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In today’s day and age, power grid failures and rolling blackouts are an everyday occurrence. Fuel and solar generators are handy in these situations and can overcome each other’s drawbacks if used together depending on gas supply and weather.
Given this, people have started buying Combo Propane Gas Hybrid and Solar Generators together as a safety precaution. If you want to do the same, you might wonder which combination is right for you.
DuroMax XP12000EH is the best propane gas dual fuel generator out there, and the best solar generator to combine it with is the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro. These generators offer the best balance between capacity, power, efficiency, and value for money.
In the rest of this article, we will discuss the best propane gas hybrid and solar generators you can combine depending on your requirements, so this is a must-read before you make your purchase.
Best Combo Propane Gas Hybrid and Solar Generators Combination Overall: DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator and Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Solar Generator
DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator with electric start is a must-have for anyone who wants to keep their entire house up and running during power outages or emergencies. This dual-fuel propane/ gas generator is our top pick because of its high output capacity, incredible build quality, and high-efficiency fuel consumption.
Pros
High Output: The DuroMax XP12000EH has a whopping output rating of 9500W running amperage, which can light up your entire house without breaking a sweat. Plus, if you ever have to use more power than usual, the generator’s output can shoot up to 12,000W. This means you can easily power your refrigerator or air conditioner using this generator.
Low-oil Shutoff Safety: The DuroMax XP12000EH has a low-oil-shutoff safety feature that keeps track of the oil level in your generator; when oil levels run dangerously low, the generator automatically shuts down to protect the metal equipment.
This saves you the trouble of manually checking your generator’s oil level from time to time, and it protects your machine from damage in case you forget to do so.
Warranty: DuroMax XP12000EH comes with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty that can give you peace of mind about spending so much money on this generator.
Cons
Tanky and heavy: The DuroMax XP12000EH is marketed as a portable generator and comes with a generator wheel kit. However, it is still a pretty bulky machine with 29” X 30” X 26” (73.66 x 76.2 x 66.04 cm) dimensions and a 224 lbs (101.61 kg) weight. It is not the kind of generator you can take camping.
Expensive: This generator typically costs over $1000, which is pretty costly compared to most generators. But this is the price you must pay for the quality and value this DuroMax generator offers.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Solar Generator
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Solar Generator finds the perfect balance between portability, capacity, durability, and power output. And the best part is that this solar generator takes only 2.5 hours to fully recharge, making it one of the best solar generators out there.
When you are reviewing solar generators, please keep in mind that they require solar panels, which you may or may not already have. The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro comes with many different options and combinations on their Amazon page to help you get exactly what you need.
Pros
High power output: The Jackery Explorer 2000 pro delivers an output of 2200W, which ramps up to a peak of 4400W when power usage is high.
Portable: The Jackery Explorer 2000 pro’s compact size of 15.1” x 10.6” x 12.1” (38.35 x 26.92 x 30.73 cm) and light weight of 43 lbs (19.5 kg) make it easy to carry around, making it one of the best generators out there for camping.
Fast charging: Another great plus point of getting the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro is its quick charging ability. With the fully recommended six solar panels, it takes this generator only 2.5 hours to recharge fully, and its battery hits 100% in just 2 hours with the AC recharge option.
Cons
Expensive: The Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Solar Generator is priced at $1,750, by itself, and if you add six solar panels goes up to $6,125 for the package. This is a lot more than what most people would be comfortable spending on a solar generator system.
Can’t support heavy-duty appliances: With a power output capacity of 2200W, the Jackery Explorer 2000 pro isn’t suitable for running heavy-duty home appliances like air conditioners or large refrigerators for long periods of time. It can run a refrigerator for 3.3 hours, an air conditioner for 2 hours, and a microwave for 1.5 hours in emergency situations, though.
Heavy for a solar generator: We mentioned earlier that the Jackery Explorer 2000 pro is portable due to its 43 lbs (19.5 kg) weight. While this is a pro compared to the much heavier propane/ gas generators, 43 lbs (19.5 kg) is pretty heavy for a solar generator. To put things into perspective, the other solar generators in our list weigh within the 7-22 lbs (3.18-9.98 kg) range.
Best Propane Gas Hybrid and Solar Generators Combination For Small Homes on a budget: Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator and Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator.
Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator is one of the best options out there for people who want propane/ gas hybrid generators on a budget. With a 3800W power output, the Champion 3800-Watt provides you with just enough power to get through any power grid outage relatively comfortably.
This is a great option for an emergency backup generator to power lights, refrigerators, and freezers and also comes in 3500, 5500, and 7500 Watt options on Amazon.
