Read: 24 mins.

Goal Zero Yeti 1500x

4.55

Features

4.8/5

Design

4.8/5

Performance

4.5/5

Ease of Use

4.5/5

Value

4.3/5

Pros

High-quality BMS with LG battery cells
Tough exterior
High max input (150W or 600W)
Leading 3,500W surge with Pure-Sine Wave
Industry leader & Safety record

Cons

High price
Heavy
Ugly top compartment
Long auto-shutoff timer
Battery not user replaceable (yet)

Shop at Goal Zero

Check on Amazon

Emergency Power

Before we get into my review of the eye-opening Goal Zero Yeti 1500x, there are three, main reasons I had bought portable battery stations and solar panels for:

Power outages
Emergency preparation
Recreation

Goal Zero Yeti X, Jackery Explorer

Wildfires and hurricanes have increasingly become common in the past few years’ news cycles, and in California, there had been multiple times where electric companies simply shut down services during high risk conditions to minimize the risk of starting a fire. In fact, just 1.5 months ago, our family had to evacuate when a blaze ravaged nearby!

Between natural disasters, power outages, working from home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and seeking to bring electronic conveniences (like CPAP medical machines) when out camping, sales for gas generators, batteries, and solar panels had seen an uptick in demand.

What Will Be Covered Here

My friends, family, and I had learned so much using products from a variety of brands like Suaoki, Rockpals/Paxcess, nrgGo, Jackery, and Goal Zero, a common question I would often get is: “What power generator is best for my situation?” This article will go over many of the basics in the TIPS section, including:

Gas/propane generators vs battery power stations (aka “solar generators”)
What I think about various power station brands
How to determine what battery capacity or solar panel would work for you
How I got each brand’s products to work with one another

But first, let’s dive into the Goal Zero Yeti 1500x review.

In A Nutshell

Charging input of 600W max from up to 4 solar panels
Powering your home with a Yeti Home Integration Kit
Battery capacity expansion with Yeti Expansion Tanks
Charging via Yeti Link Vehicle Integration Kit
Charging other Yeti power stations via the Anderson Powerpole (APP) or 12V car ports
Smartphone app-based remote control, power usage monitoring, battery optimization, notifications, and firmware upgrade via WiFi (1500x’s Bluetooth is only used as an alternate pairing option)

Continuing to stay true to the company’s infamous safety focus, the Yeti 1500x contains 1,516 Wh of top-tier LG battery cells, a high-quality Battery Management System, Pure-Sine Wave AC output for sensitive electronics, and the ability to scale the system as large or small as needed with its large portfolio of products, integrations, and accessories. The last part is key: many of the other manufacturers (Jackery included, my other favorite) do not have that kind of a collection.

Left: Yeti 1500x. Right: Yeti 1400 Lithium /Goal Zero

The 1500x’s dimensions are nearly identical to the Yeti 1400 Lithium predecessor, but puts on an extra 2 lbs with its additional 91 Wh capacity and new 2,000W AC inverter (with 3,500W peak). Both share a similar-looking exterior, but the inside of the Yeti X now houses a built-in MPPT controller for more efficient charging and an increased input limit of 600W (360W on its predecessor). Furthermore, the regulated 8mm 150W and USB-C PD 60W ports can be used at the same time to charge the Yeti at a faster 210W.

I was able to power my car freezer on a 4-day boondocking trip with 32F-40F evenings and only saw 30% of the battery used. On the last day, the temperature had dipped to 27F, and a protective alert came up on the display that eventually cleared itself by the time I got home. More on that later.

Circular Saw /Goal Zero

For an industry leader, however, there are some things I do not like. Goal Zero’s products command a price premium, yet, like Apple’s infamous sales strategy, do not have basic accessories included (like a car or solar charging cable). Was it to encourage buyers to only buy what they need (and thus minimize waste) or to make extra profit on accessory sales? Furthermore, the 1500x’s Anderson INPUT port (APP) is arranged vertically when most of the solar panels from other brands connect horizontally. I questioned this move as an attempt to upsell Goal Zero-exclusive cables, but then I realized that it may be to differentiate the vertical and horizontal APP ports: one for input and the other for output. You can purchase a third-party APP extension cable (like iGreely) to freely switch the orientation for use with other brands’ products (a guide on how to do this will be written soon.)

Other disappointments included the inability to easily expand the 1500x’s capacity with Yeti Tank Expansion Batteries (will be remedied with the forthcoming Yeti X Link), and not having its battery be consumer replaceable like the Yeti 1400 Lithium. Customer Service asked to “stay tuned” when I inquired about it. Sounds like a solution may be in the works.

