Goal Zero sells portable power stations, sold under the Yeti name, along with Nomad and Boulder solar panels and whole-home backup kits. The main decision on a Goal Zero order is sizing, matching a Yeti's watt-hour capacity and a solar panel's wattage to what you actually plan to run, rather than defaulting to the biggest unit on the page.
Goal Zero's range spans small units meant for camping up to Haven home-backup kits meant to run part of a house, and the buying questions are different at each end of that range.
Size the Yeti to the appliance, not the trip
A Yeti power station's watt-hour rating determines how long it can run a given device, and Goal Zero's lineup spans small models for charging phones and lights up to large units capable of running a fridge or CPAP machine overnight. Add up the watt-hours your actual devices need across a typical outage or trip before picking a Yeti size, since it is easy to undersize a unit for anything beyond phone and laptop charging.
Matching a Nomad or Boulder panel to the Yeti's input
Goal Zero's Nomad panels are foldable and portable, meant to travel with the Yeti, while Boulder panels are rigid and better suited to a fixed setup like a cabin roof. Either panel needs to be sized against the Yeti's maximum solar input in watts, since an undersized panel just recharges slowly and an oversized one wastes the extra capacity the Yeti cannot accept. Check the specific Yeti model's input rating before buying a solar panel bundle for it.
Haven Kits are a different category of purchase
Goal Zero's Haven Kits are whole-home backup systems, sized in kilowatt-hours rather than watt-hours, meant to back up circuits in a house rather than charge a phone at a campsite. These are a bigger investment and usually involve an electrician for installation, so treat a Haven Kit purchase as closer to a home battery decision than an accessory purchase, and check installation requirements before ordering.
Recharge time depends on the input source
A Yeti recharges at different speeds from a wall outlet, a car outlet and solar, and wall charging is almost always the fastest option when it is available. Solar recharge time depends on panel wattage and sunlight, and Goal Zero's own estimates are based on ideal conditions, so real-world recharge during an outage or overcast day will run slower than the listed number.
Port types matter for what you can actually plug in
Goal Zero Yetis mix AC outlets, USB-C, USB-A and 12V car-style ports, and the number and type of each varies by model. If you plan to run something specific, a CPAP machine, a mini-fridge, a laptop that only charges via USB-C, check that the exact Yeti model has the matching port and rated wattage for that device before buying.
Warranty and app support
Goal Zero backs its Yeti line with a manufacturer warranty and many newer models pair with a companion app for monitoring charge and output remotely. Warranty length and what it covers can differ between the base Yeti line and the Pro or Haven lines, so check the current warranty terms for the specific model rather than assuming one policy covers the whole Goal Zero catalog.
Cases, chargers and other accessories
Goal Zero sells protective cases sized to specific Yeti models, extra wall and car chargers, and cables for linking two Yetis together where the platform supports it. A carry case is worth adding if the Yeti is travelling in a vehicle regularly, since the exposed ports and screen on some models are otherwise the first thing to get scuffed. Check that any case, cable or charger is listed as compatible with your exact Yeti model before ordering it, since Goal Zero's accessory sizing is not universal across the whole lineup.
Where the Goal Zero savings are
The $250 code is a solid general discount for a mid-size to large Yeti purchased on its own. The 20% code is worth comparing against it on a smaller order, since a percentage can beat a flat dollar amount below a certain price point, do the math on the specific unit's price before choosing between them. The Nomad bundle code only applies to that specific solar-and-Yeti bundle, so it will not help on a Yeti bought alone or paired with a Boulder panel instead, check the bundle contents match what you actually need before relying on it for the discount.
Common questions
How do I know what size Yeti I need?
Add up the watt-hours of the devices you plan to run over the period you need power for. Goal Zero lists watt-hour capacity on every Yeti model to compare against that total.
Can I use a Goal Zero Yeti indoors?
Yes, unlike a gas generator, a Yeti has no exhaust and is safe to run indoors, which is part of why Goal Zero markets it for home backup use.
Do Goal Zero solar panels work on a cloudy day?
They still generate some charge, but at a reduced rate. Check Goal Zero's stated recharge times, which assume good sun rather than overcast conditions.
Does a Goal Zero warranty cover the solar panels too?
Coverage can differ between power stations and panels. Check the specific warranty terms for each product rather than assuming one covers both.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| $250 off | Promo code | View at Goal Zero → |
| 10% off | Promo code | View at Goal Zero → |
| Free gift | Promo code | View at Goal Zero → |
| 25% off | Promo code | View at Goal Zero → |
