Portable powerhouses, just like Goal Zero solar generators, have become increasingly popular as a versatile, eco-friendly source of power during outdoor activities, emergencies, and even for daily use at home. These devices harness energy from the sun and convert it into electricity, providing a clean and renewable energy source for all your electronic devices and appliances.

Among all the portable power stations on the market, Goal Zero stands out for its powerful performance. They make one of the largest solar generators on the market, the 6000X, a monstrous 6000-watt generator. Absolutely insane.

If you purchase a kit, it combines foldable briefcase solar panels, battery storage, and an inverter into one compact unit, allowing you to easily transport and set up the system when you’re on location. This adaptability makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to take power with them wherever they go, when a calling to the outdoors happens, like a work, entertainment, or family get together. This could be a fishing trip, a hiking event, a backyard wedding, a beach party, a camping trip, or a work event.

Solar generators can be an essential power source for off-grid living and regular vacationing people, If you are living the van life dream, a solar generator can provide you with all the necessary mod cons – fresh warm water for your shower, a piping hot kettle, a coffee machine, a TV, a hairdryer, heck even a mini or large fridge and TV. They are the kind of thing that you can pack up in your RV as you tour through multiple states. And naturally, they are good for disaster preparedness people, and a great backup asset when the grid shuts down.

If you are searching for a solar generator, the main factors to consider are the battery capacity, power output, charging capabilities, price, and portability. Each of these features plays a crucial role in determining the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the solar generator in meeting YOUR specific needs. In addition to these, you should also consider the reliability and reputation of the manufacturer.

To help you in making the right decision for your energy needs, we’ve looked at several Goal Zero models and carried out hands-on testing with various Goal Zero solar generators. This process enabled us to identify the best units in terms of performance, durability, and ease of use, to ensure you invest in a product that meets your requirements and provides longevity.

Best Goal Zero Solar Generators

We have compiled a list of the top Goal Zero solar generators to help you find the perfect fit for your on demand energy needs.

Yeti 200X Solar Generator

The Goal Zero Yeti 200X is a solid compact solar generator suitable for outdoor adventures and emergency power situations.

Pros

• Professional-grade power and versatility
• Industry-leading technology and efficiency
• Safe and user-friendly design

Cons

• 200-watt output may not be sufficient for larger devices
• Not the most affordable option on the market
• charge efficiency restricted to Goal Zero solar panels

The Goal Zero Yeti 200X solar generator impressed us with its professional-grade power and versatility. It’s able to power a variety of devices from indoor lounging and outdoor adventures, including phones, laptops, cameras, lights, and speakers. The generator’s various output ports – USB-A, USB-C, USB PD, 6mm, 12V car port, and 60Hz AC inverter – allow you to plug in and power nearly any electronic devices you need.

One of the standout features of the Yeti 200X is its industry-leading technology. It integrates a MPPT charge controller to increase charge efficiency by up to 30% when used in conjunction with a Goal Zero solar panel.

The Yeti 200X is safe and user-friendly. There are multiple layers of protection, including over- and undervoltage safeguards, temperature protections, and a battery management system to monitor individual cell and battery-pack health. The 2-year warranty offers peace of mind, and the physical construction and easy user interface make the generator a breeze to use.

The Yeti 200X weighs 2.25 pounds, which is a low more than a power bank, so it can be a bit heavy when hiking or camping. But it’s as light as a feather compared to more powerful solar generators, which can weigh 10-70 pounds. It will also give you a lot more recharge time than a 10, 000mah power bank.

Yeti 200x vs 10 00mah Powerbank

Goal Zero 200X usable capacity: 200 watt-hours * 85% = 170 watt-hours

Generic power bank usable capacity: 10,000mAh * 3.7V * 75% = 27.75 watt-hours

Number of Goal Zero 200X recharges: 170 watt-hours / 27.75 watt-hours = 6.12 (approximately)

Therefore, the Goal Zero 200X would provide around 6 times more recharges compared to a traditional generic power bank with a 10,000mAh capacity, assuming the given efficiencies.

Device	Goal Zero Yeti 200X Run Times
Smart Phone	16 recharges
Tablet	6 recharges
Laptop	4 recharges
POV Camera	38 recharges
DSLR Camera	11 recharges
Head Lamp	38 recharges
Light-a-Life 350 Lamp	42 hours
Light Bulb	17 hours

Although, the 200-watt output will not be sufficient for powering larger or more power hungry devices. It’s not going to be suitable for running a mini fridge or a hairdryer, but if you want to skip off to the al fresco for a weekend break without charger leads, you can power your laptop, phone, tablet, and camera for a few days.

