My friends, coworkers, and family had asked for advice on portable battery stations, gas generators, and solar panels for a variety of reasons over the past, few years. We did not know much at first, but learned a lot as we looked at a slew of products, ESPECIALLY during last year's devastating wild fires across the west coast. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, sales for gas generators, power stations, and solar panels had seen an uptick in demand for emergencies. The ability to charge or power electronics and medical devices has become crucial.There was one brand we had avoided: Goal Zero (GZ), the industry leader in the power station category. They are EXPENSIVE and did not look like they would provide a better choice when cheaper alternatives from the likes of Jackery, Rockpals, and nrgGo were available. But why is GZ the leader? They recently released their very cool-looking Yeti 500x, and I decided to take the plunge and get one. What I learned over the past 5 weeks was surprising.WHO IS GOAL ZERO?It was interesting to see that the founder in 2007 started with a vision to help the poorest people of Congo get out of poverty. Their first product: the GoBe battery that now is the Yeti 150. Goal Zero was formed in 2009 with the mission to do good and provide "reliable power in the hands of every human being". Its charitable arm had provided aid in areas struck by natural disasters, such as the Haiti and Japan earthquakes and Hurricanes Sandy/Harvey.GZ's power stations stand out in an increasingly competitive field with their unmatched safety record and use of quality components -- and correspondingly high price tag. In fact, their upcoming Yeti 6000x is set to offer 6000Wh of energy that not many competitors are able to safely provide. At $5,000+, it is well beyond our reach, but who knows -- we will soon have roof-mounted solar panels and may consider one for storing excess power like with LG's commercial 5kW battery.BATTERY TECHNOLOGY/SAFETYGZ debuted with Lead-Acid batteries that were bulky and heavy. Today's devices use Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) for more power in a smaller, lighter package. Li-ion, however, is more volatile and becomes riskier as more cells are packed together. The Yeti 500x uses Li-ion.Battery storage capacity is measured in Wh, and power output is in W (Watts). The higher the Watt-hour (Wh) capacity rating, the more dangerous the battery could become if not handled right.The quality of the battery cells and the BMS (Battery Management System) are crucial for safety.CELL MANUFACTURERSBatteries made by LG and Sony are among the best in the hobbyist world as are Sanyo/Panasonic and Samsung. Goal Zero's are by LG. During my years of research, I found that use of lower-quality batteries could pose a serious risk to life and property and should become a crucial part in deciding what to buy.SAFETYThe 2nd part in a battery's safe operation depends heavily on the design and BMS (Battery Management System). Some BMS manufacturers, unfortunately, overstate their capabilities that could lead to catastrophic failure. Design should allow for proper, thermal cooling, use quality components, and obtain certifications.SUMMARYThe GZ Yeti 500x really surprised me. Pricing aside, I came to appreciate the design and engineering that went into it. It is a beautiful, tough (and tough-looking), relatively lightweight power station that dethroned my former 500Wh favorite for its compact size: the Rockpals 500W. The Yeti 500x somehow manages to be even smaller while staying true to the company's infamous safety mantra: top-tier LG battery cells, high-quality BMS, Pure-Sine Wave AC output for sensitive electronics, and unmatched 1200W surge output. Marry that with a healthy, extensive ecosystem of products and accessories, and you can scale out the system as large or small as needed for a variety of uses. The 8mm 120W (front OR back) and USB-C PD 60W ports can be used at the same time with the MPPT controller to charge the Yeti even faster at 180W.For an industry leader, however, there are some things I do not like, such as the continuous output being set at 300W when competitors in its class are 500W. GZ's products also go for a price premium, yet do not have accessories (like cables) included.Overall, I am in love with the way the power station looks and how compact it is. Some thoughtful design was put into the product with top-notch components, and if GZ had bumped the continuous output to match the competition at 500W, the Yeti 500x -- along with the safety reputation the company has been known for -- would have been hard to beat.PROS- Li-ion cells made by LG (a top-notch, Tier 1 battery manufacturer)- Very professional, tough look with a pleasing color scheme-- Aluminum exterior helps protect against bumps and battery puncture--- Given that Li-Ion batteries