X-Dragon 20W Review

The X-Dragon 20W is a 20-watt mono-crystalline folding solar panel weighing in at 21.7 ounces. Folded up, the X-Dragon is 12.1 inches tall, 7.2 inches wide, and 0.51 inches thick. Unfolded, it becomes 23.3 inches long and a scant 0.12 inches thick. It has two USB-A ports putting out three amps of current. This panel stands out for its all-around performance and its low price.

Direct Solar Charging Speed

When it comes to performance, the primary metric of a solar panel's performance boils down to how well it can capture sunlight. The X-Dragon 20W did an excellent job functioning as a solar panel, performing well against the other panels in this review.

The three mono-crystalline panels have a solid conversion rate, turning up to 25% of sunlight into energy. This isn't the absolute fastest charging panel in our direct solar charging test, but it performed better than most others in our lineup.

To test direct solar charging speed, we hooked up all panels to identical 10,000 mAh battery packs and left them in the sun for one hour. We tested every panel at the same, in the same place, to account for differences in solar intensity. On a sunny day in Colorado, at 5,000 feet elevation, the X-Dragon 20W generated 1043.6 mAh of charge in one hour on its 10,000 mAh test battery. This is better than most other portable panels we tested and is almost as much as some bigger 50-watt panels.

This panel is large enough to charge most devices and can put out up to three amps per USB output, which is impressive given its relatively small size. This means you can charge just about any USB device with this panel.

The panel also comes with several loops as well as carabiners. This makes it easier to dangle off a backpack, tree, or outside of a tent and allows for the panel to be angled more directly in the sun. We found that panels generally perform better when you point them directly at the sun. This means flat on the ground while the sun is high in the sky and at more of an angle as it gets lower in the sky.

Indirect Charging Speed

One of the most critical parts of a solar panel is the ability to collect sunlight even when the sun isn't blazing overhead. Chances are you'll need power regardless of the weather, so it's best if you don't have to worry if your solar panel will generate at least some power on a cloudy day. The X-Dragon 20W excelled here, outperforming many of the other portable panels we tested.

We tested portable solar chargers in partial sun using a white sheet suspended above every panel to simulate a “cloud” in a repeatable way. We hooked every panel to an identical 10,000 mAh battery and let them charge under the sheet for one hour.

In our indirect solar charging test, the X-Dragon 20W generated 535 mAh of charge on its 10,000 mAh test battery. This is better than most other panels performed in our simulated cloudy day test. The only panels that generated more charge were bigger, higher-watt panels.

Where this panel really shines is when clouds obscure the sun. Catching so much sun under the cover of clouds means you can rely on this panel in less ideal conditions, which is crucial for any time you're outside. It's impossible to guarantee perfectly sunny skies, so having a panel that does well in indirect sunlight can mean the difference between a charged and dead battery. It may not always be bright outside, but the X-Dragon always generates some power.

Portability

Portability is essential when choosing a portable solar charger. No one wants to carry around a monstrous brick of a solar panel, especially when straying far off the beaten path, like while backpacking. The X-Dragon 20W is reasonably mobile and is light and packable enough to throw in your pack and bring along for many types of adventures.

Folded down, the X-Dragon becomes about the size of a notebook. It's roughly 12 by 7 inches and about half an inch thick. Compared with some of the panels we tested, this was a dream to carry around during testing.

It weighs just over 21 ounces, which is light for a higher-watt portable solar panel. It unfolds quickly and is light enough to prop up at whatever angle is best for solar charging efficiency.

Velcro closures at the panel's top make it easy to fold up and store. The velcro opens easily, allowing the three panels to immediately begin harnessing energy from the sun. When closed, the tough canvas material stays put firmly to protect the solar panels from scratches and damage.

It has a useful zippered pocket to store cables and other devices. An extra flap of material also protects this pocket to keep the charging ports and your cables free of dust and dirt. The pocket is a great place to store a device while charging to keep it from getting too hot while the solar panel sits in the sun.

It has several loops to hook carabiners to, so you can hang this panel off your pack while you hike or off your car or tent in camp. It also comes with four carabiners, which makes hanging it anywhere easy.

Functionality

The X-Dragon 20W is an all-around user-friendly and highly functional portable solar charger. It's not the most high-tech, but it doesn't need to be. This panel has everything you need to create energy from the sun without many unnecessary features that would complicate using it and add extra weight.

When one device runs out of juice, the others follow closely. This means that being able to charge multiple devices is crucial. With two USB ports, the X-Dragon 20W can charge two devices simultaneously. We found during testing that you won't get as much juice when charging two devices simultaneously, but this is the case with every panel we tested.

Should You Buy The X-Dragon 20W?

The X-Dragon 20W is a high-value solar solution. It's not the most powerful, but it's powerful enough to charge a few smaller electronics. It's one of the less expensive panels we tested and offers the highest watts-per-dollar of any panel in our lineup. It is highly portable and durable enough to withstand the abuses of travel. This panel performs as well as many more expensive models. It is an excellent option if you're looking for an affordable solar panel for everything from backpacking to hauling around town.

What Other Portable Solar Chargers Should You Consider?