Since solar-powered generators are generally expensive, I’ve gathered some inexpensive options with a good online reputation.
This post goes over three of the cheapest solar generators (aka portable power stations) that range from 150-200Wh of battery capacity and cost between $100 and $140.
Below are my recommendations for the cheapest power stations that still deliver on quality. They all:
- Come from established brands, and
- Have positive customer feedback/ratings/reviews
Top 3 Cheapest Solar Generators: $100-$140
Click each dropdown below for a quick view of the solar generators mentioned in this article and their highlights:
1. Best Overall – Jackery Explorer 160
 |
| Highlights: – Optional compatible solar panel (SolarSaga 60) – Avg. Amazon rating of 4.7/5 – Comes with car & wall chargers |
| Battery Capacity: 167Wh |
| Weight: 3.84 lbs |
| Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.59 x 6.73 in |
| Price: $139.99 (Amazon) |
2. Best Price – NEXPOW Portable Power Station
 |
| Highlights: – 45W USB-C PD port – Comes with car & AC chargers, USB cable, and 12V adapter – $99.99 |
| Battery Capacity: 178Wh |
| Weight: 3.1 lbs |
| Dimensions: 8.86 x 3.15 x 4.09 in |
| Price: $99.99 (Amazon) |
3. Best AC Output – FlashFish 166Wh Backup Power Pack
 |
| Highlights: – AC ports rated for 150W (200W peak) – 7x output ports – Comes with car & AC chargers and 12V adapter |
| Battery Capacity: 166Wh |
| Weight: 4.5 lbs |
| Dimensions: 8.3 x 4.7 x 7.1 in |
| Price: $129.99 (Amazon) |
If you’d like a long-lasting power bank instead, I personally use the Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC.
It’s smaller in size than the affordable solar generators listed and has an AC output. You can read my review of it here: Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC – Fastest Charging Solar Power Bank.
How We Picked Our Selection
Plain and simple, we browsed Amazon.com for solar generators, scrolled past all of the cheaper solar generators that had little customer feedback, and selected the least-expensive solar generators with the highest ratings (minimum 1,500 ratings).
For each portable power station, you’ll find the Amazon rating, the number of reviews it had, and a link to the product on Amazon.
The following models are small but portable options that will last much longer than your typical power bank.
Small Solar Generators – What to Look For
Before we get too far ahead, what should you be looking for in a good backup generator?
You want to make sure whatever model you buy is a reliable source for emergency situations or outdoor trips. So what features should be included in the model you’re looking for? A few of the basic ones are as follows:
- Portability: Your generator shouldn’t be too heavy to carry around. It should be light and easy to transport for emergency or travel situations.
- Solar Charging: When your power has gone out it is important to have a generator that can use what you have on hand in order to charge. Having solar charging capabilities is both efficient and environmentally conscious.
- Multiple Output/Input Ports: Having a variety of output or input options make it easy for you to plug in and charge or power multiple devices or appliances.
These are only the basic features that these generators should be equipped with, but let’s get more in-depth as we look into the four models we’ve selected for your consideration.
1. Jackery Explorer 160
Unlike some of the other models listed, this power station has a recommended solar panel from the same company that you can purchase to use for efficient solar charging.
It can handle devices up to 100W and has multiple input and output ports for all of your indoor and outdoor needs.
Weighing in at 3.84 lbs (1.74 kg), you’ll find carrying this generator to be a breeze. The device also comes with safety guarantees for temperature control, voltage control, and protection against short-circuiting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| LCD screen that supplies you with the wattage currently being used, as well as the power level left. | It is not able to support CPAP machines for extended periods of time (battery is too small). |
| The brand has a compatible solar panel with which to charge (SolarSaga 60). | Its USB-C output is only rated for 15W maximum. |
| Quick recharging time at about five hours for each charging method. | Has a low AC output rating of 100W continuous. |
Similar: Top 4 Solar Generators for CPAP Machines (500-1,300Wh)
Personal Thoughts on the Jackery 160
This generator is great for outdoorsmen. It really supplies all of the features that someone would need when heading out on a camping trip.
It comes with high-powered LED lighting and a screen that lets you know when it might be time to charge up your generator for prolonged usage. It mentions being able to support 100W from its AC ports (150W peak) so you can power small appliances or chargers if desired.
I was pleased to see that Jackery has a compatible solar panel that you can buy to charge with, as most brands say you can solar charge without providing options for what kind of panel to use.
You can find multiple reviews of this solar panel on YouTube (just search “SolarSaga 60 by Jackery”) and they are mostly positive.
All in all, I think it is a great option for someone who is looking to travel with their generator and needs something that can keep up with them.
Amazon.com Details:
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Number of Reviews: 6,000+
- Link to the Jackery 160 on Amazon
I personally own the larger Jackery Explorer 300 and I use it on the go more often than some of my other power stations because it’s lightweight and it can fit in my backpack.
If you think you could use more power than the Jackery 160 offers, I recommend reading my review of the Jackery 300 here: Jackery Explorer 300 Review & Test (Plus Comparisons).
