Home Product Review
Written by : Nikola Gemeš | Last Updated: May 1, 2024
Patriot Power Generator Review Summary
Meet the Patriot Power Generator 1800, your solution to rural power cuts and sudden blackouts. This solar-charged lifesaver is designed to keep your essentials running when you need them the most. Its impressive charging speed and solar capabilities might just be the deciding factor in your off-grid living.
PROS
Eco-friendly with solar charging capabilities
It can hold charge for up to 12 months
Long lifespan with 2,500 battery life cycles
Robust construction
Provides power for up to eight different appliances at once
CONS
Quite heavy at 40 lbs, making it less portable than other options
Tends to be noisy, especially when its cooling fans are running
High cost
Lower battery capacity of 768Wh
Limited AC outlets, only two available
Biased online reviews
Check Price
Contents
Yes, we really loved the “patriotic” naming of this solar generator. But does it do justice to RVers and off-gridders out there? Let’s hear it from an electrical engineer.
I live in a fairly rural part of the country where power cuts and weather problems are not uncommon. From blackouts to floods, there are a million and one reasons why my home can randomly lose power for a few hours.
It’s super annoying.
While I can survive without my TV for a few hours, I like the option of having a backup power generator in my home so I can power my fridge or freezer and a few other essential appliances until the power comes back on.
Always eco-conscious, I decided to try the Patriot Power Generator 1800 with solar power charging to see if it would work for my needs.
What Is The Patriot Power Generator?
The Patriot Power Generator 1800 is a solar power generator that I've often used for power outages in my home. It comes with 2 charging options — solar panel charging and AC outlet charging (the outlets on the main power grid).
This product is a continuation from the Patriot 1500, which famously was recalled because it kept catching fire.
Now, I’ve not heard any stories about the 1800 catching fire, but I feel like it’s worth mentioning when considering which company to buy from.
Maybe speak to the customer service team if you’re nervous.
In terms of outputs, the Patriot 1800 has plenty to choose from. Outputs on this solar generator include:
- 2 X AC Outlet (Regular Power Outlets)
- 1 X DC Output (Like A Car Charger)
- 4 X USB Outputs
- 1 X Anderson Powerpole Outlet (Used For Emergency Equipment)
Potentially, you could have a power supply for 8 different appliances running at once, assuming you don’t max out the 1800W output. However, I doubt you would ever need to plug that much in at once.
I certainly haven’t.
Despite being called the 1800, the battery capacity on this generator is actually 768Wh (watt hours) which I think is quite small for such a large generator, to be honest.
Speaking of large, the Patriot 1800 is pretty darn big.
It’s similar in size to a large desktop computer and weighs a whopping 40 lbs.
When I bought the Patriot Power Generator, I got a bunch of free stuff included with it, which was nice.
Free items included with the Patriot 1800 are:
- Patriot power cell
- Solar panel extension cord
- 72-hour survival food kit
- Kettle with water purification system
- HaloXT flashlight
- Solar air lantern
- Blackout-survival library
- USB battery kit
- Good customer service contacts
These free items helped make the steep price tag feel a little more bearable for me.
The Patriot is definitely aimed at people like me who are looking to make it through a freak lightning storm or other emergency situations, with books like “The Generator Survival Checklist” and “The Blackout Response Guide” all pushing that independence mindset. I'd say it would also be good for people who live in tiny houses.
How Fast Can You Charge The Patriot Power Generator?
This solar powered generator has 2 main methods of charging — AC outlet and solar panels.
- AC outlet charging = 3 hours to a full charge
- Solar panels charging = 10 hours to a full charge (in good conditions)
I found the AC outlet charging to be much faster, but I almost always charge it using solar panels so I can be kinder to the environment.
Get your hands on bifacials if you can for more efficient charging.
What Is The Patriot Power Generator’s Solar Input Potential?
The Patriot has a solar input potential of 240 watts.
This is quite a lot less than other rival solar generators that may have input potential of up to 500 or 1,000 watts for solar panels.
What Is The Patriot Power Generator’s Output Capability?
The Patriot 1800 has an output capability of 1800W, as the name suggests. This means that ideally, you can plug in multiple appliances as long as their draw doesn't exceed 1800W in total.
How Much Does The Patriot Power Generator Cost?
When sold through the official website, the Patriot Power Generator currently costs $2,497.00.
