Best portable solar panel? Testing the best 10-80w solar panels on Amazon
Best portable solar panel? Testing the best 10-80w solar panels on Amazon
My in-depth testing of all the best portable solar panels on Amazon for charging your phone, small or large powerbanks, and small power stations with a big emphasis on USB output and specifically USB-C Power Delivery (PD).
I purchased many of these panels out of pocket but was provided review units for free from Sunjack, Big Blue, Powerness, and Elecaenta but all opinions are my own. Amazon links below are affiliate links that support the channel.
Recommendations are below:
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Best ultralight solar panel to charge your smartphone
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BigBlue SolarPowa 10w ($40) – Top pick!
https://amzn.to/48vPgku
BigBlue SolarPowa 10
Flexsolar 10w ($40) – Not Recommended, not enough power to be useful
https://amzn.to/3ZCwK5V
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Best panel to charge small 10,000mah USB power bank
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Sunjack 15w ($60) – Top pick!
https://amzn.to/3PXqX7I
BigBlue SolarPowa 20w ($66) – Upgrade pick!
https://amzn.to/3RWVvYT
BigBlue SolarPowa 20
Sunjack 25 ($80) – Great panel build quality that’s somewhat limited by it’s USB outputs
https://amzn.to/45efYem
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Best panel to charge large 20,000mah+ USB PD power bank like the Anker 737
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FlexSolar 40w ($84) – Top pick!
https://amzn.to/3PWyDHl
BigBlue SolarPowa 30w ($90) – Upgrade pick!
https://amzn.to/3PDuwhT
BigBlue SolarPowa 30
Powerness 40w – Great features and build quality but limited USB output for power banks
https://amzn.to/45efYem
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Best panel for maximum USB PD output
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Sunjack 60w ($170) – Top pick!
https://amzn.to/3LGzVUd
AllPowers 60w ($100) – PD output only half of rating, bulky design – not recommended
https://amzn.to/46wNBcK
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Best panel to charge small power stations like the EcoFlow River 2 or Bluetti EB3A
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Powerness 80w ($160) – Top pick!
https://amzn.to/45hyG4N
Elecaenta 75w ($100) – Budget option but flawed USB-C output
https://amzn.to/3LJgIkV
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:50 Recommendations
02:58 Flexsolar
03:40 Sunjack
04:18 BigBlue
04:57 Powerness
05:56 Phone picks
07:46 Small power bank picks
10:00 Large power bank picks
13:04 Power station picks
16:35 What I learned
18:28 Wrap up
Great Video!
Can you charge a 20.000 powerbank with a 10W panel? Does it not work at all or will it just be very slow?
How do you charge your phone? I have a power bank that I charge, but it also has a solar panel. If the power bank completely dies, can you still charge your phone with just the solar panel? I have tried to charge one of my phone just on the solar pannels and nothing.
thanks for this video! brilliant break down of what’s available and what’s decent!
one thing, i noticed that the amazon link under "BigBlue SolarPowa 10w ($40) – Top pick!" actually links to the flexsolar panel – oops?
Best review I’ve seen. Thorough yet easy to understand.
Well done.
Which one would be the best one to charge a 16inch laptop??
how do you get 30W from the big blue 30 w panel when the usb c max is 18w?
Beware that most Anker power banks won’t charge at its full speed due to its smart chip not allowing solar panels to perform at its faster PD rates even if they are capable. You would need to use a plugged-in Anker PD usb C plug to achieve its faster charge rates via only their product. Many of my solar panels are from 5w, 15w, 21w, 60w, 100w, and 200w solar panels, only 1 worked at the correct speed and an Anker. So I blame Ankers smart read chips for not recognizing 3rd party control chargers on solar panels.
Saben gente que se me ocurrió? Poner un adhesivo en los paneles como el flexsolar que dice acá el amigo que levantan temperatura y perjudica el buen funcionamiento de su electrónica al llegar el panel de 40W a solo 28W. Poner el adhesivo o algo que cumpla la función de que no le de el sol en esa parte ( justo detrás de la electrónica ) de color blanco por supuesto. Que sea uno o dos centímetros mas grande. Puede funcionar , no es un área muy grande que digamos.
The flex solar 40 w has 6 panels… if somehow 3 panels get completely covered Would that stop the entire production ?
Awesome, thanks!
what would be good to connect multiple of these together to get more power to like the anker thing u reviewed
1:53 it says on the panel "USB-C PD 2.0 40 watts"? While you mention 18w?
Hey Todd! Now FlexSolar released a new 20W with 5v x 3amps = 15W from the USB-C, eliminating that low 10W output limit for the 15w to 20W panels category. I got this new 20W and it works great, usually a 14W output is normal, 15W when conditions are really perfect!
