Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium Review
Page Contents
- Multiple charging options
- Multiple output ports
- Display panel
- Wi-fi connectivity
- Built-in pure sine-wave inverter
1425 Wh or 132 Ah, 10.8V Li-ion battery
Dimensions: 10.1 x 15.3 x 10.4 in (25.7 x 28.9 x 26.4 cm)
Weight: 43.7 lbs. (19.8 kg)
Operating Usage Temp: 32-104F (0-40 C)
Our Verdict
The Goal Zero Yeti 1400 is a lithium-ion based power station that allows you to connect up to 10 devices using DC or AC. If you are looking for something far more than just a large battery, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium will definitely please you.
At such a large capacity, it is still relatively compact and portable. Unlike smaller power stations that suffice for mobile devices and lights, it can power fridges, TVs and a lot of other medium sized appliances. In addition, it has an excellent build quality and segment leading features such as wi-fi connectivity, which we will cover in this Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium review.
Compatibility
Built with a DC and an AC input port, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium can be charged by a wall charger as well as solar panels. Goal Zero’s Boulder 200 Briefcase goes well with this unit, it can charge in 15-30 hours and is also easy to use with the power station. The Yeti 1400 comes with a single pin DC port. There are no problems with wrong connections, ensuring safety against the high current while dealing with such large capacity devices.
The 25A wall charger does an exceptional job. It can charge the battery in less than 5 hours. Compared to the standard wall charging time of almost 20 hours, this is laudable. Unfortunately, this charger does not come with the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium and has to be bought separately.
The output can be obtained from any or all of the 10 ports at once. The three types of USB ports, including the USB-C, are an important upgrade over the lower Yeti models. An inverter provides 110V AC power through two ports.
Durability
On the inside, there is the lithium ion battery that is lighter than the lead-acid ones. On the outside, a perfectly fitting casing. In between, an array of well-fitted electronics. Overall, the power station is designed and manufactured to have no weak spots. Unlike some of the far cheaper products, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium is a solidly-built unit.
The four vertical edges carry a rounded pillar-like structure that improves strength. Despite a completely plastic build, it is engineered to have minimal chances of cracks or breakages for its weight and size. The handles are unlike the smaller versions; meant for carrying a significant weight. Two large cable-type handles are tightly clamped to the body and wrapped in smooth plastic material on both ends of the unit.
The display and the number of ports on the front could have been separate entities press-fitted in the front panel, making the components more generic and cost-saving. But all of them are embedded in the single front panel. This reduces chances of individual ports dismantling and dangling out from entanglement or shock.
Ease Of Use
The DC-AC inputs and outputs plus a large number of ports may make you feel that there is a lot going on with this machine. However, it takes an amazingly short time to familiarize yourself with Goal Zero’s Yeti 1400. The ports carry markings that group them into particular categories, such as USBs or AC ports.
Besides this, Goal Zero has kept the connecting part easy by having single pin ports. The connection of solar panels and basic batteries can be tricky with the polarity and voltage compatibilities.
There are a large number of battery devices available in the market, but only a handful are easy to use and show flexibility in compatibility like the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium does. If you would like to explore options other than the Goal Zero Yeti 1400, these are some of the similar products we reviewed.
Features
There is one thing that separates the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium from other battery packs: it’s not just a battery with an added bonus or two. It comes as a complete package with a plethora of features.
The most novel among them is the wi-fi connectivity. Any of the ports of the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium can be turned on or off using a nice and clean mobile application. It also displays handy information such as battery percentage and input/output power in real-time. Multiple devices can be connected to the power station, or multiple power stations can be connected to a single device, making it flexible to use.
More common features include the display screen, which shows all the required information related to battery as well as incoming and outgoing power. The previously mentioned versatile connectivity and the large capacity can keep your refrigerator running for an entire day. It can also power smaller devices for hundreds of hours. The cost of the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium does not stand out as an attractive feature, and it is an area the creators could work on.
Design
The Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium is not something you would buy for its looks. It utilizes mainly dark colors, with a slightly contrasting silver-grey in some parts. The signature lime green colors round the handles, a small label on the front, and the feet stoppers.
The ports are typical, but the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium has Anderson pole ports too, which were absent in smaller Yeti models. Also, the sides do not have chaining ports like the smaller versions, as this energy bank hardly needs chaining.
Speaking of the shape, it is as simple as it can be – almost a rectangular cube with rounded edges, like the Yeti 400 or 1000 model. There is a tiny compartment on the top which also houses the input port for wall charger. Altogether, the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium is a symmetrical, subtly colored, and classy battery power station.
Portability
Goal Zero’s products are typically well-suited to being out in the open. Even the website photos have the power stations and solar panels sitting in arid terrains. Portability demands durability as an essential aspect, which we covered in a section previously. Besides durability, the device should last a long time in the outdoors. Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium houses a large battery of over 100Ah and can certainly last long. The option for solar power charging is, of course, a fantastic choice.
Goal Zero has also mentioned that this product has the battery enclosed in a water-tight enclosure that protects it from the elements. This has not been the case in most of the other Yeti series power stations, and it makes the Yeti 1400 a unique product in its line. All solar panels are essentially water-resistant but charging a battery out in the open with panels can be difficult. Goal Zero seems to have solved this problem, at least for light rains and splashes.
What We Like
We like the fact that energy storage solutions are becoming smarter, more versatile, and easier to use. Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium stores 1.4 kWh of energy in less than 50 lbs. (22 kg.) and is a supremely portable unit. At the fundamental level, battery technology has not experienced groundbreaking advancements, at least those that could become commercial reality. As such, innovation has a limited scope. With a wi-fi connectable system that is remotely controllable, this model has gone a step further.
A well-thought-out display design and a clear system of ports address typical customer pain points perfectly. For a battery that is above 100Ah, the weight is wonderfully managed. The only area where someone may not love the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 Lithium is its cost. But with these added and offered features, it may be worth it. This is an outstanding machine.
Pros:
- Large capacity and compact unit
- Multi-way charging and discharging
- Wi-fi connectivity
- Variety of outputs including DC and AC that can run simultaneously
- Simple to use
Cons:
- High cost
