Check out 4 of the best portable solar-powered generators for your camping trip
Solar-powered generators have come a long way over the last decade and are now used to power our devices both inside and outside the home.
Some of the many benefits include free energy from the sun, they are quiet when running, require relatively low maintenance and most importantly can run on clean renewable energy making them environmentally friendly.
And like old standby generators, they come in different models offering a range of power outputs and features which means choosing the right one for your needs can take a little research.
So if you are looking for a solar generator for a camping trip, in particular, but are not sure which one to buy then you have come to the right place.
I’ve done the hard work for you and chosen 4 of the best portable solar generators, suitable for camping or long trips way.
Contents:
- Buyers guide
- Flashfish Solar Generator
- Jackery Power Station Explorer
- Jackery Power Station Explorer 500
- EF Eco-Flow Power Station
- Key Takeaways
Buyers guide
Power:
When choosing the best solar generator for camping it’s a good idea to think about the duration and the number of devices you have to power.
For example, you may go on a long camping trip and power multiple devices such as mobile phones, laptops, drones and fans. Or you may just be camping overnight and want to charge a phone and light, which in that case you may only need a low wattage solar-powered camping generator.
Portability:
As you will be moving around you want a generator that is lightweight and portable so you can move it from A to B. Some generators can be really heavy so choose one that doesn’t break your back to lift.
Pass through technology:
Pass through technology is where you can charge electronic devices whilst the generator battery is being charged. This saves time waiting around for the generator to fully charge before you can get on with your day.
USB ports:
If you are on a group camping trip then you want a solar generator that ideally has more than 2 USB ports. The chances are each person will have at least one electrical device with them. If there are more than two people then you do the maths.
1. FlashFish Solar Generator
Best Value*
Product features:
- 200 watts
- AC/ DC/ USB OUTPUTS: 110 AC output (200W), 2 DC output, 2 QC 3.0 quick charge USB port and 1 USB ports (2.4A auto)
- Multifunction LCD display
- 3 ways to charge: wall/solar panels/car
- 12 months warranty
Pro’s
- Lightweight (only 4.07lbs)
- Best Value
- Carry handle
Con’s
- Cant be charged and used at the same time
- Solar panels to be brought seperatly
First up is the best value FlashFish Solar Generator.
At 200 watts output, this solar generator is good for camping and roads trips and It has a generous 3 USB charging points, which means you charge multiple devices at the same time.
At just over 4lbs it’s also one of the most lightweight solar generators on the list which makes it a good choice for portability and camping.
The downside with this generator is that you can’t charge devices whilst the generator battery is charging which could be a bit of an inconvenience if you need devices charged fast. Solar panels are also sold separately which will push up the cost of this unit.
2. Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer
Product features:
- 200 watts
- 1* Pure Sine Wave AC outlet (110V 200W 400W Peak), 2* USB-A ports (5V, 2.4A), and 1* 12V DC carport
- Built-in MPPT controller (enables the solar panel to operate at its max powerpoint)
- 3 ways to charge: wall/solar panels/car
- Pass through technology
- Battery protection technology
Pro’s
- Lightweight
- Carry handle
- Reccomned by Forbed & Digital Trends
Con’s
- Solar panels not included
- 2 x USB ports
Next up on the best portable solar generators for camping list is the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer.
It can be charged in 3 different ways by a fixed power source, solar panels, or a 12v car charger. It also has built-in battery protection which helps to reduce the cost of wear and tear on the battery over time and has MPPT which helps to operate the solar panels at their max power.
It’s also worth noting this solar generator for camping has been recommended by Forbes and digital tends which makes it a solid choice.
The main negative with this model is it only has 2 USB charging points (as opposed to the Flashfish which has 3) which may not be adequate if there are more than 2 people on the camping trip.
And again which almost all portable solar generators the solar panels are sold separately from the actual unit
3. Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500
Product features:
- 518 watts
- 1* AC outlet (110V 500W 1000W Peak), 3*USB-A ports, 2* DC ports, and 1*car port
- Pass through technology
- LCD display
- 3 ways to charge
- Built-in multi safety protections
Pros
- Pass through techolgy
- 3 x USB ports
- Carry handle
- High wattage
Con’s
- Solar panels not included
- Heavier
Now for a step up in wattage with the Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500.
It has a more generous wattage output of 500 watts than the previous Jackery 200 generator, which is good for powering higher wattages appliances. For example on a full charge, it can power a fan for 30 hours and if the weather gets cold it can even power energy-hungry items such as heaters and heat blankets.
It also has 3 x USB ports, which is upgraded from the 2 ports of the Jackery 200, and it has built-in battery protection.
But what makes this a stand out solar generator for camping trips is the combination of high wattage output and “Pass-through technology”. This means you can charge all your devices whilst you’ve got it charging through a mains power source solar panel (which you don’t get with the Flashfish).
The only real downside (aside from solar panels being sold separately) with this product is that it’s slightly heavier than the previous 2 models we’ve looked at which is to be expected with the increase in battery size.
4. EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station
Highest Wattage*
Product features:
- 600 watts
- USB-A/USB-C/ AC/
- 3 ways to charge: wall/solar panels/car
- EcoFlow X-Stream Charge technology (fast charging)
- App-enabled
- 24-month guarantee
Pro’s
- Can use with app
- Fast charging
- Recommned by Forbes and Cnet
Con’s
- Heavier than other models
- Costly
We are saving the best for last so say hello to the EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station.
This is the best all-rounder and ticks most of the boxes for what you should look out for when buying a portable solar generator for camping. It has a high wattage output of 600 watts, which allows you to charge up to up to 10 devices at the same time; has sinewave technology for a stable power supply to electrical devices such as laptops and cellphones.
Other features include fast charging technology, which the manufacturer boasts can be recharged to 80% within an hour and a full charge at 1.6 hours. This means no waiting around for the generator to charge. It also looks sleek and has a handy app to control it remotely which gives it a modern feel.
My only criticisms with this product (abate a small one), is it’s slightly heavier at 17lbs, which is to be expected with the larger battery size. And again doesn’t come with solar panels, which as you may have noticed is a common theme with portable solar generators.
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Key takeaway
If you are on a budget and only need a solar generator for a short camping trip where you only have a few devices for power then I recommend the FlashFish 40800mAh Solar Generator.
At 200 watts and 3 x USB ports, you will be able to charge multiple electrical devices such as cell phones and laptops. It’s also lightweight and has a carry handle for portability.
If on the other hand you have a little more to spend and are looking for something with a bit more Ooomp then skip the rest and go straight for the EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station.
It has a higher wattage output than its closest rival, the Jackery Explorer 500, (600 watts compared to 518 watts) for pretty much the same price.
It also has a range of handy features the other solar generators lack, such as X-stream fast charging technology and pass-through charging, which means you can charge the generator up to 80% within 1 hour and 100% in 1.6 hours and charge your electrical devices at the same time.
And because this is a relatively high wattage solar generator you can use it to power household appliances and power tools if the need arises.
