Natural disaster preparation is one of the biggest reasons to own a reliable backup power source, and solar generators offer a more convenient alternative to traditional gas-powered options. Solar generators (essentially portable power stations connected to solar panels) provide backup electricity without the loud noise, messy fuel storage or dangerous fumes of a gas generator, while still giving you access to power when the grid goes down.
They’re also more versatile than you might think. Larger capacity models can keep essential appliances, electronics and emergency radios running while you hunker down during extended outages, while smaller, more mobile models can be tossed into a vehicle or even a backpack during an evacuation. This portability also makes solar generators useful for camping and RV excursions, allowing you to keep your smartphones, rechargeable flashlights, camping headlamps and outdoor lighting topped off throughout your trip.
To find the best solar generators, I tested medium- and large-capacity models from brands like Bluetti, Anker, Jackery and Goal Zero. I ran each through a series of standardized tests to compare things like battery capacity, portability, solar-charging performance and overall value. After testing nine different generators, I found two that I consider the best.
Combining impressive output for its size, a user-friendly interface and built-in carrying handles for convenient transport, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 was the best solar generator I tested. After weeks of repeated stress tests running high-draw AC units and space heaters, loading up USB and AC ports during all-day charging sessions and hauling it to local parks for outdoor solar charging, the Bluetti Elite 200 V2 delivered the strongest balance of performance, build quality, portability and everyday usability.
After an additional six months of real-world use, where I used it to charge microphones and cameras during on-location video shoots and power corded tools on job sites, and as a general charging station for electronics in my car and home office, this mid-sized model has continued to impress.
Right out of the box, the Bluetti stood out for its high-quality construction. It has a dense, solid feel overall, and while the 53-pound weight is undeniably heavy, the dual molded handles make a big difference in portability. Their positioning and wide, textured grips helped keep the weight balanced, unlike other models, which often felt awkward or lopsided. Its dimensions of 14 inches by 10 inches by 13 inches also give it a relatively compact footprint, making it convenient to store in a closet or the trunk of a car. This portability is a big reason I’ve come to appreciate the Bluetti even more during my long-term testing. After 6 months of hauling it in and out of my car, up and down stairs from my home office to the backyard, and generally repositioning it as needed, the ability to move it around (relatively) comfortably is a huge benefit.
My favorite feature of the Bluetti, and what differentiated it from most of my product pool, was the layout of its control panel. A bright LED screen displays the current battery level with a large, clear number surrounded by a circular progress bar, with Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) input and output levels on either side. A convenient countdown timer at the bottom of the screen also shows the remaining run time at the current wattage draw, which I found fairly accurate during my testing. This feature would be extremely useful in real-world scenarios, allowing you to precisely manage your power consumption to match your usage needs.
The three rubber control buttons are easy to locate by feel, are backlit for easy identification in the dark and have a much sturdier, high-quality feel than the slightly rattly plastic buttons on the EcoFlow and Jackery models. With four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C) and four standard AC outlets, the Bluetti offers a nice variety of output options, although its lack of a TT-30R port (and overall midrange capacity) means RVers will need to look elsewhere.
The Bluetti app also did a great job of displaying the real-time battery level, the current input or output wattage of the USB and AC outlets, and the “grid” (wall outlet) and solar input wattage. You can also toggle the AC and DC outputs on or off remotely, which could be useful if you want to control a space heater from your bed or turn off a fan you forgot to turn off. It’s not the best app I tested (I prefer the cleaner Anker interface), but it’s easy to read and presents the information well.
In terms of actual performance, the Bluetti shone throughout testing. It delivered 90% of its advertised battery capacity during my 500W efficiency test, providing four hours of continuous run time, beating the similar-capacity batteries of the Jackery 2000 Plus and EcoFlow Delta 3 Max Plus.
In separate tests, the Bluetti ran my 22W Dyson fan for 52 hours straight, and a hefty 1350W load of a window AC unit on “high” and an LED work light for one hour and 32 minutes, delivering 94% of its advertised capacity. While cranking up two space heaters and a heat gun during my max-wattage test, the Bluetti stayed strong until it finally gave out at its advertised 2600W.
Its charging speed was another standout feature. When plugged into a wall outlet, it fully charged from 0 to 100% in just 1 hour and 11 minutes. Its solar-charging capabilities are somewhat unclear and will vary depending on the size and type of solar panel used. I tested this unit with a single 200W Bluetti solar panel, which delivered about a 6% increase in battery capacity per hour in direct sunlight. This means it would take about 14 hours to fully charge. For a faster solar charge, you’ll need a larger solar array.