Patriot Power Generator Benefits
Eco-Friendly Solar Capabilities
As you’re aware, the Patriot 1800 comes with a solar panel kit included, so it’s easy to generate your home’s backup power without having to rely on the main power grid at all.
After a blackout is over and the electricity situation is back to normal in my home, I like to put my solar panels up in the garden and connect them to the Patriot 1800 inside the house (just in case of rain).
This way, I was able to generate my backup power in the most eco-friendly way possible. I’m not usually in a rush, so I wait a couple days for it to fully charge via the sun.
Read More:
Buying vs. Leasing Solar Panels: Which Path Should You Take?
It Holds Charge For 6-12 Months
Most solar generators and portable power stations will lose their charge at around the 6 month mark, but I found that the Patriot can hold its charge for anywhere up to 12 months.
This made it ideal for me who get power outages every so often — I only needed to recharge the product on an annual basis to make sure that it’s still holding charge.
It Has 2,500 Battery Life Cycles
The Patriot 1800 supposedly has 2,500 life cycles according to the manufacturer, though that’s obviously quite hard to test out anytime soon.
In theory, this means that you could use this product every single day for almost 7 years before you would need a replacement.
It’s a nice feature, but I highly doubt anyone would ever use a generator that often unless they live totally off-the-grid.
Patriot Power Generator Shortfalls
I’m not going to lie — there are a lot of things that I don’t like about this product.
First of all, if you look up YouTube reviews for the Patriot 1800, you’ll find that basically all of them are on the 4Patriots YouTube channel. That’s never a good sign.
There are a few downsides to this product, here are some to consider:
It’s Very, Very Heavy
Amusingly, the manufacturer describes this product as “lightweight” despite the 1800 weighing a whopping 40 lbs!
Now if you’re just using this for backup power or off-the-grid power, the weight won’t matter much to you. However, I took it camping once, and I struggled to lug it around.
It Can Be Noisy
If you live in a warmer part of the country, prepare for the wrath of the world’s loudest cooling fans.
Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but this power generator can get hot, and when it does, the cooling fans like to let me know they’re working by being annoyingly loud.
It’s Expensive For What It Is
This product clocks in at around $2,500, which is pretty expensive despite all the free items you get with it.
Now, I understand that most large power generators are expensive, but this thing only has a 768Wh (watt hours) battery capacity.
In the words of Shania Twain — that don’t impress me much!
For the same price, I can get other power generators with much bigger battery capacities, or I can just build my own DIY solar generator.
The thing is, for its price, this just doesn’t cut the mustard.
There Aren’t That Many AC Outlets
For a power generator of this size, there aren’t that many power outlets.
This is the kind of power generator you would want to use in an emergency situation, yet there are only 2 AC outlets, which seems very low.
Because of this, I was only able to plug in my fridge and sometimes my TV, but that was it.
Not really ideal for me whenever my electricity is out for extended periods of time.
Simply put, there are better options with more AC outlets at this price range.
It Doesn’t Power Your Fridge For That Long
One of the main selling points of this power station is that it will power your fridge or freezer if the power goes out in your home. They go on and on and on about it. The people at Patriot are really into powering the hell outta fridges.
They claim that this generator can power your fridge for 16.3 hours, but in my experience it’s much less than that.
For the size of my average US fridge, I was lucky to get 6-10 hours at best!
When I power other items and appliances at the same time, that number dropped even lower.
Pros and Cons Summary of the Patriot Power Generator
Pros
- Eco-friendly solar charging
- Up to 12 months shelf life
- 2,500 life cycles
- Quite robust
Cons
- Very heavy at 40 lbs
- Noisy cooling fans
- Very expensive
- Poor battery capacity
- Unrealistic claims from manufacturer
- Limited AC outlets
- Biased YouTube reviews
Read More Reviews:
- Jackery Explorer 500 Full Review
- Goal Zero Yeti 400 Full Review
- Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Full Review
- Titan Solar Generator Full Review
Things To Consider Before Buying A Portable Solar Generator
While I bought the Patriot Power Generator 1800 primarily for blackouts, you might also use one for camping trips and off-the-grid living.
Whatever you’re using it for, here are some things to consider before buying any of the solar powered generators on the market:
Battery Capacity
The capacity of the battery is one of the main things you should look at before anything else. If you’re taking solar generators out to just power your phone and tablet for a couple days on a camping trip, then you don’t need a huge capacity.