Most good power stations come with cords in MC4 standard… I bought the powerness 80 because of your video but doesn’t come with the industry standard mc4 connector… which is fine sorta, but they do not tell me what size there input cord is so I can’t even properly buy an adapter to mc4. Yes it comes with a 4,6 and 8mm end but it’s the OTHER end I need to know what it is… is it 10mm?
Great work. Very thorough and easy to navigate. In purchasing one through your link.
This is by far the best solar panel video, awesome information! Just wondering though, can you recommend some solar panels for charging 30,000mah ~ 40,000mah power banks? Reason I’m asking is I notice there are several devices that goes up to that mah these days, from power banks to portable fans. (I have a 30,000mah power bank and a portable fan that also serve as a 40,000mah power bank)
Awesome video, I want to try and be more sustainable at home so thank you for sharing this info about these solar products!
Really great video, your findings match my own experience regarding USB Pd, device negotiation is still no where near as sorted out as manufacturers would like us to believe.
I’m wondering if finding a way to shade the usb circuitry in the panel can be helpful?
Great info thank you!
Buy an unbranded one
Unfortunately, the only way to do an accurate comparison is to make sure the ambient temp (higher temps lower energy output on photovoltaics,) and the sun angle, and brightness (ie, level of cloudiness, haze, etc) are all THE SAME for each test. If you tested one panel on a cool bright and clear day, and then tested another on a warmer, somewhat hazier day, when the sun was not hitting at the same angle, then you’re not going to get accurate results.
What about Lixada?
I bought a solar flex W40 after the last brand I had got a short in the folds, the wires weren’t given room move under stress. Now I’ve used this, the solar flex less than ten times a it just did the same thing. I’m so disappointed. Do any of the companies make proper joints, wiring?
Can you recommend something for me to charge a: Halo ACDC Bolt 58830. DC input: 14v/.85a I have no idea how to even start.
Thank you.
Great review but keep improving!!!
I’d love to see something on OXSUN. They got a 30w for less than 40 but I’m not sure if it’s worth the buy because there’s videos out there
🌇🌇🌇🌇🌃🌃🌃🛌🛌🛌🛌 0:15
Keep up the reviews! Tham you, you make buying less like a shot in the dark!
Great review & comparison. 👍
Do you also have a video of the FlexSolar 60W?
Thanks
How long would a 12w solar panel take to charge a 10,000mah bank?
Thanks, what’s your thoughts on this panel?
LUMOPAL 60W Portable Solar Panels Folding Solar Charger with PD60W USB-C 5V USB-A QC3.0 DC18-20V, IP65 Waterproof for Camping Backpack Compatible with Phone Laptop Power Station
In Zambia we are having power issues and I really wanna go green with my home, so for portability I can approve of this review as a student on to0 of that. Keep up the excellent work.
Did you try to test 60 w flex solar?if yes,What do you think about it?
more of this let me get a collab
I have good reviews of Sun Jack 60 watt , but have automatic restart? It happened to me with other products, to have to unplug the cable and reconnect the power bank, after the clouds had passed, that is, it was not set up for automatic restart, after the shadow areas. This creates problems if are not close to the panel. Thanks for the answers
Thank you sir. I will be checking out the BigBlue 30 over the FlexSolar 40 thanks to your recommendations. I would choose the Flex but some reviews mention the hinges having issues thus hindering the power supply. Have you switched from the FlexSolar 40 to the big blue 30 for your portable micro power station or do you still prefer the form factor of the Flex? Which would you say is better the SunJack 25 or the Big blue 30?
Hello What do You think about Allpowers 21W with a integrated powerbank 10000?
Good job at explaining all the nuances of the folding panels. I see promoted channels giving this is great panel blah blah blah while they have done nothing more than open the box in a studio. I like the real world testing. Looking forward to seeing the panels putting out real power close to what they claim one day. This reminds me of the 2 way bubble pack GMRS FRS radios claims.. 33 no 40 no 50 miles etc distance. In reality you get about 1 mile at best 1.5 miles away.
There are better value portable panels out there. Also, that All Powers foldable is so overrated. Build quality was terrible too. I have shirts with stronger stitching.
Nice video, but even your ultra light options are way too heavy. I have comparing my 7 year old Renegy 10W folding panel (11.8 oz) to everything out there and I can’t find one that will beat it in weight and power. I assume if the new USB-A 3.0 connection will allow more power into your power bank or the new USB-C options.
Im a backpacker so weight/ power is critical for me. Love for someone to analyze the new Ultralight Solar panel options out there
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This vid is just watt I’m looking for. Great info and presentation. Thanks for posting it.
If it’s used to just charge. A small power bank… would the larger solar panels damage it somehow ?
If a company donates to Non profits, they charge too much. Ripping off the consumer.
incredible content, i cannot believe it wew
Can I use 40W panel to charge my phone?
Do you have a link for that cord that shows the watts on the display?
Great review thanks!
The new SunJack 60w Solar Panels now comes with kick stands so now you can get the right sun angle..