The Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator is an exceptional source if you’re looking for portable and reliable backup power.
With no noise, fumes, or gasoline involved in using this generator, the Goal Zero Yeti 1250 really does allow you to sit back and enjoy unlimited solar power.
In this article, we’ll give you a detailed review of the Yeti 1250, one of the best products from Goal Zero so far, and at a great price!
The Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Review
The Yeti 1250 was a big deal upon launch for manufacturer Goal Zero, which has been specializing in affordable off-grid solar technology for a while.
It is definitely a great alternative to normal and more common gas-powered generators, but as a result, this is a heavier generator than their previous products. Nevertheless, it makes up for this in price, as the Yeti 1250 is much cheaper than competitor generators on the market.
This is a generator that is suitable for people who are comfortable with a larger generator that will provide much more reliable power, and if that doesn’t sound like you, Goal Zero’s Yeti 1250 has multiple features of customizability to suit each user.
Key features:
- Multi AC/DC charge ports
- Much more durable than most gas generators
- Incredibly strong output power
Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Charge controller for ease of switching input and output
- Multiple ports, including a car 12v adapter socket
- High compatibility with other Goal Zero products
Cons:
- Heavy and a little difficult to carry without assistance
- Not lithium-powered, so less watt-hours
Performance
Durability
When it comes to whether the Yeti 1250 is a durable product, most customer feedback seems to be agreed that the generator can indeed hold its own weight well.
With the system itself being quite heavy, the product design includes panels of serrated plastic securing the corners of the power pack, ensuring that there are not any loose joints on the product itself.
Manufacturer Goal Zero has made good use of said panels, and we can confidently say that this is one of the most durable products on the market for its price. Considering its weight again, the handles of the device definitely have the capacity to carry the 103lbs of the Yeti 1250.
The size of the item may impede the use of the handles slightly, but this shouldn’t be an issue for the average user of generators like this, which are intended to compromise on portability for capacity.
Again, the plastic panels support the connection of the handles to the rest of the product and allow for use of the station without worry that the handles may snap off at any given time.
Compatibility
As mentioned above as one of the Yeti 1250’s key features, there are plenty of ports on the product itself; many more than expected for the price, which allows for enhanced compatibility with Goal Zero’s other products.
The Yeti 1250 is sold by itself or with a pack of solar panels (the Boulder 30 Solar Panels) if you haven’t made a purchase of your own already, but Goal Zero have engineered the 1250 so that no matter what solar panels you have, you should be able to connect them to the station. Of course, the charge times will vary based on the product used.
In terms of output, the Yeti 1250 has an in-built sine wave inverter, meaning that the product can switch from AC to DC current with ease, a great feature for this price point.
With the Yeti having a large availability of ports (including a USB port, Powerpole port, a 12v charger, or car charger port), most regular household devices can be hooked up to the Goal Zero station with ease, acting as a highly effective power station at a good price.
Battery
The battery inside the Yeti 1250 is lead-acid, not a lithium battery like its other products. This means that the Yeti 1250 has slightly fewer cycles than the other lithium-powered products and this is reflected in how the price is lower than other choices on the market at this price point.
However, this does not hinder the Yeti 1250 from providing high-quality power and impressive charge times with its lead-acid battery. In addition, lithium-ion models are much more expensive than the Yeti 1250.
With the Yeti 1250, Goal Zero gives you a lot of bang for your buck. The tried and tested technology of the long-used lead-acid battery means that it is tolerant to stresses, which is a great guarantee to accompany the Yeti’s price. These batteries are also durable when it comes to overcharging, and so the lower price is doubly worth it.
Don’t worry, the lead-acid battery doesn’t hinder the charge times dramatically – a lower price doesn’t mean lower quality – and you can rest assured that it does not have an effect on the wide variety of solar panels that the power station is compatible with. Its power capacity remains impressive at a 1200W to 1500W range which is brilliant for the price!
Ease of Use
Disregarding the weight of the Yeti 1250 for a moment, this power bank is a very easy-to-use and transport product. If you’re new to the technology of portable solar-powered products, this power bank is very accessible to get to grips with and comes with a great entrance price tag.
All the AC outlets are labeled clearly and if you’ve still got any questions about which port to use for which device, your answer can definitely be found in the comprehensive manual that accompanies the 1250.
Whether connecting devices on the input or the output side, the single-pin design of the ports eliminates the risk of any overloading on positive or negative connections, eliminating yet another worry when using the 1250.
