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A dead device is deadweight off-grid. Whether you're camping, backpacking, traveling, or braving home power outages, a portable solar panel keeps your electronics alive when outlets disappear.
The FlexSolar 60W is the best overall choice. It pumps out impressive wattages into almost any device, delivering reliable, fast power even without ideal sun alignment.
For an ultra-packable budget option, the Blavor 10W delivers. It's featherlight, compact, and affordable—perfect for keeping your phone topped off on the move.
We've tested over 100 solar chargers since 2013. For this update, we benchmarked the top 19 models with energy meters and field-tested them on bikes and backpacks, charging real phones, tablets, and power banks.
When you need even more power for your next adventure, we also tested the top 200-watt portable panels. Need a big battery to store all that power? Check out these power stations.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on August 9, 2026, with new models from Blavor, FlexSolar, BigBlue, and EcoFlow.
The FlexSolar 60W has the largest panels we tested, admittedly giving it a size advantage over pint-sized solar chargers. “At first, I thought this panel was overkill for small device charging, but then I loved how I could charge my gadgets in record time,” our lead tester noted. “Even on cloudy days, the slightly larger panels make charging multiple devices a worry-free process.” If you're going camping and don't have the space or desire to pack monster panels, this one is big enough to recharge lanterns, headlamps, tablets, and phones with ease. On one sunny day, the USB-C connection charged our high-quality battery banks quickly, delivering more than 45 watts with impressive consistency. Plus, the DC connection provided even better efficiency for charging a small portable power station, which we used to recharge bigger devices like laptops at night.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (Watts)
60 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun
5145 mAh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun
1624 mAh
Weight (Measured)
40.2 oz
Outlets
USB-A, USB-C, DC
While the FlexSolar 60W generated the most power overall, its extra length made it slightly harder to work with in tight spaces or forested landscapes. For example, if the sun moved so that a tree began shading just one of the 6 panels, USB-C output wattage could plummet from 40 watts to just 4 watts. In this situation, a smaller solar charger could require less babysitting because it's easier to keep it in direct sunlight. For car camping or storage around the house, the weight isn't an issue, but if you want to travel off the beaten path, the FlexSolar 40W is nearly a pound lighter and requires 33% less space, making it a bit easier to use in more places. Of course, the FlexSolar 60W packs down to the size of a notebook, so we believe going bigger is usually worth it.
The Blavor 10W balances extreme portability with surprising efficiency, all in a very affordable package. This 10-watt panel is lightweight and thin when folded, and has a Velcro pouch to hold a battery bank and cable when you're transporting it. When you need a power boost from the sun, you can simply unfold it, plug a cable into the USB-A or C output, and it will generate energy from the sun.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (Watts)
10 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun
1,401 mAh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun
295 mAh
Weight (Measured)
12.6 oz
Outlets
USB-A, USB-C
It has carabiner clips to attach to your bag or hang from a tree branch on an adventure. And while it's not as efficient in solar power generation as some of the larger panels we tested, it's the most efficient among those with a power rating of 10 watts or less. This panel is only 10 watts, but holds its own against some 30-watt panels.
While the Blavor 10W solar panel is light and portable enough to throw in your pack for a backpacking trip, it's not as light as our top choice for backpacking, the FlexSolar E10 Mini. You certainly can take the Blavor on your next backpacking trip, but if you're counting ounces, the FlexSolar weighs over 5 ounces less. However, the Blavor is such a good deal that we're not too concerned with slightly more weight, and its overall functionality is hard to beat.
The FlexSolar 40W is the best lightweight solar charger for adventurers who need to charge multiple phones, satellite communicators, or headlamps in a few hours instead of all day. In full sun, we could recharge two phones in less than two hours. “The FlexSolar 40W punches high above its weight class. When I did the math to determine its output compared to its weight, it generated more power per ounce through its USB-C port than all other panels we tested,” Chris said. “The only chargers that were even close were other FlexSolar models.” While it's not a true ultralight solar panel, it's the one we want to carry when we're charging multiple devices in the backcountry.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (Watts)
40 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun
4302 mAh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun
1,038 mAh
Weight (Measured)
26.1 oz
Outlets
USB-A, USB-C, DC
The one drawback to the FlexSolar 40W was its mediocre cloudy day charging performance, which was about average for its size compared to other chargers. If you need to charge under cloudy conditions more than bright sunshine, you might consider beating the clouds by stepping up in size to the FlexSolar 60W. Alternatively, the EcoFlow 45W produced about 25% more energy on cloudy days and was great for DC charging, though it is much heavier. Overall, the FlexSolar 40W is our top recommendation for families and small groups who hike, bike, or float to off-grid campsites.
