Best Solar-Ready Generator: Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240

Let’s talk portable generators!

We know—shopping for generators can be confusing. For now, let’s concentrate on portable models. These generators are essentially super-sized lithium batteries. They can be charged by an A/C outlet or solar panels–some can even be charged by your car battery. These aren’t the bigger generators that run on gasoline or propane.

So what’s best for you?

Ask yourself: what exactly do I want to power or charge?

On an extended road trip (or RV or camping), just about everyone needs to charge their phones/laptops or tablets. For small electronics, we’d recommend a portable generator that is powered by a lithium battery.

What about more robust power needs? If you are tailgating and need to power a TV or other small appliances, then an inverter portable generator is a better bet. We’ll recommend one inverter generator at the end of this article.

Looking for a solar-ready generator? After surveying the camping enthusiasts among our readers and doing 8 hours of additional research comparing performance and durability, we think this is the best bet: Jackery’s Portable Power Station Explorer 240.

Yes, this generator can actually be charged by a solar panel (sold separately). And it works.

One key to happiness when it comes to buying a generator: setting your expectations accordingly! This model is designed to charge small electronics (that is, your phone or laptop), not a hair dryer or microwave. Here’s more on why we recommend this model:

What We Liked

• Solar panels (purchased separately) can fully charge this generator in about 7 hours.

• Works for devices at 200 watts or less.

• Lightweight at 6.6 lbs.

• Excellent for charging smartphones or laptops. 

• Easy to carry around.

• Battery indicator.

• 1 A/C outlet and 2 USB ports plus 1 DC port.

• Pass through charging. Yes, this model can be charged (by solar panels or A/C) AND charge electronics at the same time.

What Needs Work

• Runs down too fast? We see some complaints this generator ran out of juice too soon for some folks. Part of this is setting your expectations—for example, this battery can run a TV for about 3 hours. Or fully charge a laptop 3 or 4 times.

Best Compact Generator: Goal Zero Yeti 200X Lithium Portable Power Station

Yes, this generator is more pricey than similar models recommended above. Why is it worthy of consideration? First, it is very compact—the smallest of all the generators recommended here. The Goal Zero Yeti 200X is just 7.9 wide” by 5.1″ long.

And it is quiet. . . yes, there is a small fan, but we judge this model quieter than others based on reader feedback.

Another advantage: this unit is lighter than similar models. Example: the Jackery Explorer 240 is 6.6 lbs. This model weighs  just 5 lbs. Both have similar capacity and run times—yet this model is about 24% less in weight. That might seem small . . . except when you are lugging a generator around in a backpack or travel bag!

What We Liked

• Reliable, lightweight power source.

• Charges up in 4-5 hours (6 with a solar panel, purchased separately).

• Great for camping.

• LED indicator shows how much battery is left.

• 2 USB ports, 1 12 volt port plus 1 A/C port.

• Compact size.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Best More Power Portable: A-iPower SUA2000i 2000 Watt Portable Inverter Generator

For camping or RV’ing, you may need more power than the smaller portable generators recommended above. Those generators are good for charging small electronics . . . but what if you want to run a larger TV for a tailgate? Or a hair dryer, mini fridge or rice cooker?

An inverter power generator is a much better fit for those power needs. Of course, they have some pros and cons.

On the plus side, you can run devices up to 2000 starting watts (1600 running watts). By throttling the engine up and down as needed, inverter generators are fuel efficient and relatively quiet.

What are the downsides? Well, most inverter generators run on gasoline. Plus they have break-in periods. And there is regular maintenance (oil changes, etc). Finally, you must properly store an inverter generator to avoid damage from cold or heat.

For the best more power portable generator, we’d suggest A-iPower’s SUA2000i generator. At 46 lbs., it can be carted around with relative ease. And it provides the power you’d need for the appliances mentioned above—at a price that is easy on the wallet.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Easy to use.

• Relatively quiet at 58 decibels. Notice we said “relatively” quiet. Inverter generators with gasoline engines are definitely louder than portable generators that run on lithium batteries.  Fifty-eight decibels is the volume of a conversation at a restaurant, for comparison.

• USB outlet.

• Overload alarm.

• Low oil alert.

• Multiple outlets: 30 amp outlet, USB, 120 volt household outlet. 

• Compact size (22″ x 13″ x 20″).

What Needs Work

• Doesn’t work well at higher altitudes. This, however, is a limitation with most inverter engines. Why? At altitudes over 2000 or 3000 feet, the air is thinner . . . and that affects efficiency and temperature of the generator engine. Yes, other inverter generators have high altitude kits—but this one doesn’t, as far as we can tell from our research.

• Can be challenging to start. You have to pull rather hard on the cord.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, tapping the readers of our parent books (2.1 million copies in print!) to find what works best in the real world. Then we do additional research, pouring over lab tests on performance and durability. We also look at surveys of customer satisfaction.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!