Something not immediately noticeable was how well-designed Goal Zero’s cables were for forming a tight, weatherproof seal that also prevented accidental disconnects. This detail was easily overlooked until I tried to figure out how to get different manufacturers’ products to work with one another. Also not well-known in my circle of friends was the 12V cigarette car charger (Goal Zero/Amazon) that should deserve much more praise than the company had given because it could regenerate a battery at a whopping 120W in vehicles that support 10A! (It also worked with my Jackery batteries.) For the fastest charging, the Yeti X series accepts the astoundingly high-performance, pricey, 600W power supply.

Overall, I am happy with the way the power station works, its expansion options, thoughtful design with top-notch components, and the safety reputation the company has been known for. The Yeti 500x, however, still is my favorite battery.

Tip: A battery power station like this one cannot be used to jump start a car. Instead, I suggest getting a small, portable one specifically made for that, such as my favorite: NOCO Genius Boost Car Jump Starter (Lithium Battery).

Support us by shopping at Goal Zero (Affiliate)

Note: Goal Zero renamed its Anderson Powerpole (APP) ports in Nov 2020 to High Power Port (HPP) to avoid trademark infringement with its inventor: Anderson Power Products. This is only a name change as the connector works the same way as before. For the purpose of avoiding confusion, I will interchangeably refer to the port as HPP or APP.

What’s Good? What’s Bad?

Pros

Lithium-ion NMC cells made by LG (a top-notch, Tier 1 battery manufacturer)
Very professional, tough look with a pleasing color scheme, though I’m not a fan of the odd-looking top storage compartment that breaks the clean lines of the Yeti 500x
- Aluminum exterior helps protect against bumps and battery puncture
  - Given that Li-Ion batteries become more volatile as capacity increases, this added protection is important
  - Environmentally friendlier than hard plastic
- Vertical, rounded edge grilles provide extra grip, heat dissipation, and act like bumpers
  - Rounded corners are less likely to shatter than sharp edges
- Jackery, Rockpals, and other brands I had used were made of hard plastic shell that may be more prone to cracking and overheating
- Brushless fan on each side for cooling
1,516 Wh battery capacity (45.64 lbs @ 15.3″ x 10.3″ x 10.4″)
- Comparisons
  - 43.7 lbs @ 15.3″ x 10.1″ x 10.4″ / Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium
  - 30.9lbs @ 15.7″ x 8.3″ x 10.6″ / Ecoflow Delta 1300
  - 22.1 lbs @ 13.1″ x 9.2″ x 11.1″ / Jackery Explorer 1000
- Roughly equivalent to a 409,729 mAh 3.7V power bank (or 140,370 mAh 10.8V)
- Capacity to power a 30″ LCD monitor and Mini PC for 15-21 hours, a Toshiba 50″ Fire TV for almost 13.5 hours
- Capacity can be extended by connecting Yeti Tank Expansion Batteries once the Yeti X Link is available
  - Last I was told, customer service said that compatibility will be enabled with a firmware update to both the Yeti 1500x and the Yeti Link
Pure-Sine Wave AC Inverter capable of continuous 2,000W power (and unmatched 3,500W peak) — See USAGE section
- Clean power for sensitive electronics
- Less heat
- Note: Some manufacturers claim to be Pure-Sine when they are actually Modified or Square Waves
High-quality BMS (Battery Management System) for safety
- Provides built-in overload, overcharge (automatic stop when the device is full), and short-circuit protection

Jackery Explorer 1000 vs Goal Zero Yeti 1500x

Regulated Output ports
Can power AC and DC (USB/12V Car adapter) at the same time
- Common, supported devices: laptop, tablet, phone, light, fan, CPAP, projector, TV, refrigerator, camera, pressure cooker, miter saw
Multiple charging options with up to a whopping 600W!
- Can be used while charging
  - Although this is supported, doing so could hurt the battery’s lifetime
- MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charge controller/regulator
  - Smarter, faster/more efficient, and costlier than PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). Older Yeti 1400 Li uses PWM
  - Suitable for larger systems
  - Can parallel-connect up to 4 solar panels with a combiner cable (not included) for faster charging (8mm-to-HPP 4x or HPP-to-HPP 4x cable)
- 12V Car Charger (60W/120W) (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- Directly from car battery with Yeti Link Vehicle Integration Kit (454W-750W)
Large ecosystem of accessories and interoperable products (batteries, solar panels, integration kits, cables, etc.)
- This gives the Yeti 1500x its BIGGEST advantage over the competition
- Accessories are very well-made with solid connections that help weatherproof and prevent accidental disconnects
APP and 12V cigarette ports can be used to charge other Yeti power stations, but using them with other brands is not supported by the company
- Was able to charge Yeti 500x and Jackery Explorer 1000
- This method would combine both batteries’ capacities (ie. Yeti 1500x + 500x = 1516 Wh + 505 Wh = approx. 2,000 Wh. Keep in mind there is some power loss during conversion/transfer)

