Whether you’re off on a camping adventure, living the RV dream or just want some backup power in case of home blackouts, a solar generator can provide easy, sustainable electricity.
Admittedly, generator kits don’t come cheap, but once you’ve made the initial investment you’re free to harness all the solar power under the sun (literally) to keep your appliances running for free.
To find the best solar generator for you, you’ll need to consider a few crucial factors like battery capacity, portability and expansion options, so skip ahead to our buyer’s guide if you want more information before making your choice.
Here, we’ve rounded up the very best solar generator kits on the market today, including models from top brands like Anker, Bluetti and EcoFlow. Our picks all include solar panels as standard, so you start saving power right away.
*Stats and prices correct at time of publication
The best solar generators in 2024
Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro
Buy from Amazon (£2099.00), Jackery (£2099.00)
Jackery’s range includes: 18 solar generator kits priced £351 - £12,399
Jackery’s solar equipment is recognisable for its eye-catching black and orange exterior. Unlike designs by other brands, this model has an in-built folding handle, which makes it one of the best solar generators to buy if you want something you’ll be able to carry around easily.
The design also includes fireproof materials and eight temperature sensors for safety.
If you don’t want to use the solar panels, you can refill the battery from a wall socket in just two hours.
- Output ports: 2 x AC / 2 x USB-A / 2 x USB-C
- Charging methods: solar / car / wall socket
- Recharge time: 2 hours
Anker SOLIX F1200 Solar Generator
Buy from Anker (£1,368.00)
Anker’s range includes: 12 solar generator kits priced £518 - £4,144
You may know Anker for its power banks, chargers and cables, but did you know the brand also sells a selection of larger products like generators, solar panels and portable coolers?
The trusted brand claims this solar generator kit, which is part of its F1200 range, can recharge to 80% capacity in just one hour, so you won’t have to wait long to top up the battery. It’s also designed to last up to six times longer than other generators and survive 10 years of daily use.
- Output ports: 4 x USB-A / 2 x AC ports / 2 x USB-C / 1 x car outlet
- Charging methods: solar / wall socket
- Recharge time: 1.5 hours (wall) / 3.6 hours (solar to 80% using three panels)
BLUETTI AC200MAX PV350 Solar Generator Kit
Buy from Bluetti (£2598.00)
Bluetti’s range includes: 13 solar generator kits priced £888 - £5,997
Combining clever features with stylish design, Bluetti’s solar generators are well worth considering if you’re in the market for a new model. At the time of writing, there are 13 to choose from, and you can combine them with the brand’s expansion batteries to boost their capacity.
The Bluetti also has a companion app, which lets you monitor its settings from your smartphone. There are seven recharging options, including ‘dual AC’ and ‘AC and solar panels’.
- Output ports: 4 x AC / 4 x USB-C / 4 x DC
- Charging methods: solar / wall socket / car / generator / lead battery
- Recharge time: 3.5 hours (solar) / 3-6 hours (wall) / 10-20 hours (car)
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator
Buy from EcoFlow (£1198.00)
EcoFlow’s range includes: 12 solar generator kits priced £588 - £4,048
With over 2.5 million users across more than 100 countries worldwide, EcoFlow is fast becoming a trusted tech brand. Alongside solar generators, it focuses on smart devices like its Blade robot mower and the Glacier portable fridge-freezer.
As you might expect, EcoFlow’s River 2 solar generator is a smart product too, as you can monitor battery levels and change settings using the smartphone app.
Other benefits include its IP68 water resistance rating and low weight: just 7.8kg.
- Output ports: 3 x AC / 3 x USB-A / 1x USB-C / DC / DC5521
- Charging methods: solar / car / wall socket
- Recharge time: 70 mins (wall) / 4.5 hours (solar)
BougeRV Solar Generator
Buy from BougeRV ($1274.98)
BougeRV’s range includes: 11 solar generator kits (7 with portable fridges included) priced £659 - £1,930
BougeRV offers some of the best solar generator kits for those on a budget, as they don’t go up as high in price as others on the market. The brand also specialises in portable fridges, so many of its sets include a car cooler; ideal for road trips and camping holidays.
Choose this solar generator kit and you’ll get an IP67-rated solar panel for rain resistance and a quiet motor, which runs at less than 40dB.
- Output ports: 3 x AC / 2 x DC5521 / 2 x USB-A / 1 x USB-A QC3.0 / 1 x USB-C / 1 x cigarette port
- Charging methods: solar / wall socket
- Recharge time: up to 5.5 hours
ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station 2000W
ALLPOWERS’ range includes: 11 solar generator kits priced £249 - £2,000
ALLPOWERS is another one of the best solar generator brands for those looking to save money, as its cheapest kit is priced at £249.
Our choice, the 2,000W power station is a good option for trips off-grid; it can charge 11 devices at a time and it’s rated IP66, so it should survive strong water jets. There’s also in-built surge protection for extra safety.
Monitor its performance on the ALLPOWERS app.
- Output ports: 4 x AC / 4 x USB-A / 2 x USB-C / 1 x car socket
- Charging methods: solar / car / wall socket
- Recharge time: 2 hours (solar) / 4 hours (wall) / 6-12 hours (car)
Dabbsson Portable Power Station
Dabbsson’s range includes: 2 solar generator kits priced £2,399 - £2,699
Dabbsson’s selection of solar generators may offer slightly less choice than other brands, but they do come with some impressive tech specs. The brand claims you can recharge this one over 4,500 times before the battery performance falls to 80%, so it should last for over 15 years of regular use.
You can also expand your set with Dabbsson’s extra battery packs when you need more power. As an added bonus, the brand says the generator is quiet enough to use beside the bed while you’re sleeping.
- Output ports: 5 x AC / 3 x USB-C
- Charging methods: solar / car / wall socket / generator
- Recharge time: 1.5 hours (wall to 98% battery) / 2.5 hours (solar)
What to consider when buying a solar generator
Charging capacity
When buying a solar generator, one of the most important aspects to consider is charging capacity. What types of tools and equipment will you need the generator to run? Look at the wattage ratings and think about the capacity in watt-hours (Wh) or ampere-hours (Ah). The higher the rating, the longer the battery can run.
Don’t forget to consider the recharge time too; how fast the generator can convert solar energy into battery power. Some models allow you to top up the battery by plugging it into a wall or car socket, so look out for this feature if you want security in unreliable weather.
Portability
If you want to be able to move your generator around easily, you’ll need to balance weight and battery capacity. Usually, the higher the capacity, the heavier the battery will be.
Power ports
Pay attention to the output ports built into the solar generator. Many come with USB-A and USB-C ports to accommodate different devices and charging cables, and some have AC and DC power ports too. Make sure your chosen generator has enough of the right type of ports to cover the devices you’ll want to charge.
Accessories
Some solar generators come with solar panels and other accessories like charging cables; for others, you’ll need to buy the rest of the kit separately. Usually, brands stock a number of ‘kits’, so you can choose to buy a generator with one, two or three solar panels, for example.
Durability
Depending on how you plan to use your solar generator, think about the durability of your chosen model. Look out for weather-resistant or impact-resistant designs if you’re after something extra robust. While most solar panels are water-resistant to survive rain showers, some generators are completely waterproof too, so they can be left outside.
Expansion options
Some solar generators can be combined with extra batteries to boost capacity. If you want higher battery power with the flexibility of smaller individual units, consider opting for a kit you can expand in the future. Often, manufacturers will say whether you can buy add-on equipment from the same range.
Need power on the road? See our guides to the best caravan solar panel kits and our favourite power banks and portable chargers.