Best Portable Solar Charger of 2020

Best Overall Solar Charger

BigBlue 28W

Weight: 23.5 oz | Number of USB outlets: 2

The Big Blue 28W goes above and beyond the rest in terms of overall performance. This panel is the most consistent and efficient portable power source we've reviewed. Though there may be other options out there that charge faster or are more durable, nothing beats this model when it comes to overall performance. When your electronics need a boost, this panel will deliver a substantial charge in a variety of conditions. We like the built-in ammeter and the zippered pouch. We also appreciate this panel's simplicity and reasonable price tag. With two USB ports and a classic fold-out design, the BigBlue is an excellent all-arounder for most small gadgets.

One downside to this panel is its weight. It's a bit heavy, weighing in at 23.5 ounces. As a result, it's better suited for frontcountry use. Other than that, this panel receives high marks across the board.

Read review: BigBlue 28W

Best Bang for the Buck

ECEEN 13W

Weight: 12 oz | Number of USB outlets: 2

The ECEEN 13W grabs our attention with its simple design, consistent performance, and, of course, its affordable price tag. Its small size and sleek design make it a good option for backcountry use. This panel is easy to use and fairly compact, plus it charged our small battery packs and phone almost as quickly as panels with much larger capacities. The combination of high-performance and a reasonable price tag makes this panel a no brainer!

In some ways, we loved the simplicity of this panel. Its design is portable and easy to use, but it struggles to charge in partially cloudy conditions, and it can barely charge multiple devices simultaneously. Remember, 13 watts is relatively small when charging large, power-hungry devices, so keep that in mind when considering this panel.

Read review: ECEEN 13W

Another Excellent Value

Goertek 25,000mAh

Weight: 19 oz | Number of USB outlets: 3

The Goertek 25,000mAh battery pack is a high capacity battery with three USB ports that deliver rapid charge to small electronics. We love that it has a large capacity and can fully charge a phone multiple times when the battery is topped off. Additionally, the small solar panel on its back works well enough for the battery to replenish using solar, even if it takes a few hours. In addition to all these great features, the Goertek rings in as one of the most reasonably priced options for solar charger set-ups. All of this adds up to place this panel among our award winners.

Our issues with this battery pack are similar to the problems we've had with other battery pack/solar options. This product does not work great as a solar charger alone; if you're planning to fully charge the 25,000mAh battery off the sun, plan to give yourself a few full days. That said, the panel will continue to trickle charge the battery pack, even when small electronics are plugged in, which is a feature that we appreciate.

Read review: Goertek Solar

Best for Durable Performance

BioLite SolarPanel 10+

Weight: 19.2 oz | Number of USB outlets: 1

The BioLite 10+ is notable for its durability and portability. Its rugged construction makes it incredibly reliable, as does its built-in battery pack. The battery regulates charge, so the panel works reasonably well in sub-optimal charging conditions. We liked the kickstand and fold-out design, as it's sleek and portable enough to fit into our backpacks on most light and fast missions.

The major downside to the BioLite is its price tag; this panel and its name-brand recognition come at a price. For us, its durability and overall performance outweigh the initial investment, but it's definitely something to consider. There are plenty of less-durable panels out there that will perform as well as the BioLite, but few can stand up to this panel in terms of overall design and construction.

Read review: BioLite 10+

Best Panel Battery Combo

Renogy 15,000mAh

Weight: 9.5 oz | Number of USB outlets: 2

For folks who are not entirely committed to relying only on solar power but still want to be able to charge electronics on the go, solar/battery pack combinations are the way to go. These products can often be bulky and cumbersome, kind of like carrying the world's first cell phone in your bag. The Renogy 15,000 is sleek and relatively light for its capacity, making it an easy item to throw into a carry-on bag or a backpack for daily use. The solar cells that cover the top of the battery allow you to trickle-charge the battery pack while charging your electronics — a benefit to this style of battery. This model can charge devices quickly, and it's easier on the wallet.

