Keep the Power On with Solar Backup
We test solar generators, portable power stations, and home battery backups — then rank them on real capacity, recharge speed, and value — so you can ride out the next outage without the noise, fumes, or guesswork.
Top solar backup units at a glance
Our three standouts for keeping the essentials running — see the full best solar generator for home backup guide.
| Model | Capacity | Inverter | Solar in | Best for | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1070 Wh | 1500 W | up to 400 W | All-round backup | ★★★★★ |
| EcoFlow Delta 2 | 1024 Wh | 1800 W | up to 500 W | Fast recharge · expandable | ★★★★½ |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1152 Wh | 1800 W | up to 500 W | Best value | ★★★★½ |
The picks, reviewed
Why each earned its spot for solar backup — and where it falls short.
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
Pros
- Recharges to full in ~1 hr on AC, ~5 hr on solar
- Light enough to move room-to-room or into the car
- Quiet fans — safe and livable indoors during an outage
- Long LFP life (~10 yrs of regular cycling)
Cons
- Only 3 AC outlets
- 1500 W won't start a central A/C
The one we'd hand a first-time buyer. It covers the outage essentials — fridge, Wi-Fi, phones, CPAP, a few lights — recharges fast from wall or sun, and is light enough to actually carry. The best balance of capacity, portability, and price.
Check price on Amazon → Read the full review →EcoFlow Delta 2
Pros
- 0–80% in ~50 minutes — grab-and-go before a storm
- 1800 W runs full-size fridges, power tools, microwaves
- Bolt on extra batteries for true home backup later
Cons
- Fans get loud under heavy load
- Heavier than the Jackery
Pick this if you want to grow into whole-home backup. The recharge speed is unmatched, the bigger inverter handles serious loads, and the expansion batteries turn it into a 3 kWh system when you're ready.
Check price on Amazon → Read the full review →Bluetti AC180
Pros
- Most watt-hours per dollar in this class
- Big 1800 W inverter for the price
- Frequent sales dip it under $600
Cons
- Slower AC recharge than the EcoFlow
- Bulkier to store
When budget leads, the AC180 gives up the least — the most storage and a strong inverter for the money. Ideal if the unit mostly lives at home for backup and portability is a bonus, not the priority.
Check price on Amazon → Read the full review →How much backup do you actually need?
1. Size it by watt-hours. List your must-run loads and multiply watts × hours. A fridge (~150W avg), Wi-Fi, phones, and a few LED lights over a day-long outage lands around 1000–1500Wh. Add ~30% for headroom and battery aging.
2. The inverter decides what starts. Continuous watts set what you can run at once; the surge rating decides whether a fridge or pump motor will even kick on. 1500–1800W covers nearly everything short of central A/C.
3. Demand LiFePO4 (LFP). It lasts 4–6× longer than older lithium and is far safer for indoor use. Every pick here is LFP.
4. Add solar to go longer. Panels turn a battery into a refillable "solar generator." Match panel wattage to the unit's max solar input so you can top it back up in a single day of sun.
Want to go deeper? Read our step-by-step guide to sizing a solar generator, or see how battery units stack up against fuel in solar generator vs gas generator.
Outage-season deal alerts
These units go on sale constantly — especially before storm season. We'll email you when a top pick hits its best price. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
FAQ
What size solar generator do I need for home backup?
Add up the watts of your essentials (fridge, Wi-Fi, phones, lights) × hours, then add ~30% headroom. Most homeowners want 1000–2000Wh plus a 1500W+ inverter to handle the fridge's startup surge.
Solar/battery vs a gas generator?
Solar/battery units are silent, emission-free, indoor-safe, and fuel-free — perfect for apartments, overnight, and short-to-medium outages. Gas still wins for multi-day whole-home loads. Many people keep both.
Can I recharge from panels during an outage?
Yes — that's the "solar" in solar generator. Match panel wattage to the unit's solar input; ~200W of panels typically refills a 1000Wh unit in 5–8 hours of good sun.
How long do the batteries last?
LiFePO4 cells are rated for 3000–4000+ cycles to 80% capacity — roughly a decade of regular use. Every unit we recommend uses LFP.