Jackery SolarSaga 100 Review

The Jackery SolarSaga 100 is one of the best 100-watt solar panels we tested across every category. It charges devices faster than most other panels in any condition, sets up in seconds, and stores away quickly.

Direct Solar Charging Speed

The most important characteristic of a solar panel is how efficiently it works when placed in direct sunlight. Well, the SolarSaga 100 is one of the best in this regard.

During our direct solar charging speed testing, the SolarSaga 100 charged its test battery at impressive speeds. It performed better than nearly every other panel we tested across all our direct solar charging tests.

We tested all panels simultaneously and in the same location to eliminate environmental variables. On a warm, sunny day in Colorado at 5,000 feet, the SolarSaga produced 57.4 watt-hours of energy in one hour. That's over 40% faster than some other 100-watt solar panels we tested.

Even as the sun angle varied, we watched the watt output from the SolarSaga 100 stay consistently higher than other panels we tested. At peak sun, this panel reliably put out an average of 50.7 watts.

The monocrystalline silicon solar cells in this panel efficiently convert sunlight into power. Since the SolarSaga 100 was one of the fastest panels we tested in our direct sunlight charging tests, it gives you more freedom to charge up quickly after spending all day out of camp. It's also ideal for taking advantage of those brief sunlit moments between clouds.

It was also less variable in its watt output than many other panels we tested, which adds to its overall efficiency. Compared to many other panels rated as 100 watts, the SolarSaga 100 is impressively efficient. Only a few of the larger-watt panels were able to beat this performance.

Indirect Solar Charging Speed

While just about any solar panel will perform well in sunny conditions, it isn't always sunny. The SolarSaga 100 also stood out for its performance in cloudy conditions. This panel charged its test battery faster than most others in indirect sunlight as well.

Using a white sheet to mimic thick cloud cover, we repeated our direct sunlight solar charging speed test to test this category. While all panels in our testing showed a wattage output drop during our cloudy day tests under the Big White Sheet, the SolarSaga 100 continued to impress us and outperformed the rest.

In a single overcast hour at 5,000 feet in Colorado, it generated 17.4 watt-hours of energy. This is considerably faster than most other solar panels' performance.

This impressive panel also managed to pump out 13.3 watts in the shade. Here again, models with similar energy ratings didn't offer as impressive results, and the SolarSaga 100 was only beaten by a single panel. If you regularly camp in places that aren't always completely sunny, this panel is an excellent option. And let's face it, most of us aren't treated to blue skies the entire time we're camping.

Portability

The SolarSaga 100 is one of the more portable large solar panels we tested. It weighs 7.9 pounds and folds to just 1.4 inches thick, so you can easily pack it into your trunk with all your camping equipment. It also has an integrated handle to carry it wherever you set up your solar power station at camp.

The SolarSaga 100 only folds in half, so you can't origami it into quite as small a package as some other panels. However, since it only folds once, you can pack it away nearly twice as fast as panels that fold multiple times. You can set up this panel very quickly for the same reason.

While some panels are more portable than the SolarSaga because they fold down smaller, this panel balances ease of packability with overall portability extremely well. Most of the panels that fold to a smaller size take as much as twice as long to pack away. For this reason, the SolarSaga 100 earns high marks in our portability metric, even though its packed size isn't the smallest.

Functionality

The SolarSaga 100 is a super-functional panel that's incredibly easy to use. It features a USB-A and USB-C output, as well as a removable, waterproof DC 8-millimeter charging cable for connecting to portable power stations.

If necessary, you can charge three devices simultaneously with the SolarSaga 100. While most people will probably plug the DC cable directly into a power station and charge their other devices from there, you can charge three devices directly from this solar panel. This isn't the most efficient way to charge multiple devices, but it's worth noting that it is possible.

The SolarSaga 100 has fold-out kickstand legs to angle toward the sun during early morning or late evening when the sun is lower in the sky. These legs are adjustable, so you can track the sun's angle throughout the day to ensure maximum efficiency. They fold flat and are held in place with velcro when you aren't using them. They're not the most secure in use, though, and we did have to rescue the panel after it blew over in some large gusts of wind. But the SolarSaga didn't tip over any more often than any other large panel we tested in high winds.

It also has a sundial to angle the panel directly at the sun. This dial, combined with the adjustable kickstand legs, ensures fast and efficient charging when the sun is lower in the sky.

Should You Buy the Jackery SolarSaga 100?

The SolarSaga 100 is one of the best values of any 100-watt solar panels we tested. It performs as well as or better than other panels in every metric we tested and costs less than most. In direct sunlight, this panel makes quick work of charging a power station, and it's more efficient than most other panels in cloudy conditions. It's convenient to use and easy to tote around and set up. This portable panel is an excellent option for just about any solar camping setup.

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