If you have recently decided to go green and run a portion of your home using solar energy, or if you are planning a camping trip, you will want to make sure you choose the best portable solar generators.
This process can be daunting, and ensuring you have all the information you need upfront is vital. There are many portable solar generators on the market today, each promising to be the best for your needs.
When buying solar generators, buyers should do their homework and carefully consider a number of factors. So, to make it easier, we have put together a guide for you, outlining what you should look out for in portable solar generators and how to purchase the best.
Picking Out the Most Reliable Portable Solar Generators: 7 Key Features to Consider
Here are the seven most important key features to consider when buying the most reliable portable solar generators:
1. Wattage Rating
Understanding the wattage of your solar generators is an integral part of understanding how it will work for you. When shopping for a portable solar generators, the wattage is the first thing to look at, which tells you how much power it can produce. The higher the wattage, the more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity.
If you want to use your generator for charging batteries or running small appliances, look for a generator with at least 120 watts of power. If you want to run larger devices like coffeemakers and televisions, look for a generator with at least 200 watts of power. If you are not sure whether the portable solar generator is suitable for what you need, be sure to ask the manufacturer or retailer so that they can guide you in making the best choice.
2. Brand
When you are shopping for a portable solar generator, it is vital to make sure that you choose a reputable brand. Reputable brands will be able to support you if anything goes wrong with your portable solar generator after you have purchased it, and they will also have a wide range of products available for you to choose from.
Therefore, always look for websites with customer reviews posted by other people who have purchased items from the site before. These reviews can give you valuable insight into how happy other customers were with their purchases, what they liked about the portable solar generator, and whether or not they would recommend them to others.
3. Warranty
A warranty guarantees that the manufacturer will replace or repair your portable solar generator if it fails within a specified period. Because portable solar generators are expensive and can be used in many different ways, it is essential to know that you will be able to get your money back if there is a problem with your purchase.
Most warranties for portable solar generators range from two years to four years. For example, if your portable solar generator develops a defect within two years of purchase, the provider should repair or replace it free of charge. Generally, the longer the warranty, the better you can feel about buying your generator because it shows the manufacturer has confidence in their product. This also means that they are more likely to support you if there is a problem with your purchase.
You should also check whether the warranty covers shipping costs, which can often be high when dealing with fragile electronics like these devices. If there is no warranty offered on the product, then it is best to avoid buying it because this may indicate that there are problems with the product or manufacturing process that are not known by the seller or manufacturer.
4. Durability
Durability is another important consideration when buying a portable solar generator. You want to ensure that the generator is made from strong materials and will last many years. If you are looking for an inexpensive option, then it may be tempting to buy a low-cost model that is not very durable. However, this can cost you more in the long run because you will have to replace it sooner than expected.
Therefore, look for a well-built model with protective features such as reinforced corners and shock-absorbing materials on the surface. This will protect your equipment from bumps and scratches so that it lasts longer than it would if unprotected.
5. Portability
Another essential feature to consider when buying a portable generator is its portability. If you need to move your solar generator frequently, look for one lightweight and designed to be easily carried by hand or over a shoulder. Some portable solar generators come with handles for easy carrying, while others are small enough to fit in a backpack or suitcase easily.
Some also offer a built-in storage bags that keep the generator clean while it is stored away. This can be handy if you plan on taking your portable solar generator camping or hiking with you -it protects the generator from dirt and damage that could occur during transport.
6. Number of Ports
The more ports there are on a portable solar generator, the more devices you can charge at once. This is important if you have multiple devices that must be charged simultaneously. If you only have one device, this is not as important, but if you have multiple people or devices that need charging simultaneously, it is vital to look for a model with multiple ports.
The number of ports available on a portable solar generator will vary depending on the wattage of the unit in question. For example, smaller models may only offer 1 or 2 ports, while larger models may offer up to 4 or 6 ports. If you are looking for a model with multiple ports, then make sure that you check out what is available before deciding to know exactly what options are available to you.
