When you’re looking for camping equipment, there’s no need to go completely old school. You can have a fun time in nature while also allowing yourself some modern amenities. For instance — a solar generator for camping is definitely a great piece of equipment to have. You can use these to charge any kind of devices, such as your laptops or phones. With this in mind, we’ll present some of the best solar generators for camping that you can find online!
Best Solar Generators for Camping
1. Jackery Explorer 240Wh Portable Power Station
Our first pick on this list is the excellent Explorer 240; this is a solar generator for camping that many people use in their RVs. You’ll find that it’s quite portable and not too heavy; an excellent compact power generator. You can use it to power everything from drones to mini-coolers.
However, we should also mention that it’s not ideal for all kinds of devices; if your device uses over 200W, you’ll need another generator. On the other hand, that’s not something that happens often; people don’t take power-heavy devices on general camping trips.
Pros:
- Excellent for travel, hunting, and outdoors emergencies
- Backup battery
- Not too noisy
Cons:
- Can’t power devices over 200 watts
2. Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station
The next solar generator for camping on this list is one of the most powerful ones that we’ve reviewed up until now — the Yeti solar generator. Primarily because its power capacity is leaps and bounds above a majority of niche competitors. With 500W, it’s useful in a wide variety of situations — one of which is definitely camping.
One of the rare issues with this power generator is the fact that its instructions are written unclearly. While some people had difficulties operating them, this is a minor nuisance and something you get over quickly once you learn how to run it.
Pros:
- Compatible with the majority of devices
- The supply capacity of 500W
Cons:
- Badly written instructions
- Can power most devices
3. FLASHFISH 200W Peak Power Station
The Flashfish just might be the best solar generators for camping, though we do have to mention that it’s not ideal as a primary source of power. It can’t power devices that need more than 150W; however — as a backup generator, it does an excellent job. It’s compact enough to be perfectly portable on any kind of outdoor trip.
Plus, it’s not noisy at all, and it has safety options for people who are traveling with children or pets. That earns it a place on this list, for sure.
Pros:
- Variety of uses
- Protection and safety
- Portable and lightweight
Cons:
- Only usable for below 150W devices
4. NusGear 155Wh Generator Portable Power Station
The NusGear generator is one of the best picks you can make when it comes to smaller solar generators for camping. It’s another device that’s great as a backup generator. However, unlike our previous device, this one has a far better power capacity. That means that not only can you use it as a reliable backup on your trip; it’s great as a backup generator for your household as well – if you live in an area with shaky electricity.
Its only real issue is the user manual — it’s not written clearly at all. However, there’s a contact number of the manufacturer included, so their customer support can help you if you find yourself requiring assistance. We recommend it for camping, your household, or your RV. Plus, you get two DC ports with it; always neat.
Pros:
- Double DC port
- Battery with decent capacity
Cons:
- User manual could be clearer
5. Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station
This Explorer solar generator is certainly one of the more reliable models on the list; you’ll find that the battery has an insanely long lifespan. You can go over 500 cycles on this before you lose even 20% of its capacity. Also, it comes with a great-looking design and LED interface.
However, there’s one issue that might be a deal-breaker for those who like to pack lightly. Namely, the fact that the ports on the device are all USB-A. That means you may have to pack some power adapters too. However, it runs smoothly and is compact considering its power capacity; so that may not be too big of a downside.
Pros:
- LED interface
- Portability
Cons:
- USB-A ports
6. OKPRO 231 Wh Solar Generator Portable Power Station
One of the best things about the OKPRO solar generator for camping is the lifespan of its batteries. It can last for a long time; plus, you get a variety of ports for all kinds of devices, meaning you won’t have to lug any additional adapters around.
Unfortunately, compared to other generators on this list — the manufacturing quality of the overall build is somewhat shoddy. We can’t claim that this will last you as long as similar units. It can get scratched or damaged out in nature quite easily, so watch how you handle it.