The FlexSolar 40W was remarkably efficient on sunny days through its USB-C port, giving us enough energy to recharge multiple gadgets in just a few hours. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The FlexSolar E10 Mini is the absolute lightest solar panel we tested. And at 7 ounces, it won't weigh you down when you take to the trail. Our lead tester Sam said, “This is my top choice for backpacking because of the weight savings, but also because the simpler design reinforces the minimalist mindset I like to take backpacking.” This tiny 10-watt panel folds down to a smaller size than some modern smartphones and has a rugged backing material. It unfolds into a small array of four solar panels linked together, and it comes with a pair of carabiners, so you can clip this onto your pack or a fixed object. This model has few other features, which we find ideal for backpacking.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (Watts)
10 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun
1,247 mAh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun
235 mAh
Weight (Measured)
7.3 oz
Outlets
USB-A
While the E10 Mini is extremely lightweight, it isn't as powerful as many of the larger solar panels we tested. Also, while we love the bare-bones design for backpacking, some people may prefer a few extra features. If you want an external pocket to hold your battery bank, we think the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 is worth considering. The SolarPowa 14 features a small exterior pocket perfectly sized for a 10,000 mAh battery bank and snaps to keep the panel folded shut in your bag. The SolarPowa 14 also costs less than the FlexSolar E10 Mini, but it weighs 5 ounces more due to its extra features. If you prioritize weight savings above all else, the FlexSolar E10 Mini is the best choice.
The Blavor 18W is one of the few all-in-one solar-powered battery banks that actually has enough solar panel surface area to recharge itself effectively in the sun. In general, we've learned that separate solar chargers are usually more effective and versatile for charging separate battery banks, but the allure of an all-in-one model is strong. “Most battery banks with solar panels stuck to the side are barely able to trickle charge themselves, so I was stoked to see the Blavor 18W all-in-one model store a respectable 692 mAh in one hour of midday sun,” Chris said. Of course, you'll need to find four or more hours of midday sun to store enough energy to charge a typical iPhone, which isn't always as easy as it might seem.
SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (Watts)
18 W
Energy Generated in 1 Hour of Direct Sun
692 mAh
Energy Generated in 1 Hour Indirect Sun
125 mAh
Weight (Measured)
21.1 oz
Outlets
USB-A, USB-C
Even though the Blavor 18W can recharge itself, it's very slow. For instance, based on our testing in July in Idaho, it would take 29 hours high-quality, midday sunshine to fully recharge itself. The best way to use this model is to treat it like a battery pack that you fully charge at home with a USB wall charger. Then, when you're facing an emergency or are outside adventuring, use sun to recharge and extend the life of the battery pack for charging other gadgets. I you don't need the multi-purpose design, consider choosing the affordable and ultralight Blavor 10W solar charger and using it to recharge a separate battery pack. Despite its 10W rating, it was twice as efficient in our tests, collecting double the energy in both direct and indirect sunlight. Of course, if you're a gadget lover, the Blavor 18W includes a flashlight, floodlight, and a compass, making it extra handy during a nighttime power outage.
The Blavor 18W uses four small solar panels to charge its integrated 20,000 mAh battery pack. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Product Comparison Table
Keeping base camp charged with only the sun. Credit: Chris McNamara
How We Tested
We've been testing portable solar chargers and panels for years and have put well over 100 individual products through our comprehensive testing process. With each new round of testing, we carefully select the most interesting, most popular, and most promising models and purchase them at full price. Then, we test each product objectively and thoroughly. During testing, we look at how quickly each model charges with different amounts of sunlight, how it handles multiple devices at once, the rate of charging, and its portability, durability, and overall usability. We used each contender in the field to test our metrics and tested them in our backyard home lab. See additional details on our testing processes in our How We Test article.
