Best 5 Solar Generators for Home Backup Power in 2026

Unpredictable weather conditions and aging power grids are some of the reasons behind power outages and blackouts. If you are concerned about a power outage during or after a natural disaster or want to practice a sustainable off-grid lifestyle, the best generator for home backup power can keep your fridge cold so food items don't spoil and ensure essential medical equipment remains operational.

While a generator can be a lifesaver during power outages, not all generators are created equal. For example, a solar generator for house like Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus or  Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus can power most household appliances to remain protected from unexpected and long-term power outages. On the other hand, a midsize Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can power essential gadgets or a small fridge for a limited time, making it ideal for short blackouts.

Types of Generator: Pros, Cons, & Price

Basically, four types of generators are available in the market: standby, portable, solar, and inverter generators. The home standby generators are typically installed outside the home and are fueled on propane or natural gas. On the other hand, portable and inverter generators can be easily moved to different locations to run essential appliances. Let's explain the pros, cons, and prices of different home generators:

Home Standby Generator

Also known as whole home generators, the home standby generators are installed outside the house. They start automatically when the electricity goes out so the appliances continue running. However, one thing to note is that the installation charges of the home standby generator usually cost more than the generator itself.

Portable Generator

As the name suggests, a portable home generator is portable in nature. It often comes with wheels and handles to move around and deliver electricity wherever needed. The smaller models are handheld instead of wheels, making them even more mobile. They are typically run on gasoline and are more affordable than standby generators.

Inverter Generator

Inverter generators tend to be quieter and smaller to transport, which makes them suitable for short-term power outages and blackouts. They operate more efficiently and offer a longer run time from the same amount of gasoline. They produce fewer emissions and are suitable for sensitive household appliances like laptops, TVs, etc.

Solar Generator

A solar-powered generator can charge your household appliances with the help of free solar energy. The portable power station can be recharged with the help of an electrical unit or an included solar panel. Since they don't have an engine, these solar generators are extremely quiet and don't emit carbon monoxide.

What Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Whole Home Generator?

When shopping for the best portable generator for home backup power, you'll need to consider multiple factors. First, you need to consider whether you need a generator. Then, you need to calculate the wattage consumption of the appliances that require charging, fuel type, and additional features.

Do You Need One at all?

A whole-home generator is a big investment, so you'll need to ask yourself if you really need one. For example, suppose you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages. In that case, you'll likely need to invest in a portable power station that can provide electricity to essential household appliances.

It's also beneficial for someone with health concerns. If someone at your home requires a CPAP machine for comfortable sleep, you'll need to consider a whole-home generator that can supply electricity to the medical equipment for the whole night. Remember, a whole-home generator is a big investment, so make sure it is worth the money.

How Many Watts Do You Need?

Once you've decided to buy the whole home generator for power outages, the next thing you should consider is the wattage of the appliances you plan to charge simultaneously. For instance, if you plan to run a small refrigerator and a few lights simultaneously, a portable generator would work for you. On the other hand, if you want to go entirely off the grid, you would need a whole home generator.

A simple way to determine the exact wattage needs is by listing the household appliances you plan to use at the same time, along with their running and starting wattage. The total running wattage will act as the rated output of the generator. In contrast, the addition of total running watts and highest starting watts will represent the surge peak output of the whole home generator. Here's a diagram illustrating the wattage of the appliances and sizing the generator:

What Features to Consider in Solar Generators for Home Backup Power?

There's a lot to consider when buying the best portable generator for home backup power, such as safety, budget, and multiple outlets. Here, we will explain some features to look out for in generators:

Safety: Safety is the utmost priority when choosing the best generator for your home. Jackery Solar Generators feature advanced BMS technology to ensure a steady flow of power to the appliances and prevent damage.

Budget: The best generator for your home will depend on your budget. Remember, portable generators are generally more affordable, whereas home standby generators are highly expensive.

Multiple Outlets: The more outlets, the more appliances you can run at the same time. Your choice of portable generator will depend on how many appliances you would like to charge at a time.

