On-the-Go Charging: Wherever the adventure takes you, easily charge your … Contact online >>
On-the-Go Charging: Wherever the adventure takes you, easily charge your
Our gear experts have been testing solar panels for well over a decade. We''ve tested well over 100 different portable solar chargers and best solar panels for camping to help you find the right panel for your next adventure. We hit the trails with them on backpacking trips, used them when car camping and working remotely, charged our cell phones on overnight adventures, and brought them with us while traveling by car, van, truck, train, and airplane.
Our favorite portable charger is the BigBlue SolarPowa 28. It provided consistent power, even in changing conditions. It even folds up small enough to fit in a backpack. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 proved to be the best overall solar charger for camping in our testing. It is lightweight and performs effectively in full sunlight and partial sunlight. We loved how easy it was to transport and the user-friendly design.
While these two models will fill the needs of most people, we also found the best ultra-compact models, the best charger and battery pack combos, and the most stable and efficient models in our testing. Read on to find the best option for you.
Editor''s Note: Our solar charger review was updated on November 13, 2024, to give more detailed comparisons.
Of the smaller panels, the BigBlue SolarPowa 28 is the top dog of portable solar chargers. The BigBlue is impressively efficient in its charging capabilities and performed the best in all our testing of portable solar panels. This model is the fastest portable model we tested, and it delivers consistent charging even as conditions change. Whether it''s cloudy or sunny, you''ll get good charging capabilities from this model. It has three USB ports, which lets you keep all your electronics charging simultaneously so they''re ready when you need them. And when you''re ready to move on, this panel folds up small enough to fit in your backpack.
In terms of larger 100-watt solar panels, the BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is the best value around. This model costs significantly less than pretty much every other panel we tested. But that''s where the differences stop because this performs almost as well as the more expensive large solar panels. It''s lightweight and portable with a carry handle and foldable, ultra-portable design. You can easily load it into your car and unload it at a campsite quickly. It has fold-out legs, so you can point it directly at the sun to maximize low-angled morning and afternoon light. It comes with a variety of adapters that make it compatible with most power stations from any brand, eliminating the need to purchase additional cables or adapters. This adds to the already great value of this panel.
The SolarPowa 100 is a great solar panel for the price. It''s easy to use and effective, and it comes with a variety of adapters, so you can charge most devices. However, it doesn''t have a pocket or other storage case for those adapters or the main storage cable. We ended up transporting this with the cables wrapped around the panel, which worked but wasn''t ideal. Overall, we think the SolarPowa 100 is a great, high-value option for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable solar panel. If you''re seeking something that''s fully waterproof with fast charging speeds, the EcoFlow 110 can do the job in a more portable package and a similar price range.
When you''re adventuring outside, a fast-charging portable solar panel is key. The X-Dragon 20W quickly charges all your devices in a small, reliable package. This 20W portable solar panel isn''t particularly expensive and works with reasonable speed, charging all your devices quickly. It has a high conversion rate, so this panel charges well under sunny skies and on overcast days. Each of the X-Dragon''s panels generates up to three amps, which is an exceptional amount of charging capacity for any USB device. It''s also lightweight and hangs up easily, making it a solid choice for quick juice-ups on the go.
The X-Dragon folds down to the size of a notebook, so it isn''t the smallest portable panel out there. But it unfolds into three panels to capture an impressive amount of sunlight for its relatively small size. If you''re looking for a higher-capacity backpacking solar panel, a super portable panel to charge at base camp, or simply need an affordable solar panel to harness energy from the sun, you should check out this model. Don''t bypass our favorite portable solar charger, the BigBlue SolarPowa 28, which is only a few dollars more for faster charging speed and better functionality.
The FlexSolar 40W is a high-output, easy-to-use charger that can quickly unfold from the size of a large book into six linked solar panels. This medium-capacity panel has a DC output that can charge portable power stations, as well as USB-C and USB-A outputs for smaller devices. For its medium-sized capacity, it is relatively portable and folds up quite small. It doesn''t use any clasps, magnets, or velcro to secure close, which makes unfolding this into a large six-panel array a cinch. And those six panels put out a lot of power, then fold away just as quickly.
While the FlexSolar 40W does fold down into a very small size, it''s not the lightest panel we tested either. It weighs just shy of three pounds. That''s nearly twice the weight of some other 20-30-watt panels, though less than many 50+ watt panels. There are no covers for the charging ports, so those USB and DC outputs are susceptible to dirt and debris. This hasn''t been an issue for us yet, but we''ll keep you posted if it does. If you''re looking for a midsized option that can power larger devices yet still remain very portable, this is a great choice. Another option we like is the X-Dragon 20W. It''s great if you''re looking to go small and light, and it will save you some money.
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is the most portable 100-watt solar panel for camping we''ve found. This model is lighter, thinner, and more packable than most large-capacity models we tested. You can easily slide this into your trunk, with plenty of room to spare for all your gear. It has a comfortable built-in carry handle and zipper pouch, which makes it painless to haul this to your solar charging station at camp. It unfolds in a snap and has two pop-out legs to complete the setup in seconds. With a handy sundial, you can more easily angle this panel directly at the sun, and it''s easy to daisy-chain together with more BioLite panels to grow your charging station capacity.
While the BioLite 100 has great portability features, it isn''t the most efficient panel in terms of energy conversion. It''ll definitely power your small devices better than many panels, proving itself just above average in our testing. This is also one of the more expensive panels we''ve seen. But it has tons of great user-friendly features and is super portable, which makes up for the just-okay charging speeds and the higher price tag. If you value performance over portability, the Jackery SolarSaga 100 and the EcoFlow 110 scored higher overall, and both offer better charging speed.
