Goal Zero · Compact (under 600 Wh)
Goal Zero Yeti 500
A compact unit, 499 Wh, 500 W (1,000 surge), 16.1 lb, $500 ($1.00 per Wh). It clears 1 of the six jobs on this site (phones and laptops) and not home backup, cpap, camping, rv, van life.
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Should you buy it?
Buy it for: a laptop and two phones (a laptop for six hours and two phone charges).
Not for: a day of home backup (too little capacity: needs 2,323 Wh and 1,351 W at start-up); a night of CPAP (too little capacity: needs 627 Wh and 124 W at start-up); two nights of camping (too little capacity: needs 2,066 Wh and 157 W at start-up); a day in an RV (too little capacity: needs 648 Wh and 156 W at start-up); a working day in a van (too little capacity: needs 2,295 Wh and 244 W at start-up).
At $1.00 per watt-hour compare its cost with the charging speed and carry weight you need. It stores 31 Wh per pound. 9 other current units share its size class; the nearest four by capacity are compared below.
What it runs, and for how long
Hours = capacity × 0.85 ÷ device watts, with the draws from the device table.
| Device | Draw W | Hours | Can it start it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPAP machine (no heated humidifier) (without humidifier) | 45 | 9.4 | yes |
| CPAP machine (with heated humidifier) (with heated humidifier) | 53 | 8 | yes |
| Refrigerator (full-size, ENERGY STAR, ~18 cu ft top freezer) (average draw, compressor cycling) | 41 | 10.3 | no |
| Laptop (MacBook Air, charging) (charger rating, continuous) | 40 | 10.6 | yes |
| Wi-Fi router | 24 | 17.7 | yes |
| Starlink Standard kit (dish + router) | 88 | 4.8 | yes |
| TV, 50-inch LED / Crystal UHD | 89 | 4.8 | yes |
| Camp LED light set (4 chainable lights) (one bulb) | 6 | 67.3 | yes |
At a glance
3.3 / 5
| Criterion | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fit for the job | 3.2 | Clears 1 of the 6 jobs on this site (phones and laptops); starts 12 of the 16 devices in the table |
| Value per watt-hour | 3.2 | $1.00 per Wh, 6th lowest of 10 compact units |
| Portability | 4.9 | 16.1 lb, 9th lightest of 10 compact units |
| Recharge speed | 2.9 | 200 W of solar input, about 2.5 hours of full sun to refill; 500 W from the wall |
| Chemistry and cycle life | 5.0 | LiFePO4, rated 4,000 cycles to 80% |
| Expandability | 2.7 | No extra batteries |
| Owner-reported reliability | 2.0 | Fan noise, app, firmware, failures and warranty handling across 1 reviews |
Full spec sheet
| Capacity | 499 Wh |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycle life | 4,000 to 80% |
| Expandable | no |
| Continuous AC output | 500 W |
|---|---|
| Surge (peak) output | 1,000 W |
| AC outlets | 2 |
| USB-C ports / highest output | 3 / 100 W |
| USB-A ports | 2 |
| 12 V outputs | 2 |
| Wireless charging pad | no |
| UPS / EPS switchover | – |
| Max AC input | 500 W |
|---|---|
| Wall recharge time | 1.4 h |
| Max solar input | 200 W |
| Stated solar recharge time | 2.8 h at maximum input |
| App control | yes |
| Weight | 16.1 lb (7.3 kg) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11.32 x 7.82 x 7.8 in (288 x 196 x 198 mm) |
| Wh per lb | 31 |
| Release year | – |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| List price | $500 |
|---|---|
| Store price | $500 |
| Price per Wh | $1.00 |
Before using the battery's cycle rating to judge value, read what LiFePO4 versus NMC means for lifespan and weight.
The solar-input wattage alone does not establish panel compatibility. Check how to match panel watts, voltage and connectors, then confirm the limits in this unit's manual.
Alternatives at this size
Listed smallest to largest by capacity; this unit is among them.
| Unit | Overall score | Wh | Output W (surge) | lb | Solar in W | Chemistry | Cycles | Price $ | $ / Wh | Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator | 2.6 | 299 | 300 W (360 surge) | 8.4 | – | LiFePO4 | 2,000 | $500 | $1.67 | See it at 4PatriotsCheck price on Amazon |
| Goal Zero Yeti 500 | 3.3 | 499 | 500 W (1,000 surge) | 16.1 | 200 | LiFePO4 | 4,000 to 80% | $500 | $1.00 | See it at Goal Zero |
| DJI Power 500 | 4.0 | 512 | 1,000 W | 16.1 | 300 | LiFePO4 | 4,000 to 70% | $299 | $0.58 | See it at DJI |
| OUPES Exodus 700 | 3.6 | 576 | 700 W (1,200 surge) | 13.9 | 240 | LiFePO4 | 4,000 to 80% | $399 | $0.69 | See it at OUPESCheck price on Amazon |
| Goal Zero Yeti 700 | 3.2 | 677 | 600 W (1,000 surge) | 20.3 | 200 | LiFePO4 | 4,000 to 80% | $700 | $1.03 | See it at Goal ZeroCheck price on Amazon |
See it at Goal ZeroEvery current Goal Zero unitDoes it hold enough for your devices?
Sources
- specs: goalzero.com, 2026-09-06
- port counts, cross-check of weight and dimensions: cdn.shopify.com, 2026-09-06
- price: goalzero.com, 2026-09-06
- independent test: Gearbrain, 2024-03-18
- How the figures and scores are made