Overall, the Goal Zero Yeti 200X solar generator is a reliable, efficient, and versatile option for those seeking portable, sustainable power for outdoor adventures or emergency situations. Despite some drawbacks, the generator certainly has some advantages over a power bank.

Yeti 500X Portable Power Station

This compact solar generator is perfect for those who need a small, reliable, and portable power source for small devices during camping trips or emergencies.

Pros

• Capacity of 505 watt-hours
• Versatile and portable with multiple ports
• Can be recharged with solar panels/grid power
• can be charged in 3-6 hours with boulder briefcase solar panel

Cons

• Solar panels need to be purchased separately
• May not be suitable for high wattage appliances
• good for only small to medium devices
• Boulder 200 Briefcase solar panel costs half the unit price, just under $440

We recently used the Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station during a camping trip, and it proved to be a reliable source of power for our devices. Its adequate capacity of 505 watt-hours (for our 1 night exhibition) allowed us to power our portable fridge, grill, and charge our mobile devices with ease. The variety of ports, such as 12V, USB-C, and USB-C PD, made it possible to charge all our devices simultaneously. It also has AC, but no good when you’re in the middle of the woods!

500X Charging Options

The Yeti 500X is easily recharged using solar panels, which is a great eco-friendly option for generating power. To charge in the MAX time, you need the Boulder 200, and that’s approx half the unit price, currently just under $400. Charging takes 3-6 hours with this panel, which is impressive. It takes 8.5 with AC Power.

You could opt for the Nomad 100 solar panel and save about $100. It recharges the 500x in 6-12 hours.

The Yeti 500X also incorporates maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology that increases the solar input, making the recharging process more efficient.

If you are looking to power high-wattage appliances, the Yeti 500X might not have sufficient capacity to handle them. It’s aimed at smaller devices, phones, laptops, tablets, a bit of coffee from the machine when needed.

Overall, the Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station offers a versatile power solution with a good capacity for those small to medium devices, making it an excellent choice for camping trips, weekend excursions, and emergencies. Its portability and solar recharging capability make it an eco-friendly and practical option for those seeking a reliable power source. If you have a crazy load of devices, and high power appliances, you will need something with higher wattage.

Yeti 1000 Core

The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is a portable power station designed to provide reliable and versatile power for a variety of devices and appliances. It features a powerful 1200 Watt inverter and a surge capacity of up to 2400 Watts, making it capable of powering everything from small electronics to larger appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners. The Yeti 1000 Core can be recharged using multiple methods, including plug-in charging and optional solar panels. Its lithium-ion battery-powered unit is capable of powering small appliances up to and including refrigerators.

It can provide a great deal of recharges for devices and small electronics.

Device	Power Consumption (Wh)	Recharge Cycles
Smart Phone	12	82
Tablet	30	33
Laptop	50	20
POV Camera	5	197
DSLR Camera	18	55
Head Lamp	5	197

Here’s the impressive run times for appliances.

Device	Power Consumption (W)	Hours of Runtime
Light-a-Life 350	4.5	219
Light Bulb	11	90
CPAP	65	15
TV (42″ LED)	100	10
Pellet Grill	60	17
Microwave	1000	1
Portable Fridge	25	40
WiFi Router	25	40
Mini Fridge	35	28
Full Size Refrigerator	66	15

Yeti Tank Extension Battery

Instead of getting more solar panels you can expand your system greatly with extra batteries. The Yeti Extension battery works with the 1000x and above. It can get you and extra 1.2-4.8 kWh of power.

Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X is a chunky-monkey packed full of power, perfect for powering your life at work, home, or on the road.

Pros

• Extra-High capacity for powering heavy load appliances and tools
• Seamless home backup with optional home integration kit
• Efficient solar recharging with MPPT
• equipment run times are exceptional
• can expand up to 7832Wh with Goal Zero’s expansion tanks

Cons

• Heavy, but comes with a cart for easier transportation
• Premium price
• Requires Goal Zero solar panels for best performance
• long to charge, especially with solar
• battery life starts to diminish after 500 cycles

After recently using the Yeti 3000X, we’ve noticed its remarkable capacity of 3,032Wh is fully capable of powering a wide range of appliances, devices, and power tools. We easily used it to power refrigerators, electric bikes, and even grills.

When it comes to home backup power, the Yeti 3000X shines, as it can be easily integrated into your home’s circuits using the Home Integration Kit (sold separately). Moreover, with the Goal Zero Yeti App, we were able to remotely control power usage and switch to battery-saving mode as needed.

How To Recharge

Recharging the Yeti 3000X through solar panels is efficient, thanks to its MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology, which boosts solar input by up to 30%. But it does take a long time, as the maximum solar input is limited to 600 watts. So in theory, you could charge this station up from flat in about 6 hours. But you will need a really sunny day to do it this quickly. Solar panels are getting more efficient, and they can recharge on cloudy days, just not as fast as they would on a really sunny day.