These battery packs are not ideal for those who are entirely reliant on solar due to the speed of charging. It takes hours and hours to charge the battery pack fully, and to rely only on its solar cells to top off your devices would be a slow process. Other models with similar designs have more built-in durability than the Renogy, but some weight and portability are sacrificed. It depends on your priorities, but if portable, quick charging is on the list, the Renogy is an excellent choice.

Read review Renogy 15,000mAh

Best for Lightning Fast Charging Speeds

SunJack 25W

Weight: 30.1 oz | Number of USB outlets: 2

Though it is doesn't have the highest listed wattage of any panel in this review, the SunJack 25W wowed us with its impressive performance. It rapidly charged our cell phones, external battery packs, and other random electronic gadgets with ease. It boasts some of the fastest charging speeds we've seen in testing. Plus, its impressive build and durable construction are confidence-inspiring and make it seem like this panel will last for years to come. It also performed well when partially shaded, or in partially cloudy conditions, which many of its competitors failed to do.

The significant downsides are its price tag and its size. If it were a bit smaller, lighter, or more affordable, the SunJack would have ranked higher on our list.

Read review SunJack 25W

Why You Should Trust Us

Jane Jackson authors this review and spend 200+ days a year outside using and testing gear. For the past few years, she has spent the summer months in Yosemite and the High Sierra, working for Yosemite Search and Rescue. In other months, she travels in pursuit of perfect climbing conditions. Between Yosemite and the desert Southwest, Jane spends ample time in the sun, making her a solar-charging expert. When she's not living in her van, which is complete with its own solar setup, Jane is in the backcountry, using these smaller, portable panels to keep her electronics charged.

This comprehensive review was put together after researching over 80 different products on the market. After perusing several reviews, we carefully selected and bought the best of the best. Then, we put in the time to test each product objectively and thoroughly. We look at how quickly it charges with different amounts of sunlight, how it handles multiple devices at once, the rate of charging, and its portability and durability. To test this, we used each in the field while in the OutdoorGearLab lab! Our process reflects the most up to date products, with updates occurring at least four times per year!

Related: How We Tested Solar Chargers

Analysis and Test Results

Now more than ever, solar technology is growing in popularity. In this updated review, we've tested a full spectrum of portable models. We include small to large options that range from 5W to 40W. By spending time testing these solar panels on the road, we get to see first hand the latest and greatest #vanlife solar setups. After looking over several options, we rated each on five important metrics. Whether you're checking out a setup to put in your van, or a solar charger to power your iPhone while on a backpacking mission, our review offers excellent recommendations for anybody.

Related: Buying Advice for Solar Chargers

Now, dozens of companies produce affordable, effective monocrystalline panels ranging from small 5W models to more substantial and more powerful 20W options for a faster charge. These monocrystalline models are much more effective and lightweight than their polycrystalline forefathers.

We tested a few small wattage models that were portable and lightweight, like the Renogy 15,000mAh, which has an integrated battery pack along with a small 2W panel. We also tested the Goertek 25,000mAh, which is a similar design but with a larger capacity battery and a 5W panel. The ECEEN 13W is a larger capacity than both of these small panels, but is just as light.

Joining the ECEEN in the mid-capacity range is the BioLite 10+ and the Goal Zero 14W. We also retested the RavPower 16W, which is a longstanding favorite with a few new updates. Next, we filled out the upper end of the wattage range, with the addition of the Anker 21, the SunJack 25, and the Instapark Mercury 27. On the far upper end of the spectrum, we added the Powertraveller Falcon with an impressive 40-watt capacity. In general, solar technology is improving and most panels performed fairly well. That said, its imporant to note that in this review, the panels' metric ratings range will in scores, mostly due to their output capabilities (i.e., wattage), rather than the design of the models themselves.

Just as was the case in past reviews, panels that have large-capacity battery packs and small capacity solar panels tend to charge our electronics quickly, but take eons to charge via the sun. With this style of charger, we recommend topping off your battery pack at home before bringing it into the field.

