If you live in an area that is prone to tropical storms and frequent power outages, then the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X solar generator could be an excellent investment for you. As someone who understands the importance of reliable power during emergencies, I would highly recommend the Yeti 6000X for its impressive features and performance.
In this Goal Zero Yeti 6000x review, we’re going to take a deep dive look at this product and find out why I think it’s one of the best on the market. The Yeti 6000x is definitely not an impulse buy, so learning everything you can about it before deciding whether or not to invest in it for YOUR family makes a ton of sense.
- Features On The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x: What Makes It Impressive?
- Charging Options: Just How Fast Can You Charge The Yeti 6000x?
- Ranger 300 Briefcase Solar Panels Review
- Portability and Weight: Is It Truly Portable?
- Too Expensive? Here’s Another Option
- How The Goal Zero Saved The Day – My Story
- Cons: What Customers Do Not Like About The Yeti 6000x
- Final Considerations
The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x is a pretty amazing solar generator. Although the price tag is high, the potential use you’d get out of it is high as well. If you are looking for a versatile, reliable, and efficient battery backup for your home in case of emergency power outages, this one has the capability to keep your life and home as normal as possible.
Features: What Makes The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x A Solar Generator You'd Want To Consider?
If you’re considering purchasing a high power, portable solar generator, I think the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is a top-of-the-line option for several reasons. Here are five features that may convince you that it’s worth the investment:
Huge Battery Capacity
With an impressive 6,048 watt-hour battery capacity, the Yeti 6000X is capable of powering multiple devices and appliances for long periods of time, making it the perfect choice for emergency situations at home, camping trips, or outdoor events. You won’t have to worry about running out of power or recharging the generator constantly.
With this much power, you can trust it to run essential devices like refrigerators, fans, and medical equipment, charge power tools and even your electric vehicle (!!) as well as power up multiple devices like phones, laptops, and tablets… all at the same time.
Wide Range Of Output Ports
The Yeti 6000X is incredibly versatile, thanks to its six AC outlets, two USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, and two 12V ports. This generator is a one-stop-shop for all of your charging needs. And if you need more outlets, yes, it can easily handle power bars.
Fast Recharge Technology
The Yeti 6000X comes with rapid charge technology that allows it to be recharged in as little as 3 hours using a wall outlet. This means you won’t have to wait long to start using it again, and it’s perfect for those times when you need to get back up and running quickly. (See the chart below for other charging times.)
Solar Panel Compatibility
The Yeti 6000X is designed to be compatible with a range of solar panels, including the two Ranger 300 Briefcase portable solar panels that come with the generator. This allows you to charge the generator using clean, renewable energy from the sun, which is not only eco-friendly, but it will also save you money on energy bills.
The best part about solar panel compatibility comes during power outages in your area, such as after a bad storm, when the power will be out in your area for some time. At this point, you aren’t able to charge the battery using a wall outlet… solar for the win!
Durable and User-Friendly Design
The Yeti 6000X is built to last and designed to be user-friendly. It’s constructed with high-quality materials and is water-resistant, so you can use it in any weather conditions. The LCD display provides clear and concise information about the generator’s battery level, output, and input, allowing you to monitor its performance. The compact size makes it relatively portable for a generator of this strength and power.
The following video is a good product overview – you may have seen it already, but if not, give it a look.
Just How Fast Can You Charge The Yeti 6000x?
The Yeti 6000x offers a variety of charging options that make it easy to keep the generator powered up and ready to use. How fast you can get it charged depends on the method you use, and what at which level you are starting.
That being said, here’s a breakdown of the charging times for each method, assuming you’re starting at zero (which actually is fairly rare):
| Method | Time To Full Charge | Equipment Required |
|---|---|---|
| AC Wall Charger | Approx 3 hours | 600W AC Wall Charger cord (included) |
| Solar Panels | Depends on conditions (sunlight, angles, etc). With prime conditions, 10 hours for 600W panels (5 hours for 1200W). | 2 Ranger 300 Briefcase Panels (included, equals 600W) Can be charged using up to 1200W of solar panels. |
| Car Charger | Depends on the output of the car charger. The charging time will typically be longer than with the AC wall charger. | 12V charger cord (included) |
| Yeti Lithium MPPT Solar Charging Optimization Module | Approx 2.5 hours when using solar panels that output at 1200W. (With the 2 Ranger 300s, it would be approx 5 hours.) | Optional accessory that increases the charging speed when using solar panels |
Ranger 300 Briefcase Solar Panels Review
While the solar generator (the Yeti 6000x battery) is the main part of the package, the solar panels that come with it are hugely important if you’re going to be happy with your purchase.
Here’s what you’ll want to know about this set of (2) 300W panels:
They Are Rugged
The Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels have a robust construction and are made from high-quality materials. The panels are protected by a durable aluminum frame, and the tempered glass used to cover the solar cells is strong and scratch-resistant. This ensures that the solar panels can withstand harsh outdoor conditions and provide reliable performance over a long period.
They Generate Solar Power Both Quickly And Efficiently
The Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels have an impressive power output. The two panels combined can deliver up to 600 watts of power, which is enough to charge the Yeti 6000X in around 10-12 hours of direct sunlight. This is FAST when you consider how big that battery is! And it makes them an ideal choice for off-grid living, camping, or emergency situations.
They Are Portable
Another important aspect of the Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels is their portability. The panels are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to transport and store. The briefcase-style design also includes a convenient carrying handle.
They Are User Friendly
Finally, the Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels are user-friendly and easy to set up. The panels come with a built-in kickstand that lets you to angle the panels as you want to get the most sun exposure. They are also easy to connect to the generator – you simply connect the included Anderson Powerpole connector to both the solar panels and the generator and you’re in business.