Our portable solar charger testing is divided into four mutually exclusive metrics that are weighted according to their overall importance:
Direct Charging Speed (35% of overall weight)
Indirect Charging Speed (35% weight)
Portability (15% weight)
Functionality (15% weight)
Why Trust GearLab
Our solar testing team is spearheaded by Review Editor Sam Schild. Sam is a lifelong outdoor adventurer and off-grid explorer. Over the decades, he has spent thousands of nights under the stars, far from any power outlets. Sam has powered his bicycle rides across the country — more than once — and is a seasoned thru-hiker with numerous long-distance trails across America under his belt. He uses solar panels to keep himself connected to friends and family no matter where he roams, whether on his own two feet or with the aid of a pair of bike tires. Over years of using many iterations of solar panels and continually improved solar charging technology, Sam is intimately acquainted with the benefits and limits of powering devices from the sun. He tests solar panels large and small for GearLab, based out of wherever his feet are in the American West and Southwest.
Outdoor GearLab Review Editor Chris Maxcer also tested solar panels in the mountains of Idaho. He's an avid, lifelong outdoor adventurer who uses small solar panels while backpacking, rafting, and elk hunting to recharge his phone, navigation devices, satellite communicators, and lanterns when he's far from the truck.
We tested every panel side-by-side in the field and the lab to measure power output, weight, ease of use, and more.
Analysis and Test Results
We chose the best, most popular, and most promising portable solar panels on the market today to test side-by-side in this review. We tested every model to see which ones provided the most power and which were the most convenient to use. Whether you are looking for a solar setup for car camping or a compact charger to power your smartphone and GPS devices on a backpacking trip, our review offers excellent recommendations for anybody.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
FlexSolar is absolutely crushing it these days. Three models are not only outstanding chargers for their sizes, but also offer excellent price and quality. The FlexSolar 60W is the best overall value at the high end of our size range. It's a fast and effective charger that folds down to the size of a notebook. The MSRP is a little high, but the actual sale price makes it a great value. Similarly, the FlexSolar 40W impressed us with its strong performance and reasonable pricing. It out-produced some larger panels that cost twice as much. Better yet, these two chargers include three critical output ports, USB-A, USB-C, and DC, which makes them more versatile than models that are limited to USB-A or USB-C ports.
Meanwhile, the petite FlexSolar E10 Mini is a little powerhouse that also out-produced several models with higher watt ratings, and as did the Blavor 10W, which weighs a bit more but is slightly more efficient.
The Blavor 10W is small, light, efficient, and doesn't cost a lot, making it an excellent overall value. Credit: Sam Schild
We also tested many battery banks with an integrated solar panel. Most of these options cost much less than solar panels without an integrated battery bank. Many of these designs don't work nearly as well, and several of the integrated models failed to generate a measurable charge during our 1-hour test. To get them to convert sunlight into energy, we had to have them perfectly angled into the sun and wait three times as long to get even the smallest measurable amount of charge. So, while these options are less expensive and come with an integrated battery, they aren't as good of a value when it comes to harnessing energy from the sun.
Most of the battery banks with an integrated solar panel don't work as well unless you point them directly at the sun, but they cost less than many standalone solar panels do. Credit: Sam Schild
All-in-one solar charger battery banks are overrated
After our extensive testing, solar panels that are separate from a battery bank are almost always a better deal in the long run. For example, you can purchase the SunJack 25W solar panel with two 10,000 mAh batteries. While this makes the panel seem more expensive than many other comparably sized solar panels, the two battery banks make it a good value overall. Plus, you can use the solar panel to charge other batteries or devices, making it more versatile.
The Sunjack 25W can be bundled with two 10,000 mAh battery banks for an additional charge, which can be a good deal if you don't already have battery banks. Credit: Sam Schild
Direct Solar Charging Speed
A solar power bank is designed to power your device when you're away from outlets. We took this into account when we weighted direct solar charging speed the heaviest in our testing metrics. It's also no surprise that some of our highest-scoring panels in this metric were chargers with the largest capacity.
In each round of solar charging speed testing, we used identical batches of battery banks. We hooked up each panel to one of these battery banks then set them in the sun for one hour. We then measured and recorded the amount of charge each panel created in milliamp-hours over the one-hour period. We performed this test at least three times on every panel and averaged the results.
We performed most of these tests with the panels lying flat on the ground for maximum consistency. During early morning and evening testing, though, we also performed some tests with the panels angled directly at the sun. We found that when a panel is pointed directly at the sun, it performs better. So, when the sun is high in the sky, directly overhead, it's best to keep them flat on the ground. But when it's lower in the sky, near the horizon, you should angle the panel at the sun to achieve maximum efficiency. Also, when the panels aren't lying directly on the ground, they stay cooler. When solar panels are less hot, they work better.
