Portable power station · Goal Zero
Goal Zero Yeti 500 (LiFePO4, SKU 37000)
Goal Zero Yeti 500 (LiFePO4): 499.2 Wh, 500 W continuous, 1,000 W surge. Why it cannot start a full-size fridge, and what it runs instead.
Which version: Not the older Yeti 500X (NMC, 505Wh); this is the LiFePO4 Yeti 500 (SKU 37000).
Maker list price $499.95 (2026-10-31, source; goalzero.com list price)
1.00 $/Wh
See Goal Zero Yeti 500 on Amazon
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This is the LiFePO4 Yeti 500 (SKU 37000), not the older Yeti 500X, which used NMC cells. Goal Zero rates it for 4,000 cycles to 80 % of original capacity at 25 °C with a 0.5C charge and discharge; another spec block on the page states the condition as "1C discharge 80% ODC". Other makers count cycles to 70 %, so the threshold matters when you compare (how makers define cycle life).
What 500 W and 1,000 W cover
Goal Zero rates 500 W continuous and 1,000 W surge. That is not enough to start the top-freezer refrigerator or the 5,000 BTU window AC: both need 1,200 W to start, though their running draw (360 W and 450 W) fits. It does cover the compact refrigerator (156 W, 540 W start), a Wi-Fi router and the Starlink Standard kit.
Using the 0.85 factor explained on the methodology page, 499.2 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 22 W gives about 19.3 hours for the compact refrigerator at its yearly-average draw, and 499.2 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 42 W about 10.1 hours for the router.
What the maker states — and where it disagrees with itself
AC Fast Charge is given as 500 W and 1.4 hours to full, but another line says 420 W in HIGH mode, and the text elsewhere says 90 minutes; the default low speed is 240 W. The AC outlet count and a UPS switch-over time are not published. Goal Zero gives a wide discharge range of −4 to 140 °F, with charging at 32 to 125.6 °F as printed. The Goal Zero Power App is required, the unit is not chainable, and the warranty is 5 years.
Add your appliances to the calculator to check your own load against the Yeti 500.
Specifications
Each figure links to the manufacturer or retailer page it was read from. “Not published” means the maker's page does not state it.
| Battery capacity | 499 Wh source |
|---|---|
| Cell chemistry | LiFePO4 source |
| Cycle life | 4,000 cycles to 80 % of original capacity source ('To 80% of original capacity at 25 °C with a 0.5C charge and discharge' (spec block elsewhere says '1C discharge 80% ODC')) |
| AC output, continuous | 500 W source |
| AC output, peak | 1,000 W source |
| AC outlets | not published |
| USB-C, max per port | 100 W source |
| USB-C ports | 3 source (1 × 100W PD, 2 × 30W) |
| USB-A ports | 2 source |
| 12 V car port | Yes source (12V auxiliary port 162W; plus 12V 6mm port) |
| Solar input, max | 200 W source (8 mm input) |
| AC input, max | 500 W source (AC Fast Charge; default low speed 240W; another line on the page says 420W in HIGH mode) |
| Wall charge time | 1.4 h to 100 % source (AC Fast Charge; page text elsewhere: 0–100% in 90 minutes) |
| UPS switch-over | not published |
| Maker's runtime factor | not published |
| Weight | 16.1 lb source |
| Dimensions | 11.32 × 7.82 × 7.8 in source |
| Operating temperature | -4 to 140 °F source (discharge -4 to 140 °F; charge 32 to 125.6 °F (as printed)) |
| Noise | not published |
| App control | Yes source (Goal Zero Power App required; Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi) |
| Expandable with extra batteries | No source ('Chainable: No') |
| Warranty | 5 years source |
| Released | not published |
Frequently asked questions
Can the Yeti 500 run a refrigerator?
Not a full-size one: the top-freezer refrigerator needs 1,200 W to start, above the 1,000 W surge rating. The compact refrigerator (540 W start) fits and lasts about 19.3 hours at its 22 W yearly average.
Can it run a CPAP?
The CPAP in our database (53 W running, 104 W start) fits. At its 34 W average, 499.2 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 34 W gives about 12.5 hours. Planning figures only — confirm with the device manufacturer before relying on a power station for this device.
How fast does it charge?
Goal Zero's page gives two figures: 1.4 hours with AC Fast Charge (500 W) and, elsewhere, 0–100 % in 90 minutes. Another line puts HIGH mode at 420 W.
Is the Yeti 500 the same as the Yeti 500X?
No. The Yeti 500 (SKU 37000) is LiFePO4; the Yeti 500X is the older NMC model.
Sources
- Goal Zero — Yeti 500 product page (Specifications) (accessed 2026-10-31)
Data entered 2026-10-31. Page updated 2026-10-31.