The maximum number of peak sunshine hours per day is about 5, so you will be hard pressed to get the Yeti 3000X up to a full charge in over 5 hours. If you have to run anything from it, the pass-through charging feature allows it to be used and charged up at the same time. But if you are running anything heavy on it, it is going to drain some power as you charge it. So really, you will be looking at maybe 10 hours or longer if you wish to charge your 3000X back up using solar, and that’s with 3 of Goal Zero’s 200 W solar panels, either the Nomad or Boulder series.

Despite its weight of 69.78 pounds, the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X is relatively easy to transport using the included cart. So realistically, the premium price is justified by the generator’s impressive features and output performance.

In conclusion, the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station offers reliable power and Solar generator capabilities for so many needs; it’s a solid investment for those looking to go off-grid or someone who wants a reliable backup power source during emergencies.

These run times are seriously impressive.

If your screen is too small to read the graphic here’s those juicy details in table form.

Device	Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Run Times
Smart Phone	253 recharges
Tablet	101 recharges
Laptop	61 recharges
POV Camera	607 recharges
DSLR Camera	169 recharges
Head Lamp	607 recharges
Light-a-Life 350 Lamp	674 hours
Light Bulb	276 hours
TV (42″ LED)	31 hours
CPAP	47 hours
Pellet Grill	51 hours
Microwave	3 hours
Portable Fridge	122 hours
WiFi Router	122 hours
Mini Fridge	87 hours
Full Size 71 W Refrigerator	43 hours

You could go off-grid nearly full-time with a fully charged 3000X! Very impressive indeed.

Goal Zero Yeti 6000X Portable Power Station

The Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is a high-capacity monster that provides clean, safe, and reliable power for 99% of your devices and home appliances. It is equipped with a massive 6,071 watt-hour lithium-ion battery that can power essential home circuits, RVs, trailers, work sites, and more. The Yeti 6000X can be recharged using solar panels, wall outlets, or car chargers.

It has 7 ports in total that give it a lot of scope. 2 of them are AC ports running 2000W. There are 5 USB ports for charging up smaller devices.

Just a small section of device run times for the 6000X:

Device	Power Consumption	Run Time (hours)
Laptop	60W	101
Smartphone	12W	501
Tablet	30W	201
Mini Fridge	35W	172
42″ LED TV	100W	60
Pellet Grill	60W	100

Here are the technical specifications of the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X:

Specification	Value
Battery Capacity	6,071 Wh (10.8V, 561.4 Ah)
Inverter	2000W pure sine wave
Charge Time (wall)	12 hours
Charge Time (solar)	18-36 hours in optimal sunlight with 2 X 200W Solar panels
Weight	103 lbs (46.7 kg)
Dimensions	18 x 13 x 16 in (45.7 x 33 x 40.6 cm)

Overall, the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is an absolute beast. If you want the utmost of power from your station well this is it. With its large battery capacity and multiple ports, it can power an insane multitude of devices for extended periods of time. Can also work as a home back up generator.

3000X vs 6000X

In comparison, the Yeti 3000X, also a reliable power solution, offers a slightly lower capacity with a 3032-watt hour lithium-ion battery. This makes the 3000X a great choice for those seeking a portable power source with ample energy storage but who don’t require the higher wattage output of the 6000X.

The 3000X features a 1500-watt MPPT charge controller, which is still impressive but falls short of the 6000X’s charging capability. With a variety of output ports similar to its larger counterpart, the 3000X still remains versatile in powering a range of electronic devices and appliances or long trips, as well as providing n excellent home backup source.

Ultimately, the choice between the Goal Yeti 6000X and the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X depends on your specific power needs. If you require maximum power capacity and faster solar charging, the 6000X is the clear winner.

However, if you’re looking for a more compact and lightweight option with a still substantial power supply, the 3000X is a reliable choice. Both models showcase Goal Zero’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable energy solutions for all your portable power requirements.

Pros

• Can plug directly into your home circuitry.
• Massive 6,071 watt-hour capacity
• 7 charging/appliance ports

Cons

• Very Expensive
• Takes a long Time To Fully Recharge

6000X Sum Up

This is a powerhouse of portable renewable energy designed to provide you with reliable and sustainable power wherever you go, or indeed if you are staying at home. With its advanced technology and robust capacity, the Goal Yeti 6000X is a game-changer for those seeking a truly versatile and high-performance solar generator.

Featuring a 6000-watt hour lithium-ion battery, this generator can power a wide range of devices and appliances, making it perfect for both outdoor adventures and emergency backup situations. Check our our full Goal Zero 6000X solar generator review here.