We test panels in side-by-side testing environments using identical battery banks to help us compare performance among the different models. Credit: Sam Schild
We also check collection capabilities through more efficient DC ports when panels include them. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Angling panels toward the sun helps generate more power. On particularly hot days we provided shade for the battery packs so they wouldn't overheat and shut down during testing. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The FlexSolar 60W generated the most power in one hour of direct sunlight when charging typical battery banks via USB-C, averaging a whopping 5,145 mAh, which is more than enough energy to recharge most modern smartphones. However, when we tested this panel with a premium high-capacity battery bank, 1-hour charges created 6,600 mAh. And when we used the more efficient DC port to charge a small Jackery 300 power station, this charger put out an impressive 8,276 mAh in just one hour.
If it's important for you to quickly charge multiple devices at one time, the FlexSolar 60W did it the best in our tests, delivering 13-18 watts to each device in bright sunlight. Credit: Chris Maxcer
When we attached three different battery banks to the FlexSolar 60W at the same time, its DC port produced 17 watts, its USB-C port produced 18 watts, and its USB-A port produced 13 watts, totaling 48 watts from midday sun in Idaho. If you need to charge multiple devices at one time, this is our top choice.
The new and improved FlexSolar 40W wowed us with its impressive USB-C output in direct sunlight. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The updated “E40Pro” version of the FlexSolar 40W was also an energy-collecting standout, particularly with its optimized USB-C port, where it averaged 4,302 mAh in one hour of direct sun. This shows a huge improvement over the previous generation that averaged just 1,573 mAh in our 1-hour tests.
Why do some DC connections result in faster charging while others don't?
DC connections can handle much higher wattages than standard USB ports, and they lose less energy to heat. In addition, DC-to-DC connections can often handle fluctuating sunlight without disconnecting and reconnecting. However, a DC port is just a conduit. Solar chargers are limited by the size of their solar cells. A small 20-watt panel, for example, cannot collect enough energy to outpace a standard 20-watt USB-C port, and a DC connection's efficiency doesn't lead to meaningful gains when using small panels.
We tested several solar chargers with DC power outputs, and these performed the best when connected to the DC power stations used in our 100+ watt solar panels test. The EcoFlow 45W more than doubled its collection over a DC connection, nabbing a respectable 5,816 mAh when charging a small power station.
Other panels did not perform appreciably better when charging over DC in our tests.
The Goal Zero Nomad 50's DC output didn't result in meaningful energy gains compared to using USB ports during our solar charging tests. Credit: Sam Schild
The Goal Zero Nomad 50 generated an average of 1,619 mAh over three tests, but it performed below average over its DC port. Even though this panel is rated at 50 watts, and we would expect it to collect more energy via a DC connection, it didn't in our tests.
As expected, smaller panels showed little DC-to-DC gains because their USB ports can already handle the maximum or near-maximum energy produced by the solar cells. The Goal Zero Nomad 20, BigBlue SolarPowa 30, and Blavor 30W Foldable all delivered DC-based results similar to their USB-based results. The major DC benefit for these panels is simply having another port option rather than increased DC charging speeds.
The BigBlue Solarpowa 30 didn't perfom better using its DC power output than it did when using the USB-A output. Credit: Sam Schild
Portable Power Banks with Integrated Solar Panels
During direct solar charge testing, we found that the portable battery banks with an integrated solar panel weren't nearly as efficient as the others we tested. Not one of the integrated battery banks with a solar panel worked as well as the larger panels we tested. Additionally, we repeatedly had issues with integrated batteries overheating when placed on the ground in direct sunlight.
All the solar panels with an integrated battery performed better when angled at the sun than they did when flat against the ground. Credit: Sam Schild
However, the Blavor 18W surprised us with its self-charging capabilities. By attaching three fold-out panels in addition to a panel on the case, it collected a respectable 692 mAh in one hour in direct sun. It's not powerful by any measurement, but unlike most similar brick-like models, it actually works.
The Blavor 18W is both a big 20,000 mAh power bank and a small solar charger at the same time. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The only other integrated battery solar charger that didn't annoy us (or fail outright) was the BioLite SolarPanel 5+. Its design is more like a solar panel than a power bank, with a larger solar cell surface area and a smaller battery than most others. It generated an average of 543 mAh in an hour, which means it needs about 6 hours to collect enough energy to recharge a typical smartphone.