become more volatile as capacity increases, this added protection important--- Environmentally friendlier than hard plastic-- Vertical, rounded edge grilles provide extra grip, heat dissipation, and act like phone case bumpers--- Rounded corners are less likely to shatter than sharp edges-- Jackery, Rockpals, and other brands I have tried were made of hard plastic shells that may be more prone to cracking and overheating-- Brushless fan on each side with front-bottom vent for cooling- MOST compact 505Wh power station I have seen (11.25" x 7.5" x 5.8")-- Relatively lightweight at 13 lbs with aluminum exterior--- Rockpals 500W: still lighter with its plastic shell at 12.13 lbs--- Yeti 400 Lithium: 16.3 lbs-- Roughly equivalent to a 136,487 mAh 3.7V power bank (or 46,759 mAh 10.8V)-- Capacity to power a 30" LCD monitor and Mini PC for 5-7 hours, a Toshiba 50" Fire TV for almost 4.5 hours- Pure-Sine Wave AC Inverter capable of continuous 300W power (and unmatched 1,200W peak) -- See USAGE section-- Clean power for sensitive electronics-- Less heat-- Note: Some manufacturers claim to be Pure-Sine when they are actually Modified or Square Waves- High-quality BMS for safety-- Provides built-in overload, overcharge (automatic stop when the device is full), and short-circuit protection- Regulated Input and Output ports- Can power AC and DC (USB/12V Car adapter) at the same time (as long as they draw less than 300W combined)-- Laptop, tablet, phone, light, fan, CPAP medical device, projector, TV, mini refrigerator, speaker, camera, and SOME rice cookers- Faster charging with MPPT controller (Maximum Power Point Tracking). Older Yeti 400 Li uses PWM-- Two input options: 120W 8mm port (front OR back) and/or USB-C PD 60W--- Both can concurrently charge for 180W total! (Jackery Explorer 500 maxes at 100W)---- Can parallel-connect multiple solar panels for faster charging with a Y-branch cable (not included)-- Can be used while charging-- USB-C PD is powerful enough to charge a 60W laptop (ie. 13" MacBook Pro)- Foldable handle with a comfortable, non-slip grip-- Top of Yeti 500x is concave to help keep small items from getting lost. Nicely done!- Excellent, informative LCD with LED backlight-- Total power coming in-- Capacity left (as a percentage)-- Total power being used-- Estimated hours--- When Input > Output, shows time to full--- When Output > Input, shows time to empty-- Units can be toggled between "Volts" and for Output: "Amps", "Watts", "Watt-hours"- Bottom is well-protected by neon green, non-slip feet- Manual: Unusually detailed with some helpful tips- Great technical support- Good customer service- Large ecosystem of accessories and interoperable products- 2 year warranty- American company founded with humanitarian goalsCONS- Continuous output is only 300W when most competitors are 500W-- Most people likely do not use more than 300W, but having it this low limits the number of devices you can plug in at the same time--- Yeti 500x was capable of sustaining a test 350W output. Although it could do that, going over 300W for long can shorten the battery's life over time-- Its BIG advantage over others is the 1200W surge output -- See USAGE section- Display: LCD is unreadable without LED backlight- No QuickCharge 3.0 USB output for rapid charging of compatible devices- Could be considered heavy by some due to the use of aluminum housing instead of plastic- No built-in light to illuminate your walking path (or area) or blink "S.O.S."- Automatic shutoff when idle is an unusually long 30 hours-- Ensures Yeti does not turn off when a low-powered device (like medical CPAP) is used overnight-- Could unexpectedly drain battery from 100% to 40% with nothing connected (because AC inverter uses 7W on its own)-- Power buttons can be accidentally turned on/off with a short press (ie. while packing away your camping gear)-- Jackery Explorer 1000 & 500: 12 hrs. Rockpals 500W: 10 hrs- Multiple fans turn on during high peak and can be too noisy for some- Premium pricing- No cable accessories or carry bag included besides the 57W wall charger (takes 100-240V input)- Cannot be chained to other Yetis to extend capacity- Battery not replaceable-- Leads to landfill/environmental waste. Please recycle responsibly!- Not waterproof. Keep it away from water splashes, rain, and pool!-- Lithium and fire or water can cause serious damage or injury!PORTSAll input/output ports are Regulated.INPUT- (2) 8mm (1 front, 1 back -- but only ONE can be used at a time)-- 13-22V, max 10A, max 120W--- WARNING: Do NOT use a power source/solar panel that exceeds 22V or 10A!-- Can be used for solar charging--- Use of multiple solar panels---- WARNING: Do NOT daisy-chain them in sequence/series as that can output more than 22V combined!