Portable vs. Automatic Standby: The choice between a portable and an automatic standby generator will depend on when and where you're planning to use it. For example, if you often move the generator from one place to another and charge appliances during power outages or outdoor adventures, you would need a portable whole-home generator. On the other hand, automatic standby generators are powered by either natural gas or liquid propane but are a better choice for people with tight budgets.

How to Find the Best Generator for Home Backup Power?

Once you understand how many watt generators you need and the different options available in the market, it's time to pick the best generator for home backup power. If you want an eco-friendly charging solution for long-term power outages, you can go ahead with solar generators. On the other hand, a portable generator would work great if you want a charging solution to power appliances on the go.

Recommended Solar Generators for Home Backup Power

When choosing the best generator for home backup power, it's essential to know that various choices are available in the market. Jackery is a leading solar brand that manufactures portable solar generators, power stations, and solar panels. Jackery offers different sizes and types of home battery backups, combining modern safety features and flexible battery capacity.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus: Recommended for Short Power Outages

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus gives you reliable backup power and high output, which is enough to keep your fridge running, your phone charged, your router online, and your CPAP going through the night. It can run quietly and stay ready whether you are dealing with a brief storm outage or a multi-day grid interruption. If you want more power, you can expand the battery capacity from 2.5kWh to 5kWh with the help of battery packs.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 2.5H
• AC (1000W) = 1.0H 
• TV (150W) = 6.2H 
• Lights (10W) = 37.0H 
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 1.0H 

Who Should Buy This

If you are a homeowner, renter, or apartment dweller who wants solid short-term backup for essential devices without the bulk, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is the right fit.

Customer Review

Excellent quality, rapid delivery. I bought 2 extra 1000 batteries for extended use. The purpose is to run the CPAP unit in an outage. Got approximately 3 days with all features, including heated tube and humidifier tank on the main unit Explorer 1000 plus battery.

— Anonymous.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus: Recommended for Short Power Outages

A power outage doesn't have to mean a disrupted household. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus delivers a large battery capacity and output, keeping your refrigerator cold, your air conditioner running, and your family's essentials powered. It connects with the Jackery Manual Transfer Switch, which automatically switches to battery the moment the grid drops, so your fridge, CPAP, and other sensitive appliances never even notice the outage.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 4.0H
• AC (1000W) = 1.6H 
• TV (150W) = 10.0H 
• Lights (10W) = 59.8H 
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 1.6H 

Who Should Buy This

If you have a larger household, medical equipment, or need 2+ days of reliable outage coverage and want the flexibility to expand your capacity over time, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is built for you.

Customer Review

I have one 300 J, two 1000 J, and two 2000 plus kits. I have not had to use the 2000 for a long time. I am ready for an electrical failure. That’s a good piece of mind. Thank you, Jackery.

— Anonymous.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000: Recommended for Frequent Power Outages

The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is built to handle them the moment they happen. With 3072Wh of capacity and a 3600W output (7200W surge), it powers your fridge, fans, router, lights, and small appliances all at once, keeping a full household running for up to long hours. The built-in UPS switches to battery power within 20ms of an outage, keeping your security cameras, medical fridge, and smart home devices running without interruption.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 6.2H
• AC (1000W) = 2.6H 
• TV (150W) = 15.2H 
• Lights (10W) = 81.6H 
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 2.6H 

Who Should Buy This

If you want a compact, always-ready home backup that handles essential appliances through a full-day outage without a complicated installation, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000 is the straightforward solution.

Customer Review

I only had this product for a few days, but so far it is doing everything I expected it to do. And the solar panels were very simple to set up. Although we really didn't have much sun yet in the northeast, I will be using them this summer.

— Jesse N.

Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus: Recommended for Long Power Outages

Extended outages require extended backup. The Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus offers 3584Wh of capacity, 3600W of output, and expandability up to 21kWh per unit or 43kWh when you connect multiple units, providing a three-person household with more than two weeks of covered essentials. It can run pumps, heaters, dryers, and heavy appliances without having to choose between them. Despite its large battery capacity, this essential home backup solution can be easily transported with its double wheels and pull rod. 