While it lacks the capacity and wattage of the 3,000W to 3,600W big boys, the Bluetti is a fantastic midsize model for those who want access to a decent amount of power while still remaining mobile.
If you need a bit more juice than the Bluetti and are comfortable with some portability compromises, I’d recommend the Anker Solix F3000. This robust 3,600W unit is substantially larger and heavier than the Bluetti. Still, the high-wattage limit and 3,072 Wh capacity give you many more options for off-grid power.
It wasn’t just the sheer power available from the Anker Solix F3000 that made it a clear favorite. The way the F3000 handled that power, as well as the overall quality and usability of its design, truly separated it from the pack.
Just to be clear, this thing is heavy. It’s a whopping 92 pounds, so you’re probably not going to be lifting and carrying this thing around by yourself. Even with the two carrying handles, it’s not the most convenient piece of equipment to transport. That said, the Anker Solix F3000 still impressed me with its thoughtful, practical design, which was clearly a priority when Anker Solix conceptualized and built this unit.
The telescoping handle, in particular, excelled during testing, unlike similar heavyweight units, and raised no noticeable durability concerns. It not only retracts and extends with a smooth, well-oiled motion but once locked into place, it has a sturdy, strong feel that allows me to maintain control when wheeling and steering. There was none of the flexing or creaking I felt with other heavyweight units, and, combined with the smooth-rolling rubber wheels, I was able to roll it around my house, across the grass and even up a couple of concrete steps with relative ease. A pair of rubber feet on the back of the unit also allows it to be stored upright, giving it a manageable 12-inch-by-15-inch footprint.
I also appreciated the user-friendly layout of the Anker Solix F3000’s control and display panel. The LED display presents the current battery level with large, bright digits and, like the Bluetti, uses a circular progress arc for additional visual detail. You also get real-time input/output readouts for all AC and DC ports. The buttons feel firm and well-anchored, and the integrated light bar above the display was much more practical than I expected, effectively illuminating the entire panel without blinding me. The power button also has an LED ring to make it easy to locate.
This light source could really come in handy when managing plugs and ports in stressful, low-light conditions. The Anker Solix F3000’s output options include four USB ports (two USB-A and two USB-C), four standard 120V AC outlets and a single TT-30R port for connecting RV power. This is a personal preference, but I like the horizontal control layout of the Anker Solix F3000, which I found easier to navigate in the dark than the vertical layout of the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra; however, placing the control panel on the side of the unit means it flips over if you store the unit on its rear end. Alternatively, the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra’s end-cap control panel is much easier to access when stored at the rear.
The Anker app also stood out from the rest with its clean, straightforward layout that’s easy to navigate and use, yet comprehensive. I love that you get individual readouts for each USB output port, and I never got tired of watching the real-time graphic readout of the current AC output. Instead of just a numerical readout, you can actually watch the line rise and fall as you add, remove or adjust settings on your appliances. You also get a notification when the battery capacity drops to 10%, which helps you manage your remaining capacity effectively, especially if you want to prioritize certain items over others.
When plugged into a wall socket, this unit also charges from zero to 100% in just two hours and 10 minutes (a hair longer than the two-hour charging time of the other 3,600W unit I tested, the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra). This speedy charging could really come in handy during a rolling blackout, when power may return intermittently, or you can access grid power briefly. Solar charging will obviously depend on your solar array, but the Anker Solix F3000’s 2,400W solar input max gives you a lot of flexibility if you want to maximize solar-charging speed.
It’s worth revisiting how heavy the Anker Solix F3000 is; it’s its only real drawback. A weight of 92 pounds is no joke, so when considering this model, make sure you’re thinking in terms of rolling rather than lifting, and that you have a dedicated corner of your home for it to live. If you want more portability without sacrificing power and capacity, the comparable EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra weighs 20 pounds less, which makes a difference depending on your strength level. I made sure to note that during my testing, I could lift the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra from the ground into the trunk of my car but was unable to do the same with the Anker Solix F3000. So, just something to keep in mind.
As long as you’re comfortable with the weight and are looking for a really well-made product that’s easy to use and provides a lot of backup power, you can’t go wrong with the Anker Solix F3000.
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