However, if you live off the power grid or you’re trying to get a solid solar generator in case of a power outage like me, then you need something with enough juice to run large appliances like a fridge or a freezer.
Solar Charging Speed
When it comes to your power generator, solar charging is a great option if you want to be kinder to the environment.
However, you need to check how quickly your generator can charge.
For instance, most places in the US only get ideal solar panel sunlight for around 5-6 hours per day, and that’s assuming it’s not a cloudy day.
For solar power generators that take 12 hours to charge via solar panel, you’ll be lucky to charge them fully over 2 days.
Portability
While a lot of solar generators describe themselves as “portable,” a lot of them really aren’t.
Yes, technically 40-pound solar generators are portable because they don’t need to be attached to anything, but they’re incredibly heavy and difficult to lug around.
For heavier solar generators, you can probably take them to a campsite in your car and move them a short distance to your tent, but that’s about it.
Let’s just say you ain’t gonna be hiking up mountains or running away from a natural disaster with the heavier generators.
FAQ
Does the Patriot power generator come with a car charger?
No, the Patriot power generator does not come with a car charger input, though it does have a DC car charger-style output. It cannot be charged by a car, but it can power devices that you use with a car charger.
Can a solar generator power a house?
No, a solar generator cannot power an entire house, but a big enough one can power essentials like your fridge or freezer to stop your food from spoiling during a power cut.
How long do generator batteries last?
Most generator batteries last for around 3 years if you take care of them properly. However, the lifespan of a power generator depends on the company that made it, the capacity, the type of battery, and numerous other factors.
Can you jump start a generator battery?
Yes, it is possible to jump start a generator battery using the same jumper cables you would use to jump start a car battery. However, it may depend on the type or brand of the power generator.
The Patriot Power Generator: Should You Buy It?
The Patriot Power Generator 1800 might have its place in some households, but not mine.
For me, I prefer the Jackery Explorer 500 for both camping trips and backup household power.
If you need more power, there is also the Jackery Explorer 1000.
One of the reasons why I prefer the Jackery 500 is because it weighs just 13 lbs — 3 times less than the Patriot.
Granted, it doesn’t have as much battery capacity, but if you just need backup power for a few basic devices, it’s more than big enough and doesn’t weigh a ton.
I’m always clumsily stumbling around with generators during a blackout, but the Jackery 500 comes with features that make it very convenient during a power outage, in emergency situations, or while out camping, such as a built-in carry handle, backlit display screen, and a built-in low-power LED flashlight that’s perfect if the lights go out.
In the same scenario, the Patriot weighs a ton, is hard to move around, and has no built-in flashlight feature. Boo.
If you’re looking for a lightweight solar generator with a ton of features that are great in an emergency, or even just during camping trips, go for the Jackery Explorer 500.
Nikola Gemeš
Nikola, an electrical engineer, simplifies intricate sustainability subjects for his audience. A staunch environmental conservationist, he embodies his beliefs daily through recycling and cultivating his own food.
Quick Links
Green Living Guides
Green Jobs
Inspiring Green News
Green Directory
Green Store
Electronics Recycling
Category: Home Product Review, Most Popular, Product Review, Renewable Energy, Solar Power
← Glass Recycling Simplified: A Step-by-Step Process
Jackery Explorer 1000 Review: Best for Camping? →
36 Comments on “Patriot Power Generator Review: Worth Your Money?”
- Green News
- Green Directory
- Green Store
- Most Popular
- Sustainable Living
- Renewable Energy
- Environment
- Product Review
- Business Pickups
- Data Destruction
- Build Wide Pickups
- Product Destruction
- Electronics Recycling Drop-off
- Mail-in Recycling
- Hard Disk Destruction
- How to Recycle ?
- About Us
- Contact
- Careers
- Customer Reviews
- Our Customers
- Press Room
- In The News
- LEED Reporting
- E-waste Crisis
- Data Security
- Global Dumping
- Harmful Effects
- Styrofoam Recycling
- Polyurethane Foam Recycling
- Why Data Security ?
Thank you for your information. I’m disappointed but will proceed.