Yeti 1500x used to charge other batteries

Carry handles on each side with a comfortable, non-slip grip
- Top of Yeti 1500x has a covered storage compartment
  - No other tested power station has that
Excellent, informative LCD with LED backlight
- Total power coming in (via solar panel, 12V car port, or wall charger)
- Capacity left (as a percentage)
- Total power (AC and DC combined) being used
  - Suaoki G500 (an unreliable product I no longer recommend) displays the Wattage separately for DC and AC, which I prefer
- Estimated hours
  - When Input > Output, shows time to full
  - When Output > Input, shows time to empty
- Units can be toggled between “Volts” and for Output: “Amps”, “Watts”, “Watt-hours”
- Press Units + Light buttons for 3 secs to display Yeti’s firmware version
- Info button did nothing. Customer service said that “more features are coming” that will utilize it, presumably via a firmware update
“Goal Zero Yeti” Smartphone app
- Remotely control & monitor power usage, optimize battery life, receive notifications, upgrade firmware, etc. via WiFi

Goal Zero Yeti App: Setup, Control

Goal Zero Yeti App: Notifications, Charging Profiles

Bottom is well-protected by neon green, non-slip feet
Manual: Unusually detailed with some helpful tips
Great technical support
Good customer service, though I was very impressed by the sizably positive stories from Jackery’s customers
2 year warranty
American company founded with humanitarian goals
- Hopefully, they will not deviate from the “Don’t be evil” mantra like Google famously did

Cons

Heavy at 45.6 lbs due to the use of aluminum housing instead of plastic
Battery not replaceable like the older Yeti 1400 Lithium
- Leads to landfill/environmental waste. Please recycle responsibly!
- Goal Zero asked to “stay tuned” when I inquired about user-friendly battery replacement options. This sounds like a solution may be in the works
Premium pricing
Anderson Powerpole (APP/High Power Port) input port is vertically arranged when most solar panels from other brands are horizontal
- Requires a Goal Zero cable to work, though I found a great alternative that allows you to re-arrange the connectors’ orientation to fit any Anderson connector: iGreely APP Extension Cable
- Initially thought that changing the APP orientation was a ploy for Goal Zero to sell additional cables, but it was also likely a way for the product to differentiate the ports as Input (vertical) or Output (horizontal) to prevent someone from connecting accessories incorrectly

Tip: It is possible to get multiple companies’ products (battery power stations and solar panels) to work with one another once you understand the different connector types, such as Anderson APP, MC4, 8mm, and so on. In one test, I had simultaneously connected solar panels by Goal Zero, Jackery, Suaoki, and Paxcess to the Yeti 1500x’s Anderson port to collect energy from all four! Expect an article about interconnectivity soon.

Yeti 1500x with Jackery SolarSaga 100W panels

Yeti 1500x charging Jackery Explorer 1000

No secure way to prevent theft of power station (besides chaining the removable carry handles)
Not waterproof. Keep it away from water splashes, rain, and pool!
- Lithium and fire or water can cause serious damage or injury!
Display, though quite informative, does not show separate power consumption for DC and AC
- LCD is unreadable without LED backlight
No built-in light or LED bar to illuminate your area or blink “S.O.S.”, the international distress signal
No cable accessories or carry bag included besides the 120W wall charger (100-240V, 16V @ 7.5A)
- Competitors often throw in cables for charging via solar or car cigarette socket, and sometimes a small case to hold them
Automatic shutoff when idle is an unusually long 30 hours
- Ensures Yeti does not turn off when a low-powered device (like medical CPAP) is used overnight
- Could unexpectedly drain battery from 100% to 86% with nothing connected (because AC inverter uses 7W on its own)
- Power buttons can be accidentally turned on/off with a short press (ie. while packing away your camping gear)
  - Requiring a 2-second press to turn on or off would minimize unintended button presses
  - No master button to turn off ALL outputs at the same time
- Other auto off times
  - Jackery Explorer 1000 & 500: 12 hrs (when less than 10W used)
  - Rockpals 500W: 10 hrs
Multiple fans turn on during high peak and can be too noisy for some
“Goal Zero Yeti” app does not have scheduling capability to remotely turn on/off the 1500X

Ports

All output ports are Regulated.

Input

Display and Ports /Goal Zero

(2) 8mm (1 front, 1 storage compartment– but only ONE can be used at a time)
- 14-50V, max 10A. Do NOT use a power source that exceeds the max Voltage or Amperage!
- Max input: 150W
  - Jackery Explorer 1000, Rockpals 500W: max 200W
  - Included power supply outputs 120W
- Only one of the 8mm ports can receive power
  - Having both ports receive different Voltage levels could have one drive power to — and damage — the other
- Can be used for solar charging
  - Depending on the solar panel’s connector, an 8mm adapter may be needed (ie. 8mm-to-HPP on Amazon/Goal Zero)
  - Connect 2+ solar panels in PARALLEL with an 8mm-to-HPP 4x Combiner Cable (max 150W)
- TIP: Goal Zero and Jackery both use an 8mm connector, but they are not completely interchangeable
  - Jackery’s cable can somewhat be used with one or both GZ ports, but not the other way around. You will have to cut part of the cable’s plastic barrel to make it work with both companies’ products

CAUTION: Do NOT daisy-chain 2+ solar panels in sequence/series as that can output more than 50V combined and damage the power station! Connect them in PARALLEL with a Y-branch or Combiner cable instead! See “Solar Panel – Warning” section.

