REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Folds to a small package
Very light
REASONS TO AVOID
Difficult to angle at the sun
Lower efficiency
FlexSolar 100W Review
This 100-watt panel folds down to the size of a coffee-table book and can go anywhere you need to carry it
The FlexSolar 100W with its carry case.
Credit: Chris McNamara
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 13, 2026
Our Verdict
The FlexSolar 100W is a small, compact solar panel that unfolds into a large solar array. When folded, this panel is small enough to fit in a backpack. But it unfolds into 10 individual solar panels that generate plenty of power to keep all your gadgets charged on the go. This would be an ideal solar panel for a mobile office setup, where you hike into a spot, set up your laptop, Starlink, and a battery, then get to it. It's not ideal for long-term boondocking, though. And while 100 watts of power is enough to keep small devices charged, it's not enough to charge larger appliances. But if you're looking for the most portable solar panel that still puts out plenty of power, this is a great option.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
The FlexSolar 100W is extremely portable. It is the lightest panel we tested, and folds down to a very small size as well.
It only weighs 4.1 pounds. This is extremely light compared to the other 200-watt panels we tested, but it's also very light compared to other 100-watt panels we've tested.
The FlexSolar 100w (right) is about a 1/4 the size and weight of the Renogy 200 (left). Credit: Chris McNamara
It folds down to about the size of a large book: 13 by 10 inches and two inches thick. This is actually small enough to fit inside a backpack.
Most 100W and 200W panels are massive, but the FlexSolar fits down to about the size of a standard laptop and stacks nicely on a power station like the Jack 1000. Credit: Chris McNamara
The FlexSolar 100W is also relatively easy to set up. It folds down 10 times, so it takes more time than a 2- or 4-fold panel.
While its 10-fold design means it folds away into a compact package, it doesn't fold as fast as some panels. However, we found that after a few rounds of practice, it was actually easier to fold this away or set it up compared to larger folding solar panels.
The FlexSolar 100W includes a USB-A, USB-C, and DC out ports. Credit: Chris McNamara
For a panel of this weight, we were impressed that you can use all three ports at once: DC for up to 100W, USB-C for up to 45W, and USB-A for up to 18W.
The FlexSolar 100W comes with a cable adapter that plugs into 4 of the most common connections: Anderson Powerpole (yellow/black connector), DC7909 (larger round barrel plug), DC5521 (smaller 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel plug), and XT60 (red and black connector). Credit: Chris McNamara
Dislikes
Since the FlexSolar 100W is rated at only 100 watts, it isn't the most powerful.
In our charging tests, the FlexSolar 100W generated 70 watts of power in one hour. This isn't nearly as much as many of the larger 200-watt panels we tested. But overall, we're okay with a loss of efficiency because it's so portable.
In addition, there's no easy way to prop it up, which means you pretty much always lay it flat and often end up getting a less ideal position to get maximum direct sun exposure.
One downside is that the panel has no built-in tilt adjustment, so it usually lies flat. This works fine in summer, but in winter—when the sun is lower—it significantly reduces output unless you spend time propping it up manually (which is hard to do and requires extra string and anchor points). Credit: Chris McNamara
Should You Buy the FlexSolar 100W?
You should buy the FlexSolar 100W if you're looking for the most portable solar panel that is still relatively powerful. This is an ideal panel for group backpacking trips, where multiple people will be recharging their USB devices off of one solar panel. No other panel in this lineup is light enough to carry more than a few miles. If you're looking for the most efficient panel or a large panel to charge a portable power station, there are better options.
What Other Solar Power Stations Should You Consider?
This panel is all bout saving space and weight. If you don't need to save weight or space, get the Renogy 200W Portable. It has double the power and is much easier to angle at the sun.
If you want to go lightweight backpacking and don't need as much power, consider the FlexSolar 40W, which provides enough power to recharge your phones and small electronics while weighing less than two pounds and $20 less expensive.Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare FlexSolar 100W versus top competing products:
| Awards |  Best for Portability |
|---|---|
| Price | $89 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | This 100-watt panel folds down to the size of a coffee-table book and can go anywhere you need to carry it |
| Pros | Inexpensive, folds to a small package, very light |
| Cons | Difficult to angle at the sun, lower efficiency |
| Rating Categories | FlexSolar 100W |
| Power Efficiency (60%) | |
| Portability (20%) | |
| Ease of Setup (20%) | |
| Specifications | FlexSolar 100W |
| Measured Watts | 70 watts |
| Claimed Watts | 100 watts |
| Measured Efficiency | 70% |
| Cost Per Watt | $1.20 |
| Measured Weight | 4.1 lbs |
| Connecter Types | XT60, Anderson, DC7909, DC5521 |
| Size Folded | 12.9"L x 10.4"W x 2.1"H |
| Size Opened | 45.4"L x 26.1"W x 2.1"H |
| Able to Daisy Chain | Yes |
| Panel Type | Monocrystalline silicon |
| Power Outlets | (2) USB-A (1) USB-C |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Time to Assemble | |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
—Sam Schild
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