A power outage is the moment you find out whether your backup plan was sized correctly. We sell home backup systems every week, and the same three mistakes come up again and again: buying on wattage instead of battery capacity, forgetting that a well pump needs 240V, and not planning how the unit will be recharged on day two. This guide compares seven solar generators we currently stock, using the specs on our product pages, real runtime math and prices checked on October 19, 2026.
Best solar generators for home backup: comparison table
| Model | Battery | AC output | Voltage | Max expansion | Solar input | Weight | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus | 3,840 Wh LFP | 6,000 W | 120/240V | 26.9 kWh (53.8 kWh with 2 units) | 3,200 W | 136.7 lb | $2,599.99 | Whole-home circuits, 240V loads |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus | 5,040 Wh LFP | 7,200 W | 120/240V | 60 kWh (linked system) | 4,000 W | 134.5 lb | $3,149 | Longest runtime from one unit |
| Bluetti Apex 300 | 2,764.8 Wh LFP | 3,840 W | 120V or 240V (switch) | 58 kWh (up to 20 B300K) | 2,400 W | ~84 lb | $1,699 | Cheapest 240V-capable start |
| Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus | 3,584 Wh LFP | 3,600 W | 120V | 21 kWh | 1,000 W | 77.2 lb | $1,709 | Best value per kWh (120V) |
| Anker SOLIX F3000 | 3,072 Wh LFP | 3,600 W | 120V | 24 kWh | 2,400 W | 91.5 lb | $1,499.99 | Fast solar recharge, 120V homes |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus | 2,042 Wh LFP | 3,000 W | 120V | - | 1,400 W | 61.5 lb | $899 | Essentials on a budget |
| Bluetti Elite 200 V2 | 2,073.6 Wh LFP | 2,600 W | 120V | 5.1 kWh | 1,000 W | 53.4 lb | $899 | Lightest 2 kWh option |
Prices are Eco Solar Kits prices on October 19, 2026, before promo codes. All seven use LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries, the safest and longest-lasting chemistry for home storage. Free shipping to the lower 48 states.
How many hours will each one run your essentials?
We modeled a typical "keep the house functional" outage load: a refrigerator, Wi-Fi router and modem, LED lighting, a TV for a few hours and phone and laptop charging. That adds up to about 2.6 kWh per day. We then assumed 85% of the rated battery is usable after inverter losses, which matches independent measurements of current LFP power stations.
The takeaway: a 2 kWh unit covers an overnight outage. For a 2-3 day storm outage without solar, you need 5 kWh or more, or a smaller unit plus panels to refill it every day.
Price per kWh: what you actually pay for storage
Inverter wattage gets the headlines, but battery capacity is what keeps the lights on. Dividing price by capacity is the fastest way to compare value.
The cheapest storage per kWh is in the 2-3.6 kWh, 120V class. You pay a premium of roughly $150-200 per kWh for 240V output and higher-wattage inverters (F3800 Plus, Explorer 5000 Plus, Apex 300). That premium is worth it only if you actually have 240V loads.
How to choose: 5 questions before you buy
1. Essentials or whole-home?
Essentials backup (fridge, internet, lights, medical devices) needs 2-4 kWh and a 120V unit. Whole-home backup that includes a well pump, central air or an electric range needs 240V output, 6,000 W or more, and 10 kWh+ of expandable storage.
2. Do you have 240V appliances?
Most US well pumps, many sump pumps over 1 HP, central AC, electric dryers and ranges run on 240V. A 120V-only power station cannot start them. Of the seven picks, the F3800 Plus, Explorer 5000 Plus and Apex 300 support 240V.
3. What will start, not just what will run?
Motors draw 3-5 times their running watts for a split second when they start. A 1 HP well pump that runs at about 1,200 W can need 3,500-4,500 W to start. Check the starting watts in the table below against the unit's AC output.
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts | Energy per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (18-22 cu ft, Energy Star) | 100-200 W | 600-1,200 W | 1.2-1.8 kWh |
| Chest freezer | 50-100 W | 400-800 W | 0.6-1.0 kWh |
| Wi-Fi router + modem | 15-25 W | - | 0.4-0.6 kWh |
| CPAP (no heated humidifier) | 30-60 W | - | 0.3-0.5 kWh per night |
| 10 LED bulbs, 5 hours | 90 W | - | 0.45 kWh |
| Sump pump, 1/2 HP | 800-1,050 W | 2,000-2,200 W | Depends on cycles |
| Well pump, 1 HP (240V) | 1,000-1,500 W | 3,500-4,500 W | 1-3 kWh |
| Window AC, 8,000 BTU | 600-800 W | 1,200-1,800 W | 3-6 kWh |
| Central AC, 3-ton (240V) | 3,000-4,000 W | 9,000+ W (soft starter advised) | 15-30 kWh |
Typical ranges. Check your appliance nameplate for exact figures.
4. How will you recharge on day two?
Solar is what turns a battery into a multi-day backup system. A rough rule: daily solar harvest ≈ panel watts × peak sun hours × 0.8. For example, 800 W of panels × 5 sun hours × 0.8 ≈ 3.2 kWh per day, enough to refill a 3.5 kWh unit on a clear day. Units with higher solar input (F3800 Plus at 3,200 W, Explorer 5000 Plus at 4,000 W) can use bigger arrays and recharge faster.
5. How will it connect to your house?
For essentials, you can plug appliances straight into the unit. To power hardwired circuits, you need a transfer switch, a home power panel or a power inlet with an interlock, installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed a home through a dryer outlet. Anker sells the F3800 Plus with a Home Power Panel, and Jackery offers a Smart Transfer Switch for the Explorer 5000 Plus.