The Voltaic is still the go-to for charging computers. However, this spring, the Powertraveller Falcon 40 joins the ranks as a large-capacity panel suited to charge laptops. The Voltaic and the Falcon impressed us with their ability to charge computers effectively. Large capacity batteries still take a good chunk of time to charge via the 20W panel, but we are excited about the improvements. We spend a lot of time in the desert southwest, which means lots of sunshine! Its a perfect place to use solar power to keep our electronics charged.

Value

Unlike some other products we test here at OutdoorGearLab (we've tested bikes that cost more than our cars!), portable solar chargers tend to be on the affordable end of the outdoor gear spectrum. However, even with such a reasonable price point, some models had much better value than others. For example, the reasonably priced ECEEN 13W and Goertek performed exceptionally well across the board, even standing up to some of the more expensive, higher capacity models. Other models, like the Goal Zero Nomad 14, costs a pretty penny but did not compare to the high scorers in our side-by-side tests.

Charge Interruption Recovery

Here we consider the following questions: is your panel going to quit on you just because one little cloud passes overhead as you left it out on what appeared to be a clear afternoon? Or is the solar model strapped to your backpack, causing your phone to constantly vibrate as the connection goes in and out of the USB port? These are the questions we addressed in our charge interruption recovery metric. To test this criterion, we measured the amount each model charged within a half-hour span first in full sun, and then again in intermittent sun and shade. We also measured the output power before and after the charge interruption to see if the model could get back on track after being shaded.

The highest performing models in this category were the ones with a large capacity (15-20W or higher) or a built-in external battery. The Renogy 15,000mAh and BioLite 10+ have built-in battery packs that can sequester energy and meter it out to plugged-in electronics, regardless of the sun quality. That said, though small battery/panel combos, like the Renogy and the Goertek, can manage shade since they will continue to charge your device off the battery, the panels themselves are too small to receive substantial power from the sun. The panel capacity of these models means their solar production provides a back-up as opposed to a primary power source.

Those with a larger surface area also tended to do better in this metric, because there are more cells exposed to the sun at one time. This is one of the major benefits of the Powertraveller Falcon 40, which has tons of surface area and a large capacity. The BigBlue 28W, which has lots of surface area as well, also comes with a built-in auto-restart function. This feature allows the panel to reconnect to your device after being shaded automatically. Naturally, the unit will still charge slower in cloudy conditions. The auto-restart feature will help to continue the flow of power in less-than-ideal charging conditions.

Charging Speed

The main use for a portable solar panel is charging a cell phone when electricity is not readily available. We took this into account when we weighted charging speed as our highest rating testing metric. To execute this experiment, we used our lead tester's personal cell phone - a Google Pixel 3. We timed each panel as it charged our phone and also used a standard small capacity battery pack to cross-reference our results. It should be noted that in previous iterations of this test, we used an iPhone 6, so some of those numbers are mixed in as well.

To test the panels, we set each one in full sun for thirty minutes and noted how much charge the phone received. This way, we could obtain a good read on how efficiently the individual models worked over extended periods. We also timed how long it took each one to charge our 10,000 mAh portable battery packs, so we had that data to compare as well. In general, this size battery can charge an iPhone from 0 to 100% about two times.

We found a broad range in the ability to charge batteries, from literally not charging the battery pack at all, like the Goal Zero Nomad 14W, to charging it up a whopping 17% in 30 minutes, like the ECEEN. This considerable variability is due to the extensive range in output power of the contenders we tested. Twenty-one watts is four times as powerful as a 5W device, so it makes sense that panels like the BigBlue earned one of the highest in our testing. The ECEEN held its own among the 15W and the 20W models.

A priority of solar chargers is to provide a fast charge. Therefore, we recommend investing in a higher wattage charger to facilitate this function. For speed and efficiency, a more effective watt option is more efficient. That is unless you're trying to save weight or money, in which case a less powerful model might be a good compromise. With that in mind, it's no surprise that some of our highest scoring panels in this metric were panels with the largest capacity.

Multiple Device Charging Speed

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 and 7W 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. Generally, our testing found lower watt models to be less capable in this metric than the higher watt devices that can charge two devices.

