Recently, we received a mail from a passionate reader of this product review website.
It simply read: Are there any portable solar generators that are better than Goal Zero?
As is our custom here, we answered that question – and with immediate dispatch too (afterall, we’re here for readers like yourself).
However, after answering the question satisfactorily for the reader that sent it in, we figured that some other readers may also have the same question – afterall, Goal Zero is an authority when it comes to portable power stations and commands a huge share of the portable power solar generator market today.
If this is your question too – or you have ever wondered about this, kindly seat tight: we’ll answer the question in a smart and comprehensive manner, leaving nothing out.
Let’s fire!
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Goal Zero As A Portable Solar Generator Company
Goal Zero as a company is focused on the provision of solar power for the mobile lifestyle with particular emphasis or bias towards portable power stations.
It is in this niche that the company has distinguished itself with its unique product line, the Yeti series.
This series, reportedly, have recorded more success than any other brand or series ever offered in the market with the best selling model being the Goal Zero Yeti 400.
However, despite the fact that Goal Zero builds all its solar generators from ground up and do not import and brand some OEM generators for resale (plus the fact that the end products are well loved with super happy users), there may still be some reason why you would prefer something else other than a Yeti from Goal Zero.
If we’re on the same page, kindly continue reading below.
Better Than Goal Zero Yeti: Are There Such Portable Solar Generators Or Power Stations?
If you’ve continued up to this point, one thing is crystal clear: you’re seriously interested in Goal Zero’s competitors, equivalents or options that are clearly better than Goal Zero.
Note however that, before we proceed to answer your question, kindly understand that when we mention that a solar generator is better than Goal Zero’s Yeti options, we mean that that particular solar power station is better than what Goal Zero offers in a particular respect.
For instance, Goal Zero certainly doesn’t offer waterproof portable solar generators at the moment.
If you thus need a waterproof solar generator, you’ll certainly have no other option than to opt for another solar generator that certainly handles the task of waterproofing better than Goal Zero handles it at the moment.
If you have understood this part of our answer so far, we’ll now proceed to the meat of the article proper.
To thus answer the question, YES – there are portable power stations that are better than Goal Zero.
Portable Power Stations Better Than Goal Zero’s Yeti Series
Having thus explained the basis and criteria which we used to come to the conclusion that some power stations are indeed better than Goal Zero’s Yeti series, let’s now see those portable solar power stations that have indeed succeeded in humbling the Yeti line at its own business.
Shall we?
Portable Solar Generator Better Than Goal Zero’s Yeti In Terms Of Waterproofing, Energy-Weight Ratio & Remote Operation
Sometimes, nothing is desired in a portable solar generator better than its ability to wade off water.
This is especially true if the generator is meant to be used for outdoors activities such as camping and hiking.
If this is what you’re looking for and cannot expressly get it from Goal Zero (the company hasn’t yet equipped its Yeti line with water proofing or water resistance), the option below should serve as a better and smarter alternative.
If you’re also (in addition), looking for an option that is capable of remote operation and at the same time, is also super light in relation to the power output, you’ll also discover that Goal Zero’s Yeti will fail you and for such an option, you’ll need something else – the Kalisaya KP601.
The Kalisaya KP601
The Kalisaya KaliPAK 601 is the best portable power station that we consider way better than Goal Zero’s Yeti brand so far as the reality of being water proof is concerned.
This is made possible by the KaliPAK Weatherproof Raincoat that brilliantly ensures that irrespective of the prevailing weather in question, you always have power that will serve you.
More to the above, the KP601 from the stables of Kalisaya also boasts the smartest energy-weight ratio of any portable solar generator currently available in the market today.
What this means is that, there is currently no portable solar generator that weighs less than the KP601 and outputs more power than the unit – the legendary Goal Zero’s Yeti portable solar generators inclusive.
At a weight of 14.3 lbs and the ability to churn out a healthy 558Wh of power, we also completely agree – and hold that this power station is indeed superior to the Yeti line in this regard.
Finally, Goal Zero does not at the moment offer (small) portable solar generators with the ability for remote operation.
Kalisaya on the other hand has equipped the KP601 with this facility – making it capable of operation and management without actually being close to the unit or even touching it.
If you’ll love to read more about this power station, kindly consider reading our review of the Kalisaya KaliPAK 601 portable solar generator here.
Portable Solar Generator Better Than Goal Zero’s Yeti In Terms Of Jump Starting A Dead Battery
Sometimes, the battery of your automobile may give way or run flat where and when you do not expect – maybe, just as you’re enjoying your outdoors adventure with your solar power generator.
If you’re with a Goal Zero Yeti, you’re finished – that is if you intend to use it to jumpstart your car back to life or at least give it enough juice to start up.
This was the thrust of an article we recently published on this platform: can a Goal Zero Yeti jump start a battery?
In the article mentioned immediately above, we held that it was not possible – and gave out another smart alternative, one that is evidently better than Goal Zero in that regard.
Here too, we’ll repeat: if you’re looking to jumpstart your car or another battery with your portable power station, the Yeti series is a poor choice.
Instead, kindly consider the ACOPOWER 400Wh Portable Solar Generator – which we consider capable and up to the task in this regard.
The AcoPower 400Wh Solar Generator
Other Smart Goal Zero Yeti Competitors And Alternatives You May Wish To Take A Look At
The two options provided above are expressly better than Goal Zero’s Yeti when it comes to the criteria set up above:
- Waterproof reality.
- Ability to jumpstart a battery.
- Best energy-weight ratio and
- Remote controlled operations (as regards small solar generator units).
However, if these criteria do not interest you or you are not overly bothered by them, then, you should take a look at these (general) general Goal Zero alternatives.
If on the other hand you’re looking for the smart alternatives, equivalents or close competitors of the Yeti 400, kindly take a look at this article instead: Goal Zero Yeti 400 alternatives.
Is Goal Zero Worth It? Our Wrap Up
By means of wrap up, it is important to ask this brief and smart question: is Goal Zero worth it?
By all means, YES.
However, it is smart to make certain that you are conversant with the features of the Yeti model you’re purchasing and those features are all that will take you to be happy with your portable solar generator when eventually take delivery and begin usage.
To wrap up, it is important to also remember that as earlier indicated, this article is meant to help you, the solar energy user, choose wisely – and above all, opt for options that will serve you both in the long and short run.
This article is not in anyway meant to demean Goal Zero or make their products appear less than what they actually are: no one can argue the quality of their products – even bitter competitors 🙂
If you understand this article in this light, our task here is done. We’ll thus bow out and leave you to have a very solarful day!