(1) High Power Port (HPP aka Anderson/APP)
- 14-50V, max 50A. Do NOT use a power source that exceeds the max V or A!
- Max input: 600W
  - Rapid-charging power supplies available: 230W and 600W
- Can be used for solar charging
  - Connect 2+ solar panels in PARALLEL with a HPP-to-HPP 4x Combiner Cable (max 600W) (Check on Amazon/Goal Zero)
(1) USB-C PD 60W – Both for input/output
- Powerful enough to charge a 60W laptop (ie. 13″ MacBook Pro)
- Can charge concurrently with the 8mm port for a total of 210W of input
  - Both ports are on a separate charge control circuit. There is no overload risk for using them concurrently

Note: If power is sent to both the 8mm and HPP ports, only the one with the highest input will be used.

Output

(2) AC with 3 prongs (120V, 60Hz, 2.5A) – Pure Sine Wave
- Inverter handles a continuous 2,000W, peaking at 3,500W! — See USAGE section
- Note: Uses 7W with nothing plugged in
(1) HPP (Anderson/APP) (12V, max 30A, max 360W)
(1) Cigarette socket (12V, max 13A, max 160W)
(2) 6mm (12V, max 10A, max 120W)
- Single, compact 12V port to universally charge electronics with different connectors using a variety of adapters
- Allows GZ to create 12V products to use 6mm instead of the bulky cigarette socket
(1) USB-C PD (5-20V, max 3A, max 60W) – Both for input/output
(2) USB-A (5V, max 2.4A, max 12W)
(1) USB-C (5-12V, max 3A, max 18W) – QuickCharge
(1) Expansion Module Port (in storage compartment) for use with GZ expansion modules

Other Connections

Yeti App /Goal Zero

The Goal Zero Yeti app can be used with the Yeti 1500x to control & monitor power usage, optimize battery life, receive real-time notifications, upgrade firmware, and more.

WiFi – 802.11 b/g/n
- Anywhere Connect mode (Infrastructure): Connect Yeti to home WiFi and control it from anywhere in the World. Firmware upgrade possible
- Direct Connect mode (Ad-hoc): Connect phone directly to Yeti while off-grid. Firmware upgrade not available
Bluetooth – Only for pairing power station with the Goal Zero Yeti app without WiFi

Usage

To turn ON or OFF the DC (12V Car/6mm/HPP, USB) or AC outputs, press the corresponding button (“12V”, “USB”, “AC”)
- Note: This single-press (without hold) can lead to accidental power on/off, unknowingly draining the battery until idle auto-off kicks in
Turn off any output ports (AC/DC) that are not being used in order to conserve power
- Without anything plugged in, the AC inverter still draws 7W on its own
Li-ion NMC batteries have 500 charge cycles before capacity drops to about 80% from when they were new
- Product could, in theory, be charged up to 2,000 cycles — about 20-25% of total capacity is lost every 500 cycle
To prolong the battery lifetime while in storage, keep the battery fully charged every 3-6 months
- Or, according to customer support, keep it plugged in when not in use and discharge it to 50% every 3-4 months
  - The charging controller automatically gets disabled once the battery is full
- NOT using the battery for a very long time can actually hurt its lifetime
- There is no “memory effect” in this station’s battery
  - Note: It is better to NOT let it completely drain before recharging
- Battery, like all Li-ion, slowly drains over time even when station is powered off
  - Could take 1-1.5 years to go from full to empty

CAUTION: Lithium-ion (LiFePO4 and NMC) batteries do NOT like to remain discharged at 0% for prolonged periods of time. If you let your battery stay at 0% for too long, you may not be able to charge it again without specialized equipment.

Battery is NOT replaceable, although it appears that Goal Zero is working on a solution it previously had available for its older Yeti 1400 Lithium
Keep a car cigarette lighter with the power station — you could plug it into its 12V DC socket for starting a camp fire
Unlike LiFePO4 batteries, NMC can operate only in temperatures between 32-104F (0-40C). Both are Lithium-ion chemistries
- GZ’s Battery Management System (BMS) limits:
  - Recharging in temps outside of 32-113F
  - Outputting power in temps outside of 14-149F

Continuous vs Peak Output

Yeti 500x: 300W (1,200W Peak)

It is important to understand the difference between Watts and Watt-Hours. How much power is used or produced is measured in Watts, and how much energy a battery can store is calculated in Watt-Hours. See the “Calculations” section below for more details.

