Solar generator options from big brands like EcoFlow, Goal Zero, and Jackery have wide ranges of AC output capabilities. Their least powerful models averaged around 100W of AC output, while their most powerful generators averaged over 2,000W of power.
I wanted to find the best solar generators in the middle of these two extremes, so I decided to analyze models that could output around 1,000W of continuous AC power.
The best 1,000W solar generator is the EcoFlow Delta Mini due to its output ports and recharging times. It has five AC ports with 1,400W of usable power, four USB ports, and three 12V ports. The Delta Mini charges in 1.6 hours from its wall charger and 3.5-4 hours from a 300W solar panel input.
| Ranking | Model | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Best Overall | EcoFlow Delta Mini | – High input & output power – Pairs with EcoFlow mobile app – Charges from the wall in 1.6 hrs |
| 2. Best Portable Option | Jackery Explorer 1000 | – Lightweight (22 lbs) – Easy to use with a simple design – Has an Anderson input port |
| 3. Best for 12V Appliances | Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core | – $500 less than Yeti 1000X – Charges fast from solar panels – High-powered 12V outputs |
| Ranking | #1 | #2 | #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | EcoFlow Delta Mini | Jackery Explorer 1000 | Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core |
| Image | | | |
| Battery Capacity | 882Wh | 1,002Wh | 983Wh |
| Inverter | 1,400W (2,100W surge) | 1,000W (2,000W surge) | 1,200W (2,400W surge) |
| Price | $750-800 | $1,000-1,100 | $900-$1,000 |
Below I’ll dive into each model’s specs, unique features, pros, and cons.
1. EcoFlow Delta Mini
The Delta Mini has a high power output and fast recharging speeds. This combination is ideal for consistent off-grid use. It has the following features/specs compared to the two other models on this list:
- Highest AC output (1,400W)
- Fastest recharging time from its wall charger
- Most output ports (12 total)
Before discussing more unique features, check out its specifications below.
| Model | EcoFlow Delta Mini |
| Battery Capacity | 882Wh |
| AC Output | 1,400W (2,100W surge) |
| Battery Cycle Life | 800 cycles to 80% capacity |
| Output Ports | 2x USB-A ports: 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max) 1x USB-C port: 5-20V, up to 5A (100W max) 1x USB-A fast charge port: 5-12V, up to 3A (18W max) 1x 12V car port: 12.6V, up to 10A (126W max) 2x DC5521 ports: 12.6V, up to 3A 5x AC ports: 1,400W (2,100W surge) |
| Input Ports | 1x Solar/Car port: 11-75V, up to 10A (300W max) 1x AC (X-Stream) port: 900W max |
| Recharge Times | AC Wall Charger: <2 hours Car Charger: 9-10 hours Solar Panel (2x EcoFlow 160W): 3.5-8 hours |
| Weight | 23.6 lbs (10.7 kg) |
| Comes With | 1x Car Charger Cable 1x AC Charger Cable 1x Solar Charging Cable 1x DC5521 to DC5525 Cable |
| Manual | Delta Mini manual |
Unique features of the Delta Mini – What stands out?
The first feature that stands out is the power station’s recharging speed from wall charging. It inputs up to 900W from the wall via EcoFlow’s patented X-Stream technology, which allows it to recharge completely in about 1.6 hours. This charging speed is over four times as fast as the Jackery 1000 and nearly six times faster than the Yeti 1000 Core.
In addition, the Delta Mini is the only power station of the three to have a mobile application that pairs with it. It uses the EcoFlow app to show helpful data and adjust settings via your phone.
I use the same EcoFlow app with my River Max power station. You can see the different features of the app in my video review of the River Max here (it’ll start at 16:02, which is when I show the app).
What I like
- Recharging speed – Fast charging from both solar panels and wall charging is convenient, especially if you use the power station consistently.
- Enough power to use with large appliances – With 1,400W of power, you can run several appliances that a 1,000W system cannot. Plus, its 2,100W surge protection allows you to start high-powered appliances with ease.
- Five AC ports – Most solar generators of this size have 2-3 AC ports, which may not be enough depending on your needs. With added ports, you can simply run more appliances and/or charge more devices.
- EcoFlow app – Although it’s not needed, the added touch of the mobile app allows you to customize additional settings within the Delta Mini.
