Solar generators have exploded in popularity across the UK — and for good reason. They give you quiet, clean backup power during outages, run your garden office or shed, keep devices charged on camping trips, and offer a reliable off-grid solution without the fumes or fuel costs of petrol generators. But with so many brands now competing — Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti and more — choosing the right model can be confusing.
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In this guide, we break down the best solar generators in the UK, compare real-world performance, and highlight which models are worth your money. Whether you’re preparing for power cuts, setting up a low-noise generator for a garden office, or looking for a portable power station for off-grid weekends, this list makes it easy to choose the model that fits your lifestyle.
If you’re deciding between renewable and traditional options, you may also find our Solar vs Diesel vs Petrol Generators comparison helpful — especially if you want the quietest, lowest-running-cost power setup possible.
Best Solar Generators UK – Quick Comparison Table
Choosing the right solar generator can feel overwhelming with so many models, capacities and price points to compare. To make things easier, this quick table highlights the best solar generators UK buyers can get right now, showing how each model stacks up for power, portability, battery life and overall value. Use it to quickly narrow down the best option for your home, garden office, camping trips or emergency backup needs.
| Category | Model | Capacity | Output | Battery Type | Expandable | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | EcoFlow Delta 2 | 1,024Wh | 1,800W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | Yes — up to 3,000Wh | Approx. £399 |
| Best Budget | Jackery Explorer 240 v2 | 256Wh | 300W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | No | Approx. £159 |
| Best Premium | Bluetti AC200L | 2,048Wh | 2,400W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | Yes — up to 8,192Wh | Approx. £1,299 |
| Best Portable | Jackery Explorer 500 v2 | 518Wh | 500W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | No | Approx. £255 |
| Best Fast Charging | EcoFlow Delta 2 Max | 2,048Wh | 2,400W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | Yes — up to 6,144Wh | Approx. £1,619 |
| Best Expandable | Bluetti AC200L | 2,048Wh (expands to 8,192Wh) | 2,400W | LFP (LiFePO₄) | Yes — widest expansion range | Approx. £1,299 |
If you’d prefer to browse a wider selection, you can see all
solar generators available on Amazon UK here.
🥇 1. Best Overall: EcoFlow Delta 2
EcoFlow Delta 2 is the best all-round solar generator for UK homes thanks to its balance of power, fast charging, and long-lasting LFP battery. With a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W AC output, it can comfortably run essential appliances like fridges, routers, laptops, and garden office equipment. It’s also expandable up to 3kWh, making it ideal for home backup during power cuts.
What really sets the Delta 2 apart is speed: it charges from 0–80% in around 50 minutes, which is perfect for the UK’s cloudy and inconsistent solar conditions. Whether you’re powering a shed, greenhouse tools, or a home office, this is the most versatile and user-friendly option.
Best for: Home backup, garden offices, sheds, everyday reliability.
💸 2. Best Budget: Jackery Explorer 240 v2
Jackery Explorer 240 v2 is the ideal entry-level solar generator if you want dependable portable power without spending too much. The 256Wh LFP battery delivers enough energy for charging phones, laptops, lights, cameras, and small 12V devices — while weighing just ~3kg.
The 2024 LiFePO₄ battery upgrade gives it exceptional longevity (3,000+ cycles), making it one of the most affordable long-life power stations on the UK market.
Best for: Camping, picnics, fishing, beginners, lightweight garden use.
💎 3. Best Premium: Bluetti AC200L
Bluetti AC200L delivers serious off-grid capability with a huge 2,048Wh capacity and 2,400W AC output. It can run high-demand appliances such as kettles, microwaves, power tools, and even small heaters — making it an excellent higher-end home backup solution.
It also expands up to 8,192Wh using Bluetti expansion batteries, giving multi-day power for rural homes, cabins, and workshops.
Best for: Off-grid living, heavy appliances, home backup, workshops.
🎒 4. Best Portable: Jackery Explorer 500 v2
Jackery Explorer 500 v2 offers an excellent mix of portability and usable power. With a 518Wh LFP battery and a lightweight ~6kg design, it’s ideal for camping, van life, and portable refrigeration.
Great for outdoor weekend trips, DIY tasks, and powering equipment around the garden.
Best for: Camping, van life, portable fridges, outdoor tools.
⚡ 5. Best Fast Charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is the fastest-charging solar generator in this guide, reaching 0–80% in around 43 minutes via mains and supporting up to 1,000W solar input. Perfect for UK weather where sunlight can be unpredictable.
Its 2,048Wh capacity, 2,400W output, and expandable design (up to 6kWh) make it a top choice for long outages.