We found these panels really worked best only if you angled them directly at the sun. Even then, they're far less efficient than little 5-watt panels with slightly larger surface areas. First and foremost, we consider these integrated solar chargers as battery banks that should be pre-charged at home whenever possible. The integrated solar panels on these shouldn't be relied on like you would any of the other panels we tested here.
During our first round of testing, we devised a separate test for the lower-watt portable solar chargers with integrated batteries. We left each of these panels to charge in the sun for three hours, hanging so they wouldn't overheat. None of the panels generated nearly as much power as the larger models, but they did generate some charge eventually. After the three-hour test, we divided the power generated by 3 to be comparable to the one-hour tests we performed with every other panel.
The Mregb 42800mAh Power Bank managed to collect only 105 mAh in one hour, making it barely usable as a solar charger. The Blavor Qi 10,000mAh failed to generate a measurable charge during our testing, and we'd encourage people to think of these types of models more as portable chargers than as highly functional solar panels.
We found any panel with an integrated battery works best if used on a surface that stays cooler if you're trying to generate power during the summer. Credit: Sam Schild
Ultralight Solar Chargers
A few smaller panels performed surprisingly well in direct solar charging speed. While they don't deliver the raw power achieved by bigger options, they're very good for their weight. The Blavor 10W, FlexSolar E10 Mini, and BigBlue SolarPowa 14 generated an average of 1,401 mAh, 1,247 mAh, and 1,178 mAh of power in a single hour of direct sunlight, respectively. These panels, paired with a battery bank, are a better portable charging solution than an integrated battery bank and solar panel, for most people.
The Blavor 10W, FlexSolar E10 Mini, and BigBlue SolarPowa 14 were all more efficient at direct solar power generation than any of the battery packs with a solar panel. Credit: Sam Schild
With just 789 mAh over one hour, the Goal Zero Nomad 5 was the least efficient ultralight solar charger — but it's still far better than all the options we tested with integrated battery packs.
Indirect Solar Charging Speed
In this metric, we consider the following question: is your panel going to quit on you just because one cloud passes overhead? To test this, we performed the same test we used to test direct solar charging with a white sheet suspended over all the panels to simulate a cloudy day.
Again, the highest-performing models in indirect solar charging speed were the ones with a larger watt rating. However, their performances do not directly correlate to overall wattage because some smaller panels converted more electricity in indirect sunlight, likely due to improved heat management.
Testing solar panels in indirect light to simulate a cloudy day. Credit: Sam Schild
On blue-sky days, white sheets provide shade similar to cloud cover, allowing some light to pass through to solar chargers. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Because not everywhere is like sunny Colorado, we tested these panels under a thin white sheet. Credit: Sam Schild
If it's a cloudy day, the panel we most want with us is the FlexSolar 60W. It handily collected the most energy during our simulated cloud cover tests, harnessing 1,624 mAh. This result makes another case for choosing a bigger panel because you're less likely to be stranded without power if you face a few cloudy days in a row.
The EcoFlow 45W seemed to wake up and get to work when the heat of the day was softened by cloud cover. It collected 1,389 mAh in just one hour. If you're looking for a panel that works well in cloudy environments that doesn't require as much space on the ground as the FlexSolar 60W, the EcoFlow 45W is a good choice.
Dark shade can stop a solar charger from converting energy to light, but shade underneath clouds often lets enough light through for effective charging. White fabric sheets are a good substitute for cloud cover. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The FlexSolar 40W also had a good showing, turning in 1,038 mAh. We appreciate this charger's ability to keep working in less than ideal conditions. If you move from camp to camp each day and only have a few hours of sunlight to catch, a larger panel can make a big difference in your ability to charge your gadgets.
Considering its modest 25-watt rating, the SunJack 25W performed very well in indirect sunlight, making it another solar charger we would trust on cloudy days. Credit: Sam Schild
Small Chargers
On the chargers with smaller panels and lower wattage ratings, the Blavor 10W starts to separate itself from the pack. Its 295 mAh average per hour with indirect sunlight outperformed the larger Anker Solix 30W Foldable and BigBlue SolarPowa 14. The Goal Zero Nomad 20 wasn't exactly a no-show with 146 mAh, but the much smaller Goal Zero Nomad 5 out-produced it with 227 mAh.