How much energy a battery can store is measured in Wh (Watt-hours), and how much power is used or produced in W (Watts).

AC Inverter: Converts battery (DC) power into AC
- Yeti 1500x provides 2,000W continuous output with an impressive 3,500W peak
Peak/Surge (Starting): Nearly every device initially draws extra power to turn on. The highest amount it pulls is the Peak. As long as that number is below 3,500W, it can be STARTED. Examples…
- Turns on OK (PEAK under 3,500W):
  - Freezer starts at 400W (peak), runs at 150W once on
  - Coffee maker starts at 1,400W (peak), runs at 800W once on
- Will NOT turn on (PEAK over 3,500W):
  - Home AC starts at 4,000W (peak), runs at 1,000W once on

Most devices power on at a higher (Peak) wattage than when they are already on (Continuous). Therefore, if its peak exceeds the power station’s max, it may not be able to start

Continuous Output (Running): Once devices are on, as long as they keep drawing less than 2,000W total, they will stay ON until the battery runs out
- CONTINUES running (under 2,000W)
  - 100W TV + 60W laptop = 160W
- COULD STOP running (over 2,000W)
  - Temporary overdrawing beyond 2,000W for a few seconds is okay. A quality BMS will protectively shut down the battery if the surge does not end after a while. Regularly going over for a prolonged time can ruin the battery in the long run
  - 1,800W hair dryer (2,500W peak) + 400W vacuum (900W peak) = 2,200W. Probably will stay on for a short period
    - Add 1,000W mower (1,400W peak) = 3,200W. Battery will definitely shut down

Goal Zero Yeti Comparison

Product	Battery Capacity	AC Inverter (Continuous)	AC Inverter (Surge)	Max Input	Expandable	Charge Controller	WiFi, BT	Weight	Dimensions (inches)
Yeti 200x	187Wh NMC	120W	200W	120W	No	MPPT	No	5 lbs	7.9 x 5.1 x 5.1
Yeti 500x	505Wh NMC	300W	1,200W	120W	No	MPPT	No	12.9 lbs	7.5 x 11.3 x 5.8
Yeti 1000c	983Wh NMC	1,200W	2,400W	300W	No	MPPT	No	31.7 lbs	15.3 x 10.2 x 9.9
Yeti 1000 Lithium	1,045Wh NMC	1,500W	3,000W	360W	Yes. Yeti Link, MPPT	PWM	No	40 lbs	15.3 x 10.1 x 9.3
Yeti 1000x	983Wh NMC	1,500W	3,000W	600W	Yes. Yeti Link	MPPT	No	31.7 lbs	15.3 x 10.2 x 9.9
Yeti 1500x	1,516Wh NMC	2,000W	3,500W	600W	Yes. Yeti Link	MPPT	WiFi, BT	45.6 lbs	15.3 x 10.2 x 10.4
Yeti 3000x	3,032Wh NMC	2,000W	3,500W	600W	Yes. Yeti Link	MPPT	WiFi, BT	69.8 lbs	15.3 x 10.2 x 13.6
Yeti 6000x	6,010Wh NMC	2,000W	3,500W	600W	Yes. Yeti Link	MPPT	WiFi, BT	106 lbs	15.3 x 10.1 x 17

Goal Zero Yeti Model Comparison

Solar Panel – Warning

This power station can be charged with one or more solar panels as described in the “Ports > Input” section. There are SOME PRECAUTIONS you must take to minimize battery damage and/or injury to life/property:

ONLY chain 2+ solar panels in PARALLEL

Never exceed the maximum Voltage (V) or Amperage (A) of the power station’s charging port
If you want to use 2+ solar panels to charge faster:
- Do not mix them with different V or A as the output might get reduced (less energy generated)
- Do not daisy-chain them in sequence/series as that can exceed the power station’s maximum V or A
  - Always connect them in PARALLEL with a Y-branch or Combiner cable
Keep the battery out of direct sunlight while charging. You may have to use an extension cable to keep it in the shade

Wondering what size solar panel to get? See the “Calculations” section below.

Calculations – Size & Time

What size battery should you get? How long will it power your fridge for? How long will it take to recharge? The below calculations can help answer those questions and are rough ESTIMATES as conditions, battery quality, and age can vary.

