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Best Solar Generator for RV 2022

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A portable solar generator is the perfect compliment to your RV. These products allow you to use the important appliances you need in your motorhome without having to run the gas or diesel generator. You will be able to better enjoy the serene and peaceful natural environment around you without the noise and fumes your generator makes. We think the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the best all-around solar generator of the top six models we review today.

Best Solar Generator for RV – Top Picks:

Jackery Explorer 1000EF EcoFlow DeltaBluetti AC200PYeti 1500X by Goal ZeroEF EcoFlow River ProYeti 6000X by Goal Zero
Wattage1000W3300 Watts2000 Watts2000 Watts1800W2000W
Voltage110V120V120V120V110V120V
Capacity1002Wh1260Wh2000Wh1516Wh720Wh6071Wh
Item Weight22 pounds30.9 Lbs60.6 Pounds43 Pounds16.8 Pounds106 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH13.1 x 9.2 x 11.1 inchesNo data16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches19 x 14 x 14 inches11.4 x 7.3 x 9.3 inches25 x 20 x 25 inches
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This article will explain what makes each of these generators a good buy and who will benefit the most from the available features. When possible, we will also point out differences between other popular models.


Jackery Explorer 1000

Jackery Explorer 1000

Our all-around top buy is the Jackery Explorer 1000. This California-based company has been building high-quality solar generators for nearly 20 years and the Explorer is the culmination of that experience. It has tons of options for plugging different devices in and can power just about anything you’ve got. This solar generator also has an agreeable price point in comparison with similar competitor models.

The most important ports on a power station such as this one are for AC power. You’ll use these ports to power televisions, refrigerators, blenders, and almost any other electrical appliance you want or need. The unit has three AC ports and can power up to a combined 1,000 watts of usage at once. Peak surge output is 2,000 watts. All three AC plugs deliver pure sine wave electricity.

Two USB-C quick charge ports and a USB-A port provide charging power for cell phones, cameras, laptops, and other USB-charged devices. This power generator will charge a phone 100 times, run a 300 watt blender for 13 hours, and can power a 1,000 watt pressure cooker for a full 50 minutes. Click here for our more in-depth Jackery Explorer 1000 review.

Pros

  • Provides lots of powering options for the most useful RV appliances
  • Reasonable price point
  • Proven track-record of durability when it counts

Cons

  • Only three USB ports is less than ideal
  • Takes longer to recharge than some models


EF EcoFlow Delta

EF EcoFlow Delta

This is a heavy-duty power generator that delivers the goods when it counts. The military-operation sounding name is backed up with lots of power and a complete range of ports to power your favorite devices and appliances. Six AC ports provide up to 1,800 watts of continuous power. The generator can handle surges up to 3,300 watts, which means you can run high-amperage appliances comfortably.

This is one of the fastest recharging power generators on the market. It will attain an 80 percent charge from full discharge in only one hour using a 120v power supply. The ability to rapidly recharge this unit makes it incredibly versatile when you are counting on it to keep your refrigerator or freezer running.

EF provides six USB ports that include 4 standard USB-A ports and two USB-C QC ports to rapidly recharge the most current products. It can power 12v accessories as well, including things like a tire pump or work lights. The downside of this device is that it is only compatible with up to a 60 watt solar panel, which doesn’t provide enough power to rapidly recharge this unit. Other products are capable of charging with 200 watts or more of solar energy.

Pros

  • Provides enough power to run a hair dryer
  • Ultra-fast recharge rate is ideal for use in a motorhome

Cons

  • Limited rechargeability with solar due to lack of compatibility
  • Built-in cooling fan consumes huge amounts of power, shortening the time you can run appliances by nearly 50 percent


Bluetti AC200P

Bluetti AC200P

The Buettie AC200P is a great power generator for use in motorhomes. It has some top features including the ability to power multiple high-amperage devices at once. This is an expensive unit, but when you need the maximum amount of power this is the unit you should choose. It is rated to provide a monstrous 2,000 watts of continuous power and can hit surges of 4,800 watts.

If you are hoping to use a power generator to run your AC, electric cooking appliances, or other high-power devices, you are looking at an ideal product. It can power up to six AC devices at once. You can recharge this unit using dual 120v plugs in only two and a half hours. That is a ridiculously fast recharge for a device that can power microwave ovens, blenders, and hair dryers.

You can plug in up to 17 devices at once with this generator. There is one USB-C QC port, four USB-A ports, and four 12v ports rated at 25A, 10A, and two 3A ports. A slick addition to this unit you don’t see on others is the inclusion of two 15 watt wireless charging pads.

Pros

  • Huge power output ideal for big motorhomes
  • Rapid recharge makes this a winner

Cons

  • Costly purchase to make
  • Somewhat complicated to use and can discharge 50 percent of power unexpectedly if on the wrong setting


Yeti 1500X by Goal Zero

Yeti 1500X by Goal Zero

Goal Zero prides themselves on building some of the toughest power generators on the planet. When you are in need of serious power, this 2,000 watt generator fits the bill. The Yeti 1500X features the most comprehensive and reliable safety protections available. It won’t under- or over-charge devices and has protections in case of overload and overheating that prevent damage to your appliances and sensitive electronics.

This generator has professionals in mind. It can power high-use tools like table saws and pellet grills, making it an ideal companion on off-grid job sites. It offers 2,000 watts of AC power through two ports and can handle surges up to 3,500 watts.

It offers four USB ports that include dual USB-A 2.5A ports, a 60 watt PD port, and a USB-C port rated at 18 watts. You also get three 12V ports for powering automotive accessories. Recharge rates are longer than average, taking 14 hours to charge from zero to 100 percent. Click here for Goal Zero Yeti 1500X review.

Pros

  • Plenty of power for heavy-duty devices like table saws and power drills
  • Durable design that is tested in the worst conditions on Earth

Cons

  • Requires a long time to recharge
  • Solar recharging is possible, but requires several days of sunlight, making this a poor choice for RVers who want long-term off-grid capabilities


EF EcoFlow River Pro

EF EcoFlow River Pro

This is a great option for people who use saller campers or trailers and don’t require thousands of watts on tap. It’s smaller capacity also makes it easier to store and more affordable. The River Pro provides up to 600 watts of AC power.

You can plug in three AC devices simultaneously with this generator. You can power most smaller AC devices, including fans, lights, and minifridges. The generator has a special mode that allows you to power high-wattage devices up to 1,800 watts for short periods of time. You can add an extra battery to the device, bringing its power up to a full 1,800 watts capacity.

Three AC ports are accompanied by four USB ports and three 12V ports, making this unit as versatile as some of the best full-size units on this list. Best of all, it recharges to 80 percent from discharged in as little as one hour using AC power. This device is a great option when you want to recharge with solar as it takes only four to eight hours to charge.

Pros

  • The ability to add a battery and rapidly recharge with solar makes this one of the most versatile products on the list
  • At only 16 pounds, this unit is easily portable.

Cons

  • Adding options increases price to near equivalent with sme of the most expensive on the market
  • Option to power higher-than-rated devices only works on some items and rapidly discharges battery


Yeti 6000X by Goal Zero

Yeti 6000X by Goal Zero

While this generator may be overkill for almost everyone, it is an ideal option for powering an entire house when you need to. Featuring 6000 watt hours of power on tap, it’s capable of running any device you can plug into a standard wall outlet. It is also a massive unit that requires plenty of space to store and use which makes it inappropriate for compact motorhomes.

This device is different from other types in that it uses an inverter and batteries to store and deliver power. This means it can provide higher peak amounts of power for longer periods of time with less heat at the expense of overall battery life. This unit should last for about 10 years when used for weekend camping or two years for daily use.

It provides two AC ports and four USB ports along with three 12 volt ports. Due to its size, this unit is not considered to be a portable unit, but it does have wheels that facilitate moving it around. The Yeti 60000X makes for the perfect gas generator replacement for large RVs or as a whole-house backup for people who live in places that lose power frequently.

Pros

  • Can power virtually any device
  • Ideal solution for off-grid living

Cons

  • Battery lifespan is shorter than other devices due to the high power demands
  • Heavy, bulky, and difficult to move


Conclusion

We believe that the Jackery Explorer 1000 gives you the best mix of portability, power, and rechargeable speed at the most reasonable cost. All of the units on this list can recharge with solar panels, but not all of the units are compatible with all types of panels (>>> Find on Amazon).

You should consider how you plan to use the power generator and what the best way to recharge it will be. Solar panels can run from fairly cheap to nearly the cost of the generator, so keep in mind the added expense if you plan to use the generator with solar.

We particularly like the fast recharge rates some manufacturers provide, notably the products from EF. The downside to these products in our experience was that cooling fans required to allow fast charging also lead to power drain that greatly reduces the ability to power your devices. After considering the trade-off, we found that the Jackery Explorer was more useful even though it takes longer to recharge.