Overall, if you're considering an ultralight solar charger and expect many cloudy days, the Blavor 10W was the best lightweight charger in indirect sun. Credit: Sam Schild
Of the solar chargers with built-in batteries, the Blavor PN-W12 Pro did the best, producing a remarkable 265 mAh in one hour of indirect sun. This output still means you'll need 10-15 hours of indirect sunlight to fully recharge a modern smartphone, especially when you consider that morning and evening sunlight is less intense than midday sun.
The battery banks with fold-out solar panels performed better in indirect light than the battery banks with a single built-in panel. Credit: Sam Schild
Unfortunately, all the battery banks with a single solar panel combo units — the Blavor Qi 10,000mAh and Mregb 42800mAh — failed to generate much, if any, charge at all during our indirect sunlight tests. This solidifies them, once again, as portable battery banks, first and foremost, with unreliable solar charger performance.
Portability
We looked at each model's portability in terms of packed size and weight. Some panels fold down into a small package but aren't very light, while others are lightweight but don't fold at all.
We considered how easy each solar charger is to set up and take down, and we also considered if they have storage solutions for your cables or features that make them easier to pack into a backpack or bring along on a camping trip.
The FlexSolar E10 Mini is the lightest and most portable panel we tested, making it ideal for backpacking. Credit: Sam Schild
The lightest model we tested was the FlexSolar E10 Mini, which weighs a mere 7.3 ounces. This is at least 5 ounces lighter than every panel other than the Blavor Qi 10,000mAh, which weighs 9.3 ounces but doesn't generate nearly as much power as the FlexSolar Mini.
Battery banks with integrated solar easily fit into a pocket or clip to the outside of your backpack. However, as we discussed earlier, these should be considered battery banks more than solar panels. The solar panels on all the brick-style battery banks really aren't big enough to rely on for solar power generation. While their low weights make them portable in this lineup, there are other portable chargers we've tested without solar panels that are lighter.
While the Blavor Qi easily fits into a pocket, it should be considered a power bank more than a solar panel. Credit: Sam Schild
A better option for weight-saving portability is a smaller 10-15 watt solar panels. We already mentioned the FlexSolar E10 Mini, but the Blavor 10W (12.6 ounces) and BigBlue SolarPowa 14 (12 ounces) are both very portable. These models perform much better as solar panels than the battery bank models do, which makes them worth the weight. They also have a pocket to hold a battery bank, which is very convenient.
The Blavor 10W weighs a mere 12.6 ounces without the included carabiners. Credit: Sam Schild
The Goal Zero Nomad 5 also stands out for its portability among the rest of the solar panels. This panel weighs a mere 12.4 ounces and is incredibly thin. It easily slides into any backpack, no matter how full it is. You can strap it to the outside of your pack if you want to get some charge while on the move and lean it against just about anything when you get to camp. This panel doesn't fold, and it could be smaller if it did, but then it would have more heavy material and less total area for the actual solar panel. This panel strikes the perfect balance between ultralight weight consciousness and solar efficiency.
The Goal Zero Nomad 5 doesn't fold but is thin and small enough to strap on top of your pack while backpacking, making it pleasantly portable. Credit: Sam Schild
The BigBlue SolarPowa 14 weighs 12 ounces and can clip onto a backpack, though we found it works better at generating power when stationary. Credit: Sam Schild
The FlexSolar E10 Mini uses the same design as the larger FlexSolar 40W, but the E10 Mini is, you guessed it, smaller. Credit: Sam Schild
The BioLite SolarPanel 5+ is another highly portable option. It weighs 13.4 ounces and is about the same size as the Goal Zero Nomad 5. The BioLite 5+ also has an integrated 3200 mAh battery, which makes its low weight and small size even more impressive.
The BioLite SolarPanel 5+ is another one of the most portable solar panels we tested and has an integrated 3200 mAh battery. Credit: Sam Schild
The Blavor PN-W12 Pro (20.9 ounces) and Blavor 18W (21.1 ounces) weigh a similar amount. Both fold down to about the same size as well — slightly smaller than an actual brick. And since these panel and battery bank combos work better as solar panels, their portability is even more impressive.
The foldable panels on the Blavor 18W fold down to cover the built-in battery bank. Credit: Chris Maxcer
Panels Rated Over 20 Watts
When we consider the more powerful solar chargers, a few lightweight powerhouses emerge. The previous generation of the FlexSolar 40W weighed an anchor-like 47.3 ounces, but the newest version we tested has slimmed down to just 26.1 ounces. When we consider its impressive solar charging capabilities, it delivered the most energy per ounce. If you need to charge multiple high-use devices on family backpacking trips, it might be worth the weight.
Compared to a typical two-burner camp stove, the FlexSolar 40W is downright tiny. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The beefy Goal Zero Nomad 50 was the least portable solar charger we tested. It weighed a whopping 110.4 ounces, but it does include kickstands, pockets, and a protective fabric covering.
The Goal Zero Nomad 50 has a premium feature-rich design that increases its weight. Credit: Sam Schild
We're fans of the Nomad 50's built-in kickstands. Credit: Chris McNamara
The rear of the Nomad 50 includes a handy zippered pouch. Credit: Chris McNamara
The SunJack 25W also folds and unfolds quickly and weighs a reaonable 29.4 ounces. It also includes a mesh pouch, which makes it easy to stow cords and battery packs, making it easier to stay organized, which in turns can ease portability overall.
The SunJack 20W is one of the lighter panels we tested and has three panels that fold down quickly and easily. Credit: Sam Schild
Functionality
Some solar panels are easier to use than others. We evaluated many aspects of functionality in our testing of solar chargers. We looked at the number of devices each panel can charge simultaneously, types of outlet ports, integrated battery capacity, other charging options, and anything else that makes these panels more user-friendly.
As you might guess, when tasked with the challenge of charging multiple devices at once, the more powerful models performed better than lower-wattage models. Smaller panels, such as the 5W models, don't have the power to sustain two gadgets at once. If this is a priority for you, then select a panel with a higher wattage.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 28 has a built-in ammeter that showed us which angle was collecting the most energy from sunlight. Credit: Chris Maxcer
A zippered pocket on the BigBlue SolarPowa 28 keeps the included carabiners and charging cords handy. Credit: Chris Maxcer
When we hung the BigBlue SolarPowa 28 to catch some later afternoon sun, the built-in pocket held the power bank we were charging. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The BigBlue SolarPowa 28 is available with a built-in ammeter, which shows the real-time amperage of the solar panels. When we tested it, we could use it to help us angle the panel toward the sun to achieve the highest energy collection. The SolarPowa 28 also includes a handy built-in pocket, which is large enough to store cords and carabiners for hanging the panels to catch low-angle, early morning or late afternoon sun from a vehicle, bike or tree.
The FlexSolar 60W is capable of charging up to three devices at the same time. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The Goal Zero Nomad 50 has USB-A and DC outputs and is chainable with other solar panels so you can double your power when you connect the panels together. Credit: Sam Schild
How to determine realtime watts with solar chargers
If you want to see how many watts are flowing into your device, you can plug in an inline USB C Tester Power Meter between your solar charger and your battery bank. The USB power tester has a screen that shows volts, amps, and watts to help you determine improved angles and performance characteristics of your solar charger.
The FlexSolar 60W, FlexSolar 40W, BigBlue SolarPowa 28, SunJack, and Goal Zero Nomad 50 all did a good job charging multiple devices at once. After so many rounds of testing these solar chargers' ability to juice multiple devices at a time, for the most consistent results, we recommend not doing this. Instead, it's generally more effective and efficient to use your solar panel to charge a battery bank and then charge all your devices off of that battery.
We recommend charging a single battery bank off a panel, rather than attempting to charge your phone and other devices at the same time directly off the panel. Credit: Sam Schild
Beyond multiple device charging, several of the panels we tested have multiple types of outputs, which help to charge a variety of devices. We consider USB-C a critical port because good USB-C ports are typically much faster than USB-A ports. However, USB-A ports are handy because sometimes we only have a USB-A cord for a gadget. We also appreciate the increased efficiency and versatility that comes with a DC connection outlet. DC outlets are particularly good for charging small portable power stations.
The EcoFlow 45W does not have a legacy USB-A port, just USB-C and DC ports. Credit: Chris Maxcer
The FlexSolar 60W, FlexSolar 40W, EcoFlow 45W, BigBlue SolarPowa 30, and Blavor 30W Foldable all have USB-C, USB-A, and DC outputs so you can charge more types of battery banks, including portable power stations.
