Best Overall Solar Panel For Camping
Jackery SolarSaga 100
Power Output: 100 watts | Weight: 10.3 lb
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 continues to be our favorite solar panel for camping. This 100-watt panel is easy to use, lightweight, and effective in both full and partial sun. It’s less expensive than many competing models, but works better than those models. Whether it’s a sunny day or cloudy outside, this solar panel charges devices with impressive speed. When you’re not using it, the SolarSaga quickly folds flat and weighs just over 10 pounds. This low weight and simple fold-in-half design make it easy to pack this panel into your car for your next camping trip. It is chock-full of useful features that make it portable and exceptionally useful. At the campsite, its built-in handle makes it a breeze to carry, and fold-out legs quickly deploy so you can point it directly at the sun and make the most out of those morning and evening rays. It has a USB-A, USB-C, and a DC output to plug directly into your solar camping power station. The hardwired DC charging cable and USB ports stow away handily in an integrated zipper pouch on the backside. This solar panel is impressive in almost every regard and a great addition to anyone’s off-grid solar camping setup.
While the SolarSaga 100 is lightweight and collapses flat, it has just a single fold. This makes its folded size considerably wider than some of the other panels we tested. However, this panel is more efficient, and since it only folds once, it’s thinner than many of the other panels we tested. It’s about as packable as other panels, even if its footprint is larger than some. If you’re looking for an all-around great-value high-watt solar panel for your next camping adventure, look no further.
Read more: Jackery SolarSaga 100 review
Best Value Solar Panel For Camping
BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE
Power Output: 100 watts | Weight: 8.8 lb
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is a high-value panel for your solar camping setup. This panel costs less than almost every other panel we tested but performed above average in nearly every test we threw at it. It’s lightweight, has a carry handle, and folds once into an easy-to-haul package. You’ll quickly be able to load this into your car, then unload it to your solar generation station at the campsite. It has fold-out legs to angle directly at the sun, so you’ll be able to take advantage of low-angle sunlight. And it comes with a plethora of adaptors, which makes it easy to hook up to just about any power station from any brand. This makes the SolarPowa 100 that much more affordable since you won’t have to buy extra cables or adaptors.
While most everything about the SolarPowa 100 is easy to use and effective, this model doesn’t come with a place to store the charging cable or all the adaptors it comes with. We ended up transporting it around with the charging cable dangling off the back a lot during testing, which isn’t ideal. It also pulled an average performance on cloudy days, so if you anticipate a lot of overcast days, this may not meet high-power needs. At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a great deal in a solar panel for your next camping trip, check this one out.
Read more: BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE review
Best All-Weather Solar Panel
EcoFlow 110
Power Output: 110 watts | Weight: 8.8 lb
The EcoFlow 110 is an excellent panel for reliable performance in any condition — rain or shine. This model is fully waterproof and uses universal standard solar connectors that won’t let water into the connection point. These are the same connectors you’ll see on permanently mounted solar panels, which means these connectors and the EcoFlow panel are rated to work in the rain. It also performs better in cloudy conditions than most other panels, keeping your office in the woods up and running even if you have to work under a canopy tent. It has one of the highest power outputs in full sun, so you can charge your power station quickly. It comes with a zippered carrying case that doubles as a support to angle the panel at the sun. This case makes it easy to transport the panel and any cables you need to hook it up.
While the carrying case for the EcoFlow 110 works really well to transport, it is less ideal as a kickstand support, which it’s meant to double as. It does okay as a panel kickstand but isn’t nearly as sturdy as almost any other panel we tested that has dedicated fold-out legs. Of course, since the case serves two purposes, it’s one of the lightest overall models we tested, if less stable. Nonetheless, this model is one of the most efficient at converting solar energy into sunlight in all conditions and offers excellent protection from rain as well.
Read more: EcoFlow 110 review
Seriously Solid Construction
Renogy 100W Foldable
Power Output: 100 watts | Weight: 21.2 lb
The Renogy 100W Foldable is a rigid panel with an aluminum frame and is as beefy as a permanently installed solar panel — but with a hinge for transport. It is seriously sturdy and feels practically bombproof compared to many of the thin, flimsy panels we tested. With this level of construction, we’d be tempted to semi-permanently install it on the top of our van or camper, except that it also has some of the best angling legs we’ve seen. With screw adjustments and beefy metal legs, this panel can be angled perfectly into the sun and is unlikely to get blown over in anything but the wildest storms. It’s one of the most efficient panels we tested in both direct and indirect sunlight and is fully waterproof, so no matter the weather, this will keep the power flowing.