2. NEXPOW Portable Power Station
The NEXPOW Portable Power Station is an efficient 178Wh solar generator that comes equipped with a polymer lithium-ion battery, making it ideal for all your indoor or outdoor power needs.
Due to its larger power capacity, you’ll be able to charge multiple devices at the same time with no issue.
The NEXPOW is also light and portable, weighing in at 3.1 lbs (1.43 kg), so you aren’t forced to lug around a heavy generator on your next camping trip.
With its LCD display, you’re also able to keep track of how much power the generator still has before it needs to be charged. A light will also flash as the power level drops.
The generator can be solar charged by connecting with a solar panel, but also comes with several other recharging options to make it easier for you.
It can charge for five hours in a wall outlet or can be plugged into your car’s charging port with the included car charger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Least expensive power station of the three in this post. | Uses a lithium polymer battery, which doesn’t last as long as lithium-ion. |
| Comes with four different cables (car & wall chargers, 12V adapter, and USB cable). | The LCD screen is small and only reads its battery percentage. |
| Has a powerful 45W USB-C PD port. | Charges slow from solar panels. |
Similar: Portable Solar Panel Sizes – Models and More (14W to 100W)
My Analysis of the NEXPOW Power Station
Since updating this article, there have been several additional reviews of this solar generator. Since 2020, it has retained its 4.3/5 stars on Amazon, which tells me that it continues to be effective for its users.
Overall it is a powerful personal generator and you’ll get a lot of good use out of it.
The only thing to be wary of is what you end up plugging into it. Stick to things like laptops, smartphones, and other small appliances so you don’t overload the power station.
Amazon.com Details:
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Number of Reviews: 1,900+
- Link to the NEXPOW solar generator on Amazon
3. FlashFish 166Wh Backup Power Pack
FlashFish is known for its small portable power stations, and this 166Wh model is among the smallest in its lineup. This model is unique because it has more output port options than the others mentioned in this post, including:
- 2x AC outputs: 150W continuous (200W peak)
- 2x DC outputs: 9~12V, 10A (max)
- 2x USB-A QC 3.0
- 1x Standard USB-A: 5V, 2.4A
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comes with two QC 3.0 USB-A ports. | Tends to get very warm when charging. |
| Has the most output ports of the three (seven total). | At 5.5 lbs, it is the heaviest solar generator reviewed in this article. |
| Has the highest continuous output from its AC ports (150W max). | Slow recharging speed (7-9 hours with 50W solar panel). |
My Thoughts on the FlashFish Power Station
The FlashFish 166Wh generator has a lot of power for its size. It is the smaller version of the FlashFish 300Wh solar generator (link to Amazon). They both have the same design, but the 300Wh generator is clearly larger than the 166Wh version.
This is important because the 166Wh version will be able to be more versatile in terms of where you can go with it. At 5.5 lbs, it is the heaviest solar generator being reviewed, but it is also still only 5.5 lbs and is small enough to fit in a standard backpack.
This is a true portable solar generator because you can take it pretty much anywhere without any struggle.
Amazon.com Details:
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Number of Reviews: 2,400+
- Link to the FlashFish Generator on Amazon
How to Calculate Value in a Solar Generator
After buying the Yeti 200X and realizing how much money I wasted by overpaying for it, I like to let my readers know about a simple equation to estimate the value of a solar generator versus its listed price.
I use this general estimate by understanding how much the generator costs and seeing how close that price is to the listed watt-hours of the battery.
For example, let’s take the NEXPOW and compare it to the Yeti 200X. The Yeti 200X costs about $300. The battery capacity is 187 watt-hours.
I then divide the watt-hours by the price and find out how much it costs per watt-hour. In the Yeti 200X’s case, each watt-hour costs about $1.60. That’s extremely high on average.
Now let’s examine the NEXPOW. This unit costs about $120 and it has 178Wh of battery capacity. Taking the cost and dividing it by the battery capacity will cost me about $0.67 per watt-hour.
As you can see, this is nearly one-third of the cost of the Yeti 200X even though they have similar battery sizes.
I use this as a basic tool to help me gauge if it’s the right price or if it’s too high. However, measuring battery capacity against pricing does not cover several other possible aspects of the solar generator, so make sure to understand all features of the product before estimating its value.
The generator may have some really useful technology that is not reflected in its battery capacity.
Related: Are Solar Generators Worth the Money? How To Decide
Final Thoughts
Whatever generator you choose from this list will be one that suits your individual needs. We’ve recommended these specific ones as they all came with features that every good generator should come equipped with.
While there is some variance in overall extra features, these are all incredibly efficient power stations that you can grab for cheap.
They all come with good battery power, multiple port options, and protections that ensure a secure and long charging process.
Not to mention they are all equipped with the capability to be recharged via solar panels, which makes them completely off-grid capable.
So whether you’re looking for a generator that will have your back in an emergency, or keep things running while you’re out on a camping trip, these systems can provide power to smaller devices with ease.