Best for: Fast charging, home backup, garden offices, off-grid setups.
🔌 6. Best Expandable: Bluetti AC200L (with expansion options)
Bluetti AC200L wins again here because it allows huge expansion — from 2,048Wh up to 8,192Wh using Bluetti’s add-on batteries. This is perfect for long-term home backup or proper off-grid systems.
It handles high-demand appliances easily and offers excellent long-term durability with an LFP battery.
Best for: Modular off-grid systems, full home backup, long power cuts.
🌞 How to Choose the Best Solar Generator (UK Buying Guide)
Choosing the right solar generator can be confusing, especially with different battery types, capacities, and charging speeds to consider. This guide explains the key features to look for and helps you choose the best model for your home, garden office, shed, or camping setup.
🔋 Battery Capacity (Wh / kWh)
Battery capacity determines how long a solar generator can power your devices. As a guide:
- 200–300Wh → phones, laptops, USB lights
- 500–700Wh → routers, TVs, tool chargers
- 1,000–1,500Wh → fridges, garden office equipment
- 2,000Wh+ → home backup, sheds, workshops
If you’re unsure how much power your appliances draw, our wattage guide explains common wattages and daily usage patterns.
⚡ Inverter Output (W)
The inverter output tells you what the generator can power at once.
- 300W → light electronics
- 600–1,000W → TVs, laptops, lighting, small tools
- 1,800W+ → kettles, microwaves, heaters (short use), fridges
A generator may have a large battery, but if the inverter is weak it won’t run heavier appliances. This is where models like the EcoFlow Delta series stand out.
🔌 Output Ports & Connections
Check the ports match your needs:
- UK 3-pin AC sockets
- USB-C PD (preferably 60–100W) for laptops
- USB-A
- 12V car port for camping gear
- Solar input ports for panels
Generators with multiple USB-C ports offer more flexibility for modern devices.
🔥 Battery Chemistry (LFP vs Lithium-Ion)
Battery chemistry affects lifespan, safety, and long-term value.
LiFePO₄ (LFP)
- 3,000+ charge cycles
- Safer and runs cooler
- Best for daily or long-term use
Lithium-ion (NMC)
- Cheaper upfront
- Shorter lifespan (500–800 cycles)
Most premium solar generators now use LFP because of its reliability and long service life.
⚡ Charging Speed
Fast charging is especially useful in the UK where sunlight is inconsistent.
- EcoFlow Delta 2 / Delta 2 Max can charge from 0–80% in under an hour.
- Jackery typically charges slower but is extremely reliable.
- Bluetti offers excellent solar charging with the right panels.
The quicker the unit can recharge, the more practical it is for home backup.
🌥️ Solar Input (W)
Solar input determines how fast your generator can recharge from panels. Higher input = more energy captured in cloudy weather.
- 200–400W input → camping & small setups
- 600–1,000W input → home backup, sheds, garden offices
Generators with higher solar input (EcoFlow and Bluetti especially) perform better in UK winter conditions.
➕ Expandability
Some solar generators let you add extra batteries for extended runtime.
- EcoFlow Delta 2 → up to ~3kWh
- EcoFlow Delta 2 Max → up to ~6kWh
- Bluetti AC200L → up to ~8kWh
Expandable units offer excellent long-term value, especially for home backup or off-grid use.
🎒 Portability
If you plan to travel or move the generator often, consider:
- Weight
- Handle design
- Car charging capability
- Size and storage
The Jackery Explorer range is especially popular for camping because of its balance of weight and usable power.
🔄 Alternatives to Solar Generators
Solar isn’t always the perfect solution, especially for continuous or very high-demand use. If you want to compare options such as petrol or diesel generators, check out our full comparison to see which type best suits your needs.
🌿 What Solar Generators Are Best For
Solar generators are ideal for:
- Home backup during power cuts
- Garden offices & outbuildings
- Sheds and DIY tools
- Greenhouses (short-duration heating, lighting, fans)
- Camping, caravans, and van life
- Off-grid living
- Reducing mains electricity usage
Which Solar Generator Is Best for You?
Choosing between different solar generators can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time buying one. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you pick the right model based on how you’ll use it.
🔌 Best for Home Backup During Power Cuts
EcoFlow Delta 2 or EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
These offer fast charging, strong AC output and excellent reliability for fridges, routers, lighting and essential appliances.
🏡 Best for Garden Offices, Sheds & Outbuildings
EcoFlow Delta 2 or Bluetti AC200L
Both models can run laptops, monitors, lights, routers and even some power tools. Bluetti is better for heavy-duty loads or longer runtimes.
