Goal Zero
Goal Zero Yeti 500
Ranked #34 of 46 power stations we track.
A 6th-generation 499Wh LiFePO4 Yeti with a 500W pure sine inverter, two AC outlets and three USB-C ports, suited to camping, car trips and small-device backup.
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Strengths
- LiFePO4 pack rated for 4,000+ cycles to 80% capacity
- Three USB-C ports: one 100W PD plus two 30W
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control through the Goal Zero Power App
- IPX4 water-resistance rating
Watch out for
- Only two AC outlets and a 500W continuous inverter
- AC fast charge (500W) must be selected; default wall charging is 240W (about 3 hours)
- Solar input tops out at 200W, and 200W panels need the HPP-to-8mm connector
- Not chainable and no expansion battery support
Score breakdown
How the Goal Zero Yeti 500 scores: 6.7/10Methodology
- Battery chemistry16% weightLiFePO4
- Rated cycle life12% weight4,000
- AC output12% weight500 W
- Energy density12% weight31.01 Wh/lb
- AC recharge time12% weight84 min
- Solar recharge rate8% weight0.4 W per Wh
- Expandable8% weightNo
- UPS switchover8% weightNot published
- Warranty8% weight5 yr
- App control4% weightwifi+bluetooth
Full specifications
| Brand | Goal Zero |
|---|---|
| Model | Yeti 500 |
| Battery capacity (Wh) | 499.2 |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles to 80% | 4,000 |
| AC output, continuous (W) | 500 |
| AC output, surge (W) | 1,000 |
| AC outlets | 2 |
| Pure sine wave | Yes |
| USB-C ports | 3 |
| USB-C max per port (W) | 100 |
| USB-A ports | 2 |
| 12V car outlet | Yes |
| AC charging input, max (W) | 500 |
| Fastest AC recharge (min) | 84 |
| Solar input, max (W) | 200 |
| Solar input, min voltage (V) | 12.3 |
| Solar input, max open-circuit voltage (V) | 28 |
| Solar input connector | 8mm DC |
| Expandable with extra batteries | No |
| Weight (lb) | 16.1 |
| App connectivity | wifi+bluetooth |
| Warranty (years) | 5 |
Specs last checked 2026-10-21.
What will it run, and for how long?
| Appliance | Draw | Inverter | Runtime | Runtime as a share of 24 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ResMed AirSense 11 CPAP | 56 W | Runs | 7.6 h | |
| Wi-Fi router | 6.5 W | Runs | 2.7 days | |
| Smartphone charger | 10 W | Runs | 42 h | |
| Laptop computer | 50 W | Runs | 8.5 h | |
| LED bulb (60 W equivalent) | 9 W | Runs | 47 h | |
| Full-size refrigerator (ENERGY STAR) | 160 Wavg 51 W cycling | Runs | 8.3 h | |
| 12V portable fridge (Dometic CFX5 45) | 58 Wavg 7 W cycling | Runs | 2.5 days | |
| LED/LCD TV (about 45-inch) | 162 W | Runs | 2.6 h | |
| Window fan | 153 W | Runs | 2.8 h | |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,300 W | Over inverter | — | |
| Microwave oven (1.25 cu ft) | 1,500 W | Over inverter | — | |
| Submersible sump pump (1/2 HP) | 1,000 W3,000 W to start | Over inverter | — |
Runtime = usable energy ÷ average draw. We count 85% of the rated 499.2 Wh as usable (424 Wh) to cover inverter and DC conversion losses. Fridges and freezers are averaged over their compressor cycle. An appliance runs only if its running watts fit the 500 W inverter and its start-up surge fits the 1,000 W surge rating. Wattages come from our appliance wattage table; try your own mix in the runtime calculator.
Which solar panels fit it?
- Solar input up to 200 W
- Voltage window 12.3–28 V
- Connector 8mm DC
| Panel | Rated | Voc | Connection | Solar-only recharge | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel | 220 W | 21.5 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.0 hinput capped at 200 W | EcoFlow |
| Renogy 220W Lightweight Portable Solar Panel Suitcase | 220 W | 23.3 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.0 hinput capped at 200 W | Renogy |
| Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel | 200 W | 22 V | Plugs straight in | 3.3 h | Jackery |
| BougeRV 200W Foldable Portable Solar Panel | 200 W | 21 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.3 h | BougeRV |
| Renogy 200W N-Type Portable Solar Panel Blanket | 200 W | 19.6 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.3 h | Renogy |
| BLUETTI SP200L 200W Portable Solar Panel | 200 W | 24.6 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.3 h | BLUETTI |
| Rich Solar MEGA 200 Portable Briefcase Solar Panel | 200 W | 22.2 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 3.3 h | Rich Solar |
| EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel | 110 W | 21.8 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 6.1 h | EcoFlow |
| EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel | 100 W | 20.3 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 6.7 h | EcoFlow |
| BLUETTI SP100L 100W Portable Solar Panel | 100 W | 24.62 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 6.7 h | BLUETTI |
| EcoFlow 100W Rigid Solar Panel | 100 W | 20.3 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 6.7 h | EcoFlow |
| Rich Solar MEGA 100 | 100 W | 22.8 V | Adapter: MC4 to 8mm DC | 6.7 h | Rich Solar |
| Goal Zero Nomad 100 | 100 W | 21.5 V | Plugs straight in | 6.7 h | Goal Zero |
| Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase | 100 W | 21.5 V | Plugs straight in | 6.7 h | Goal Zero |
Recharge time is from empty with one panel in full sun: 499.2 Wh ÷ the lower of75% of the panel's rating or the station's solar input limit. A panel rated above the input limit is safe as long as its Voc fits, because the station only draws what it can take. MC4 panels need a standard MC4 adapter cable, which many stations include. Wiring two panels in series doubles the Voc, so check the total against the voltage window. Try any pairing in the solar panel matcher.
13 panels that don't fit
- EcoFlow 125W Bifacial Modular Solar Panel: its XT60 plug doesn't fit the 8mm DC solar port
- Renogy 400W N-Type Portable Solar Panel Blanket: its 39.2 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- BLUETTI PV100 FX Flexible Solar Panel: its 41.4 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- Renogy 400W Lightweight Portable Solar Panel Suitcase: its 47.2 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- Anker SOLIX PS200 Portable Solar Panel: its 57.6 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- Anker SOLIX PS400 Portable Solar Panel: its 57.6 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel: its 48 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- BougeRV 200W N-Type ShadePower Solar Panel: its 36.4 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel: its 37.1 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- Goal Zero Nomad 400: its brand-specific plug doesn't fit the 8mm DC solar port
- BougeRV Yuma 100W CIGS Thin-Film Flexible Solar Panel with Pre-Punched Holes: its 30.5 V Voc is above the 28 V limit
- Goal Zero Nomad 200: its brand-specific plug doesn't fit the 8mm DC solar port
- Goal Zero Boulder 200 Briefcase: its brand-specific plug doesn't fit the 8mm DC solar port
How it compares
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus | OUPES Exodus 700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.7 | 6.9 | 6.7 |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycle life | 4,000 | — | 4,000 |
| AC output | 500 W | 2,000 W | 700 W |
| Energy density | 31.01 Wh/lb | 39.5 Wh/lb | 41.44 Wh/lb |
| AC recharge time | 84 min | — | — |
| Solar recharge rate | 0.4 W per Wh | 0.63 W per Wh | 0.42 W per Wh |
| Expandable | No | Yes | No |
| UPS switchover | — | 20 ms | 10 ms |
| Warranty | 5 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr |
| App control | wifi+bluetooth | wifi+bluetooth | wifi+bluetooth |