The 7 best solar generators for home backup in 2026
1. Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus - best for whole-home backup
3,840 Wh · 6,000 W · 120/240V · expandable to 26.9 kWh per unit (53.8 kWh with two) · 3,200 W solar input · $2,599.99
The F3800 Plus is the most complete home backup platform we sell. It has a 240V NEMA L14-30 outlet that can run a well pump, two solar inputs (1,600 W each, 11-165V), and it grows from one battery to seven. With a 240V gas generator and Anker's generator adapter, it can also take generator charging as a hybrid setup. Anker rates the battery for 3,000+ cycles and covers it with a 5-year warranty.
2. Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus - most capacity in one unit
5,040 Wh · 7,200 W · 120/240V · expandable to 60 kWh in a linked system · $3,149
With 5 kWh in a single box, the Explorer 5000 Plus covers about 40 hours of essentials with no solar at all. Its 7,200 W split-phase output handles a well pump plus household circuits at the same time, and the battery is rated for 4,000 cycles with a 5-year warranty. Pair it with the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch for automatic switchover during outages.
3. Bluetti Apex 300 - the cheapest way into 240V
2,764.8 Wh · 3,840 W · 120V or 240V via a selector · expandable to 58 kWh · 2,400 W solar · $1,699
The Apex 300 starts smaller but scales the furthest: up to 20 B300K expansion batteries for 58 kWh. It switches between 120V and 240V, and charges from AC at up to 3,840 W with a 30A or 50A cable, so it refills fast when grid or generator power is available. The listing rates it for 6,000 cycles with a 5-year warranty.
4. Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus - most kWh per dollar
3,584 Wh · 3,600 W · 120V · expandable to 21 kWh · 6,000 cycles · $1,709
At about $477 per kWh, this is the best value for large 120V backup in our catalog. It runs a fridge, freezer, internet and lights for over a day on one charge, and it rolls on wheels at 77 lb. Choose it if your home has no 240V loads you need during an outage.
5. Anker SOLIX F3000 - big solar input at a mid-range price
3,072 Wh · 3,600 W · 120V · expandable to 24 kWh · 2,400 W solar (2 MPPT) · $1,499.99
The F3000 accepts up to 2,400 W of solar, more than double most 120V units, so it is the best 120V pick if you plan to run off solar for days. Note: its BP3000 expansion battery is out of stock until November 2026, so buy it now only if the base 3 kWh is enough to start.
6. Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus - essentials under $900
2,042 Wh · 3,000 W · 120V · 1,400 W solar · $899
For an overnight outage, about 2 kWh is the sweet spot, and the Explorer 2000 Plus gets there with a 3,000 W inverter that can start a fridge, microwave or sump pump. At about $440 per kWh, it is one of the cheapest ways to get real backup capacity.
7. Bluetti Elite 200 V2 - easiest 2 kWh to move
2,073.6 Wh · 2,600 W · 120V · expandable to 5.1 kWh · $899
At 53.4 lb, the Elite 200 V2 is the lightest 2 kWh unit on this list, which matters if you also take it camping or store it upstairs. It has a 5-year warranty and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth app control.
What our customers ask before buying
- "Is it for a house, an apartment or a shed?" This is the first question our support team asks, because it decides voltage and size. A house with a well pump needs 240V; an apartment rarely does.
- Delivery and weight. Large units weigh 60-137 lb and ship by ground carrier, usually in 4-10 business days. Plan who will lift it and where it will live (a garage or utility room near the panel is ideal).
- Bundles with panels. Among our most-ordered home backup bundles this fall are the Jackery HomePower 3000 with 2x SolarSaga 200W ($1,929) and the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 v2 with 2x 200W panels ($1,399). Buying the panels in a bundle usually costs less than adding them later.
Solar generator vs gas generator for home backup
| Solar generator (battery) | Gas or propane generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor use | Yes, no fumes | No, carbon monoxide risk |
| Noise | Near silent | Loud (60-75 dB typical) |
| Fuel during long outages | Sun, refills daily with panels | Needs fuel supply |
| Upfront cost for 3-5 kWh | $1,400-3,200 | Lower for the same wattage |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Oil changes, fuel stabilizer, test runs |
| Instant switchover (UPS) | Yes on most models | Only with automatic standby units |
Many buyers end up with both: a battery for silent, instant backup and a small gas generator to recharge it during long cloudy outages. The F3800 Plus is built for exactly that setup.
Frequently asked questions
What size solar generator do I need for home backup?
For essentials (fridge, internet, lights, phone charging), plan on 2-4 kWh of battery and 2,500-3,600 W of output. For a well pump or other 240V loads, choose a 120/240V unit with 6,000 W or more, such as the Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus or Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus.
Can a solar generator run a whole house?
Yes, if it has 240V split-phase output, enough capacity and a proper connection to your panel. Expect 10-20 kWh of expandable storage, a transfer switch or home power panel, and a solar array to recharge daily. Central AC and electric heat are usually the loads people choose to leave off.
How long will a solar generator run a refrigerator?
A modern fridge uses about 1.2-1.8 kWh per day. A 2 kWh unit runs it alone for roughly 1 day, a 3.6 kWh unit for about 2 days and a 5 kWh unit for about 3 days, before solar recharging.
Do I need 240V output?
Only if you need to run 240V appliances during an outage: well pumps, central AC, electric dryers, ranges or some large sump pumps. If your must-run list is the fridge, internet, lights and medical devices, 120V is enough and costs less per kWh.
How many solar panels do I need to recharge a solar generator?
Multiply panel watts by your peak sun hours and by 0.8 for losses. 800 W of panels in 5 sun hours produces about 3.2 kWh per day, which refills a 3-3.5 kWh battery on a sunny day.
Is there still a federal tax credit for solar generators?
The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. Some states and utilities still offer battery storage incentives, so check locally.