Time to Charge Battery

Calc: Hours to charge battery = Battery capacity (Wh) / Input Wattage
- Note: As battery approaches 75% full, the input charge will increasingly be slowed down to prevent overcharging
AC Wall: 120W @ 13 hrs [1516 Wh / 120W]
- GZ high-speed chargers: 230W @ 7 hrs / 600W @ 3 hrs
Goal Zero 12V Car Charger (Goal Zero/Amazon)
- 60W @ 26 hrs (5A setting) / 120W @ 13 hrs (10A setting, if car supports it)
- Most other manufacturers only charge up to 60W. So, 120W with the Goal Zero is game-changing for me and comes highly recommended

Charge Time with Solar

Calc: Hours to charge battery = Battery capacity (Wh) / (Panel Wattage x [0.5 or 0.75])
- In a perfect lab environment, solar panels charge at the listed wattage
- Expect to only receive 50-75% on a good, sunny day (ie. 75W – 113W for a 150W panel), depending on panel’s age, component quality, and weather
200W solar panel: as fast as 10.1 hours [1516Wh / (200W x 0.75)]
Tips
- Keep charging even when overcast as the panels will STILL collect energy
- Underproduction: If a 200W panel is not making enough (ie. only 50W) due to bad conditions, adding extra ones (ie. two more 200W) can generate a higher, combined output (ie. 50W + 110W from the two panels = 160W total)
- Overproduction: If the panels make more (ie. 400W) than the maximum the power station charge port can take (ie. 120W), only the max (ie. 120W) will go through

Watts Used/Produced

Calc: Watts used or produced by device = Voltage x Amperage
Vacuum with 120V @ 9.5A uses 1,140W
Solar panel with 12V @ 10A can produce up to 120W

Ideal Battery Size

Calc: Battery capacity (Wh) = Watts used by device x Hours needed for / 0.85
- 10-15% of power is lost during power conversion
45W car fridge needed for 8 hours: Minimum 424Wh power station (45W x 8 / 0.85)

How much energy a battery can store is measured in Wh (Watt-hours), and how much power is used or produced in W (Watts).

Time Before Battery is Empty

Calc: Hours available for device = Battery capacity (Wh) x 0.85 / Watts used by device
- 10-15% of power is lost during power conversion
60W laptop with 505Wh battery: Up to 7.2 hours (505Wh x 0.85 / 60W)

Time to Charge Device

Calc: Hours to charge device = Device’s battery capacity (Wh) / Input Wattage
60W laptop with 200Wh battery: Up to 3.4 hrs (200 Wh / 60W)

Conversion to mAh

Calc: Powerbank-equivalent capacity (mAh) = Battery capacity (Wh) / Voltage x 1000
- 1 Ah = 1000 mAh
Yeti 1516Wh @ 3.7V = 409,729 mAh power bank (1516 Wh / 3.7V x 1000) or 140,370 mAh @ 10.8V

Tips and Suggestions

Cold Weather Use

Casio Men’s Pro Trek PRW2500T Solar Watch (28.0F temp shown)

I once went boondocking/camping in freezing 27F temperatures (as measured by my Casio Pro Trek PRW2500T solar watch), and a thermo warning icon had appeared on the display. The battery was still outputting power AND could be charged, but I had no idea what effect that symbol would have. Technical support later explained:

Warning icon appears when INTERNAL battery (not external air) temp is 5C/41F
At below 1C/33.8F, input charge gets limited (no longer full input) until INTERNAL is 3C/37.4F. Output is unaffected
Warning icon goes away when INTERNAL is 8C/46.4F
NEVER charge the power station itself in below freezing temperatures, or you will damage the Li-ion battery AND potentially limit its overall capacity
- You CAN use it to power OTHER devices because the generated heat will warm its battery enough to be within operating temps
- At below freezing temps, keep it in an insulated cooler and connected to a power source (ie. solar panels). The heat generated by the battery will keep it running as best as it can

Safety

Yeti 1500x 8mm Input, APP Output, WiFi

Always test your devices with the power station before you depend on it on the go
Lithium-ion batteries are volatile
- To minimize fire damage to your belongings or loved ones, store the power station in the garage and not inside the house. Best storage is a dry, cool place
- You cannot bring a battery of this capacity on a plane
With the right BMS, quality batteries, and other factors, the power station can be STORED in the car during hot temperatures
- Keep the battery out of direct sunlight. I usually store it on the floor of the car and crack open the windows a tiny bit
- Do not USE any power station in a tightly enclosed area as it can overheat
- Do not USE in the car if temperatures fall below or exceed the battery’s rated, operating temperature (32-104F or 0-40C)
Car charger: Only use it while the car is RUNNING. Otherwise, you may deplete your car’s battery and leave you stranded
- Note: You cannot charge the battery to 100% capacity with a 12V outlet. If you have a 24V outlet, however, you could

Jump Start Car?

Genius Boost GB40 in Use /NOCO

A battery power station like this one cannot be used to jump start a car. Instead, I suggest getting a small, portable one specifically made for that, such as my favorite: NOCO Genius Boost Car Jump Starter (Lithium Battery).

Portable Air Conditioner

The EcoFlow Wave is a portable air conditioner that accepts both AC and DC input. The company, of course, recommends using its own Delta power stations for better efficiency and longer runtime because they can draw directly from DC power. In a pinch, any battery or generator capable of providing the Wave-required input wattage could be used, but keep in mind that AC power loses some energy due to conversion to DC.