🪫 Best for Long Outages or Off-Grid Living
Bluetti AC200L
With expansion up to over 8kWh, this is the best long-duration option for rural areas, cabins and off-grid setups.
🎒 Best for Camping, Van Life & Travel
Jackery Explorer 240 v2 or Jackery Explorer 500 v2
Lightweight, reliable and easy to charge — ideal for weekends away.
💷 Best on a Budget
Jackery Explorer 240 v2
Affordable, durable and perfect for first-time buyers.
⚡ Best for Fast Charging (UK Weather)
EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
Unbeatable for quick top-ups during short UK sunlight windows.
Solar Panels to Pair With Your Generator
A solar generator works best when paired with the right solar panels. The panel you choose affects how quickly the battery charges, especially in cloudy UK weather. Here’s a quick guide to the best matches for each model.
☀️ EcoFlow Delta 2 & Delta 2 Max
Works best with:
- EcoFlow 110W
- EcoFlow 160W
- EcoFlow 220W bifacial
- EcoFlow 400W folding panel
These panels offer excellent efficiency and extremely fast charging when sunlight is strong.
🌤️ Bluetti AC200L
Best paired with:
- Bluetti PV200 (200W)
- Bluetti PV350 (350W)
- Bluetti PV420 (420W)
Bluetti panels are known for high voltage compatibility and strong performance in low light, making them ideal for UK use.
🎪 Jackery Explorer 240 & 500
Ideal panels:
- Jackery SolarSaga 80W
- Jackery SolarSaga 100W
- Jackery SolarSaga 200W (for the 500)
These lightweight panels are easy to fold, carry and set up while camping or travelling.
🔧 Important Tip
For the fastest charging, combine:
- Higher wattage panels (300W+) for home backup
- Lighter folding panels (80–160W) for camping
- Parallel or series connections if your model supports them
We will soon publish a full guide to the best solar panels for portable power stations, including panel efficiencies, charge times and recommended setups.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Solar generators have come a long way in the UK, and they’re now one of the most practical ways to get clean, quiet and reliable power for your home, garden office, shed, camping trips or emergency backup. The right model really depends on how much power you need, how often you’ll use it, and whether fast charging or expandability matters to you.
If you want the best all-round option, the EcoFlow Delta 2 remains the standout choice for most UK households. For heavier use or long outages, the Bluetti AC200L offers exceptional capacity and expandability. And if you simply need something portable and affordable for camping or day trips, the Jackery Explorer 240 v2 is hard to beat.
Whichever model you choose, a solar generator gives you something incredibly valuable: independent, renewable power you can rely on wherever you are. As the technology continues to improve, these compact systems will only become more capable and more essential for modern homes.
If you want to dive deeper into power requirements, solar panels, or complete off-grid setups, check out our upcoming guides on wattage calculations, solar panel choices and full solar generator kits.
Solar Generator FAQs (UK Guide)
What size solar generator do I need for a UK home?
Most UK households need 1,000–2,000Wh for short power cuts (running essentials like Wi-Fi, lights, laptops and routers).
For bigger loads (fridges, pumps, power tools), look for 2–3kWh systems such as the EcoFlow Delta series.
If you want whole-day backup, choose a model that is expandable with extra batteries.
Can a solar generator run a fridge in the UK?
Yes — as long as it has:
600W+ continuous output, and
1,000Wh+ capacity
A typical modern fridge uses 40–150W, but startup surges can hit 1,000W for a few seconds.
EcoFlow and Bluetti models handle this easily.
Do solar generators work well in the UK climate?
Surprisingly, yes.
Even on cloudy days, high-efficiency panels still generate power — just at reduced rates.
The key is using:
high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, and
fast AC charging for backup during low-sun periods.
Most UK users rely on a mix of solar + mains charging for reliability.
How long does a solar generator last?
Most LiFePO₄ solar generators (EcoFlow, Bluetti, Jackery 2024+) last:
3,000–6,000 charge cycles
8–15 years of real-world use
LiFePO₄ batteries retain 80%+ capacity far longer than older lithium batteries.
Can I use a solar generator for power cuts?
Absolutely — that’s one of their best uses.
A 1–2kWh unit can keep:
WiFi
phones
lighting
laptops
running for many hours.
Larger units can support fridges, freezers, sump pumps, or home office equipment.
Do solar generators come with panels included?
Some do, but many do not—especially higher-end models.
Buying panels separately lets you choose the wattage and number of panels you need.
Your post can naturally upsell a future article on “best solar generator kits with panels.”