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 4.0H
• AC (1000W) = 3.0H 
• TV (150W) = 17.7H 
• Lights (10W) = 95.2H 
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 3.0H 

Who Should Buy This

If you live in a region prone to extended grid failures, severe weather events, or rolling blackouts, and you need a scalable home battery backup system that can grow alongside your needs, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus is built for the long haul.

Customer Review

We got this for off-grid use, but the day after we got it, we had a major water leak and a power surge that melted all the wires in half the house. But because we have the Jackery, we can still have lights, watch TV, and live life as normal while we slowly run new wires in the walls... so glad we have it, even if we haven't used it for fun yet.

— Operationletsgooff-grid.

Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus: Recommended for Extended Power Outages

When an outage lasts longer than a day, you need more than a backup, and you need an essential home backup power solution. The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus delivers reliable power and supports both 120V and 240V appliances, from your refrigerator and WiFi router to your water heater, oven, and 5-ton AC unit. A single unit keeps your home running for over a day. When expanded to 30kWh, you're covered for up to a week. At 60kWh, you're looking at up to 15 days of uninterrupted power.

Appliances Running Time

• Refrigerator (400W) = 9.5H
• AC (1000W) = 4.1H 
• TV (150W) = 21.4H 
• Lights (10W) = 71.4H 
• Induction Cooktop (1000W) = 4.1H 

Who Should Buy This

If you are a homeowner who needs essential outage coverage, including heavy appliances, dual voltage, and days-long backup capacity, and you want a system that switches on instantly without you lifting a finger, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is the definitive answer.

Customer Review

We have been having many power outages due to heavy snows, fires, failing infrastructure, high winds, etc. I needed a simple solution to power a small number of electrical devices during an outage, including my well pump. The 5000 plus fit the bill well. Easy to set up, easy to use, portable, with lots of reserve power. Well done!

— Anonymous.

Connect Jackery to Your House

The Jackery Manual Transfer Switch helps you integrate the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station with the home’s utility meter. The transfer switch for a whole home backup kit acts as a mediator between the solar generator and utility meter to ensure essential appliances start charging in the blink of an eye. You can switch from on-grid power to off-grid solar generator in only 0.5 seconds. Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3000, Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus, and Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus are essential home backup solutions that can connect to the electricity panel via the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch to automatically power appliances during an outage.

For more information, check out: Which Jackery Products are Compatible with Transfer Switch & How to Install.

FAQs

What size generator is needed to power a house?

A home backup generator between 5,000 and 8,000 is ideal for powering typical house appliances, such as air conditioners, light bulbs, TVs, laptops, refrigerators, etc. The exact size of the generator will depend on the total wattage of the home appliances you want to charge simultaneously and their operating hours.

Let's say there is a power outage in your area, and you want to charge a refrigerator (400W), a portable fan (50W), and lights (10W) at the same time with the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus. The running time can be calculated using the Running Time Calculator available on the Jackery Buying Guide page.

Visit the page and scroll down to find the calculator. Choose the Jackery product from the dropdown and then enter the wattage consumption of the appliances you are powering. In this case, the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus can run these appliances (460W) for 6 hours.

How much is a generator for a 2,000 sq ft house?

The right size generator needed to run a 2000 sq. ft. house can cost between $4000 and $6000, depending on its size, brand, and fuel type.

What is the average cost to install a Generac generator?

The average cost to install a Generac generator ranges from $5,000 - $15,000, excluding the generator.

Conclusion

The best generator for home backup power will depend on the total wattage consumption of the household appliances you want to charge simultaneously and the operating hours. If you want a large solar-powered generator that can run most of your household appliances during long-term power outages, you may go ahead with the Jackery Solar Generator HomePower 3600 Plus. On the other hand, if you are unsure what size generator is ideal for your power needs, you may consider investing in the expandable Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus.