Last reviewed: May 14, 2026 · Reviewed by Mike Torres, Electrical Specialist
Home backup means a 24-hour outage minimum, often more. For most US homes that means 1,500 to 3,000Wh of essential draw per day (fridge, lights, router, CPAP, phones, a few small appliances). The right solar generator pairs enough total capacity for one full day with enough solar input to keep recharging during multi-day outages. Below are the five best options for 2026, ranked by total watt-hours, AC surge for motor startup, solar input ceiling, and expandability.
Start by listing every device you want to keep running. Multiply each device's wattage by the hours you plan to run it. Add the totals. That number, in watt-hours, is your daily backup requirement. Add 25% buffer for inverter losses and unexpected draw.
| Device | Watts (Avg) | Hours/Day | Wh/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (full-size) | 120W | 24 (cycling) | 1,440 |
| LED bulbs (5 at 10W) | 50W | 5 | 250 |
| Modem + router | 15W | 24 | 360 |
| CPAP (no humidifier) | 40W | 8 | 320 |
| Phone charging (2 phones) | 10W | 4 | 40 |
| TV (LED, 50-inch) | 100W | 3 | 300 |
| Total essentials | 2,710 |
The example total is 2,710Wh for one day of essentials. Add 25% buffer: about 3,400Wh needed per day. A Bluetti AC300+B300 (3072Wh) plus 400W of solar covers this and stretches further during sunny outages.
$2,599 MSRP
The AC300 inverter is modular. Start with one B300 battery (3072Wh) and add up to three more as your backup needs grow. Total system scales to 12.2kWh, which covers a week of fridge, lights, internet, and CPAP for most homes. LFP chemistry on all batteries.
$3,199 MSRP
More capacity than the AC300 base unit (3600Wh vs 3072Wh) and a higher AC ceiling (3600W). EcoFlow's home transfer panel kit lets you wire it into your breaker box for whole-house circuit backup. App is the best in class.
$3,199 MSRP
NMC chemistry, lower cycle life than LFP competitors. But the build quality is the best in class. Anderson Powerpole 30A output. 2-year warranty is the weak point. Buy for the ecosystem and overlanding compatibility.
$2,799 MSRP
If you do not need expansion past 3kWh, the 3000 Pro is the simplest option. NMC chemistry (lower cycle life than LFP). 5-year warranty. Roller wheels and pull handle make it easy to move around the house.
$1,499 MSRP
Half the price of the AC300 system. LFP chemistry. 1-hour wall recharge is faster than any unit on this list. Covers 24 hours of essential home backup (fridge, lights, router, CPAP) without expansion. Best value entry point for home backup.
| Model | Wh | AC / Surge | Solar Max | Recharge | Expandable | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetti AC300 + B300 | 3072 | 3000W / 6000W surge | 2400W | 1.7 hr wall | Yes | $2,599 |
| EcoFlow Delta Pro | 3600 | 3600W / 7200W surge | 1600W | 1.7 hr wall | Yes | $3,199 |
| Goal Zero Yeti 3000X | 3032 | 2000W / 3500W surge | 600W | 4 hr wall | Yes | $3,199 |
| Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro | 3024 | 3000W / 6000W surge | 1400W | 2.4 hr wall | No | $2,799 |
| EcoFlow Delta 2 Max | 2048 | 2400W / 3100W surge | 1000W | 1 hr wall | Yes | $1,499 |
Portable solar generators top out at about 25kWh stacked. That covers two to four days of essentials for most homes. If your outage planning runs longer than that, or if you want to power high-draw appliances (central AC, electric water heater, electric range), look beyond portable units. Options include:
For preparedness planning, see the FEMA power outage preparedness guide and the DOE Energy Saver appliance wattage chart.
For 24-hour essentials (fridge, lights, modem and router, CPAP, phone charging): plan on 1,500 to 2,000Wh. A fridge averages 60W (1,440Wh over 24 hours). LED bulbs at 10W each times five hours times five bulbs is 250Wh. A modem and router pull about 15W (360Wh per day). A CPAP without humidifier averages 40W (320Wh for 8 hours). Total: around 2,400Wh of total draw. With a 2,000Wh+ unit and 200W of solar input, you cover this comfortably. For 72-hour outages, scale up to 5,000Wh or pair a smaller unit with solar to recharge daily.
Not on its own. A typical US home uses 30,000Wh (30kWh) per day. The biggest portable solar generator systems (EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra at 25kWh, Bluetti AC300+B300 stacked at 12kWh) can run essential circuits (fridge, lights, internet, CPAP, well pump) for one to four days during an outage. They cannot run a central AC unit, an electric water heater, or an electric range. For whole-home backup including HVAC, you need a permanent standby generator (15-25kW) or a full home battery system like Tesla Powerwall.
Yes, with the right size. A full-size kitchen fridge averages 100 to 200W (cycling on and off). Over 24 hours that is 1,500 to 2,500Wh of total draw. A 2,000Wh+ portable solar generator runs a fridge alone for 24 hours. If you pair it with 200W to 400W of solar panels, the solar can keep up with fridge drain during daylight, which extends backup time to 48 to 72 hours during sunny outages.
Yes, but check the surge wattage. A 1/3 HP sump pump runs at about 400 to 600W continuous but pulls 1,300 to 2,000W during the startup surge. A 1/2 HP pump runs 600 to 800W continuous with 2,200W startup surge. The Bluetti AC300 (6000W surge) or EcoFlow Delta Pro (7200W surge) handles either. Smaller units like the Delta 2 Max (3100W surge) handle 1/3 HP but may struggle with 1/2 HP startup.
Yes, with the right size. A CPAP without humidifier averages 40W. Over 8 hours per night that is 320Wh per night, or 2,240Wh over 7 nights. A 3,000Wh+ unit covers a full week alone. Pair it with even a small 100W solar panel and the math gets easier because you recharge during the day. Many CPAP users keep a Bluetti AC180 (1152Wh, $999) or EcoFlow Delta 2 (1024Wh) for medical backup specifically.
Yes, and that is the main advantage over gas generators. Solar generators produce no fumes and no carbon monoxide. They are safe in a basement, garage, or living room. According to the CDC, more than 400 people die in the United States each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, with many of those cases linked to portable gas generators used too close to homes. A solar generator removes that risk.
LFP units (Bluetti, EcoFlow, Anker, newer Jackery) hold 80% capacity after 3,000 to 4,000 charge cycles. At weekly use, that is 8 to 15 years of useful life. NMC units (older Yeti, older Jackery) hold 80% at 500 to 800 cycles, so 5 to 8 years at weekly use. For a unit that sits as emergency backup and only runs during outages, both chemistries last well past 10 years.
Yes, with the right transfer switch or smart panel. EcoFlow sells the Smart Home Panel ($1,599) that connects to a Delta Pro and routes power to 10 selected circuits during outages. Bluetti has a similar option for the AC300 system. A licensed electrician must install the transfer panel. This setup gives you whole-circuit backup (not just plug-and-play outlets) for the cost of the panel plus install.
Need to compare more options?
Read our solar generator vs gas generator breakdown, or check the full power station rankings.
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