On the note of safety, there is an automatic system in place for surge protection, so the Yeti 1250 monitors the usage temperature itself. Not all generators come with these safety precautions, so you can be assured that the price is worth it.
Portability
Obviously, when it comes to power banks, the main benefit of solar generators like this is that you can take them with you wherever you go, allowing you to function off-grid with your power supply.
Naturally, the Yeti 1250 comes with a wall charger that allows you to power up the battery to its full capacity in under 16 hours. As you’ll see in this article, the Yeti 1250’s ability to charge and discharge efficiently is a good compromise for the size and weight that accompanies the use of generators like this.
While the lead battery used in this model weighs more than lithium-ion equivalents, the 1250 more than makes up for this in its convenient design and ergonomic handle.
Features
The Yeti 1250 is uniquely accessible to most users, specifically because of its immensely convenient charge controller that allows you to choose input and output charges for each device you have connected to the bank.
It simplifies the usage of the sine wave converter a lot and makes the use of the several ports a lot more seamless, which is a feature usually delivered at a higher price. Additionally, whether you’re choosing to power the bank via a wall or via solar panels, the double options for charging increase the availability of power on the go when using the Yeti 1250.
Also, for those worried about the weight of the item, Goal Zero does also offer a roll-cart with wheels as a solution for its larger size. This allows for very easy maneuverability, which is not always common with power stations like this.
As we have already mentioned in this article, the power of this device is very impressive but you can also connect it to other Goal Zero products to expand its potential even further. With solar panel support, this station allows you to power your favorite electronics off-grid.
Design
The Yeti 1250 is also expertly designed for portability and functionality and looks great for its price. From the top-down, we see first that it has a small, discreet compartment for storage on the top for wires and adapters.
Inside, there is a small summary of the key details and information regarding charging and usage of the purchase, in case you haven’t got the manual with you when you’re out and about using the Yeti 1250.
The unit is quite identifiable with the neon green on the edges, which are in turn reinforced adequately and also give an industrial feel to the power station.
Unlike many generators, this one is actually quite nice to look at, thanks to the design of the silver metallic panels and the deep black plastic alternating around the unit. If you’re concerned about the aesthetic of the model, we can guarantee that it looks quite pleasing for its price point.
FAQs
What Can The Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Power?
With the amazing amount of juice that this station can hold, you can charge up a number of common household appliances, whether small or large. An example of some of these may be a headlamp if you’re out hiking or climbing in darkened spaces, or maybe a smartphone if you’re out camping and are maybe not deciding to go completely off-grid.
If you’re a wildlife fanatic and you’re deciding to take up some amateur photography and filming, you might be using a GoPro or a digital camera, both of which the Yeti can charge. And again, if you’re struggling to get off-grid completely or maybe you’re in the middle of an electrical outage, the bank can charge your laptop and tablets, too.
It’s also able to charge these devices many times over, from about 200 charges for a headlamp and 20 charges for a high-powered laptop. The manufacturer has also tested using this to charge refrigerators and keep them running in case of emergencies, and although this is dependent on the power needs of the refrigerator itself, it can usually support a good number of hours.
Are Solar Generators Worth The Money?
It really depends on what you’re choosing to use it for, but as you can see in this article, we definitely believe that these can be the answer for more isolated communities during cuts, or for campers who want to get off-grid.
For this model of the Yeti, Goal Zero has chosen a fair price, with a little extra for solar panels. If you’re considering whether the price is worth it, we’d suggest considering your needs. If the weather is good, and you plan to be off-grid for a while, a solar station is definitely a good choice.
Also, we’d direct your attention again to the fact that you can choose to buy this model with a pair of solar panels if you don’t have some already, and at a good price, too!
What Is The Best Portable Power Station On The Market For Power Outages?
We’d recommend the Yeti 1250 for outages and we’re sure you’ve found good reasons to buy it too throughout this article.
Thanks to how Goal Zero have thought of all the ins and outs you may need with an item like this, we believe that the 1250 provides easy and accessible power whenever you need it and whatever you may need it for.
Whether it’s the charge controller that makes switching ports and AC/DC currents easier for you, or whether the price suits you better than other lithium-powered options, we believe that this is one of the best choices on the market right now.
What Is The Battery Capacity Of The Goal Zero Yeti 1250?
It is 1250Wh (12V, 100Ah), making it very powerful for whatever you need the Goal Zero device for. It can charge small electronics several times over, and power large electronics for a reliable amount of time in the event of a blackout.
