Why a solar generator, not a gas one
Traditional gas or propane generators need fuel storage, produce carbon monoxide (never safe indoors), and run loud enough to notice from the street. A solar-rechargeable battery power station stores energy electrically — no combustion, no exhaust, silent operation, and safe to run inside your home. Recharge it from a wall outlet ahead of a forecasted outage, or top it off with a panel in the sun.
What to look for
LFP (LiFePO4) battery chemistry
Rated for 2,500–4,000+ charge cycles vs. ~500–1,000 for older lithium-ion — meaningfully longer service life.
Continuous AC output vs. capacity
Capacity (Wh) determines runtime; continuous output (W) determines what you can run at all. Check both against your actual devices.
MC4 solar input
A standard connector that works with most third-party panels, not just the manufacturer's own — more flexibility if you already own panels.
Pass-through charging
Lets you charge the unit while simultaneously running devices off it — useful for keeping a fridge running continuously in daylight.
Our picks
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)
Best for
Most households — the best balance of runtime, price, and portability
This is the tier we'd recommend to almost anyone buying their first unit. 1,000Wh covers a genuinely useful outage load — phone and laptop charging, a WiFi router, a CPAP machine overnight, and a mini fridge for half a day — while staying light enough to move between rooms or take camping.
Pros
- +Runs a mini fridge, router, and lights through a full day outage
- +4,000+ cycle LFP battery — roughly 10 years of regular use
- +Recharges from ~20% to full in under a day with the included panel
- +Sold on Amazon with easy returns
Cons
- –Not enough capacity for a full-size fridge beyond a few hours
- –Panel sold separately
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)
Best for
Budget-conscious buyers and small apartments
If your outage needs are mostly about staying connected and lit — not running a fridge — the 300 Plus is the least expensive way to get there. Pair it with a single 100W panel and it fully recharges in about 4–5 hours of direct sun.
Pros
- +Cheapest entry point into solar-rechargeable backup
- +Lightweight (8.3 lbs) — easy to carry and store
- +Enough for phone charging, a router, and lighting through a multi-day outage
- +Sold on Amazon with easy returns
Cons
- –300W output can't run a microwave, space heater, or full-size fridge
- –Smaller buffer means more frequent recharging
Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)
Best for
Whole-apartment backup and multi-day outages
The largest tier we recommend for home use. If an outage means keeping a full kitchen and a few rooms of lighting running for days at a time, this is the unit with enough headroom to do it — especially paired with two panels instead of one.
Pros
- +2,200W AC output runs a microwave, full-size fridge, or space heater
- +2,040Wh capacity carries a full-size fridge for over a day
- +Well below its $1,499 MSRP on Amazon
- +Doubles as a standalone home-backup battery
Cons
- –39.5 lbs — not easily portable once set up
- –Needs 20+ hours of sun on a single 100W panel for a full recharge
EcoFlow DELTA Mini (1kWh Battery)
Best for
Buyers who prefer EcoFlow, or already own MC4 panels
Functionally similar to our #1 pick, so it comes down to brand preference and what panel you already own. The DELTA Mini's MC4 input works with generic monocrystalline panels like this Renogy 100W, so you're not locked into EcoFlow-only accessories.
Pros
- +Matches the 1,000Wh / 800W tier at a similar price
- +LFP chemistry rated for 2,500+ cycles
- +MC4 solar input works with any compatible panel, not just EcoFlow's own
Cons
- –No EcoFlow-branded panel in our catalog — we pair it with a Renogy 100W panel instead
- –Slightly lower AC output than the Jackery 1000 v2 tier
Not the same as plug-in solar
These units don't connect to your home's wiring, so they don't require a plug-in solar law to use — but they also don't offset your utility bill the way a grid-tied plug-in kit does. See our solar backup power guide for the full legal distinction, or check whether plug-in solar is already legal where you live.
Check if plug-in solar is legal in your state →Further reading