All this burly construction makes the Renogy 100W one of the heaviest, bulkiest solar panels that you can reasonably transport in the trunk of a car. It weighs 21.2 pounds, which is still light enough for one person to carry, but that’s about twice as heavy as some of the other models we tested here. So, if you’re looking for a solar panel to set up and leave it set up for a while, this is an excellent choice.
Read more: Renogy 100W Foldable review
A Highly Portable and Versatile Panel
BioLite Solar Panel 100
Power Output: 100 watts | Weight: 9.5 lb
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is the most portable large solar panel for camping. This panel weighs less than most others we tested, and its packed size is smaller than the rest as well. You’ll have plenty of extra space in your trunk for all your camping gear due to its extremely thin profile. It has a built-in handle and a zippered pouch to make carrying it to your energy generation station at camp a cinch. It unfolds quickly and has a pair of fold-out legs that make setup easy. Uniquely, this model has a simple sundial to help you angle it directly at the sun for maximum efficiency. It can easily be daisy-chained to more BioLite panels to increase your energy generation, making it a great option for newbies and seasoned solar experts alike.
While the BioLite 100 has tons of great features, it isn’t the fastest when it comes to solar charging speeds. It will still power your devices just fine, with an average to slightly above-average energy output performance, but there are more efficient panels in our lineup. This is also one of the priciest panels in the bunch. However, its user-friendly features and highly portable design help to make up for its slightly lower charging speeds. The BioLite 100 stands out in a crowded field of solar panels and is one of our favorite panels to use, even considering its higher price tag.
Read more: BioLite Solar Panel 100 review
Best Portable Solar Charger
BigBlue SolarPowa 28
Number of USB Outlets: 3 | Weight: 20.9 oz
Among portable solar panels, the BigBlue SolarPowa 28 is the cream of the crop in our lineup of the best portable solar chargers, which focuses on smaller panels from 5-50 watts. It has seriously efficient charging capabilities and performed well in all our testing. This packable model is one of the most efficient of the bunch and delivers consistent and quick charging through variable cloud cover and changing conditions. Three USB ports ensure you can keep your electronics plugged in when you need them. And when you’re ready to hit the road, simply roll up this panel and stick it in your backpack.
While we appreciate the portability of the SolarPowa 28, it cuts weight by sacrificing any legs to angle it toward the sun. Even still, it’s one of the heavier portable panels we tested — though for its charging capacity and efficiency, we think it’s worth the weight. If you need plenty of power in changing light conditions while on the go, the SolarPowa is a great and reasonably affordable option we highly recommend.
Read more: BigBlue SolarPowa 28 review
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Why You Should Trust Us
For this review, we researched dozens of 100+ watt solar panels for camping. After carefully selecting and purchasing every product in our lineup, we developed rigorous side-by-side tests to perform in the field and the lab, pitting these sun-gathering machines against each other. Much of our testing involved measuring how fast each solar panel took to charge a battery in the same location at the same time to ensure the most accurate test results. We hooked up each solar panel to matching batteries simultaneously to ensure identical conditions, then recorded how much charge each panel generated in one hour. Since everything from ambient temperature to the sun’s angle to ozone levels can affect solar panel efficiency, we tested every panel side-by-side simultaneously.
Our testing of solar panels for camping is divided into four rating metrics with weights corresponding to their overall importance:
- Direct Charging Speed (35% of overall weighting)
- Indirect Charging Speed (35% weighting)
- Portability (15% weighting)
- Functionality (15% weighting)
Our expert panel review team is led by Sam Schild. Sam is an avid outdoor adventurer who has spent thousands of nights camping far away from the nearest power outlet. He has ridden a bicycle across the country multiple times and thru-hiked several American long-distance hiking trails. Sam first used a solar panel on one of his cross-country bike treks years ago, but these solar devices have come a long way since then. You can usually find him camping somewhere in Colorado or in the American Southwest, based out of his minivan, where his solar camping setup keeps his tech devices up and running.
Analysis and Test Results
We choose each contender after extensive research on their quality, popularity, innovation, and effectiveness, as well as consideration of what makes a top-notch large solar panel for camping. After years of testing and researching well over 100 solar panels, we’ve found that all the best panels are made with monocrystalline silicon, or single-crystal silicon, cells. Every panel we tested for this review uses this solar panel technology, and we’ve found that this makeup is the most efficient at converting solar energy into electricity.