The Blavor Qi 10,000mAh has a USB-A and USB-C output and is also capable of charging smartphones wirelessly. Credit: Sam Schild
Solar chargers with built-in battery packs excel in charging multiple devices at once, but we really consider these just battery banks, so that's to be expected. The Blavor Qi is capable of charging compatible smartphones wirelessly as well. This is a useful feature, as it allows you to leave your cables at home, further cutting weight and system complexity.
The Nomad 5 has a single kickstand leg that lets you angle it directly at the sun to pull more power at harsher angles. Credit: Sam Schild
All of the Goal Zero Nomad panels have kickstand legs that make it easy to angle them directly at the sun. The BigBlue SolarPowa 30 also has a kickstand leg for this purpose. This greatly improves solar efficiency when the sun isn't directly overhead, so you can maximize sunlight in the mornings, evenings, and during non-summer months.
The BioLite SolarPanel 5+ has a kickstand leg and an integrated sundial to help angle the panel at the sun when it's lower in the sky. Credit: Sam Schild
The BioLite SolarPanel 5+ also has a kickstand leg. Uniquely, this model has a sundial to help take the guesswork out of pointing the panel directly at the sun. The integrated battery on the Biolite makes it possible to keep a small charge for when the sun goes down, but its limited capacity isn't enough to fully charge most modern smartphones. However, in an odd twist (in our opinion), there is no way to bypass the battery bank. So if the battery doesn't have a charge, you'll have to wait for it to charge before you're able to charge your device.
The included flashlights on the Blavor 18W solar charger are a bit gimmicky, but hey, they work and they're nice to have in an emergency or power outage. Credit: Chris Maxcer
How to Pick the Best Solar Power Bank
With the growing solar market and all the technical jargon, figuring out what to buy can be confusing. We will start by saying it can often be worth it to purchase from a reputable company with a clear warranty policy on its website. That way, if you end up with a dud, you can hopefully get your money back or a replacement.
We use many different measurements to test solar panels—amps, volts, and watts—but we aim to make it easy to understand these products despite the electrical jargon. Credit: Sam Schild
Amps, Volts, and Watts
We realize this can be confusing, so we're here to break it down for you. Watts (electric power) and amps (current) are two common units you will see listed for these products. Amps can be thought of as the amount of electricity moving through a given system. Volts can be described as the pressure that electricity is flowing with, think pressure exerted in a water hose. Watts is the cumulative power output from amps and volts that measures how much power and consumption you are drawing. Therefore, higher-wattage devices should deliver more power and charge devices faster, under the assumption that the devices are compatible with the amps and volts requirements.
A basic understanding of solar charger terminology goes a long way in making an informed purchase decision. Credit: Sam Schild
What Devices Do You Need to Charge?
Once you get an idea of charging capacity and your intended use for a solar charger, it's time to figure out what devices you plan on using. For smaller handheld items such as smartphones, a solar power bank with 5-to-15 watts should suffice. For those hoping to charge larger items such as laptops or multiple devices at a time, higher wattage panels with 20-to-60 watts of power are recommended. Factors such as duration of use, amount and intensity of sunlight, and how often you plan on charging your devices all play a significant factor in how quickly and efficiently your devices will charge.
If you need to power a laptop, then a larger 20 to 60-watt panel is the best tool for the job. Credit: Sam Schild
What About Size?
Size is often relative to output and charging capabilities. Deciding on the right size will depend on the type of use and trips you plan on using your solar charger for. Someone who plans on taking backpacking trips and just needs a little extra reassurance to charge their GPS device will want something small and light. For those who have the space and need a solar charger while on work trips or weekend outings, a charger with a bigger footprint will be best suited.
Picking the right size solar charger comes down to charging needs and size preference. Credit: Sam Schild
How Important is Weather?
The amount of sun exposure and sun intensity can significantly impact a panel's charging capabilities. Consider the types of areas and climates you plan to spend time in. To produce peak charging efficiency, solar panels need adequate sunlight. Make sure to place your panels in ideal locations to capture sunlight and avoid running out of juice sooner than expected. Features such as kickstands and legs can help create a more optimal angle for charging.
Choosing the right location for your solar charger can make a big difference in charging capabilities. Credit: Sam Schild
Conclusion
Deciding on the right solar power bank can be an overwhelming task. We hope that our breakdown of these mobile models has helped you to narrow down the right choice for your devices, your weather, and your budget.
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