Pros
Decent power output: The Champion 3800-Watt has a 3800W power output capacity, which can climb up to 4750W when the power usage is high. With this power output, the Champion 3800-Watt can power up heavy-duty appliances in your home, i.e., your fridge and air conditioner.
Quiet: the Champion 3800-Watt is quieter than most propane/ gas dual fuel generators (68 dB at 23 feet distance).
Cons
Not Portable: With a weight of 119 lbs (roughly 54 kg), the Champion 3800-Watt is fairly difficult to take anywhere. The generator has wheels that’ll let you move it indoors from time to time, but if you need a generator for outdoor camping, that’ll be a pretty heavy machine to carry around.
Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator
The Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator is a moderate-capacity solar generator that’s perfect for outdoor camping. This generator is perfect for people who only care about charging their essential devices, i.e., laptops and mobile phones, during power outages or outdoor camping.
Pros
Moderate Power Output: The maximum power output you’ll get from the Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator. This isn’t the best output you can get from a solar generator today, but it’s also not the worst.
An 800W power output capacity allows this generator to run essential devices like mobiles and laptops as well as minifridges and other appliances under 800W. The BLUETTI EB70S can’t run heavy-duty appliances like large refrigerators or air conditioners.
Warranty: The Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator comes with a 2-year warranty, meaning you can spend your money with the peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, your investment will be safe.
Low price: The Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator costs around $500. It’s not the cheapest solar generator you’ll find today, but it’s also far from being the most expensive one.
Cons
Can’t support heavy-duty appliances: With a power output capacity of 800W, the Bluetti Portable EB70 Solar 800-Watt Generator isn’t suitable for running heavy-duty home appliances like air conditioners or large refrigerators.
Best Propane Gas Hybrid and Solar Generators Combo Value For Your Money: DuroMax XP4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator and Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Solar Power Station
DuroMax XP4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
The DuroMax XP4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator packs a lot of power for a generator priced so low. This is why it is one of the best options for people willing to compromise slightly on power output to stay within budget.
Pros
Low price: The DuroMax XP4850EH normally costs around $500. This is a massive decrease in price compared to other propane/ gas dual-fuel generators.
Decent power output: The DuroMax XP4850EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator delivers an output of 4850W, enough to keep your refrigerator or air conditioner running during power outages. Granted, this isn’t the highest power output you can get from a propane/ gas hybrid generator, but it’s a decent output compared to the generator’s price.
Cons
Tricky oil inlet: Many customers have reported difficulty changing the oil in the generator because the oil inlet is difficult to access. Additionally, many users have complained about unexplained oil leakages when trying to change the oil.
Only powers limited home appliances: One major drawback of this generator being low priced is that it doesn’t have enough power to support a lot of heavy-duty home appliances at a time.
Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Solar Power Station
If you’re looking for a portable, emissions-free generator to take on your camping trip that goes easy on your pockets, then the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable solar power station should be your go-to device. This generator won’t power any heavy-duty appliances, but it’ll make sure all of your essential devices, i.e., laptops and mobile phones, are charged at all times.
Pros
Low Price: At the time of writing, The Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station costs close to $300, and given its (relatively) high output and other features, we’d say it offers a lot of value for the money.
Portable: Weighing at only 7.1 lbs (3.2 Kgs), the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station is one of the lightest generators out there. Plus, with its compact dimensions of 9.1” x 5.2” x 7.8” (23.11 x 13.21 x 19.81 cm), this generator is perfect for outdoor camping.
Emission Free: Unlike propane/ gas generators, the Jackery Explorer 300 Portable Power Station is a solar generator, which means it doesn’t consume non-renewable sources of energy like fuel to give power.
Cons
Low power capacity/ output: One major drawback of this generator is that its output capacity is only 300W, reaching a peak of 500W when power consumption is high. This low power output means that you can’t get any heavy-duty appliances running through this generator, i.e., your home fridge or air conditioner.
Solar Panels: Although you don’t need many, you will need to purchase solar panels to charge the power station if you don’t already have them, which can raise the price.
This generator should only be used for low-energy appliances or for charging devices like mobile phones and laptops while camping. It could also be used for televisions and lights in an emergency situation for short durations.
Key Takeaways
Solar and propane/ gas hybrid generators overcome each other’s weaknesses. Gas/propane generators can be used when solar generators run out and can’t be recharged (i.e., during cloud cover or nighttime), and solar generators can take over when gas generators go low on fuel.
| Category | Propane/ Gas Hybrid Generator | Solar Generator |
| Best overall | DuroMax XP12000EH | Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro |
| Best for small homes on a budget | Champion 3800-Watt | BLUETTI EB70s |
| Best value for money | DuroMax XP4850EH | Jackery Explorer 300 |
Remember, you don’t necessarily have to go with these combinations; you can always mix and match them according to your needs.