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Goal Zero Yeti 1500 Review

A rugged power station built with camping and off-grid travel in mind, but competing products offer more power for less money
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Goal Zero Yeti 1500 Review
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Price:  $1,500 List
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Manufacturer:   Goal Zero
Kenji Mowrey
By Kenji Mowrey ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  July 23, 2026
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 14
  • Power Output - 60% 7.2
  • Portability - 25% 6.8
  • Charging Speed - 10% 8.8
  • Features - 5% 8.2

Our Verdict

There are a lot of nice things we can say about Goal Zero Yeti 1500, but the bottom line is that we don't recommend buying it. While it is well-built and durable, and it ranked near the top of our test metrics thanks to its impressive power output and quick charging speed, it has significant drawbacks. The first is the price. Competing products like the Jackery 2000 v2 cost less and deliver more power. And Yeti 1500 is also too heavy at 53 lbs. That weight makes it inconvenient to use for off-grid camping or as a portable power source for tools, and yet it is underpowered for home backup power use, where it might sit in a semi-permanent location in your garage. So, while we wanted to love the 1500, in the end, our verdict is that competing products offer a much better value.
REASONS TO BUY
Great battery efficiency
Durable design
Quick charging
Good mix of port options
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Uses proprietary solar ports
Loud fan

Compare to Similar Products

 
goal zero yeti 1500
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best for Off-grid Camping
Best Buy Award
Best Value for Most People
 Best Buy Award
Best Buy for Phones and Laptops
Price $1,500 List
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$699 List
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$289 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
73
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52
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A rugged power station built with camping and off-grid travel in mind, but competing products offer more power for less moneyThis is the power station most people should buy. It strikes a compelling balance between price and power outputA top of the line portable power station that excels for camping and short off-grid travelA dialed power station with great power output and lightning fast charge speedsAn ultra-portable power station that is well suited to recharging phones and laptop devices
Rating Categories  Goal Zero Yeti 1500 Jackery Explorer 200... Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 EcoFlow Delta 3 Jackery Explorer 300
Power Output  (60%)
7.2
8.5
6.0
5.6
3.5
Portability  (25%)
6.8
7.3
8.3
8.1
9.3
Charging Speed  (10%)
8.8
7.6
8.5
8.9
5.2
Features  (5%)
8.2
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Specifications Goal Zero Yeti 1500 Jackery Explorer 200... Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 EcoFlow Delta 3 Jackery Explorer 300
Measured Energy Output  1,320 Wh 1,710 Wh 890 Wh 870 Wh 260 Wh
Max AC Watts  2,600 watts 2,200 watts 1,800 watts 1,800 watts 300 watts
Max AC Amps  20.0 amps 18 amps 15 amps 15 amps 2.5 amps
Measured Weight 53.1 lbs 38.9 lbs 25.2 lbs 28.1 lbs 7.1 lbs
Power Outlets (4) AC
(2 USB-A
(2) USB-C
(3) AC
(1) USB-A
(2) USB-C
(1) Car Outlet (12V)
(6) AC
(2) USB-A
(2) USB-C
(1) Car Outlet (12V)
(6) AC
(2) USB-A
(2) USB-C
(1) Car Outlet (12V)
(2) AC
(4) USB-A
(1) USB-C
(1) Car Outlet (12V)
Claimed Capacity  1,024 Wh 2,042 Wh 1,056 Wh 1,024 Wh 293 Wh
Usable Capacity  89% 84% 80% 85% 89%
Dimensions 17.6L x 8.9W x 9.1H in 13.2"L x 10.4"W x 11.5"H 14.8L x 8.07W x 10.5H in 15.7L x 8.0W x 11.2H in 9.1"L x 5.2"W x 7.8"H
Max AC Surge Wattage  3,600 watts 4,400 watts 2,400 watts 3,600 watts 500 watts
Time to Charge 0.9 hr 2.5 hr 0.8 hr 0.9 hr 4.0 hr
Measured Charging Speed  1,188 Wh/hr 817 Wh/hr 1,097 Wh/hr 1,229 Wh/hr 74 Wh/hr
Solar Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max Solar Panel Watts  900 watts 400 watts 600 watts 500 watts 100 watts
Battery Chemistry LFP LiFePO4 LiFePO4 LiFePO4 Lithium-ion
Claimed Cycle Life  4,000 cycles 4,000 cycles 4,000 cycles 4,000 cycles 800 cycles
AC Output Power (Bypass Mode)  Yes Yes Yes Yes No
App Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Expandable Battery Capacity No No No Yes 1-5kWh No
Uninteruptible Power Supply (UPS) Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Emergency Power Supply (EPS) Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Built in Light No Yes No No No
Warranty 4 years 2 year 5 years 5 years 2 year

Our Analysis and test results



goal zero yeti 1500 - the yeti 1500 works best when you don't have to carry or lug it...
The Yeti 1500 works best when you don't have to carry or lug it around frequently, like on a job site or in a semi-permanent spot inside your camper.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Likes


The Yeti 1500 was a standout in our power output testing. We measured 1,320 Wh from its advertised 1,505 Wh capacity, resulting in one of the best efficiency ratings in our lineup at 89%. Paired with 2,000 watts of power, the Yeti is primed to tackle most 120V appliances and just about any camping gadget you can throw at it.


The Yeti 1500 has a great range of outlet options, including 4 AC ports, 4 USB-C ports, 2 USB-A ports, and a 12V car socket. Goal Zero also equipped the 1500 with removable outlet covers that, when opened, illuminate lighting above each port. It also features T-slot rails on each corner for mounting accessories and tie downs, helping you secure it to the frame of a bed, in a cabinet, or in a van build.

goal zero yeti 1500 - the abundance of port options gives you plenty of flexibility for...
The abundance of port options gives you plenty of flexibility for different plugs, and the illuminating light above each port is a nice touch under low light environments.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Previous Goal Zero models had one obvious flaw: slow charging speeds. Thankfully, this was addressed with the new Yeti 1500, which now takes just 76 minutes to complete a full recharge. It also supports up to 900 watts of solar input.


Dislikes


At 53.1 lbs the Yeti 1500 lives somewhere in between a true portable option for camping and a larger, permanent home backup solution. Carrying the Yeti is impractical and takes considerable effort just to lift it into a car or onto a storage shelf. Yet its power output is too small to sustain larger home appliances and it doesn't support additional battery expansion. Unless you have a permanent spot in the back of your van or car, the Yeti 1500 is not a practical solution for most people.


The fans also run loud under heavier loads and when charging in fast-charge mode. Unless you're planning to use it for low-draw appliances like LED lights and charging devices. The fan noise makes it a product we'd avoid using at night and in quiet environments, such as for a CPAP machine.

goal zero yeti 1500 - the yeti 1500 does have enough power for short outages to keep a...
The Yeti 1500 does have enough power for short outages to keep a refrigerator running overnight, but with no battery expansion options and only 1,320 Wh of battery capacity, there are better options for home backup.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy The Goal Zero Yeti 1500?


We would not. While the Goal Zero Yeti 1500 is a high-quality and durable product that offers a significant improvement over previous models, we would not recommend it to a friend because the Goal Zero faces very strong competition, that is, from our point of view, both better and less expensive. The Goal Zero is too heavy at 53 lbs to be convenient for camping or for use as a portable power source. And it is underpowered for use as a dedicated home power backup unit where portability is less of a concern.

What Other Power Stations Should You Consider?


We'd recommend the Jackery 2000 v2 over the Goal Zero. The Jackery costs less yet delivers higher power output and includes a larger-capacity battery. It also weighs a lot less than the Yeti 1500.
—Kenji Mowrey