Goal Zero Yeti 500
499 Wh · 500 W output · LiFePO4 · $699
✅ Specs verified against the manufacturer's official listing — source · Last checked
Our verdict
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.
What we like
- IPX4 water resistance — rare in this category
- 4000 cycles at only 12.9 lb
- 85-minute recharge
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
Full specifications
| Capacity | 499 Wh |
|---|---|
| Continuous output | 500 W |
| Surge output | 1000 W |
| Battery chemistry | LiFePO4 |
| Rated cycles | 4,000 |
| Weight | 12.9 lb |
| Max solar input | 120 W |
| Recharge (AC) | 1h 25m |
| Expandable | No |
| Warranty | 2 years |
What can the Goal Zero Yeti 500 run?
| Appliance | Can start it? | Est. runtime |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | ✅ Yes | 7.1 hrs |
| Mini fridge | ✅ Yes | 13.5 hrs |
| Chest freezer | ✅ Yes | 5.3 hrs |
| CPAP machine | ✅ Yes | 10.6 hrs |
| Sump pump | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| Well pump (1/2 HP) | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| Space heater | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| Window AC (8k BTU) | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| Microwave | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| Coffee maker | ❌ Surge too high | — |
| TV (55" LED) | ✅ Yes | 4.2 hrs |
| Laptop | ✅ Yes | 6.5 hrs |
| Phone charger | ✅ Yes | 21.2 hrs |
| CPAP + humidifier | ✅ Yes | 4.7 hrs |
| Fridge plus essentials | ✅ Yes | 4.2 hrs |
| 12V RV fridge | ✅ Yes | 23.6 hrs |
| Starlink | ✅ Yes | 7.1 hrs |
| Electric blanket | ✅ Yes | 14.1 hrs |
Runtime = (capacity × 0.85 inverter efficiency) ÷ appliance watts. Refrigerator assumes a 40% compressor duty cycle. Real-world results vary.