Thursday, March 27th
2025 Solar Generator Reviews
EcoFlow
- Prices start at around $399, up to $9,000 for a whole home system
- Consistent discounts and deals offered
- Can be used as a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)
- Easily and safely expandable
- Very user-friendly app
- Loyalty rewards program
- Positive customer reviews
EcoFlow was founded in 2017 by four friends who were working with drones and batteries for the drones. Eli Harris, Hannah Sieber, Lei Wang, and Fan Zheng are the people behind EcoFlow, a story of innovation and hard work. The four founders were featured in Forbes' "30 Under 30” in 2018. With offices in San Francisco and China, the company brought to life the RIVER series of solar generators. It has since received funding through several China-based investors, and its headquarters are now located in Shenzhen, China.
Solutions for any budget
EcoFlow's highly rated EcoFlow River 2, a truly portable solar generator, only weighs a little over 7 pounds and can generate up to 784Wh daily. It has a 600W AC output and can charge from 0-100% in 3 hours with one set, and at the time of this review, it was $399 for the generator and one solar panel. To charge 80% of high-wattage home appliances, you can get the EcoFlower River 2 Pro for $999, and that one charges in less than 70 minutes and can produce up to 1.8 kWh daily. You can expand your system according to your needs and budget.
Consistent discounts offered
Like other solar generator companies, EcoFlow consistently offers great deals and discounts. Some are available automatically, while others must be obtained through subscribing to a newsletter or email list. At the time of this review, there were storewide savings to the tune of hundreds of dollars, plus an additional $50 off for people who signed up for their newsletter.
Higher price point, better quality
EcoFlow's quality surpasses that of bargain brands, despite its higher price. EcoFlow solar generators are built to last more than a month or two. The higher price means more quality control and better customer service in the event that something goes wrong. Customers seem to initially be a little surprised at the higher price, but most of them go on to be avid and very loyal users - often helping to troubleshoot other customers' problems, which are usually resolved due to something the customer didn't know or understand.
Helpful customer fan base
One of the nicest things about having loyal customers who are fans of your product is that they can share their knowledge about troubleshooting and how things work with those who are new to the solar generator scene. EcoFlow has one of the best customer communities, more than happy to help each other via a multitude of social media groups. The groups are friendly and very knowledgeable, resolving common and not-so-common issues with positivity.
Very user-friendly app
The EcoFlow app is very user-friendly, and with over 10,000 mostly positive reviews, it's safe to say that it is well liked. Customers refer to the interface as "quite slick and well designed” and say that the chat function to contact customer service is great. Those who purchased the generator and then went through natural disasters were really happy with the app and its functionality. Helpful reviewers added advice for those preparing for a natural disaster to set up the app as soon as possible so you can connect via Bluetooth. In the event of Wi-Fi loss (as in a disaster), you cannot set up the app.
EcoCredits loyalty rewards program
For loyal customers, EcoFlow offers a members-only program with even more benefits and discounts. Similar to other solar generator companies, the membership is tiered depending on how much money you spend. You can also earn points and smaller discounts by subscribing to and liking social media channels, spending a certain dollar minimum.
Positive reviews from repeat customers
Everywhere we looked, we found far more positive reviews from customers than other solar generator companies, and EcoFlow topped them all with the loyalty they have engendered over the years. With reliability and expandability as the top features of EcoFlow solar generators, customers are very satisfied.
Uninterrupted Power Supply capability
Unlike many solar generator options, the EcoFlow can be used as a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply), meaning that it will switch to your solar generator power in 10 milliseconds rather than the 30+ seconds or more it takes for other generators. EcoFlow states confidently that their solar generator can be used to power CPAP machines and well pumps that deliver life-saving water in disaster situations. Other companies, when pressed, will not recommend them for medical devices.
EcoFlow is our #1 pick for solar generators.
EcoFlow has been very successful since their start and continues to be consistent with its reliability and expandability for solar generators. They offer a reliable product with a great customer base that helps each other and cheers each other on. EcoFlow is also one of the sleekest and safest solar generators that can be expanded to produce more power. While a bit higher-priced than bargain solar generators, the price is tied to higher quality. We are happy to recommend EcoFlow as our top pick for solar generators.
More Solar Generator Reviews
Where Can You Find the Best Solar Power Generators?
Solar generators are portable power stations that combine batteries with solar panels to provide electricity even in remote areas. Some also allow you to charge your battery via a power outlet or even a wind turbine. Solar generators are an emerging and ever-improving technology.
However, not all solar generators are meant for the same purposes. If you're looking for something to take on a camping trip, it's going to be different from a solar generator designed to power a whole house. You need to know how you're going to use your solar generator before you buy one.
Solar Generator FAQ
Continued from above...
The majority of solar generator companies are Chinese-based, most likely because China began research and development on solar generators in the late 1990s, a little ahead of the US market. Knowing where the company is truly headquartered does make a difference in the customer experience. When problems arise, customers can end up surprised by steep international shipping charges for repairs or experience a slow customer service response because of vast time differences. Don't assume that a solar generator company is close to you based on the fact that a shipping facility is near you. Often repairs need to be shipped back to the headquarters of the company.
New technology companies may only have an estimate of how the product will perform over time, so they use customers to test the technology in real life. Many DIY enthusiasts know this and don't mind the risks, as they use know-how and experience to repair or replace parts. If you don't want to spend a lot of money knowing you will be in for some repairs or faulty products, go with a company that has a product that's been tested through years of regular use.
It can be overwhelming trying to narrow down the solar generator that is the perfect fit. You can consider the following criteria to help you to find the best solar generator for your needs:
- Type of battery. Solar generators are outfitted with one of two batteries: lead-based or lithium-based. Lead-based solar generators are very heavy, many weighing over 100 pounds. Lithium-based solar generators can weigh 7 pounds and power about as much as your heavy lead-based solar generator. Lithium-based generators are more efficient and will last longer, while lead-based solar generators are cheaper. Lithium generally gives more advantages.
- Honesty and transparency. Some companies based in China make significant efforts to conceal this fact - not a good way for a brand to engender trust, so you might want to opt for a company that is more forthright. No matter what the website says about being "from” Texas or how many cowboy hat photos there are , if you can't find a lot of information online about the people who run the company or the company itself, assume it's based in China and adjust expectations accordingly or shop somewhere more transparent.
- Longevity. The majority of influencer reviews on the internet evaluate a brand-new, unopened solar generator that the company sent to them at no cost. Most do a great job reviewing those new solar generators. However, what you really want to look for are updates or follow-ups attesting to whether or not the unit still works after 6-18 months of regular use.
- Warranty. Make sure to read the warranty and return policies thoroughly and then try calling or contacting customer service and see how easy it is to get through to them. Ask them questions and see how knowledgeable they appear.
To help you find the best solar generator for you, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the most popular companies on the market. Use our research to choose the solar generator that will power the devices you need, at a price you can afford, and with the longevity you expect from your investment!
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