Portable power stations are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gasoline-fueled generators. Compared to standard generators, these solar generators are silent, environmentally friendly, and produce no fumes whatsoever. Among the manufacturers producing these revolutionary gadgets, Goal Zero is the undisputed gold standard. Their Yeti portable power station models are consistently among the highest-quality and best-equipped options on the market.
Among their various models, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 is the heaviest hitter. This is one of the highest capacity and most powerful lithium power station options available, and it offers an incredibly compelling alternative to a traditional generator.
Key Features of The Goal Zero Yeti 1400
Although all portable power stations are useful additions to your off-grid arsenal, many of the smaller options are resounded to charging phones or boosting laptops. The Goal Zero 1400 is in a different league.
The specifications and features of this unit make it an all-in-one solution for an off-grid cabin, RV, or van life build.
Battery Capacity
The capacity of a battery is measured in “watt-hours.” This measure describes how large of a load a battery can provide, and for how long. For example, if you have a device that consumes 100-watts of energy, a 100 watt-hour(Wh) battery could power it for one hour.
Different manufacturers produce a plethora of different shapes and sizes, but a typical portable power station will have a battery capacity of somewhere between 150 and 500 watt-hours. The Yeti Goal Zero1400 dwarfs these figures with its staggering 1425Wh onboard battery. This allows this unit to charge a standard cell phone almost 100 times, or power a fridge for fourteen hours.
Inverter Size and Quality
The other consideration when shopping for a lithium generator or solar generator is the size of the inverter. An inverter is a component that converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the battery to 120-volt alternating current (AC) power to run typical household devices. Yet again, the Yeti puts itself in a different league. The onboard inverter is rated for 1,500-watts of continuous output, and 3,000-watts peak.
This is the largest inverter I have seen installed in a mainstream product. This provides enough current to run an air conditioner, a microwave, or even an electric cooktop. It is hard to overstate how impactful this is. Rather than having to go through the trouble of assembling a battery array, a charger, and an inverter, this unit has the output needed for an all-in-one solution to power any foreseeable off-grid demands.
Impressive Solar Charge Controller
Having an immense battery and inverter is only half the battle. If there is not an effective means of charging the device, the entire purpose will become exhausted in just a day or two. You can charge the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 lithium portable power station using a standard wall outlet, but most people will opt to use solar panels to replenish it.
This unit has an onboard solar charge controller with a capacity to match its battery and inverter. It uses an MPPT charge controller, providing much more efficient use of the available power as compared to the more common PWM controllers. Further, it can support up to 340-watts of solar input at 19-volts, meaning a large enough array can recharge this unit in only a few hours.
USB Type-C Power Delivery (PD)
Having a variety of power outlets is not sufficient if they aren’t the right type of outlet. One of the nicest inclusions on this Yeti power pack is the USB Type-C PD plug. This is a USB port that can output up to 65-watts, allowing it to rapid-charge phones or power many modern laptops.
For efficiency-minded users, this is a huge advantage. Powering a laptop through a traditional wall adapter requires the energy to be converted between DC and AC twice. This is an inefficient process and can waste up to 40% of the power. The inclusion of a USB Type-C PD port allows devices to be charged directly from a DC source thereby saving energy.
Convenient Form-Factor and Built-in Storage
Off-grid living is often synonymous with limited space. Whether you are camping, in an RV, or living in a van, chances are that you have a finite amount of space to work with. Thus, the space-efficient design of the Yeti 1400 is an admirable effort. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a unit you should expect to toss into a backpack. At around 40-lbs, there is unquestionably some heft. However, given its capabilities, the unit manages to be relatively svelte. Further, it’s simple cubic shape makes it easy to place under a bed or on a shelf.
They also included a much-appreciated built-in compartment on the top of the unit. When dealing with any power station, there will always be a myriad of cords and adapters in play. Thus, having a spot to keep them organized is a thoughtful touch.
Battery Monitoring App
Being able to monitor your power usage is an important aspect of off-grid life. Especially when relying on solar, it can be extremely helpful to see your average charging rates across a day to be able to effectively plan and utilize your available power. Most portable power stations rely on a small screen to communicate all of the necessary information. The Yeti also has a nicely designed and informative screen but it is simply impossible to communicate every aspect of a power system on that size of a display.
To solve this issue, the Yeti 1400 includes a smartphone app that syncs over an ad-hoc WiFi network to display every ounce of information you could ever want. This allows a much clearer look at the consumption of individual devices, the production rate of your solar panels, and a myriad of other metrics.
Technical Specifications of The Goal Zero Yeti 1400
Here’s a quick look at the key specifications of this unit.
| Battery Capacity: 1425Wh | Weight: 42 lbs |
| Inverter Capacity: 1500-Watts (3,000 Peak) | Number of AC Outlets: 2 |
| Solar Charge Capacity: 340-watts @ 19V | USB Output Maximum: 65-watts |
| Charge Time: 9 Hours from AC Power, 3-15 from Solar (Depending on Panels and Conditions) | Size: 10.1 x 15.3 x 10.4 in |
Pros and Cons of The Yeti 1400
There is a seemingly countless list of advantages to this unit. In terms of battery capacity, inverter size, and connectivity, it is one of the highest performing units on the market. Further, it is backed by Goal Zero, one of the most trusted manufacturers for solar generators. If you demand the best, this is it.
However, there are a few considerations. First, this is a large unit. At 42 lbs, it is compact considering what it can do, but don’t expect to take it backpacking anytime soon. Further, the expense is considerable. When you consider the individual components that this unit includes, it is a fantastic value. Despite that, it is a considerable investment. This cost can be somewhat mitigated by the commonly-held Goal Zero open box sales.
Available Variations
While this is the largest model made, this may be more capable than many shoppers need. Thus, Goal Zero makes a very comprehensive array of models to suit all needs of Yeti power. Goal Zero makes the compact Yeti 150 for light users, the Yeti 200 for moderate needs, and the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 for mid-range demands.
Last update on 2023-09-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Available Accessories
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Goal Zero Nomad 100 Watt Monocrystalline Portable Solar Panel | CHECK PRICE HERE |
Last update on 2023-09-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
There is no question that this unit constitutes a considerable expense. When I first started reviewing this Yeti power station, I realized that it would have to be truly impressive to warrant a recommendation. Ultimately, it succeeded. If you were to attempt to assemble a system of individual components to match the performance of this unit, you would quickly approach the same expense but without the integration, engineering, or elegance.
Given the almost unbelievable capabilities of this unit, the conclusion is simple. If you want the best, get the Goal Zero Yeti 1400.
- 1425Wh lithium portable power station can power up to 10 devices at once (single cell equivalent capacity: 396Ah @3.6V)
- Patented AC inverter (output, pure sine wave) and 60W USB-C power delivery ports
- WiFi connectivity, simply connect a Yeti through your WiFi router and control it remotely using the Yeti App
- Charge phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, and more. Powers your refrigerator, blender, TV, lights, power tools and medical devices
- Using App, check battery level, power in and out, even turn ports on and off, all from the palm of your hand
Last update on 2023-09-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
