Written by Thomas Gauci · Last updated: September 2026
A decent petrol generator costs £300 to £700 and sounds like a lawnmower. A solar generator (portable power station) costs £450 to £1,200 and runs in near silence. The upfront numbers look close, but the real gap shows up in running costs, maintenance and where you can actually use each one. We have tested both types across portable power scenarios and the long-term cost difference is larger than most buyers expect.
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Best mid-range: Bluetti AC180 (£599, 1,152Wh, 1,800W). Replaces a mid-range petrol generator outright. Read our full verdict ↓
Best for serious backup: EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max (£1,199, 2,048Wh, 2,400W). Runs a fridge, lights and router through a full power cut. Read our full verdict ↓
Solar generator vs petrol generator: the comparison
| Solar generator | Petrol generator | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £300 to £1,200 | £200 to £900 |
| Running cost | Pennies per charge (mains) or free (solar) | £1.50 to £3/hr in fuel |
| Noise | 30 to 50 dB (conversation level) | 70 to 85+ dB (lawnmower) |
| Maintenance | None | Oil, spark plugs, carburettor, fuel stabiliser |
| Indoor use | Yes, fully safe | Never (CO risk) |
| Lifespan | 3,000 to 3,500+ cycles (8 to 10 years) | 1,000 to 2,000 hours runtime |
| Refuel/recharge | 45 min to 80% (AC), 3 to 6 hrs (solar) | Instant (pour petrol) |
| Emissions | Zero at point of use | CO, CO2, noise pollution |
Our recommended solar generators
| Model | Capacity | Output | Weight | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max | 512Wh | 500W | 6.1kg | £449 | Camping, laptops | Verdict |
| Bluetti AC70 | 768Wh | 1,000W | 10.2kg | £499 | Power tools, garden offices | Verdict |
| Bluetti AC180 | 1,152Wh | 1,800W | 16kg | £599 | Home backup, caravans | Verdict |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | 2,048Wh | 2,400W | 23kg | £1,199 | Whole-home backup | Verdict |
What actually changed in 2026
LFP battery prices dropped roughly 15% through 2025 into 2026, pushing mid-range solar generators below £500. That puts them in the same bracket as a reasonable petrol generator, but with zero fuel costs.
UK electricity prices settled after Ofgem price cap adjustments, making mains recharging very cheap: about 25p per full 1,000Wh cycle. Petrol hovers around £1.40 per litre, so a small petrol generator burning 0.5 to 1 litre per hour still costs £0.70 to £1.40 per hour before servicing. Both EcoFlow and Bluetti extended warranties to five years across their LFP ranges, closing the reliability gap that used to favour petrol.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max
The RIVER 2 Max is the entry point for ditching a small petrol generator. At 6.1kg it weighs less than most camping stoves and a jerry can combined. Capacity: 512Wh LFP, 500W continuous (1,000W X-Boost), 220W solar input, 3,000 cycles, 5-year warranty.
- Pros: Lightest here, fast AC recharge (80% in 60 minutes), X-Boost handles devices up to 1,000W
- Cons: 512Wh runs out fast under sustained load (about 4 hours at 100W), 220W solar is slow, no expandable battery
- Best for: Weekend camping, laptops, phone charging, CPAP machines
We suggest the RIVER 2 Max only if your loads stay under 500W and you have mains access to recharge between uses.
Bluetti AC70
The AC70 is our value pick. At £499 for 768Wh and 1,000W continuous, it delivers more capacity per pound than anything else here and directly replaces a £300 to £400 petrol generator. Capacity: 768Wh LFP, 1,000W continuous (2,000W Power Lifting), 500W solar input, 3,000+ cycles, 5-year warranty, 10.2kg.
- Pros: 1,000W handles most power tools, 500W solar charges fully in 2 hours, turbo AC hits 80% in 45 minutes, compact enough to carry one-handed
- Cons: No expandable battery (768Wh ceiling), Power Lifting reduces efficiency on high-draw appliances, basic screen versus EcoFlow’s app
- Best for: Running a circular saw, powering a garden office during a power cut, weekend DIY
As engineers, we suggest the AC70 for anyone replacing a small petrol generator used a few times a month. Fuel savings alone pay it back in about 18 months of regular use.
