If you’re looking for a portable power station to keep your devices and appliances running when you’re off the grid, you might have come across two popular brands: Biolite and Goal Zero. Both of them offer high-quality products that can provide reliable and clean energy for your camping trips, outdoor adventures, or home backup needs. But how do they compare in terms of features, performance, and price? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of their best-selling models and help you decide which one is the best fit for you.
Biolite Portable Power Stations
Biolite is a company that specializes in creating innovative products that harness the power of fire, sun, and water to generate electricity. Their portable power stations are designed to be durable, safe, and easy to use, with a range of capacities and outputs to suit different needs. Some of the features that make Biolite stand out are:
- Easy Read Dashboard: Biolite’s power stations have a clear and informative display that shows you the power input, output, battery level, and energy usage at a glance. You can also reset the energy odometer to track your power consumption over time, and get alerts and troubleshooting prompts if something goes wrong.
- More Ports & The Right Power For The Job: Biolite’s power stations have more ports than most models, including AC, DC, USB-A, USB-C PD, and wireless charging options. You can plug in multiple devices at once and find the most efficient solution for each one. Biolite also offers high surge power ratings, which means you can run appliances that require a lot of initial power, such as blenders, grinders, or saws.
- Lightweight & Compact: Biolite’s power stations are surprisingly lightweight and compact for their power capacity. For example, the BaseCharge 1500 weighs only 26 pounds and has 1521 Wh of battery capacity, while other brands weigh 9-19 pounds more for the same power. This makes Biolite’s power stations more portable and easy to carry around.
- Solar Compatible: Biolite’s power stations can be recharged from the wall, car, or solar panels. You can chain up to four SolarPanel 100s for 400W of input, or use any non-Biolite 12V solar panel rated up to 400W. This way, you can create your own renewable energy system and go off the grid for longer.
Some of the best-selling models from Biolite are:
- BaseCharge 1500: This is Biolite’s most powerful and versatile power station, with 1521 Wh of battery capacity and 1200W of continuous output. It can power fridges, coolers, power tools, medical devices, laptops, and more with its quiet and fume-free operation. It has 10 ports in total, including two AC outlets, four USB-A ports, two USB-C PD ports (one with 60W output), one DC port (car adapter), and one wireless charging pad. It also has a 2400W surge rating and a 12 checkpoint safety system to protect your devices from shorts or glitches. It costs $1699 but you can get it for $1359 with a limited-time coupon code.
- BaseCharge 600: This is Biolite’s mid-range power station, with 622 Wh of battery capacity and 500W of continuous output. It can power laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, lights, routers, and more with its compact and highly portable design. It has eight ports in total, including two AC outlets (one with pure sine wave), two USB-A ports (one with Quick Charge), two USB-C PD ports (one with 60W output), one DC port (car adapter), and one wireless charging pad. It also has a 1000W surge rating and a drop-tested durable design. It costs $699 but you can get it for $559 with a limited-time coupon code.
Goal Zero Portable Power Stations
Goal Zero is a company that aims to empower people with smart and sustainable solutions for their energy needs. Their portable power stations are among the most popular and trusted in the market, with a wide range of options for different scenarios. Some of the features that make Goal Zero stand out are:
- Yeti App: Goal Zero’s power stations can be controlled and monitored from your smartphone via the Yeti App. You can check the battery level, input/output wattage, historical data, firmware updates, and more from anywhere within Bluetooth range. You can also turn on/off ports remotely and customize settings to optimize your power usage.
- Modular Design: Goal Zero’s power stations have a modular design that allows you to expand your system as your needs grow. You can add more battery capacity by chaining compatible lead-acid or lithium batteries, or add more solar input by chaining compatible solar panels. You can also integrate your power station with your home circuit via a home integration kit, or use a regulated 12V adapter to power high-power 12V devices.
- MPPT Charge Controller: Goal Zero’s power stations have a built-in MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controller that optimizes the solar charging efficiency and speed. This means you can get more power from your solar panels and recharge your power station faster, even in low-light conditions.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Goal Zero’s power stations are made with eco-friendly materials that minimize their environmental impact. For example, they use recycled aluminum for the casing, bamboo for the handle, and biodegradable packaging for the box.
