Let The Sun Charge Your Devices With A Portable Foldable Solar Panel With USB Ports
A technology that I am excited about is solar power. Being able to create energy with the sun is something that fascinates me.
Putting solar panels on top of RV’s is becoming more and more popular, and the solar panel market has been booming.
Related Product: Camp with the ultimate solar power set up by getting a portable power station & solar panel kit like this one by .
A recent crash in the solar panel market in China made the prices drop, and it has become more accessible.
In this review, I would like to share the best foldable portable solar panel chargers.
These are so portable that you can put them in your backpack and go on a hike. They all go great with portable battery banks.
See Also: Best Portable Power Station/Solar Generator For Camping
My Choice
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Portable Solar Panel Chargers Reviewed
1. Renogy 21W Solar Panel
If you have ever looked at solar panels, there is a big chance that you have seen products from a brand called Renogy.
They are known for their bigger panels and often praised for their high quality and customer support.
Lucky for us, they also make a smaller foldable portable solar charger.
It’s a three-panel setup rated at 21 watts. Three USB ports will let you charge two devices at once, and each port is rated at 5V/2.1A.
Put it on your backpack and go on a hike while your phone is charging inside. It only weighs 29 ounces, so it’s a great hiking choice.
The solar charger is made out of water-resistant and durable panels and fabrics, so even though you shouldn’t leave it out in light rain, it can handle it.
See Also: Which iPhone has the best battery life?
A pocket next to the panels will hold your phone while it’s charging.
But I recommend putting it under the panel out of the sun to not damage the phone batteries from excessive heat.
Four eyeholes along the sides will let you hang the panel in a tree, on a tent, a backpack, or whatever spot you may find where you can tie a rope.
So why go with a Renogy panel?
Well, they’re known for their excellent customer support and solid panels so I can recommend their product with confidence.
It’s not the highest rated panel in this review, but it’s a good solar charger for the hiker or backpacker that cares more about weight.
It’s still rated high enough to charge a phone or two so don’t underestimate it.
The Renogy Solar Panel comes with a micro USB cable.
PROS
- 21W
- Three USB Ports
- Trusted Solar Company
- Lightweight
CONS
- Pocket Could’ve Been Bigger
2. BigBlue 5V 28W Solar Charger
One of the most popular solar chargers on the market is this product from BigBlue. It’s a four-panel setup rated at 28 watts.
Two USB ports rated at 5V/2.4A can charge two devices at once and has enough power to quickly charge up a phone or two.
Carabiners are included to make it easy for you to hang the solar charger on your tent, a backpack or a tree.
Four holes have been put in the fabric for this purpose.
There is no need to worry about damaging the panel as it’s very durable and water resistant with its IPX5 rating.
See Also: Best Portable Power Stations That Include Solar Panels
My favorite feature on this panel is a tiny screen that will show you how many amps are currently being received from the sun.
I’m using a separate USB accessory to get this information with my old solar panel, so I am glad to see it built-in to a product.
The BigBlue Solar Charger has the best implementation of a pocket for your phone, with a band to hold it in place and a zipper to close the pocket.
I wouldn’t have minded a slightly bigger pocket for bigger phones.
PROS
- Shows Amps On Screen
- Zip Pocket
- IPX5 Rating
- Four Panels
- Lightweight
CONS
- Pocket Could’ve Been Bigger
3. Nekteck Solar Charger 28W
The Nekteck solar charger is rated for 28 watts and has two USB ports.
It’s a four-panel setup with as efficient panels like the other products to charge your devices quickly.
The USB ports can output up to 4 ampos overall with up to 2.4 amps per port.
It’s not a panel that sticks out when compared to the earlier products, and it doesn’t have any frills.
It has a fairly big pocket where you can keep your device while it’s charging, and four holes to make it easy to hang on your tent, backpack or a tree.
The panels and the fabrics used are durable and lightweight enough for a hike.
See Also: Best Waterproof Solar Panels For Portable Power Stations
It comes with two carabiners and a micro USB cable.
I would have liked to see a screen showing amps or a better pocket, but I am still confident in recommending this product.
It’s a very capable solar charger that does its job reliably.
So why is the Nekteck Solar Charger 28W even in this review?
Because it works great. It’s efficient and it’s not advertised as something it isn’t.
You can find cheaper panels that claim that they can output the same amps and wattage, but in the real world, they underperform.
Nekteck has made a solar charger that delivers and if you need a product you can rely on, this is my top recommendation.
PROS
- Two USB Ports
- Relatively Big Pocket
- Four Panels
- Efficient Charging
CONS
- No Frills
4. X-Dragon 70W Portable Solar Panel
If you’re here looking for more power and a solar charger with more uses, I hope these last two will fit the bill.
Starting with this X-Dragon 70W solar panel.
With nine durable monocrystalline solar panels, this is a solar charger that can charge more than your phone and tablet.
It comes with 5 different connectors for charging laptops and different brands of portable power stations and battery banks.
There’s also a DC to DC cable, one DC to USB cable, and a DC to Clamp connector for a direct connection to 12v batteries.
All of these cables are connected to the DC output rated at 18V/3A. But that’s not all, there’s also two USB ports rated at 5V/2.4A.
On the outside there’s a large pocket with a zipper will hold your devices while they are charging in a dry and clean pocket.
The solar charger itself can get dirty and wet and still work great since it’s made with durable materials.
See Also: How To Make Coffee While Camping (Stove & Campfire Coffee)
The X-Dragon 70W solar charger weighs 3 pounds but for the power output it’s capable of, it’s not bad.