And now on to a Goal Zero solar panel to keep your power station continuously recharged with free energy.

Goal Zero Nomad 200-Watt Solar Panel

The Goal Zero Nomad 200-Watt Solar Panel is a fantastic investment for outdoor enthusiasts seeking reliable, clean, and compact solar power.

Pros

• High performance and lightweight
• Weatherproof and versatile
• Easy to set up and use

Cons

• Slightly heavier than expected
• May struggle to capture sunlight through trees
• Pricey compared to some competitors

We recently took the Goal Zero Nomad 200-Watt Solar Panel on a camping trip and appreciated its high performance and lightweight design. Ideal for situations where power needs are significant, but space is limited, this foldable panel provides 200 Watts of solar and folds down to a quarter of its full size.

In various weather conditions, the Nomad 200 continued to harness the power of the sun efficiently, thanks to its built-in kickstand and weatherproof design. The integrated hanging loops allowed us to attach it to our campervan, which was an additional convenient feature.

Setting up the Nomad 200 was a breeze. The built-in legs popped out to stabilize the panel during solar charging, and fastened securely in place when not in use. When combined with a Goal Zero portable power station, it offered an efficient solar charge, enabling us to enjoy a noise-free, clean source of energy during our trip.

One caveat we noticed was that the solar panel had difficulty capturing sunlight through trees, which could be an issue in denser wooded areas. Moreover, the panel was slightly heavier than anticipated, though still portable and compact. Additionally, while Goal Zero products tend to be more expensive than some competitors, their performance and ease of use make them worth considering.

Overall, the Goal Zero Nomad 200-Watt Solar Panel is an exceptional portable solar solution that we would recommend to those frequently camping or needing off-grid energy without sacrificing performance.

Solar Generators Buying Guide

When looking for a solar generator, there are several key features and factors to consider. In this buying guide, we will help you navigate through the most important aspects to assist you in making the best choice.

Capacity

One of the first things to consider is the solar generator’s battery capacity, because, this determines how much energy it can store for later use. So, it is essential to consider your power needs and ensure that the solar generator you choose can supply adequate power for your devices and appliances.

Solar Panel Compatibility

Another consideration is to check if the solar generator is compatible with a wide range of solar panels, and It is crucial to have the flexibility to use different solar panels depending on your specific setup, location, and power needs.

Portability

For those who need a solar generator for camping, traveling, or emergency situations, the generator’s portability is crucial. Ensure the solar generator is lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and set up wherever needed.

Output Ports

It’s essential to pay attention to the types and number of output ports the solar generator has. This will determine the range of devices and appliances you can connect to your generator. Look for options with a variety of port types, including USB, 12V, and AC outlets.

User Interface

An intuitive and easy-to-use interface is essential for efficient operation. The solar generator should provide a clear display to indicate battery level, charging status, and power output.

Final Thoughts On The Goal Zero Series

Goal Zero solar generators are a tried and tested brand that provides an efficient alternative energy source, aka portable solar generators. They are so useful in a variety of scenarios, ranging from outdoor activities and emergencies to daily use at home.

Two models, the Goal Zero Yeti 200X and the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X, stand out particularly. The Goal Zero Yeti 200X is the baby of the bunch, yet for casual uses, this compact solar generator certainly packs a punch for camping, weekend stay-overs, or business trips.

If you are doing an expedition or working on a shootout in the desert, It offers professional-grade power, versatility, and industry-leading technology, enough to power your cameras and laptops for days on end. Smaller devices really but it may not be sufficient for powering larger devices and is slightly more expensive compared to other options in the market.

However, it provides around six times more recharges compared to a traditional power bank with a 10,000mAh capacity, making it a reliable option for those seeking portable, sustainable power​ without the transport bulk.

On the other hand, the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X, despite its weight and premium price, is a reliable and versatile solar generator perfect for powering a wide range of appliances and devices. It offers seamless home backup with the optional home integration kit and efficient solar recharging. It can also be remotely controlled via the Goal Zero Yeti App for convenience. Its high capacity and impressive features justify its premium price, making it a solid investment for those looking to go off-grid or needing a reliable backup power source during emergencies​​.

I’m not even going to talk about the 6000X. It’s a beast, enough said. It will power a mini fridge for a week, so it’s worth looking at if you need serious power or are interested in a home integration system.

Therefore, depending on your specific needs, you can go light with the 200X and have some serious weekend power for your small devices, or go up the capacity scale and grab some serious alternative and supplementary power. In short, these Goal Zero solar generators are worth considering in 2023, if you are looking for extra power and want it from a clean, renewable energy source.