7. Safety
When shopping for a reliable portable solar generator, it is essential to look at safety features. You want to be sure you can use the generator without worrying about potential dangers. As with all electrical devices, there are certain safety factors that you should consider when shopping for a portable solar generator. Some of these include:
Overload Protection
Overload protection is crucial when protecting your device from overheating or other damage. Without this feature, your device could overheat or even catch on fire if you plug too many devices into it at once. Therefore, look for a portable solar generator with overload protection to ensure your device stays safe and secure.
Overcharge Protection
Overcharging causes batteries to degrade quickly. Prevent this from happening by using an overcharge protection feature on your portable solar generator. This will prevent overcharging which may otherwise damage your battery or other electronics in the process. If a portable solar generator does not have overcharge protection, then you should look for another model that does offer this feature before purchasing one for yourself.
5 Techniques Used by Dishonest Portable Solar Generator Salesmen
The market for portable solar generator is booming, which is a good thing—but some shady salesmen out there will try to take advantage of your desire to go green. Here are some sneaky salesman tricks to know beforehand to avoid getting ripped off when buying reliable portable solar generators.
1. Badmouthing the Competition
Many retailers and companies will try to make themselves look better by making their rivals look worse. They might claim that another company's product is inferior or their competitor overcharges for shipping and handling. However, these claims should be taken with a grain of salt. There are many reputable companies out there selling quality products at reasonable prices, so it is unlikely that any one company has cornered the market on good deals.
In fact, if you find yourself being pushed away from one company by another, it could mean that the same parent company owns either companies or that they are using false advertising tactics to get customers into their stores. You should steer clear of these kinds of retailers completely.
2. Trying to Push Higher-Priced Models onto You
The goal of any salesperson is to make as much money as possible. This is why they will often try to push higher-priced models onto you, even if they know you will not buy them.
This is especially true if you are looking for something on sale. In many cases, the salesperson might claim that they cannot sell you the cheaper model because it is "out of stock." This technique is known as bait and switch, and it is illegal in most states. If you feel like someone has tried this on you, contact your local consumer protection agency.
3. Asking Leading Questions
One way shady salespeople try to get you to buy something is by asking leading questions. For example, they may ask if you have ever had an interest in buying solar generators before and then use this to convince you that now is the time to make your purchase. They might also ask if you have heard about the benefits of solar energy or if you have read any good news stories about it recently.
In each case, these questions are designed to get you thinking about buying solar generators so that it seems like a good idea when the salesperson offers them for sale. You should be wary of these questions and remember that any salesman who asks them probably has something up his sleeve.
4. Inflating the Price
Some shady salespeople may try to inflate the price of their products by adding extra fees or taxes onto your bill. This can be done in small increments over time without you realizing it until it is too late and your order has already been placed and paid for. To avoid being scammed by this tactic, it is best to avoid any retailer who does not list all fees associated with their products upfront.
5. Focusing on Cost Savings
Many salespeople will try to convince you that buying from them is better because it will save you money in the long run. While this might be true in some cases, there are two things to watch out for here: firstly, they may not be comparing like-for-like products. Secondly, if they are comparing like-for-like products, then they may be ignoring the other costs associated with buying from them instead of elsewhere such as shipping fees.
Make an Informed Decision
The factors we covered here should put you in an excellent position to get the right portable solar generator for your needs. While it is true that there are many factors and tips to consider, you should be able to narrow down your options reasonably quickly with these critical considerations in mind. And even if you are torn between two different models, double-checking is worth the effort.
In the end, the most significant deciding factor could come down to quality. Taking just a few minutes to ensure that you are getting a quality model can make all the difference.
Our portable solar generators are incredibly lightweight, small enough to be transported in the trunk of your vehicle, and ready to go when you need them. They are perfect for temporary power outages, camping at a remote site, or any location that doesn’t have an electrical outlet nearby.
