Goal Zero Yeti 500 vs Anker 535 PowerHouse
Side-by-side on the specs that decide it — surge, capacity, runtime and price.
Both models' specs verified against manufacturer listings · Last updated
The short answer
Anker 535 PowerHouse costs $270 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on what you need to run.
- Anker 535 PowerHouse holds 3% more energy (512Wh vs 499Wh), so it runs the same load proportionally longer.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 has 250W more surge headroom (1000W vs 750W) — that decides whether a fridge, pump or AC compressor will actually start.
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is 3.8 lb lighter (12.9 lb vs 16.7 lb).
- Goal Zero Yeti 500 is rated for 4,000 cycles vs 3,000 — meaningful if you cycle it daily.
The Goal Zero Yeti 500 is poor value on paper: 0.71 Wh per dollar versus 1.19 for the Anker 535 PowerHouse. Only worth it if you specifically need its higher output or 240V capability — otherwise you're paying a large premium per watt-hour.
A rugged, water-resistant unit for people who'll actually beat it up. You pay a premium over similar-capacity rivals for that durability.
Best for: Overlanders and job sites where the unit will get wet, dusty and knocked around.
Where it falls short:
- $699 for 499Wh is expensive per watt-hour
- Only a 2-year warranty vs 5 years from most rivals
- 120W solar input is very low
A durable half-kWh unit for devices and light loads. Dependable, but the low output and slow charging make it a device-first companion.
Best for: Campers charging phones, laptops and lights, not appliances.
Where it falls short:
- 500W output is device-scale
- 120W solar input, slow recharge
| Spec | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Anker 535 PowerHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $429 |
| Capacity | 499 Wh | 512 Wh |
| Continuous output | 500 W | 500 W |
| Surge output | 1000 W | 750 W |
| Battery | LiFePO4 | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 | 3,000 |
| Weight (lighter wins) | 12.9 lb | 16.7 lb |
| Max solar | 120 W | 120 W |
| Recharge time (faster wins) | 1h 25m | 2h 30m |
Runtime head-to-head
| Appliance | Goal Zero Yeti 500 | Anker 535 PowerHouse |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 7.1 hrs | ❌ |
| Mini fridge | 13.5 hrs | 13.8 hrs |
| Chest freezer | 5.3 hrs | ❌ |
| CPAP machine | 10.6 hrs | 10.9 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ | ❌ |