---- Connect them in PARALLEL instead with a Y branch cable (not included)--- Accepts up to 120W---- Use a panel that's between 30W - 120W at 18V (with the right Amps to equal 120W)----- In not-so-sunny conditions, you may connect multiple in PARALLEL to get closer to 120W---- If you attach a 220W solar panel (with 22V x 10A = 220W), it will charge at only 120W----- Suaoki G500 takes up to 150W. Rockpals 500W up to 200W--- Solar charging tests on a sunny, cloud-less, California Spring day (Note: Efficiency is always lost during solar conversion))---- nrgGo 100W with nrgGo's optional 8mm-to-MC4 adapter: Excellent @ 69-84W of input----- Cable fits 500x perfectly--- Jackery SolarSaga 100W with Jackery's included Anderson-to-8mm cable: Excellent @ 64-87W of input---- Cable did not fit 500x's back port, and loosely worked with the front one. For better fit, buy a GZ one--- Suaoki 160W with nrgGo's 8mm-to-MC4 adapter: Good @ 109-131W of input- (1) USB-C PD 60W-- Both for input/output-- Can charge concurrently with the 8mm port for a total of 180W of inputOUTPUT- (2) AC with 3 prongs (120V, 60Hz, 2.5A)--- Inverter handles a continuous 300W, peaking at an unmatched 1200W! -- See USAGE section--- Note: Uses 7W with nothing plugged in- (1) Cigarette socket (12V, max 10A, max 120W)- (1) 6mm (12V, max 10A, max 120W)-- Single, compact 12V port to universally charge electronics with different connectors using a variety of adapters-- Allows GZ to create 12V products to use 6mm instead of the bulky cigarette socket- (1) USB-C PD (5-20V, max 3A, max 60W) - Both for input/output- (2) USB-A (5V, max 2.4A, max 12W)- (1) USB-C (5/9V, max 3A, max 18W)USAGE- To turn ON or OFF the DC (12V Car/6mm, USB) or AC outputs, press the corresponding button ("12V", "USB", "AC")-- Note: This single-press (without hold) can lead to accidental power on/off, unknowingly draining the battery until idle auto-off kicks in- Li-ion batteries have 500 charge cycles before capacity drops to about 80% from when they were new-- Product could, in theory, be charged up to 2,000 cycles -- about 1/4 of total capacity is lost every 500 cycle- Unlike LiFePO4 batteries, Li-ion can operate only in temperatures between 32-104F (0-40C)-- GZ's Battery Management System (BMS) prevents:--- Recharging in temps outside of 32-113F--- Outputting power in temps outside of 14-149F- Battery, like all Li-ion, slowly drains over time even when station is powered off-- Could take 1-1.5 years to go from full to emptyCONTINUOUS VS PEAK OUTPUT- Yeti 500x's AC Inverter provides a continuous output of 300W with an impressive peak/surge of 1,200W-- AC Inverter: Component responsible for converting battery (DC) power into AC for use by electronics- Continuous Output: As long as a device (or combination of multiple ones) does not exceed 300W, it can be used-- A TV that uses 100W can be used because it is less than 300W. You can add more devices as long as they do not exceed 300W combined-- A miter saw I have uses 1,800W, and because it exceeds 300W, it cannot be used- Peak/Surge: Almost every device temporarily draws more power when it is turned on. The highest amount it pulls during that time is the Peak/Surge. This Yeti can accept up to a 1,200W!-- A TV that uses 200W (continuous) may temporarily suck up 700W (peak) when powered on. Because 700W is less than 1,200W (peak), this battery will allow the TV to turn on at that level for a few seconds (any longer, and it might cut power as a safety precaution). After a few seconds, the TV then only uses 200W (less than the continuous 300W limit) until the battery is drained-- An unusual device that uses 250W (continuous) and surges to 1,500W when powered on would instantly be shut off by the Yeti. Why? Even though the device uses just 250W while already on, it jumps to 1,500W when powered on, exceeding the 1,200W surge limit of the YetiSome devices power on at a higher (Peak) wattage than when they are already on (Continuous). As a result, the power station may not be able to start itCALCULATIONSThe below calculations are rough estimates as conditions, quality, and product age can vary.CHARGING TIMES- 3 hrs at max input of 180W (120W via 8mm, 60W via USB-C PD)- Wall charger: 8.5 hrs at 60W- Car charger: 4.5 hrs at 120W- 100W solar panel: 6-12 hrs, depending on weather condition and panel efficiency-- With two 100W panels, charging can be doubled-- WARNING: do NOT connect panels sequentially or you may output too much voltage and fry the power station! Connect them in PARALLEL with a Y-Branch cableHOW MANY WATTS DOES A DEVICE US?- Calc: Watts used by device = Voltage x Amperage- If a vacuum is 120V and 9.5A, it uses 1,140WIf a device draws more than 300W for an extended period of time, the power station will shut off as a safety precaution. This can also shorten the battery's lifetimeHOW LONG CAN A DEVICE BE USED FOR?- Calc: Hours available for device = Battery capacity (Wh) x 0.85 / Watts used by device-- Generally, about 10-15% of power is lost during power conversion- If a device uses 60W, it could last up to 7.2 hours (505 Wh x 0.85 / 60W)HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE A DEVICE?