Goal Zero 12V Car Charger

I wanted to point out how GAME-CHANGING the Goal Zero 12V Car Charger is (Buy on Goal Zero/Amazon). The company inexplicably does not promote its benefits enough, but it can be used to charge batteries at a whopping 120W when the car port supports 10A (like my Toyota Sienna and Highlander did!) All other car chargers I have (Jackery, Rockpals, Paxcess) only go up to 60W, but the Goal Zero can double that! What does that mean? Faster charging while driving around town! I bought two — one for use with the Yeti 1500x and another with the Jackery Explorer 1000.

The Goal Zero 12V Car Charger can charge a supported Goal Zero, Jackery, Bluetti, or EcoFlow battery at a whopping 120W!

Goal Zero Car Charger with Jackery Explorer 1000

Use With Other Brands

Recently, I wanted to find ways to use my existing investments with Goal Zero without having to spend a fortune. A more detailed article will be forthcoming, but here are some quick tips on how to get products from other brands to work.

Different Solar Panels

Yeti 1500x with Goal Zero, Jackery, Paxcess, Suaoki solar panels

As long as the solar panels from different brands or wattage produce the same VOLTAGE, you will be able to safely use them together with the Goal Zero 4x Combiner cable (8mm-to-HPP 4x Combiner Cable 150W max or HPP-to-HPP 4x Combiner Cable 600W max). The key here is to connect them in PARALLEL. If the panels are NOT the same voltage, then the panel with the highest volts will be used. I was able to connect these four panels with the Yeti 1500x:

Goal Zero Nomad 200 / Jackery SolarSaga 100W / Paxcess Rockman 120W / Suaoki 160W

On a cloudy November day, the input values were:

63W = Nomad only
212W = Nomad + SolarSaga
231W = Nomad + SolarSaga + Rockman
262W = Nomad + SolarSaga + Rockman + Suaoki

I expect the panels to produce significantly more during the summer (to as much as 430W combined).

Charging Other Batteries

I wanted to see if it was possible to use the Yeti 1500x to charge the Yeti 500x and Jackery Explorer 1000. The idea was to have solar panels charge the Yeti 1500x, that in turn charges the Yeti 500x, and finally, have appliances run off both batteries at the same time. This would turn a Yeti 1500x and 500x into a combined 2000Wh battery, for example.

Yeti 1500x used to charge other batteries

AC wall charger > Yeti 1500x‘s 8mm input
- Yeti 1500x’s APP output > Yeti 500x‘s 8mm input
  - This worked. While the 1500x was being charged by the AC wall adapter, the 500x was charging from the 1500x’s APP output port
  - Goal Zero support does NOT recommend this as the voltage is “not high enough to allow you to fully recharge the 500x”
- Yeti 1500x’s 12V cigarette output > Goal Zero 12V Car Charger (Goal Zero/Amazon)
  - Yeti 500x‘s (or) Jackery Explorer 1000‘s 8mm input
    - This worked. The 12V Car Charger provided 60W or 120W to the Yeti 500x or Explorer 1000, depending on which Amp the 12V Car Charger was set to (5A or 10A)
    - Goal Zero support gave their blessing for the Yeti 500x. They could not guarantee their product’s safety when used with other brands. Fair enough

Goal Zero Official Carry Case

Those who have read my past reviews know how hesitant I am in purchasing carry cases made by the manufacturer themselves. They tend to be expensive, made of quality material, but lack pockets to store cables with. I changed my mind for the Yeti 1500x. The official carry case has one feature that no third-party could provide: the ability to connect cables to the battery without having to take it out of its protective case!

Goal Zero Carry Case (Large) for Yeti 1500x/1000x, 1400/1000 Lithium

The material is good quality (as expected), and because the cables could already be stored inside the top compartment of the Yeti 1500x, the lack of pockets on the storage case is not as big an issue. I was able to keep my car freezer charged without taking the battery out of its case. The rubber feet at the bottom of the case also allowed me to more easily slide around the heavy battery inside the SUV’s trunk, saving my back from getting hurt.

Goal Zero Carry Case (Large) for Yeti 1500x/1000x, 1400/1000 Lithium

Is it safe to keep the battery inside?

Would it overheat? There is a warning label on the bag: “NOTICE – When drawing more than 500W, remove Yeti from this case to prevent shut-off due to overheating.” I squeezed sandals into the sides anyway to allow some air flow, just in case.

Goal Zero support confirmed that the Yeti 1500x can be left in its case while being charged.

Yeti 1500x Tech Video /Goal Zero

Final Thoughts

Jackery Explorer 1000 & 300, Goal Zero Yeti 500x & 1500x

Goal Zero’s Yeti 500x is one of my all-time, favorite power stations with its beautifully compact design and reliability. The newer Yeti 1500x brought with it new capabilities and an expanded ecosystem of available accessories, including the ability to charge at a whopping 600W, expand its battery capacity with the Yeti Expansion Tanks, integrate into your home, and charging directly from the car battery! From using top-tier LG battery cells, a high-quality Battery Management System, Pure-Sine Wave AC output for sensitive electronics, and the ability to scale the system as large or small as needed with its large portfolio of products, integrations, and accessories, the Yeti X series is unmatched — with the associated, premium pricing that many would balk at. There is a reason why less expensive competitors like Jackery do well: to fill a price void left behind by Goal Zero.