I already have my 1800 generator that has remained fully charged over the last two years. I am ready to draw it down and charge it back up to test it I am somewhat concerned that you say that it will only last 3 years…Yikes! My only intent is for it to run my refrigerator in an emergency that we are being told is imminent. I’m in earthquake country, generally sunny.
Reply
The worst thing i ever wasted money on!!!!! Battery does not hold a charge and will not take a CHARGE NOW! It’s a piece of junk!!!! will never buy another product from Patriot!! It cost me $2600.
Reply
Don’t buy 4 patriot generator, very over priced, tried to cancel order, terrible, can’t contact them, say shipped already, it’s another scam taking your money for a overvalued product, there are many better options half the price, and 5 year warranty instead of 3 , also lighter than the 4 patriot generator, don’t get scammed
Reply
I would like to know if your generator and panels are MADE IN AMERICA?
Please respond I do not want to support CHINA making a purchase
Thank you
Reply
I tried to purchase 2 patriot 1800 from Amazon that was running a special for just under $60. The add was for Warehouse clearance. I was refused for fraud on both my credit cards
Reply
Would you consider doing a report on the Anker767 generator
Reply
OK, why what good would it do. I just made a comment.
Reply
Oh my!
Reply
Your post is so informative! I’ve never seen anything like it before. You’re a really creative writer and your articles are always interesting to read, even if they might be about the same topics over again (like Patriot Power Generators). Keep up with all those great posts you write 🙂
Reply
There’s no need to mince words… this thing is hot trash. At $2500 it should have at least double the battery capacity.
Reply
I have the 4Pat 1800 generator and two 4Pat 100W solar panels. Question: Would the 4Pat solar panels work on the Jackery solar generators/inverters?
Reply
I have a Patriot 1500 generator I bought about 4 years ago, I didn’t know there was a recall on them. I use this when we have power outages. At first I was happy as it stayed charged and took care of the need I use it most for and that is to keep the filters and air bubblier in my aquarium going. The last two times I used it I didn’t get the full 8 hours, not even close. I always make sure it is charged and ready to go for the day the power is going to be shut off. This time I pulled out the Solar panel to give it a try. The Aquarium only takes 52 W and the floor fan takes 110 W so I felt sure it would take care of both for the time the power would be. I was wrong. It did fine for the first 4 hours then started beeping. I was guessing the beeping means it was overloading or running out of power. So I unplug everything and let it rest for 1/2 hour. Started it up again and it lasted a whole 25 minutes before beeping again. I checked all the connections making sure everything was snug and in the correct position and it started beeping again. What a huge waste of money. Glad I bought a hybrid Gas/Propane generator, that is probably a better choice and was a hell of a lot less expensive at 800.00. Next outage I will unbox it and try it instead,
Reply
Cheryl I would suggest that you try the new generator before the power outage Just to make sure it’s ready to go Oil in the engine and get to know it. It’s easier to do that with the lights on than the lights off and no power. Good luck
Reply
I have purchased a patriot 1800 solar power generator and it was sitting there without using for about 6 months until I had power outages (few times) this month (August 2021)…..I have to tell you that I am soooo glad I was able to put it to work immediately because I had some work that came in from a client and was due that day…..and I was able to get the job without interruption and I am very happy about it !!! I was going to order another one fir my daughter’s house but they are all sold out !!! Start to looking into other options ….
Reply
Thank you so much for sharing your story. If you’re looking for alternate options, you could check our guide on Best Solar Generators of 2021.
Guide link: https://greencitizen.com/best-solar-generator/
Reply
Jeannette:
I saw a post you made about using salt to generate electricity and I wanted to contact you to see if you could send me a link on that subject.
Thanks,
Troy
Reply
Yes I’d love the link as well please!
Reply
We are looking for a solar unit with enough power to operate two three or maybe even four appliances such as a refrigerator freezer, water cooler, and laptop computer.
What would you think would be the best value for money?
Thanks
Reply
Hi, I’m so glad I read your review. I was just getting ready to buy it. could you please tell me a couple of the other options out there to look at? I’d appreciate it. Thanks, Jim
Reply
Well stated this so called “generator” isn’t that at all !!! like you say its simple look on appliance for wattage and divide that into battery capacity. I think the battery in this thing is 12 volts about 13.2 fully charged ., at 12 volts it is 50% charged !!! You would be better off buying a deep cycle RV battery as big as you want to pack around and buy a Harbor Fright 1000 watt inverter and save $2200 … This product is way over rated by the seller !!!!!!!!