Pros:
- Variety of ports
- Led Display
- Decent battery life
Cons:
- Somewhat flimsy manufacturing
7. Renogy Phoenix 246.24Wh/150W Portable Generator All-in-one Kit
Our final pick is last, but certainly not least. In fact, the Renogy portable generator represents one of the most powerful choices in its industry. With it, you get a decent amount of power — but also the durability that ensures you can use it in any kind of terrain. There are no real downsides to speak of. If we were to be nitpicky, we’d say that the port covers could be designed better; but that’s really going into the details.
Pros:
- Quite durable
- Built-in flashlight
Cons:
- Shoddy port covers
How Does a Solar Generator Work?
Before we delve into some of the factors to consider before buying the best solar generator for camping, let’s help you understand how a solar generator works.
A solar generator is typically made of four main components including:
- Portable solar panels
- A battery
- A charge controller
- An inverter
A solar generator essentially works by converting sunlight into electricity or direct current using the solar panels. The converted power goes through the charge controller, which regulates the power voltage to prevent electrical damage. The regulated solar energy is then stored in a battery.
When you want to power or charge your electronic devices and appliances, the inverter converts the battery’s stored DC power into more usable AC (Alternating Current) power.
Typically, most solar generators have AC outlets, USB ports and 12v carports.
Benefits of Using Solar Generators for Camping
- One of the main benefits of using solar generators for camping is that they’re economical to use as they use renewable and free solar power to operate. This means you don’t incur hefty fuel costs or high fees to recharge your devices.
- Unlike fuel-powered generators, a solar generator has a lower maintenance cost since it doesn’t use fuel or have moving parts. This reduces its chance of getting damaged and requiring frequent repairs.
- Solar generators also offer a clean and quiet operation, making them great for use in campsites.
- They are also designed lightweight and compact size, which makes transportation easy and the convenience of carrying other camping gear like camping lights, portable fridge and mobile phones.
- They also allow you to recharge multiple electronic camping devices at the same time, keeping everything up and running at all times.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Solar Generator for Camping
There are several key factors you need to consider before going out and buying a solar generator to go camping. This will help you invest in the right solar generator for your camping needs. Some of the main things you should consider include:
The battery type used
The most common battery types used in solar generators include lithium and lead-acid batteries. While lead-acid solar generators are more affordable than lithium solar generators, they are also a lot heavier and less efficient.
As such, you should opt for a solar generator with a lithium battery as they’re lightweight and highly efficient when it comes to power, charging and discharge rate.
Battery Capacity
Besides the type of battery, you also should consider the battery’s storage capacity. A solar generator with a battery with a high capacity will keep your electronic devices running before it requires recharging. So, it would be best to choose one with a high battery capacity for the best experience.
Inverter Rating
The solar generator’s inverter rating is another key factor to consider as it dictates the kind of devices and appliances that you can power. Typically, a solar generator with a low inverter rating cannot be used to power your high-wattage appliances and devices. That said, you should opt for a solar generator with an inverter rating that matches your electronic camping devices and appliances.
Car charging Capability
Though an often-overlooked feature, you should choose a solar generator that you can charge using your vehicle. This comes handy, especially when you forget to charge it during the day. It also charges a lot faster that by solar power, which can help during emergency situations.
Portability
Since you want a solar generator that you can use when camping, you should consider getting one that’s lightweight and compact enough for easy transporting. You may also choose one that’s designed with ergonomic handles and wheels for enhanced portability.
Conclusion
To ensure you don’t find yourself in such a mess or your long-awaited weekend camping trip doesn’t get ruined, you should get the most efficient and reliable source of power such as a solar generator. Unlike a fuel-powered generator, a solar generator harnesses the power of the sun to operate. This makes them more economical, Eco-friendly, and dependable sources of power when you’re out in the wilderness off the grid.
Solar generators are also designed more compact, which makes them great for use when you’re out camping or enjoying other recreational activities. The good news is that there are lots of solar generators on the market to choose from.