- Calc: Hours to charge device = Device's battery capacity (Wh) / Input Wattage- If a laptop accepts 60W of input and its battery capacity is 550 Wh, it could take 9.2 hrs to charge (550 Wh / 60W)HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CHARGE THE YETI 500X WITH SOLAR?- Calc: Hours to charge battery = Battery capacity (Wh) / (Panel Wattage x [0.5 or 0.75])-- In a perfect lab environment, solar panels charge at the indicated wattage (ie. 150W)-- Expect to only receive 50-75% on a good, sunny day (ie. 75W - 113W), depending on environmental conditions, panel's age, and component quality-- Tip: Even if it is overcast, the panels will STILL collect solar energy. Keep charging!- If a solar panel is rated for 100W, it could take as fast as 6.7 hours [505 Wh / (100W x 0.75)] to chargeHOW DOES ITS CAPACITY COMPARE TO POWER BANKS?- Calc: Powerbank-equivalent capacity (mAh) = Battery capacity (Wh) / Voltage x 1000-- 1 Ah = 1000 mAh- Yeti's 505Wh at 3.7V is roughly a 136,487 mAh powerbank (505 Wh / 3.7V x 1000) or a 46,759 mAh at 10.8VTIPS- Always test your devices with the power station before you depend on it on the go- Lithium-ion batteries are volatile-- To minimize fire damage to your belongings or loved ones, store the power station in the garage and not inside the house. Best storage is a dry, cool place, however-- You cannot bring a battery of this capacity on a plane- With the right BMS, quality batteries, and other factors, the power station can be stored in the car while camping during a hot, California summer-- Keep the battery out of direct sunlight. I usually store it on the floor of the car and crack open the windows a tiny bit-- Do not USE in the car if temperatures fall below or exceed the battery's rated, operating temperature (32-104F or 0-40C)- Charging with multiple Input ports-- There are two 8mm ports (front and back)--- Only one will be allowed to receive power--- Having both Inputs receive different Voltage levels could have one drive power to -- and damage -- the other-- USB-C PD port can receive power at the same time as the 8mm ports due to being on a separate charge control circuit--- There is no overload risk for concurrently using it with the 8mm port- If using a car charger, make SURE you only charge this station while the car is RUNNING. Otherwise, you'll deplete your car's battery and leave you stranded- If charging with a solar panel, be sure to keep the station out of direct sunlight as it could overheat-- A solar panel is NOT required to use the battery-- Yeti 500x uses the MPPT solar charge controller--- Smarter, more efficient/expensive than PWM--- Suitable for larger systemsKeep your car cigarette lighter with the power station -- you could plug it into its 12V DC socket for starting a camp fire- Can be used and charged at the same time- NEVER charge the power station itself in below freezing temperatures, or you will damage the Li-ion battery AND potentially limit its overall capacity-- You CAN use it to power OTHER devices because the generated heat will warm its battery enough to be within operating temps-- At below freezing temps, keep it in an insulated cooler and connected to a power source (ie. solar panels). The heat generated by the battery will keep it running as best as it can- Turn off any output ports (AC/DC) that are not being used in order to conserve power- Do not use any power station in a tightly enclosed area as it can overheat- To prolong the battery lifetime while in storage, keep the battery fully charged every 3-6 months-- Or, according to customer support, keep it plugged in when not in use and discharge it to 50% every 3-4 months-- NOT using the battery for a very long time can actually hurt its lifetime-- There is no "memory effect" in this station's battery. It is better to NOT let it completely drainFINAL THOUGHTSAm I glad to have the Yeti 500x? It depends. Every product has its pros and cons and every brand targets a specific set of customers. GZ seems to dominate the retail space with a presence at REI, Home Depot, Walmart, and Best Buy. With a healthy ecosystem of products and accessories, GZ can be expanded as large as one needs -- something I have not noticed with any other manufacturer.For everyday use and lightweight/compact travel, it is my first choice to take on a trip. It is a beautiful product that screams STRENGTH! However, when more power is needed for longer periods of time or for use with high-wattage devices, I would grab the Jackery Explorer 1000. Both products are excellent, safe choices -- it simply depends on what your needs are, how much you are willing to spend (and carry), and what ecosystem you want to invest in. For the hardcore, most demanding users, GZ is by far the best pick.