips where it usually requires a longer power supply from a solar generator.
Fast Charging: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer
- Charge super-fast - Professional MPPT technology
- Able to run more electric devices simultaneously – deliver 1002Wh capacity and 1000W wattage
- Expensive
- The solar panels aren’t waterproof
While most solar generators take a really long time to be fully recharged by solar panels, this one is quite outstanding.
Using Professional MPPT technology, it only needs around 8 hours by connecting two SolarSaga 100W solar panels, which is nearly ½ the time required if charged by others. A big plus!
There are two more ways to recharge the unit, such as through 12v vehicle accessory ports or from AC outlets.
With no compromise of power output, it gives you 1002Wh capacity and 1000W wattage that can run more electric devices simultaneously.
| Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 22.04lbs |
Running Time | 4-5 hours |
Charging Time | 14 hours from 12v carports 7 hours from an AC outlet 17 hours by connecting single panel 8 hours by connecting two SolarSaga 100W solar panels |
Lifecycles | 500 cycles |
Overheat Protection | 10°F to 30°F |
Highlight Features | Professional MPPT technology deliver 1002Wh capacity and 1000W wattage |
We greatly suggest the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer for those people who need something that can charge their electronic devices faster during off-grid living.
How To Choose The Best Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living?
Power & Runtime
The first question you need to ask yourself when shopping for an off-grid generator is how much power you need.
For an RV, you should find a 4000W machine, but if you run power tools, you should consider getting a larger generator.
When it comes to the runtime, you must think about the size of the fuel tank. As a rule of thumb, the larger the tank, the more runtime.
But the runtime is also related to other factors including fuel options and the generator’s efficiency. A more efficient generator will give you more runtime.
Solar Panel
In terms of solar panels, you should install multiple roof-mounted panels along with large battery banks to store more energy for all of your appliances.
While some batteries are running out of energy, others will be collecting more power.
Battery
There are two types of battery to choose from:
- Lead-acid batteries: this is the most common and cheapest type of battery. while having a shorter life span, these batteries are cost-effective. There are deep-cycle batteries with the capability of handling repeated heavy discharges with a longer life span.
- Lithium-ion batteries: this type is common among cordless tools. They are compact, lightweight, and have a longer lifespan. But they are more expensive.
After deciding on a battery type, you need to choose the battery capacity, which refers to the total power a solar battery can store. You will also need to check the power rating.
Generally speaking, a battery that has a low power rating and a high capacity will produce less electricity but last for a longer time, and vice versa.
Weight & Portability
A portable solar generator can weigh from 20 to 200 pounds, depending on the panels and battery.
If you want to reduce the weight of the panels, you can only go with lightweight frames. As for the battery weight, keep in mind that expensive lithium-ion batteries are much more lightweight than lead-acid batteries.
The weight distribution also determines the portability of the generator.
It’s best that the components are placed in a sturdy, wheeled box so that you can handle the pieces better.
Which Brands Make The Best Solar Generator For Off-Grid Living?
TACKLIFE
Since 2015, this brand has been working passionately to make your life more secure and convenient. Its products are designed to address all customers’ needs.
Jackery
Founded in 2012, this brand specializes in outdoor green power solutions. Here, you will find solar generators that are effective and efficient to give you the best off-grid living experience possible.
FAQs
Can you live off the grid with solar power?
Yes, you can. Solar power is actually one of the most common methods of off-grid energy.
How much solar do you need for off-grid?
The answer to this question depends on the appliances you use as well as how much power they consume. Generally, you may need 4000 watts to power all the items you have.
Can a solar generator power a house?
Yes, it can, but that involves a big investment.
How long can you run a generator continuously?
It’s recommended by manufacturers that a generator should run continuously for a maximum of 500 hours, equivalent to around three weeks’ time.
How long do solar generators last?
A solar generator can last for 25 to 35 years.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has provided you with all the necessary information to figure out the best solar generator for an off-grid living for yourself. If you have any further questions regarding this matter as well as others, don’t hesitate to come back here.