If you want one of the best batteries, however, Goal Zero has thus far been the best choice. The Yeti 1500x with its 2,000W AC inverter and 3,500W peak was able to handle anything — literally anything — I threw at it. It also survived frigid 27F overnight temperatures, and in trying to figure out how to get this battery to work with my other investments (Jackery, Rockpals, nrgGo, Suaoki batteries and solar panels), I came to appreciate the quality and design the company put into its weatherproof cables.

Overall, I am VERY happy with the way the power station works, its expansion options, thoughtful design with top-notch components, and the safety reputation the company has been known for, but the high price it commands still makes it hard for my wallet to swallow. The Yeti 500x, however, still is my favorite battery.

Support us by shopping at Goal Zero (Affiliate)

Where To Buy

Goal Zero Products
- Yeti Power Stations
  - 1500x (Goal Zero | Amazon) / Carry Case (Goal Zero | Amazon)
  - 500x (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See our Review
  - 1000x (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See our Review / 1000 Core (Amazon)
    - Goal Zero vs Jackery: Yeti 1000 Core vs 1000X vs Explorer 1000
  - 3000x (Goal Zero | Amazon) / 6000x (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- Power Supplies (rapid-charge Yeti X) – 600W (Goal Zero | Amazon) / 230W (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- 12V Car Charger (60W or 120W) (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- Solar Panels
  - Nomad 200 Foldable (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See our Review / Boulder 200 Briefcase (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- Cables (Goal Zero’s “HPP” is the same as “APP”)
  - HPP-to-HPP 4x Combiner (Goal Zero | Amazon)
  - 8mm-to-HPP 4x Combiner (Goal Zero | Amazon) / 8mm-to-HPP (Goal Zero | Amazon)
- Yeti Link Expansion (See YouTube: Yeti Link + Tank)
  - Home Integration Kit (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See YouTube
  - Vehicle Integration Kit (454W-750W) (Goal Zero | Amazon)
  - Tank Expansion Batteries (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See YouTube
iGreely Extension Cables: 8mm / HPP (APP)
Casio Pro Trek PRW2500T Solar Watch

Power Generators: Gas vs Propane vs Battery Station (and Solar)
Ultimate Reference: Power Station Comparison
EcoFlow Wave Portable Air Conditioner
Reviews
- Goal Zero vs Jackery: Yeti 1000 Core vs 1000X vs Explorer 1000
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000x / Yeti 500x
- Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro / Explorer 1000 / Explorer 300
- EcoFlow Delta Pro LiFePO4
- Bluetti EB70S LiFePO4
- BigBlue Cellpowa500 LiFePO4
- Rockpals 500W / nrgGo 400
Quick Look
- EcoFlow Delta 2 vs Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (Core, X, Lithium) vs Jackery Explorer 1000
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000 (Core, X, Lithium) vs Jackery Explorer 1000
Announcements
- CES 2023: Jackery LightTent-AIR Inflatable Solar Tent, Solar Generator Explorer 2000 & 3000 Pro, Air-W, LightCycle-S1, DX Power-Space Pro
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core (1000c) Launching July 16, 2021!

Review: Goal Zero Yeti 1500x Portable Power Station

Goal Zero Yeti 1500x

Features

Design

Performance

Ease of Use

Value

Pros

Cons

Emergency Power

What Will Be Covered Here

In A Nutshell

What’s Good? What’s Bad?

Pros

Cons

Ports

Input

Output

Other Connections

Usage

Continuous vs Peak Output

Goal Zero Yeti Comparison

Solar Panel – Warning

Calculations – Size & Time

Time to Charge Battery

Charge Time with Solar

Watts Used/Produced

Ideal Battery Size

Time Before Battery is Empty

Time to Charge Device

Conversion to mAh

Tips and Suggestions

Cold Weather Use

Safety

Jump Start Car?

Portable Air Conditioner

Goal Zero 12V Car Charger

Use With Other Brands

Different Solar Panels

Charging Other Batteries

Goal Zero Official Carry Case

Is it safe to keep the battery inside?

Final Thoughts

Where To Buy

Related Posts

Other Useful Topics

Power Station Comparison

Gas/Propane Generators vs Battery Power Stations

Who is Goal Zero (GZ)?

Battery Technology and Safety

Cell Manufacturers

Safety

Li-ion: LiFePO4 vs NMC

Charge Cycles

LiFePO4 Advantages

NMC Advantages

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About the Author: Michael Yuen @yuenx