Best Solar Generators for Power Outages (2026)
A solar generator is a large battery you can recharge from the sun — silent, fume-free, and safe to run indoors. We compared the leading options on output, capacity, recharge speed, and value to help you size one for your home.
Quick comparison
| Unit | Best for | Strength | Recharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer Best overall | Plug-and-play home backup | Simple, reliable, great value | Wall + solar |
| EcoFlow DELTA | Fast charging & expansion | Very fast recharge, add-on batteries | Very fast wall + solar |
| Portable Power Station | Budget & carry-along | Light, affordable, covers essentials | Wall + solar |
Our top picks
Jackery Explorer
The easiest recommendation for most households: a well-built, reliable line spanning small carry units to large home-backup models, with straightforward pairing to matching solar panels.
Pros
- Reliable and beginner-friendly
- Wide model range to match your needs
- Strong value and resale
Cons
- Recharge slower than EcoFlow's fastest
- Largest models are heavy
EcoFlow DELTA
If recharge speed and expandability matter — say you want to top up fast between sun or grid windows — EcoFlow leads, with very fast wall charging and add-on batteries to grow capacity.
Pros
- Industry-leading recharge speed
- Expandable with extra batteries
- High output for power-hungry devices
Cons
- Premium pricing
- App/feature set adds complexity
Compact Portable Power Station
For phones, lights, a router, and a CPAP — the true essentials — a smaller, affordable power station covers a lot for a little, and makes a great second unit (two is one).
Pros
- Affordable entry point
- Light and easy to carry
- Covers communication & lighting essentials
Cons
- Limited capacity for appliances
- May lack high-surge output
How to size a solar generator
- Output (watts): sum the running watts of what you'll power at once, and confirm the unit handles each device's start-up surge.
- Capacity (watt-hours): estimate daily watt-hours used and match it — bigger if you can't recharge daily.
- Solar input: enough panel wattage to meaningfully recharge during daylight, so the unit isn't a one-shot battery.
- Chemistry: prefer LiFePO4 (LFP) cells for the longest lifespan and safety.
For the full backup-power picture, see our emergency power guide.