The Big Blue, Anker 21, and SunJack were high scorers, as was the Goertek 25,000mAh. As discussed above, the results show that models with higher wattage are more effective at charging multiple devices at once. We were impressed by the SunJack's overall power and efficiency in this metric. Panels with built-in battery packs also excel in this metric, with the Goertek holding its own.

Durability

It goes without saying that a portable solar panel needs to be able to endure the elements. These devices literally don't work unless exposed to the sun for long periods of time. We've taken them through deserts, mountains, sun, wind, and rain. Through months of testing, nearly all the contenders stood up to the challenge. The canvas protective fabric is like an exoskeleton-guarding the important insides of the panels. Solar technology seems to be advancing too, with companies working to make cells more durable and resistant to sun and water damage.

When scanning through reviews online, we noticed complaints about various models withering and warping in the sun. Because of this, we were extra vigilant, even when we set them out in the blazing southern Utah desert sun. In our testing period, none of the chargers endured much damage. These are robust machines, and with technology advancing every year, solar panel companies have come leaps and bounds in the construction of portable options.

Models with external storage pockets, like the Anker 21W and the ECEEN, won us over because their pocket not only protects extra gadgets but also keeps the USB port dry and covered when charging. Some of the models, like the Goal Zero Nomad 14W, had a mesh pocket, which helps to see what is inside, but was so tightly attached to the panel itself that it started to wear out. The BioLite 10+ is incredibly durable in its construction. We'd like to think the coated panels could be mounted to the roof of your van and last for a good while.

Weight and Portability

Since the primary function of this style panel is to be portable this is a crucial category. A model that is too heavy or bulky will be left behind to collect dust in the closet when you set out on your next adventure.

The panels that swept this metric by boasting the lightest weights were the Renogy 15,000mAh and the ECEEN 13W. The Renogy weighs 9.5 ounces, while the ECEEN panel weighs in at 12 ounces on the dot. These are the two standout models; most panels weigh in between 18 and 25 ounces. Though the ECEEN is an award winner, we like to say that it is a fairly simple panel, with its basic folding design cutting down on weight.

Others come with lots of accessories and extra features, which make them more exciting to use, but also make them bulky and unappealing to carry on long trips. There is a happy medium between overkill and overly simple.

While portability is a critical consideration, we placed more emphasis on performance during our testing. If the panel doesn't work, then it is just training weight. That was our reasoning behind handing out awards to larger panels like the BigBlue 28W.

Accessories

To standardize our testing and procedures, we used the same 10,000 mAh battery pack and USB across all models. The model we used was a well-reviewed and inexpensive external battery used to charge small gadgets and phones.

Many people choose to combine a solar charger that doesn't have an internal battery with an external battery. This arrangement allows the panel to charge the battery during the day while you're using your devices, and you can charge your device at night via the external battery. External batteries are an essential addition to any portable charging kit. Most modern tablets and smartphones demand higher power (like 2A charging ports) and this becomes harder to produce from the sun (which is variable at best). Instead of bulking up the solar panels themselves and making them too cumbersome to actually use, we found it much more effective to simply charge external batteries on a rotating system to keep a constant stockpile of fully charged battery packs ready to go. That way, you have a less strong and, most importantly, lighter weight, solar charger that charges a high-quality external battery. This battery can, in turn, produce the necessary 2A of current to charge small devices.

Conclusion

Deciding on the right solar charger can be an overwhelming task. To make it easier to wrap your head around, you'll want to figure out what you will be using it for, and go from there. Are you running a mobile office and need to keep multiple, energy-hungry devices happy? Or are you concerned with having a fully charged phone on a weekend excursion?

The smaller watt options are going to be less expensive, and often less powerful. As you increase the wattage, the panels typically become more efficient. The sky is the limit, but it depends on how much money you are willing to spend. We narrowed in on the top competitors and put them to the test. Some perform better than others, and a higher price tag doesn't necessarily mean a better product. We hope that our thorough tests and reviews of these products will be useful to you as you shop around for your new solar charger.