Suaoki Portable Power Station (400 watts): Definitive Review (2024
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This is the Ultimate TopNotch Suaoki 400wh Portable Solar Generator 2024.
In this comprehensive review we’ll cover:
- Price to performance ratio
- Ease of use
- Durability
- Lots more…
So if you’re looking for a portable power source for your next camping trip or something to use at home in an outage, you’ll love this guide.
Let’s check it out in more detail.
- Dimensions: 9.0 x 9.0 x 5.5 in
- Weight: 12.35 lbs
- Load Run Time: 6h+
- Wattage: 400 Watt
- Manufacturer: Suaoki
Bottom Line : This is a stellar product that comes with a good capacity and is well-suited for emergency use
Pros
- A reliable performer
- Excellent portability
- Three ways of charging
- Effective safety features
- Battery management system ensures safety
- It comes with a two-year warranty
Cons
- Solar power charging takes time
- The USB ports are slightly fragile
Our Verdict: Suaoki 400wh Portable Solar Generator
We’ve all seen this…
A few products that aren’t quite top of the line but still pack enough punch to be a good choice for a whole range of buyers
The Suaoki 400Wh solar power station is just one such generator. It simply packs some of the best features that you can think of in a solar generator into a sleek package.
The power supply isn’t good enough for equipment that needs high power flow.
But, it’s perfectly suited for appliances that need a medium or low power.
Just as we expected, there were three different ways of charging the portable generator
And speaking of smaller electronics, there’s a battery management system that keeps the safety levels steady. With built-in inverter technology, it can handleDC and AC power safely.
Another big plus is the lightweight design that makes the solar generator perfect for outdoor as well as indoor use.
But is it the best when it comes to efficiency?
Well, not really, no.
This is where the solar generators like the Jackery 240 or the Goal Zero Yeti 400 romp ahead with their excellent craftsmanship and durability.
On the whole, our Suaoki solar generator was a competent product in its own way.
But if you want the very best in solar power technology, we’ll be pointing you in the direction of our TopNotch Top Picks.
Shall we dig a little deeper?
Let’s begin.
Related: 10 Best Solar Generators
Analysis Comparisons and Test Results
We also tested the much lighter Suaoki 150Wh generator – it’s solar-powered like its older brother.
Surprisingly enough, both look so different it’s hard to tell they’re from the same stable.
But in terms of overall performance, the 400Wh Suaoki generator is streets ahead.
Keep in mind this solar battery comes without solar panels. Add this in when you’re considering your budget.
Obviously, this affects the price versus performance ratio of the product too.
The fact is, Suaoki was only established pretty recently (2015) and it still has some distance to go before it can compete properly with our Top Picks.
So stay with me as we find out more.
Value for Money
The first thing is, this Suaoki solar generator is very handy.
Even with multiple ports and switches for charging smaller appliances, it’s super easy to use.
We also liked the overall safety features.
Value for Money Rating
Suaoki has paid a lot of attention to all-round safety.
The power output is good enough for smaller electronics. But if you need more than 250 Watts of steady output, you’d better look somewhere else.
The build quality is good – with an outer aluminum frame. The lightweight design along with the top handle is great for portability.
The addition of a crisp LCD screen is a nice touch.
The ports and the buttons are well marked and the layout is simple.
However, we can’t say the same about the user manual. It definitely needs a rework.
Now hang on, there’s more here.
It also comes with the MPPT solar charge controllers the same as some of its competitors.
The discharge efficiency of a battery is one important feature we can’t ignore.
The Suaoki solar battery wasn’t the best performer in this aspect. There were some losses from the inverter that affected the overall efficiency.
On the whole, it scored only moderate marks under this metric.
For the best price to performance ratios, take a look at the Jackery 240 and the Goal Zero Yeti 400.
Output Power
The overall output power delivery of this portable power generator is TopNotch – just so long as your power needs aren’t on the higher end of the scale. Note: It offers 600 Watts of surge power.
With the given power band, it’ll run small TV sets, fans, and CPAP devices along with sensitive electronics.
Output Power Rating
The lithium-ion battery is rated at 120,000mAh and apart from solar power, you can also use a car charger adapter or a standard AC outlet for charging.
The charging time through the wall socket was fast.
On the other hand, the solar charging speed isn’t the fastest. It’ll depend on the panel capacity and intensity of the sun.
Suaoki says the generator can charge a smartphone up to 30 times and a laptop up to 5 hours.
Take these figures with a pinch of salt.
We charged an iPad pro and two smartphones( with batteries above 4000 mAh) with the generator. A maximum of ten charges was all we got.
But considering the battery capacity, that was a good performance.