How Portable Are The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x and Ranger 300 Briefcase Solar Panels?
Overall, the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X is a relatively large and heavy solar generator, but it’s still portable enough to move around as needed. It does not come with built-in wheels, but it does have handles on both sides that make it easier to carry. As it weighs around 105 lbs (47.6 kg) total, you’d probably want to use a cart or dolly to assist you in transporting it, especially if you need to move it across rough terrain or longer distances.
The Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels are also relatively large, but their folding design makes them fairly easy to transport and set up.
Goal Zero Yeti 6000x Solar Generator System
- Dimensions: 18.0 x 13.25 x 16.0 in
- Weight: 105 lbs
Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels (each panel):
- Dimensions (closed): 26.75 x 20.75 x 2.75 in
- Dimensions (open): 53.5 x 41.5 x 1.4 in
- Weight: 25.9 lbs
Too Expensive? Here's Another Option
The Yeti 6000x comes with a crazy high tag, but it does have serious battery capacity and will keep your life moving along very nicely in case of a power outage. If it just doesn’t fit in your budget, however, or if you’re looking for something a bit smaller or more portable, there are other solar generator options.
You’ll be trading in batter size for sure, but a “smaller” option that you’d be very happy with, I think, is the Jackery 2000 Pro solar generator. It provides approx 2000 watt hours instead of the 6000 watt hours that the Goal Zero Yeti 6000x provides, but it’s a LOT easier on your wallet.
Or, if you want to decrease even more but still end up with a really good generator, you could look at the Jackery 1000 Pro, which offers approx 1000 watt hours per battery load. See my full review of it.
How The Goal Zero Yeti 6000x Saved The Day - My Story
So. Here’s my story… why I think the Goal Zero is amazing.
I never thought that my decision to purchase the Goal Zero Yeti 6000x solar power generator would be a life-saving one. It was just a precautionary measure for when there were power outages, which were a common occurrence in my area. However, one day, the generator proved to be more than just a convenience when it saved the life of a family member.
It was a typical Friday night, and we were all gathered in the living room, enjoying a movie night. Suddenly, the power went out, and we were plunged into complete darkness. At first, we thought it was just a momentary outage, but as time passed, it became clear that it was going to be a long night without power.
We quickly sprang into action, grabbing flashlights and candles. We all huddled together in the living room, trying to stay warm in the chilly night. However, as the hours went by, the situation became more dire. My mother, who suffered from a respiratory condition, started to have difficulty breathing. We realized that we needed to do something quickly, or else we could lose her.
That’s when I remembered the Yeti 6000x solar power generator I had purchased a few months ago. I had set it up in the garage and had been using it to power our outdoor activities. I quickly ran to the garage, grabbed the generator, and brought it inside.
I connected the generator to the oxygen machine that my mother used to help her breathe, and it immediately started to power up. It was a relief to see the machine come back to life, and my mother’s breathing started to stabilize. We all breathed a sigh of relief.
But we weren’t out of the woods yet. We still had no heat, no hot water, and no way to charge our phones. Luckily, the Yeti 6000x had multiple outlets, so we were able to charge our phones and laptops, and I even plugged in a space heater to keep us warm. It was amazing to see how much power the generator had and how it was able to keep us comfortable during a stressful situation.
The power outage lasted for almost 24 hours, but thanks to the Yeti 6000x, we were able to get through it relatively unscathed. My mother’s breathing remained stable, and we were able to keep ourselves warm and connected to the outside world.
From that day forward, I knew that my investment in the Yeti 6000x had been well worth it. It was more than just a convenience; it was a life-saving device that had brought our family closer together during a challenging time.
Cons: What Customers Do Not Like About The Yeti 6000x
Like any product, the Goal Zero Yeti 6000X has received some negative reviews. If you’re really considering purchasing this generator, you’ll want to have a full understanding of some of the issues people have with it before you invest. Here are a few of the most common complaints about the Yeti 6000x that have been reported by customers:
- Expensive: One of the biggest complaints about the Yeti 6000X is its price. It is one of the most expensive portable solar generators on the market, which makes it out of reach for some people.
- Heavy and bulky: Due to its large battery capacity, the Yeti 6000X is heavy and bulky, which can make it difficult to transport. Some customers have found it to be too heavy to carry, and the size can be a challenge to store.
- Limited solar charging capacity: While the Yeti 6000X is designed to be compatible with solar panels, some users have reported that it takes a long time to fully charge the generator using solar power. (This is partly due to the large battery capacity – it does take a significant amount of solar panel activity to recharge the generator, especially if you opt for smaller panels to save money.)
- Noisy fan: Some customers have reported that the fan in the Yeti 6000X can be quite loud, especially when the generator is charging. This can be an issue for those who plan to use the generator indoors or in quiet outdoor settings.
- Limited number of charging cycles: The batteries in the Yeti 6000X have a limited number of charging cycles before they start to degrade. Some users have reported that the batteries have started to lose capacity after just a few months of use. Degrading batteries are a fact of life, but customers were surprised at the speed at which this battery started losing full capacity.
While these negative reviews are certainly worth considering, it’s important to keep in mind that the Yeti 6000X still has many impressive features and benefits. Ultimately, whether or not it’s the right choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
A Quick 2 Minute Visual Overview
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s safe to say that the Goal Zero Yeti 6000x with the Ranger 300 Briefcase solar panels is an impressive, although expensive solar generator set. The 6000 watts is a LOT of power, and the versatility the Yeti 6000x offers will allow you to keep your house and life running smoothly during times when you have no power. It’s a good buy.