Some of the best-selling models from Goal Zero are:
- Yeti 1500X: This is Goal Zero’s flagship power station, with 1516 Wh of battery capacity and 2000W of continuous output. It can power anything from fridges, freezers, TVs, CPAP machines, laptops, and more with its pure sine wave AC inverter. It has 10 ports in total, including two AC outlets, four USB-A ports (two with Quick Charge), two USB-C PD ports (one with 60W output), one 12V port (car adapter), and one 6mm port. It also has a 3500W surge rating and a Wi-Fi connectivity option for remote control. It costs $1799.95.
- Yeti 500X: This is Goal Zero’s most versatile power station, with 505 Wh of battery capacity and 300W of continuous output. It can power essential devices like laptops, cameras, lights, phones, and more with its compact and lightweight design. It has seven ports in total, including one AC outlet, two USB-A ports (one with Quick Charge), two USB-C PD ports (one with 60W output), one 12V port (car adapter), and one 6mm port. It also has a 1200W surge rating and an MPPT charge controller for faster solar charging. It costs $549.95 but you can get it for $499.95 with a new lower price.
Biolite VS Goal Zero: Comparison
Now that we have seen some of the features and models of Biolite and Goal Zero, let’s compare them in different categories and see which one comes out on top.
Power Capacity & Output
Both Biolite and Goal Zero offer a range of power capacities and outputs to suit different needs, from small devices to large appliances. However, Biolite seems to have an edge in terms of offering more power per weight and size than Goal Zero. For example, the Biolite BaseCharge 1500 has the same battery capacity as the Goal Zero Yeti 1500X, but weighs 9 pounds less and has a smaller footprint. The Biolite BaseCharge 600 also has more battery capacity than the Goal Zero Yeti 500X, but weighs the same and has a similar size.
Winner: Biolite
Portability & Design
Both Biolite and Goal Zero have portable and durable designs that make them easy to carry around and use in various scenarios. However, Biolite has a more sleek and modern look than Goal Zero, which has a more rugged and industrial look. Biolite also has an easy read dashboard that shows you all the information you need at a glance, while Goal Zero relies more on the Yeti App for detailed monitoring and control. Biolite also has more ports than Goal Zero in most models, including wireless charging pads that are convenient for phones and other devices.
Winner: Biolite
Solar Compatibility & Charging Speed
Both Biolite and Goal Zero are compatible with solar panels that can recharge their power stations from the sun. However, Goal Zero has a wider range of solar panels to choose from, from small foldable ones to large rigid ones. Goal Zero also has a built-in MPPT charge controller that optimizes the solar charging efficiency and speed, while Biolite does not specify what kind of charge controller it uses. Goal Zero also allows you to chain up to six solar panels for up to 600W of input, while Biolite allows you to chain up to four solar panels for up to 400W of input.
Winner: Goal Zero
Price & Value
Both Biolite and Goal Zero have premium prices that reflect their high-quality products and features. However, Biolite seems to offer more value for money than Goal Zero in terms of offering more power capacity and output for less weight and size. Biolite also offers limited-time coupon codes that can save you up to 20% off their regular prices, while Goal Zero does not seem to have any discounts or promotions at the moment.
Winner: Biolite
Conclusion
Based on our comparison, we can conclude that Biolite is the better brand for portable power stations than Goal Zero. Biolite offers more power capacity and output for less weight and size, more ports and features for convenience and efficiency, and more value for money with coupon codes and discounts. Biolite is also more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly than Goal Zero, which has a more bulky and complex design.
However, this does not mean that Goal Zero is a bad brand or that you should not consider their products. Goal Zero has its own strengths and advantages, such as a wider range of solar panels, a built-in MPPT charge controller, and a Wi-Fi connectivity option. Goal Zero is also a reputable and trusted brand that has been in the market for longer than Biolite and has a loyal customer base.
Ultimately, the best brand for you depends on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. You should compare the features and specifications of each model carefully and choose the one that suits you best. You can also check out the reviews and ratings of other customers who have used both brands and see what they have to say about their experiences.