I like this one because it’s very versatile.
Even though it’s foldable and can go into a small backpack, it can unfold and charge everything from phones to cars and solar generators.
The fact that you get all the cables you need to charge all your devices and even an RV battery is part of the reason why this is one of my top picks.
The only thing I would have liked to see done differently is the way the panels unfold.
It would’ve been smarter, in my opinion, to put the panels next to each other in more directions like the Allpowers panel below.
That way it would be easier to hang it on a tent or put it on a table.
One last thing that I want you to note about the X-Dragon portable solar panel is the big built-in handle that lets you carry the solar charger with ease.
It’s something I have realized would’ve been nice to have on my current charger as well.
PROS
- 70 watts
- Lots Of Cables And Connectors Included
- Big Pocket With Zipper
- Nine Mono Panels
CONS
- Long When Unfolded (64.5 inches)
5. ALLPOWERS 100W Solar Charger
If nine panels aren’t enough for you, how about 15? Or if 60W isn’t enough, how about 100W?
This Allpowers 100W solar charger is the most powerful panel on today’s list and is very impressive for being a foldable charger.
So will 100W charge your phone even faster through USB? Well, it’s a little bit more complicated than that.
The two USB ports are still rated at 5V/2.4A per port, but what 100W will do for you is be more reliable.
A smaller panel’s ports can be rated for the same volts and amps but not be able to put out that power unless in perfect sunny conditions.
A charger of this size will be more forgiving and put out more energy in worse conditions.
See Also: What Are The Best Thin Solar Panels For Stealth Camping?
Other than the two USB ports, you will find a DC output rated at 18V/5A. That is powerful enough to charge laptops.
Ten different laptop power connectors are included so if you have a somewhat popular brand, there should be one that is compatible.
What I am missing from the Allpowers 100W kit is a DC to clamp cable to be able to charge up an RV battery. This is where X-Dragon has done a better job.
So what do you get from Allpowers that you don’t get with Suaoki? Well, 40W more of solar panels and two USB ports instead of one.
If that sounds worth it, it could very well be the best portable solar charger for you.
PROS
- 100W
- DC Output
- 15 Panels
- Two USB Ports
- Power Connectors For Most Laptop Brands
CONS
- Small Pocket
- No Cable To Connect To 12V Battery
Conclusion And Solar Panel Recommendations
Which solar charger is best for you depends on what you need.
If you need something lightweight so you can charge your devices on a hike, the smaller models are the best.
If you want a charger that charges your laptop, RV, and all your USB devices, a larger will be the best.
It might sound obvious, but I want to remind you to consider what you will need most of the time and pick the right one for your needs.
Here are my recommendations
My Choice: Nekteck Solar Charger 28W
A lower end solar panel charger might be rated for the same watts, but not as reliable as the Nekteck Solar Charger.
After trying several products, the RAVPower is one of the most efficient choices.
It doesn’t have any frills, but it does what it’s supposed to do and won’t disappoint.
Best All-Around: X-Dragon 70W Portable Solar Panel
X-Dragon has done a great job with this product and with all the included cables you can keep all your devices, including an RV, charged up.
Versatile products are easy to like and this one kicks the competition out of the water in that category.
See Also: Mid-Range Power Station Battle – Goal Zero, EcoFlow, Jackery
What To Consider When Buying A Folding Solar Panel
Ports
By knowing ahead what you will be charging most of the time with your solar charger, you can get the one with the ports you need.
If you only want to charge your phone, don’t go splurge for one that can charge a car.
A 5V/2.4A USB port can do a great job at keeping phones, tablets, and headphones charged as long as the sun is out.
Watts
If you’re planning on charging an RV battery or a laptop, wattage will matter. If your laptop charger is rated for 60W, go for a 100W panel.
A 60W panel can’t produce 60W of power even in perfect conditions, so be aware of this if you’re mostly looking at the wattage.
DC Output
A DC output can put out more power than a USB port.
If you plan on charging a car, RV or solar generator battery, you’re going to want a DC output.
Weight
The more you’re going to carry it around, the less you want it to weigh.
If you want a panel that can keep your phone charged during a hike, don’t get a heavy one that has more features than you need.
Size
As with weight, the size will matter depending on what and where you will be using it.
Putting a 100W charger on a backpack will not only look funny but be very impractical.
Look at the measurements of the panel you’re considering and make sure it’s not too big for your specific use.
See Also: The New EcoFlow Delta 2 Tested & Reviewed
Frequently Asked Questions About Folding Solar Panel Chargers
Is it safe for my phone to be left out in the sun with a solar charger?
It’s safe as long as you don’t leave the phone itself in the sun.
Try putting it underneath the panel or in some shade next to it.
Get a longer cable if you can’t keep the phone shaded.
You have to be careful with batteries when it comes to heat, and leaving it in the sun while it’s being charged can damage the battery.
What power banks do you recommend I use with the solar panel?
Are solar chargers efficient enough to be worth it?
Short answer, yes they are.
I have been using a 19.5W solar panel to keep my phone, tablet and power bank charged when I have been away from outlets for weeks.
They are already powerful and relatively cheap but will become even better and less expensive in the future.
Have any more questions about portable solar panel chargers for camping and backpacking? Leave a comment below.
hi, would you have any posts focusing on solar blankets that are used to recharge a say AGM or Lithium battery .. say 100AH battery. so for camping purposes, but not RV
If you’re connecting a panel directly to an AGM or lithium battery you’re going to need a charge controller. This post goes through some of the most popular ones.