The EcoFlow 110 packs an impressive amount of charging capabilities into a small and lightweight design. This 110-watt solar panel charged our devices impressively fast, even among stiff competition from the other large panels we tested, on both bright sunny days and in gloomy overcast conditions. It folds four times and comes with a zippered carrying case, which makes it easy to bring with you wherever you''re setting up your solar charging station. This is also one of just two large solar panels we tested that is completely waterproof, so you can set it up and not worry about a little rain rolling through.
Just about everything about the EcoFlow 110 is great. However, it is one of the few models we reviewed that doesn''t include all the necessary cables, adding to its already above-average price. We also aren''t huge fans of using the carrying case as a sort of kickstand to angle the panel towards the sun. Unlike other models with legs, this design saves a little weight but is far less stable and secure. Nevertheless, we found the all-weather efficiency and protections this panel offers impressive. If you prefer a sturdier waterproof option, check out the Renogy 100W Foldable. It weighs over 12 pounds more than the EcoFlow, but the adjustable legs help keep it stable.
The Renogy 100W Foldable boasts a sturdy aluminum frame and legs, making it an impressively solid product. It''s just as rigid and sturdy as a panel you''d install on your house — but has a single hinge for transport. Compared to the many thin, slightly bendable solar chargers we''ve tested, this one feels just about bombproof. It also has seriously sturdy, fully adjustable angling legs that help it angle precisely into the sun no matter where it is in the sky (or behind the clouds). If that''s not enough, this panel put up some of the best energy efficiency results across all the models we tested, rain or shine.
Of course, this durability comes at a cost, and for the Renogy, that cost is portability. Weighing in at over 21 pounds, this is one of the heaviest portable solar panels we''ve tested. However, if you''re setting up a longer-term base camp, putting this hefty panel in place once and simply rotating it to follow the sun, this may not be a dealbreaker. If you want a solar charger that can withstand the test of time and the raging of the weather, this is the one for you. Those who prefer a lightweight option without sacrificing a waterproof design should check out the EcoFlow 110.
The Hiluckey HIS025 25000mAh Power Bank is a large-capacity battery bank with a fold-out four-panel solar array. When you need to transport this battery bank, it easily fits in any pocket. But when it''s time to put it in solar energy capture mode, you simply unfold the four-panel solar array and leave it in a sunny location. We''ve been testing a lot of integrated battery banks and solar panels over the years, and no other design works as well as the fold-out panel design used here. It works well on sunny days and works better than many small panels on cloudy days as well. The battery has two USB-A ports as well as a USB-C port that''s fast-charge compatible. And like every good piece of outdoorsy tech, it has a light.
Though the Hiluckey is a more efficient solar panel than many other battery bank/solar panel combinations we''ve seen and tested over the years, it''s still not as efficient at converting sunlight into energy as any of the dedicated solar panels we review here. If you''re after the convenience of having one device that charges and recharges via solar, then this is a great option. However, you may also want to consider carrying a dedicated solar panel like the Big Blue SolarPowa 28 and a separate battery bank.
The test team for this review is led by Sam Schild with James Lucas contributing. Sam is an outdoor lover of adventure who has spent countless nights camping far, far away from the power grid. He''s an avid thru-hiker who has completed several long-distance trails and has crossed the country multiple times on bicycle. His first experience using a solar panel while camping was a small battery pack with an integrated solar panel that he used bike touring. Solar panels have come a long way since that fateful tour. When he''s not adventuring far and long, he''s often camping somewhere in Colorado or across the American Southwest, based out of his minivan, where his solar camping setup keeps all his technology charged so he can stay connected.
James spends hundreds of days outside every year documenting the outdoors and testing gear while traveling around his home in Boulder, Colorado, and where his heart is, in the Sierra. From working out of his van in the dispersed sun of the Rockies to base camping on top of sunny El Capitan in Yosemite, James uses solar panels from large to small to harness the sun and power his adventures, charging his camera gear and his connection to the world. GearLab and James performed rigorous testing on all the models in the thorough portable solar charger review.
Choosing the right solar device for your needs and intended use is very important. There''s a big difference between a massive unfolding set of solar panels for camping and a small, lightweight, portable solar charger for backpacking, and that difference is size and weight.
If you''re going to be carrying a solar panel on your back, you obviously want it to be small and lightweight. But if you''re going to load it into your car, weight isn''t as much of an issue. However, the smaller the solar panel, the less energy it will produce, which translates to slower charging times.
There are also differences in useability between many solar chargers. Some models are easy to use and easy to set up, while others take a little more experience and maybe some head-scratching to start powering your devices. We''ll walk you through all the different types of non-permanent solar panels available to help you decide what''s best for you.
Before choosing a solar charger, you should determine what you want to charge with it and where you want to take it. If you want to power a large power station for boondocking or powering your battery bank at base camp, you''ll want a larger, higher-watt solar panel. If you''re simply trying to keep your phone charged in the backcountry, you won''t need to buy as big of a panel because you don''t need as much wattage to charge small electronic devices like a smartphone.
The best portable solar chargers prioritize size, weight, and packability over all else. These smaller models are designed to charge electronic devices with lower energy needs, like cell phones and smartwatches. But if you''re trying to charge something that takes a lot of power, they won''t work as well. A portable solar panel generally has fewer solar cells, which translates to less power converted from sunlight to electrical energy or watts. The overall scores for each portable panel we tested are shown in the chart below.
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