Goal Zero Yeti 3000X 120V Solar Kit Portable Generator Review

About the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X 120V Solar Kit with Boulder 200 Briefcase (BC)

Goal Zero is known for pioneering solar-powered solutions tailored for adventurers, travelers, and those seeking renewable energy alternatives. The Yeti 3000X Solar Kit, aimed at both recreational users and emergency-preparedness enthusiasts, offers a versatile and robust solution for off-grid and at-home energy needs. The unit equips you with safe, clean, portable power for camping, tailgating, off-grid events, workshops and emergency home backup.

Goal Zero Yeti 3000x Portable Power Station and Boulder Briefcase Features, Specifications & Benefits

For those seeking specifics, here’s a deeper dive into what the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X has to offer: 

Features:

• Advanced lithium battery
• Built-in pure sine wave inverter
• MPPT charge controller for efficient solar charging
• Seven port options, including fast-charging 60W USB-C Power Delivery, multiple USB-A ports, regulated 12V, and two 120V AC ports

Specifications:

Yeti 3000X:

General 

• Weight: 69.78 lbs (31.65 kg) 
• Dimensions: 15.25 x 10.23 x 13.6 in. 
• Home/Car Charge Times 
• Included Power Supply: 14 Hours 
• 12V Charger: 25-50 Hours 
  

Solar Charge Recommendations 

• Lite Use (20% Daily): 200 Watts 
• Medium Use (50% Daily): 400 Watts 
• High Use (100% Daily): 600 Watts 
  

Run Times 

• Light-A-Life (Highest Setting): 674 hours 
• Phone (12 Watt Hours): 253 Recharges 
• Tablet (30 Watt Hours): 101 Recharges 
• Laptop (50 Watt Hours): 61 Recharges 
• Camera (5 Watt Hours): 607 Recharges 
• Grill (45 Watts): 51 Hours 
• Television (80 Watts): 31 Hours 
• Fridge (65 Wats): 43 Hours
  

Battery 

• Cell Chemistry: Li-ion NMC 
• Pack Capacity: 3032Wh (10.8V, 280.8Ah) 
  

Inputs 

• 8 mm Charging Port: 14-50V, up to 10A (120W max) 
• Power Pole Charging Port: 14-50V, up to 50A (600W max) 
• USB-C PD: 1 at 60W max 
  

Outputs 

• USB-A Ports: 5V, up to 2.4A (12W max), regulated 
• USB-C Port: 5-12V, up to 3.0A (18W max), regulated 
• USB-C PD Port: 5-20V, up to 3.0A (60W max), regulated 
• 6mm 12V Port: 12V, up to 10A (120W max) 
• 12V Car Port: 12V, up to 10A (120W max), regulated 
• 12V Power Pole Port: 12V, up to 30A (360W max), regulated 
• 120V AC Inverter: 120V AC 60Hz, 16.5A (2000W, 3500W surge) (output, pure sine wave)
  

Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Panel:

General

• Weight: 42 lbs (19 kg) 
• Dimensions Folded: 40.0 x 26.75 x 3.5 in 
• Dimensions Unfolded: 40.0 x 53.5 x 1.75 in  
  

Solar

• Capacity: 18-22V, 200W
• Cell Type: Monocrystalline
  

Outputs

• Anderson Powerpole: 14-22V, up to 14A (200W max)

Benefits:

• Convenient portability with robust handles and wheels
• On-the-go recharging with included solar panels
• Essential backup for power outages and emergency scenarios

Goal Zero Yeti 3000x Generator Capacity

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X has the capacity and power to not only provide long-lasting power, but to power devices such as refrigerators and power tools like a traditional gas generator. The setup is straightforward, though newcomers may need to refer to the manual. Its robust construction ensures longevity and resilience to wear and tear.

The 3,000 in the product’s name refers to the watt-hours capacity of this kit’s Yeti 3000X lithium-ion battery generator, which is a ton of juice, especially for lower-power devices. GoalZero helpfully shows how many charges or hours of runtime you can expect from the fully charged unit for various devices: 

• Laptop: 61 recharges
• Headlamp: 607 recharges
• Full-size refrigerator: 43 hours
• Electric pellet grill: 51 hours
• Microwave: 3 hours

The other power dimension of importance is the high-wattage power output options led by the 120V AC inverter outputs that are the same as your standard home AC outlets and feature 2,000-watt output (with surge capacity up to 3,500 watts for short periods). This level of power means high-draw appliances that would be too much for most small battery generators (such as microwaves, refrigerators, heaters and power tools) are no problem for this GoalZero setup.

The inclusion of the Boulder solar panels in this kit add another dimension by allowing mobile recharging to extend your time away from the electrical grid. A single Boulder 200 solar panel will recharge the Yeti 3000x in anywhere from 18 to 36 hours depending on conditions and times shorten from there as you add panels. Four of the Boulder 200 panels will fully recharge the Yeti 3000x in six to nine hours, making it realistic to completely recharge in a day and forget about your power source for a while.

Pricing & Packages

As a well-established brand in the portable power space, GoalZero’s pricing is premium compared to the many newer companies entering the battery generator space who don’t have the same track record of safety and product longevity.

The cost of the Yeti 3000x and solar packages varies depending on how many panels you want to include in your kit. More panels mean faster recharging on the go, but if that’s not a priority, you can save by getting a package with fewer panels and you can always purchase additional panels later. The most premium bundle, which includes the Yeti 3000x and four solar panels, retails for $5,674.52, while the bundle with one solar panel costs $3,799.95. Though at the time of this writing, both were on sale with significant discounts on the GoalZero website.

Customer Service, Lifespan & Warranty

All of the Yeti 3000x and solar bundles come with GoalZero’s two-year manufacturer’s warranty, which gives consumers a nice time cushion to put the product through its paces and should expose any defects. For additional cost, GoalZero also offers a three-year extended warranty for those that want more peace of mind, extending the covered period out to five years in total.

Absent any manufacturing issues, however, GoalZero estimates a lifespan for the Yeti 3000x generator of 500 cycles, which should result in years of use, even with constant depletion and recharging for, say, someone living on the road in an RV or powering an off-grid residence. 

GoalZero’s Utah-based customer service can be reached via email, live chat or phone between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time using the details on their Contact Us page.

How the Goal Zero Yeti 3000x Compares

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X is a formidable contender in the market, delivering higher capacity and power than other similarly priced models. Its ability to charge through multiple output options and connect to your home grid coupled with its rugged construction make it an ideal choice for those seeking reliable power for everyday use or emergencies. Here’s a look at how it compares to a similar model by the same brand:

Goal Zero Yeti 3000 vs. 3000x

The biggest difference between the Goal Zero Yeti 3000 and Yeti 3000x is their power output. The 3000x outputs at an impressive 2,000W AC inverter with surge power up to 3,500W, while the regular version offers only 1,500W with surge to 3,000W. The increased output may not be important to all users if they aren’t running high-draw appliances such as microwaves and power tools, but for those that want the ability, the 3000x provides additional utility over the 3000 for a modest price increase.

Bottom Line: Why We Love It

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X 120V Solar Kit with Boulder 200 Briefcase is an impressive solar-chargeable battery generator that will satisfy demanding users who need reliable, renewable energy on the go or in emergencies. While its weight and price might deter some who don’t need that much, its performance, versatility and quality make it a worthwhile investment for the right user.

FAQ

How long will the Yeti 3000X last?

The longevity of your Goal Zero Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station depends partially on how it’s being used and maintained.

When stored, the Yeti 3000X’s power has a shelf life of about three months. This means it should be fully recharged every three months, or the battery will naturally drain down.

However, GoalZero recommends keeping the Yeti 3000x plugged into a charging source such as wall outlet or solar panels as consistently as possible to extend its lifespan. Not only does this extend the product’s life, it ensures that you’re consistently topped-off with juice whenever you need it. Thankfully, the Yeti battery can charge itself while powering other devices so it need not sit idle while being recharged.

When you can’t keep your unit on a power source, try to store it in a cool, dark, dry place and realize that it may take a few power cycles to operate normally if left to drain for several months of disuse.

How long does it take to charge a Yeti 3000X?

The charging time for a Yeti 3000X Portable Power Station can vary greatly depending on the method of charging you choose.

If you’re using a solar panel like the Boulder 200 Briefcase, it will provide 200W of solar and fully recharge the Yeti 3000X in approximately 18 to 36 hours, depending on the intensity of the sunlight.

On the other hand, if you’re plugging it into a wall outlet, it will take about 14 hours to fully charge from a dead battery using the included 230W charging cord. With a sold-separate 600W charging cable ($200), you can reduce that charging time to six hours.

A third option is charging the Yeti 3000x using your vehicle’s 12-volt output, though this requires a $40 cable from GoalZero to safely charge and will be significantly slower than a wall outlet or solar options to recharge.