Bluetti AC180
The AC180 competes directly with the £500 to £700 petrol generators most UK households consider for home backup. It runs a fridge, router and lights simultaneously. Capacity: 1,152Wh LFP, 1,800W continuous (2,700W Power Lifting), 500W solar input, 3,500+ cycles, 5-year warranty, 16kg.
- Pros: 1,800W handles kettles and hair dryers, 3,500+ cycles is the longest lifespan here, 80% in 45 minutes on AC, quiet enough for indoor use
- Cons: 16kg is not casual to carry, no expandable battery option, 500W solar ceiling means slow off-grid recharging
- Best for: Home backup during power cuts, caravan use, anyone running appliances up to 1,800W who needs quiet indoor-safe power
We suggest the AC180 as the sweet spot for most UK households wanting a petrol generator replacement. The 3,500-cycle rating means it should last a decade of regular use.
EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max
The DELTA 2 Max genuinely replaces a mid-range petrol generator for whole-home backup. It handles a fridge, freezer, boiler controls, router and phone charging for 8 to 12 hours. Capacity: 2,048Wh LFP (expandable to 6,144Wh), 2,400W continuous (3,100W X-Boost), 1,000W solar input, 3,000 cycles, 5-year warranty, 23kg.
- Pros: Expandable to 6,144Wh, 1,000W solar recharges fast off-grid, EcoFlow app gives real-time monitoring, X-Boost handles surges to 3,100W
- Cons: 23kg needs two hands, £1,199 is a significant outlay (expansion batteries add more), overkill for light camping
- Best for: Multi-day home backup, off-grid cabins, full caravan setups
We suggest the DELTA 2 Max for anyone who has experienced a power cut lasting more than a few hours. The expandable battery system means you can add capacity later as needs grow.
How to choose between a solar generator and a petrol generator
- How often will you use it? More than twice a month and a solar generator pays for itself in fuel savings within one to two years. Petrol only makes sense for rare, very high-power situations.
- Where will you use it? Solar generators work indoors, in tents and in caravans. Petrol must stay outside (CO kills silently), limiting use in bad weather and on campsites with noise rules.
- How much power do you need? A fridge draws 100 to 150W, a laptop 60W, a kettle 2,000 to 3,000W. If your total stays under 2,000W, a solar generator handles it. Above 3,000W sustained, petrol still wins.
- Do you have solar panels? Even a 200W panel means free recharging and thousands saved over five years versus petrol.
- What about maintenance? A petrol generator left in a shed for six months often will not start (stale fuel, fouled plugs). A solar generator sits at 50% charge and works instantly.
Can a solar generator replace a petrol generator for home backup?
Yes, for most UK households. A 1,000Wh to 2,000Wh solar generator runs a fridge, router, lights and phone chargers for 6 to 12 hours, covering the vast majority of UK power cuts.
How much does it cost to run a petrol generator per hour?
A typical portable petrol generator burns 0.5 to 1 litre per hour. At about £1.40 per litre, that is £0.70 to £1.40 per hour in fuel alone. A solar generator recharges from the mains for about 25p per 1,000Wh cycle.
Are solar generators safe to use indoors?
Yes. They produce no exhaust fumes or carbon monoxide. Petrol generators must never be used indoors due to the risk of fatal CO poisoning.
How long do solar generators last?
Modern LFP solar generators are rated for 3,000 to 3,500+ cycles to 80% capacity, roughly 8 to 10 years of daily use. Petrol generators typically last 1,000 to 2,000 hours of runtime.
What are the disadvantages of solar generators?
Limited runtime per charge (you cannot pour in more fuel), slower recharging than refuelling, and a power ceiling (most top out at 2,000 to 3,000W continuous). For sustained loads above 3,000W, petrol still wins.
Our verdict
For the vast majority of UK buyers, a solar generator now makes more sense than a petrol generator. The upfront costs overlap, running costs are a fraction, and you can use one indoors, at night, or on a campsite with noise restrictions.
Best overall: the Bluetti AC180 at £599 hits the sweet spot of capacity, output and price. Best value: the Bluetti AC70 at £499 gives you 1,000W for under £500. Who should skip both: if you regularly need more than 3,000W sustained (welding, large compressors, construction), stick with petrol or diesel.
Photo by Astrid Schaffner via Unsplash.