Also, the charge holding capacity was good and the output ports gave flawless performance.
However, the 12V Cigarette Lighter Socket output is limited by a low ampere rating. So when we tried running an air compressor that draws more current, the over-current safety kicked in.
So in terms of output power delivery, the Suaoki was good but not as good as the Goal Zero Yeti 1400.
Durability & Workmanship
Frankly, this isn’t a generator that’s built to power your wildest adventures. Quite simply, it isn’t as hardy as something like the Goal Zero Yeti 1400.
Having said that, the durability is fine for car camping trips and general outdoor use.
Durability & Workmanship Rating
One thing – the aluminum frame gives a good level of protection. The feet keep it stable on the ground.
But the multiple ports don’t have a cover. I wouldn’t recommend it for use in wet conditions.
Moreover, the plastic-quality around the USB ports isn’t reassuring.
What about the weight?
It’s just 12.35 pounds. AKA a TopNotch power to weight ratio.
The compact dimensions also mean it’s easy to store inside the RV or your garage.
While the portability is good, the overall workmanship of the generator isn’t the best.
The LCD screen is a practical addition but it doesn’t display the battery percentage while charging.
It turns out, none of the ports are USB C type – that would give you fast-charging.
That’s one feature we missed.
There are two AC plug-in outlets and two DC ports. In addition, there’s a 12V, 120 watt cigarette lighter socket.
And don’t forget, there’s a jump starter port – great for long road trips.
However, you can’t use the AC power ports while it’s charging.
That’s one ‘con’ that could have been avoided.
In the end, the Suaoki didn’t score particularly highly under this metric.
Dependability & Reliability
To start with, you’ll get a two-year warranty. That definitely inspires confidence in the brand.
During our tests, it gave us steady power even when stretched to its limits.
More good news…
The long term users mentioned that customer service is very responsive.
Dependability & Reliability Rating
Here’s something else we liked…
The accessories.
You get an AC wall charger, a vehicle charging cable, a solar charging cable, and a pair of jump starter clamps.
In addition, the intelligent battery management system gives protection from overvoltage and overcurrent.
Oddly enough, there’s a single switch for the USB outputs and the inverter.
Put simply, this resulted in power losses when we used the ports.
The thing is, Suaoki doesn’t publish any details about the lithium-ion battery or its longevity.
We got mixed feedback from long term users. There were also some instances of battery drainage when left unused.
So in terms of battery quality, we placed the Jackery 240 and the Goal Zero Yeti 400 ahead.
Lastly, we had some heating issues when we stretched the capacity for long periods. There’s an in-built cooling system but its efficiency wasn’t on par with our best products.
On the whole, it wasn’t the best performer under this metric.
Noise
Let’s accept it.
Campers and noisy generators don’t go together.
That’s one reason we’re big fans of these portable solar generators.
And almost all the units we tested would be perfect for any campsite with noise restrictions.
Noise Rating
But, not all of them give the same level of noise suppression.
The Suaoki solar generator was quiet enough during our tests. Even after hooking it up with multiple appliances the sound levels never bothered us.
However, there was a bit of noise during solar panel charging. Especially under fast-changing light conditions.
There was also some noise under heavy loads. We think that was due to the cooling mechanism that operates the two fans.
By and large, the Suaoki generator put up a decent performance in this metric.
Bottom line though – it wasn’t super-silent like our Top Picks.
Our Final Verdict:
Suaoki 400wh Portable Solar Generator
Our Final Verdict Rating
Conclusion: Suaoki 400wh Portable Solar Generator
Time to sum up the details.
Clearly, the Suaoki portable solar generator isn’t a power-monster that will light up your whole house.
But it’ll make sure all your smaller electronics stay happy in an off-grid location.
What we loved is the excellent versatility of the battery. At home, around the office, on the campsite, or for backyard parties, it fits into place almost anywhere.
The product shines when it comes to smooth output power delivery and all-round connectivity.
Add to that, a clean sine wave in the output and great all-round safety features.
It also packs features like the battery management system and a cigarette lighter socket.
Let’s not forget the TopNotch ease of use and superb portability.
In spite of all that, this ain’t a generator to match the overall reliability of the TopNotch chart-toppers like the Jackery 240 or the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 generator.
The overall workmanship isn’t the best-in-class either.
So what does that mean?
Even though it isn’t a TopNotch chart-topper, the Suaoki solar-powered generator is a good pick for on-the-go portable power.
Now it’s your decision.
We’ve done our homework so all you have to do now is decide which generator is perfect for you.
Will it be the Suaoki portable solar generator or our Editor’s choice below…
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