Reply
I know for a fact that you can buy a 3000 watt inverter for less then $300.00. Just go to your local large TRUCK STOP. if course it is 12 volt. But what most people don’t understand. Your batteries are just like your cars gas tank. The more gas you can cary. The longer you can drive. Same with inverters. More batteries = longer run time. That’s the reason most homes that are off grid are 24 or 48 volts
Read and learn! That’s the trick.
Reply
I bought a Patriot 1800 generator in 2020. I recommend it for appliances like cell phones, radios, one person fans, air conditioners if air circulation is good enough without needing to cool the air, lap top computers, solar powered flashlights, crock pots and other appliances that use small amounts of electricity. For major appliances like full size refrigerators, freezers, microwaves and space heaters a more powerful solar generator is needed to run those appliances for more than a short time. I also bought a Patriot Power Sidekick which is good for minor appliances and the Sidekick has a bright flashlight which is very good for camping. I don’t recommend a gas or diesel generator unless there is a battery the electricity can be stored in. Fuel might be hard to find in a disaster or will be expensive.
Reply
Based on my experience a generator can be a dangerous thing if you don’t know what you’re doing with it. Here are some safety tips before starting the engine of the generator reviews and during the engine start-up tips that are useful for you.
Reply
Very an interesting concept. I never heard of using salt to generate green energy.
It seems that we only hear about these wonderful inventions, but never see them on a large scale. Hope it takes off, and more states approve it.
Reply
Thank you for your reviews, you make a big difference for the consumer that may not be sure if they should purchase a product or not. Money does not grow on trees and these days it is hard to find companies that provide quality products and stand behind their warranty or even have a warranty.
Thank you again for the information.
Reply
One word……..H O N D A.
Reply
I would not exactly call this a generator. It is actually an inverter there is a big difference. Additionally you say the battery is 640 wh at which means 640 watt hours that’s 640 watts for one hour. Check your appliance ratings if your appliance is rated at 320 watts that Would work out to 2 hours of continuous service. Most homes use more than 2000 watt hours during evening hours.
Solar panel although rated at 250 watts will not likely produce that much wattage except under perfect conditions usually only found in a lab, typical solar panel produces about 60% of their rated capacity during daylight hours which works out to longer recharge times.
Reply
I purchased the 1800 along with free goodies last year. Here in Texas, the real crunch came yesterday with snow, single digit temperatures, and no power for 18 hours in an all electric neighborhood (with more power blackouts and weather on the way).
At this point I would consider my $2500 purchase 100% worthless. It will not keep you alive. You can charge your phone or turn on a light. You CANNOT run any major appliance or heat source for any meaningful period of time. And, as Texas is learning….solar is no good without sunshine. I would be much better prepared and well served to have spent less than $1000 on a fuel powered generator.
Reply
But if your looking for portability this is the one to get! I’m pretty sure I’ll be making a purchase for the 120 panel very soon. Having fun tinkering with the free energy source.
Reply
This thing would not run a typical refrigerator for two hours. Save money. For not a whole lot more money, you could get a Freedom 3024 and 8 golf cart battery which could run your whole house for 8 hours drawing 500 watts an hour. This thing to run 500 watts for about an hour and 10 minutes
Reply
Thanks for reviewing the Patriot generators. We have been looking to buy one recently.
Reply
Thank you so much for the info and review
Reply
Hi:
I tried the DC outlet on my Patriot Solar Generator but it doesn’t work. I was trying to inflate some tires with the 12 V inflator. I plugged it into the patriot generator and it didn’t work. Then I plugged it into the inflator into my trucks DC plug and it worked fine. So the patriot solar generator DC plug doesn’t work. Please advise thank you
Reply
Having same issue
Reply
Thank you for the helpful information on the Patriot Solar powered generator. As living in an area increasing affected by hurricanes am looking for a generator.
Reply
Leave a Reply
GreenCitizen is an environmental conservation company providing you with information, services, and products to help you live a sustainable life.
Follow Us
Join Our Newsletter
Quick Links
Blogs
Services(United States)
For Businesses
For Homes
Useful Links
Copyright © 2024 · All Rights Reserved · GreenCitizen
Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure
