Goal Zero Yeti 500: what it runs and for how long

On a full charge it runs a 12V compressor fridge for about 40 h and a CPAP machine for about 7.6 h.

What can’t the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run?

The Goal Zero Yeti 500 can't run a refrigerator or a chest freezer (start-up ~2,200 W, limit 1,000 W); a microwave or a well pump (needs 1,000 W, inverter is 500 W); a space heater or an electric kettle (needs 1,500 W, inverter is 500 W).

Who is the Goal Zero Yeti 500 a good fit for?

The Goal Zero Yeti 500 meets every requirement for 2 of the 12 uses we filter for.

• ✓Camping
• ✓A LiFePO4 station under $500
• ✕Carrying a CPAP on trips (light enough to pack) · needs capacity ≥ 500 Wh; the Goal Zero Yeti 500 has 499 Wh
• ?UPS use with computers and routers · can’t be checked: Goal Zero doesn’t publish the UPS switchover figure
• ✕Fast solar charging · needs solar input ≥ 800 W; the Goal Zero Yeti 500 has 200 W
• ✕Balcony solar and apartments · needs solar input ≥ 400 W; the Goal Zero Yeti 500 has 200 W

Can you add batteries to the Goal Zero Yeti 500?

No. Goal Zero's spec page lists the Goal Zero Yeti 500 as not expandable, so its 499 Wh is the most it will ever hold.

How fast does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 recharge?

From a wall outlet it recharges in about 84 minutes in its fastest mode, per Goal Zero. From solar it needs about 3.3 hours of strong sun at its 200 W solar limit, with panels delivering 75% of their rating.

What are the Goal Zero Yeti 500's full specifications?

These figures come from Goal Zero's official US page, checked 2026-10-12. "Not published" marks specs Goal Zero doesn't publish.

How does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 rank against other Under 500 Wh power stations?

Among the 9 current under 500 Wh models, the Goal Zero Yeti 500 is in the top third for capacity, AC output, surge, solar input, AC charging speed and rated cycles and in the bottom third for weight.

Who should not buy the Goal Zero Yeti 500?

Skip the Goal Zero Yeti 500 if any of these describe you; each comes from its published specs.

• You carry it often. At 16.1 lb, it is heavier than 8 of the 9 under 500 Wh models that publish a weight. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max holds 512 Wh at 13.4 lb.
• You need a UPS. No switchover time is published for the Goal Zero Yeti 500, so treat it as battery backup that may let a desktop restart.
• You may want more battery later. The Goal Zero Yeti 500 isn't listed as expandable. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus (286 Wh) accepts extra batteries.
• You want to run a kettle, microwave or space heater. Its 500 W inverter is below the 1,000 W or more our cited figures give for each of them. The BLUETTI Pioneer Na delivers 1,500 W.

How long does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 last at different loads?

About 424 Wh reaches the AC outlets, so a steady 100 W load runs for about 4.2 h and a load at its full 500 W rating for about 51 minutes.

What does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 cost per kWh over its rated life?

About $0.25 per kWh of storage at list price, if you use all 4,000 rated cycles. The median for under 500 Wh models is $0.31 per kWh, so the Goal Zero Yeti 500 is cheaper over its rated life.

Rated life energy = 499 Wh × 4,000 cycles ≈ 1,997 kWh. List price $499.95 ÷ 1,997 kWh ≈ $0.25.

How many hours of sun does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 need to refill?

With panels delivering 75% of their rating (our calculator's default), the Goal Zero Yeti 500 needs the hours of strong sun below. Its 200 W solar limit caps the charge rate, so panels beyond about 267 W add nothing in strong sun.

What can the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run at the same time?

The Goal Zero Yeti 500 can carry 2 of the 10 common pairs we check at once, with the runtimes below. It can't carry refrigerator + wi-Fi router / modem, refrigerator + chest freezer, refrigerator + microwave oven, refrigerator + electric kettle, window air conditioner + refrigerator, sump pump + refrigerator, space heater + wi-Fi router / modem and microwave oven + electric kettle: together they pass its running or start-up limit.

Which Goal Zero Yeti 500 specs are unpublished or conditional?

Goal Zero doesn't publish these specs for the Goal Zero Yeti 500: UPS switchover.

4 published figures come with conditions, shown under the spec table: AC charge time, AC outlets, expandability and rated cycles.

How does the Goal Zero Yeti 500 compare with similar power stations?

By capacity, the nearest models from other brands are EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max and DJI Power 500.

Which models from other brands are closest in size?

EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max

512 Wh

500 W AC · 13.4 lb · $299DJI Power 500

512 Wh

1,000 W AC · 16.1 lb · $499

Which other Goal Zero models are similar?