What I don’t like
- Potential for lowered battery cycle life – When a battery gets recharged at a fast rate, the heat generated from this process can degrade the battery slowly over time. Since you can’t replace the batteries in this solar generator, it might be best to occasionally use the Delta Mini’s 200W AC setting instead of its full 900W.
If you think the Delta Mini is the right power station for you, you can check it out on Amazon here. For a more powerful option, I recommend the EcoFlow Delta 1300, which outputs up to 1,800W of AC power. You can check it out in my comparison article here: Inergy Apex vs EcoFlow Delta 1300 – Which is the Superior Solar Generator?
2. Jackery Explorer 1000
Being one of the most popular 1,000W solar generators on the market today, the Explorer 1000 is beloved by many due to its reliability and simplicity. It has the same design as most of Jackery’s power stations, but it has a lot of power available due to its 1,002Wh battery and 1,000W AC ports.
| Model | Jackery Explorer 1000 |
| Battery Capacity | 1,002Wh |
| AC Output | 1,000W (2,000W surge) |
| Battery Cycle Life | 500 cycles to 80% capacity |
| Output Ports | 1x USB-A port: 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max) 1x USB-A QC 3.0 port: 5-12V, up to 3A (18W max) 1x USB-C port: 5-12V, up to 3A (18W max) 1x 12V car port: 12V, up to 10A (120W max) 3x AC ports: 1,000W (2,000W surge) |
| Input Ports | 1x Car/Wall port: 12-30V, up to 8.33A (163W max) 1x Anderson port: 12-30V, up to 8.33A (163W max) |
| Recharge Times | AC Wall Charger: 7 hours Car Charger: 14 hours Solar Panel (2x SolarSaga 100W): 8 hours |
| Weight | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| Comes With | 1x Car Charger Cable 1x AC Charger Cable 1x Solar Panel Parallel Adapter Cables |
| Manual | Explorer 1000 manual |
Unique features of the Explorer 1000
Although there aren’t many unique elements coming from the Explorer 1000, there are two features that stand out compared to Jackery’s smaller solar generators.
The first is its Anderson Powerpole input port. Most Jackery models have Jackery’s own 8mm input to use with their accompanying solar panels, but this model has both the 8mm and Anderson inputs. This allows you to use third-party solar panels with relative ease.
The second feature can’t be seen but only felt – that is in its weight. The Jackery 1000 weighs only 22 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest 1,000Wh power stations on the market today.
What I like
- Portability – Although 22 lbs isn’t light enough for carrying long distances, the Jackery 1000 is significantly lighter than its competitors. This factor should not be overlooked depending on how much you intend to transport it around.
- LED light – There are a decent amount of solar generators that have an LED light of some sort, but not all of them do. The light is an added element that can be useful in a power outage or out on a campsite.
- Anderson input – As mentioned before, this input type is versatile for use with several different third-party solar panels.
What I don’t like
- Slow recharging – At 7-8 hours for either solar or wall charging, the Explorer 1000’s input is slow. To put this into perspective, my EcoFlow River Max and Bluetti EB55 power stations are nearly half the size of the Explorer 1000 yet they have a higher AC and solar input.
- Average cycle life – At 500 cycles, the $1,000 Jackery should have a longer-lasting lithium battery. Since this solar generator’s battery isn’t replaceable, it might be better to find a system that gives you more long-term value.
- Basic layout – Although many people may like the simplicity of this power station, I find it to be too simple. Its LCD screen doesn’t display much data and it only has eight output ports.
If you want a system that’s portable and powerful, and if you like something that simply does its job when you need it, then the Jackery 1000 might be the right fit. You can read more about it in my review post here, or you can find the Explorer 1000 on Jackery’s website here.
3. Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core
The Yeti 1000 Core is a less-powerful version of the Yeti 1000X, but it has several of the same features and port options. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have many upgraded specifications compared to its predecessor, the Yeti 1000 Lithium. That being said, its USB and 12V outputs are both upgraded, which allows for more versatility.
| Model | Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core |
| Battery Capacity | 983Wh |
| AC Output | 1,200W (2,400W surge) |
| Battery Cycle Life | 500 cycles to 80% capacity |
| Output Ports | 2x USB-A ports: 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max) 1x USB-C port: 5-12V, up to 3.0A (18W max) 1x USB-C PD port (input/output): 5-20V, up to 3.0A (60W max) 2x 6mm ports: 12V, up to 10A (120W max) 1x 12V car port: 12V, up to 15A (180W max) 1x 12V High Power Port: 12V, up to 15A (180W max) 2x AC ports: 1,200W (2,400W surge) |
| Input Ports | 1x 8mm port: 14-50V, up to 10A (150W max) 1x High Power Port: 14-50V, up to 25A (300W max) |
| Recharge Times | AC Wall Charger (120W): 9 hours Car Charger (120W): 9 hours Solar Panel (2x Boulder/Nomad 200): 3.5-5 hours |
| Weight | 31.7 lbs (14.4 kg) |
| Comes With | 1x 120W Power Supply (AC Wall Charger) |
| Manual | Yeti 1000 Core manual |
Yeti 1000 Core – Unique features
The 1000 Core has some features that stand out, including 12V outputs that are capable of 180W (car port and High Power Port). This is about 60W higher than the typical 120W outputs found in most other solar generators.
As for recharging, this model is slow to charge from the wall but it can charge almost three times as fast from using solar panels (3.5 hours at 300W).
Lastly, its simple design is similar to the Jackery 1000, but its two additional outputs and slightly more advanced LCD screen make it a bit more flexible for off-grid power needs.
What I like
- About $500 cheaper than Yeti 1000X – Goal Zero’s power stations are generally expensive, but this model is priced fairly for what it provides.
- High-powered 12V DC ports – If you’re using a lot of 12V appliances such as portable fridges or CPAP machines, the added power from the 1000 Core’s 12V ports can be useful. There are few solar generators that can output this amount of power.
- Solid AC output – At 1,200W of continuous power, this model is capable of running several different high-powered appliances. Plus, its 2,400W surge protection is the highest on this list.
What I don’t like
- Not innovative – Comparing the Yeti 1000 Core to the Yeti 1000 Lithium (which came out in 2017), the Lithium model had a higher AC output, larger battery, higher solar input, and could expand its battery capacity with optional Yeti Tank batteries (the 1000 Core cannot). Five years later, the Yeti 1000 Core, other than its updated and regulated 12V and USB ports, has little to show in terms of innovation.
- Average cycle life – With the same 500 cycles as the Jackery 1000, the 1000 Core’s lithium-ion battery doesn’t last nearly as long as the average LiFePO4 battery. Solar generators with LiFePO4 batteries have a much higher average cycle life, are non-toxic, and have greater thermal stability than lithium-ion batteries.
- Heavy – The 1000 Core has a smaller battery than the Jackery 1000, yet it’s nearly ten pounds heavier.
Although this Goal Zero model isn’t exactly state-of-the-art, its 12V outputs actually are. They provide 30% more power than the other models on this list, which is ideal for several off-grid gadgets/appliances.
With its AC output power and fast-charging solar input, the Yeti 1000 Core has the ability to be used often. Plus, it’s not overpriced for what it offers. You can check it out on Amazon here (affiliate link).
What will a 1,000-watt solar generator run?
As a general rule, a 1,000-watt solar generator will run most appliances rated at or under 1,000W of power consumption. This includes most types of blenders, toasters, and full-size refrigerators. In some cases, they can also run microwaves, coffee makers, and electric grills.
The solar generator you use should also have a surge protection wattage that’s higher than your appliance’s starting surge wattage.
To measure the amount of time a solar generator will run an appliance, you need to factor in the size of the battery.
How long will a 1,000-watt solar generator run?
A 1,000-watt solar generator with a 1,000 watt-hour battery will run a 1,000-watt appliance (such as a microwave) for about 50 minutes. The inverter, which converts the battery‘s DC power into usable AC power, consumes about 15% of the total watt-hours used when running AC appliances.
To calculate a solar generator’s run time with an AC appliance, it is best practice to take 85% of the battery’s total watt-hours and then divide this by the running wattage of your appliance. This will give you the approximate run time (in hours) of your appliance.
For example, say I want to run a 1,000W space heater using a solar generator that has a 4,000Wh (watt-hour) battery.
Run Time (in hours) of space heater = (4,000 x 0.85) / 1,000 = 3.4 hours
