Blavor 10W Review

The Blavor 10W strikes a balance between affordability, packability, and solar charging performance in a compact, mono-crystalline 10-watt solar panel. This is the most budget-friendly portable solar panel in our testing lineup. It weighs only 12.6 ounces, which is significantly lower than the average. The simple bi-fold design and robust construction make it perfect for outdoor adventures, backpacking, or anyone requiring a reliable, portable solar charger for everyday use.

Direct Solar Charging Speed

The Blavor 10W exceeded expectations during direct sunlight charging speed tests. This 10-watt panel generated more power than most other panels of its size, and even outperformed several larger 20-30-watt models.

For direct solar charging evaluation, we connected each solar panel to a 10,000 mAh power bank, placed them all in the same sunny location and left them for an hour to charge the batteries. After the charging period, we discharged each battery using a digital USB multimeter to measure the energy each produced during our one-hour period. This hour-long test was administered three times, and the results were averaged.

During a clear day at 8,300 feet elevation in Utah, the Blavor 10W produced 1,401 mAh of energy. This performance is higher than average and ranks as the best among all 5 to 10-watt solar models in our comparison. And while it didn't outperform most of the larger panels we tested, it did generate more power than several 20 and 30-watt models, and nearly as much as many others. This is quite impressive for such a small panel.

This 10W panel is quite portable, and it stands to reason that it wouldn't perform nearly as well as a 20, 30, or 40-watt solar panel in direct solar charging. However, this little solar charger put out more energy than we expected. Its dual-panel design provides plenty of surface area for effective solar energy collection, and the high-efficiency solar cells generate a consistent charge in direct sunlight.

Indirect Solar Charging Speed

The Blavor 10W showed reduced performance in our indirect solar charging evaluations compared to direct sunlight testing. Although this is common across all panels we tested, we observed a notable decrease in power generation under our simulated overcast conditions. It did generate power, just not as much as it does under direct sunlight.

For the indirect solar charging assessment, we replicated our direct solar charging test, placing a large white sheet over all the panels. This mimics cloudy day conditions while still allowing some light to pass through and reach the panels.

On another clear day in Utah, at an elevation of 8,300 feet, the Blavor 10W produced 295 mAh of energy in its 10,000 mAh test battery while under the Big White Sheet. While this represents a substantial decrease from its performance in direct sunlight, it still generated more energy than more than half of the solar panels in our testing group.

Portability

For a 10-watt panel, the Blavor 10W offers excellent portability characteristics. It collapses to a manageable size that's convenient to carry and only weighs 12.6 ounces, which is fairly lightweight for a 10-watt model, and doesn't feel heavy by any means. It fits comfortably in most backpacks and is portable enough for backpacking, world travel, and adventures closer to home.

The Blavor 10W employs a simple, streamlined folding mechanism that enables quick setup and takedown. When folded, its dimensions are 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches by 1 inch. It has an exterior Velcro storage pouch that's perfectly sized for a battery bank and charging cables. The exterior material is a rugged oxford cloth that resists tearing and ripping, protecting the solar panel without adding much bulk or weight.

The Blavor 10W is extremely portable due to its simple, uncomplicated design. Besides the exterior pocket and carabiner loops, it has no other features that make it less portable. It only folds once, making it simple to pack away. It also unfolds quickly and effortlessly due to this design.

The solar charge controller and USB connections aren't protected in any way, but this has never caused problems during our testing, despite being conducted in very dusty locations. In extremely windy or extreme environments, the unprotected USB ports could potentially cause them to fail. When traveling through windy or dusty areas, it's advisable to store this in a protective pocket or stuff sack.

Functionality

The Blavor 10W delivers strong functionality through its practical design approach. It has both USB-A and USB-C outputs, includes carabiners for hanging from packs or other objects, and comes with a useful velcro storage pouch. We think this is the ideal number of features for a small and portable solar panel.

The Blavor 10W primarily excels at charging portable power banks. And while it does have two outputs, it requires several hours to fully charge a 10,000 mAh battery pack. So even though you can use it to charge multiple devices, this isn't the most efficient way to recharge. It also lacks sufficient power for higher-wattage devices, and the fluctuating current from a compact solar panel isn't optimal for direct smartphone charging. So, charge your power bank off the panel, then charge your phone and other devices off the power bank.

The Blavor 10W has carabiner attachment points for hanging during charging. While it doesn't feature kickstand legs for adjusting the angle of the panel to point it directly at the sun, it small and light size makes propping it against a rock or your pack easy.

Should You Buy the Blavor 10W?

The Blavor 10W is an excellent value. It's a great choice for budget-conscious adventurers seeking a lightweight solar panel. And it's powerful enough to keep you devices powered up far from the nearest outlet. It's not the absolute lightest, but it's more than light enough for keeping a battery bank charged. As long as you don't have an extremely power-hungry setup, this panel will be adequate for all your charging needs.

What Other Portable Solar Chargers Should You Consider?