Value
A solar camping setup can be quite expensive. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which are worth their high price tags and which are not. Based on the results from our extensive testing, expensive solar panels aren’t always the best. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 offers the best overall value for a large solar panel for camping and off-grid living. This panel isn’t the least expensive model we tested, nor is it the most expensive, but its performance and efficiency are some of the best we’ve seen.
The EcoFlow 110 performed on par with the SolarSaga in terms of energy conversion efficiency but is even more consistent across variable cloud conditions. Though it has a higher list price, we often see it on sale, making it a great deal. It is also one of the few large solar panels we tested that is fully waterproof, which means you could leave this set up at your campsite while you’re out without worrying about the weather. This versatility adds to the overall value of the EcoFlow 110.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is of excellent value. This panel costs less than almost every panel we tested, yet it still performs nearly as well as the top models. There are a few other panels we tested that cost as little as the SolarPowa 100, but those panels aren’t as efficient at this one.
Direct Solar Charging Speed
The main use of a large solar panel is to effectively convert sunlight into energy that you can use to power your life. We, therefore, weighted direct solar charging speed heavily. If the panel at the heart of your solar camping setup doesn’t work well in direct sunlight, then it isn’t worth buying. We developed our tests with this in mind.
We used individual, identical batteries to perform our direct solar charging speed testing. We hooked up each panel to one of these identical batteries, then set them each up in the same open area, in direct sunlight, at the same time. For one test, we measured how long it took them to charge their batteries.
In another test, we let each panel charge for one hour, then recorded the total watt-hours each panel charged its test battery. We repeated this test three times, switching the batteries around to compensate for any variables in the batteries, and then averaged the results.
The EcoFlow 110, Jackery SolarSaga 100, and Renogy 100W Foldable performed the best in direct solar charging speed testing. All three of these panels generated over 53 watt-hours of charge in one hour. The SolarSaga eeked out slightly more charge, putting out an average of 54.3 watt-hours in one hour. But this is marginally more than the EcoFlow, at 53.6 watt-hours, and Renogy, at 53.5 watt-hours.
The EcoFlow 110 also had the highest measured output in watts during peak sun, at 66 watts. The Bluetti PV120 had the highest output in volts, at 22.9 volts. We did notice these numbers fluctuated consistently during testing, and these numbers are more snapshots of specific moments in time and solar energy than anything else. We found that total watt-hours generated in one hour is a much better way to measure the output of each panel since it averages over a long enough segment of time instead of looking only at such a brief moment.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE and Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase also performed well in our direct sun power generation test. The BigBlue generated 49.9 watt-hours, and the Goal Zero Briefcase generated 48 watt-hours in one hour. This isn’t quite as fast as the top performers in direct solar charging speed, but it’s still respectable. The BioLite 100 wasn’t far behind, generating 42.2 watt-hours during our tests.
The Goal Zero Nomad 100 took 150 minutes to charge its battery from 20% to 80% in direct sunlight. Over the course of an hour, it generated 39.7 watt-hours, and we measured its sunny day output wattage at 39.7 watts. And coming in last place, the Anker 625 needed a full 170 minutes to achieve the same charge level as the rest. However, it put out a slightly higher wattage than the Goal Zero Boulder in direct sunlight, which we measured at 43 watts.
Indirect Solar Charging Speed
Sometimes, sunlight is obscured by a layer of clouds. And while there’s still solar energy making it through the cloud cover, many solar panels are less able to convert solar energy into electricity on overcast days.
We weighted this metric just as heavily as charging speed in direct sunlight because what good is a solar panel if it only works during cloudless days? We still need to charge our gadgets when the sun goes away and the clouds come to play.
We used a thin white sheet to simulate conditions on a cloudy day to test these panels’ indirect charging speed. Every model took longer to charge their test batteries during this test, but some panels performed better than others. On average, most panels took about twice as long to charge our test batteries under the indirect sun as they did in the direct sun.
We performed this testing in sunny Colorado, where there aren’t many cloudy days. During a briefly overcast period, we repeated our side-by-side testing to compare the panels’ outputs under actual cloud cover to their output under our simulated cloud cover (aka the Big White Sheet). Every panel registered a higher watt output under the natural cloudy conditions than under the white sheet. However, since cloud cover is extremely variable, we didn’t quantify these differences in our test results.
In our indirect sun charging speed test, the Bluetti PV120 came out on top, generating 21.6 watt-hours in one hour. This panel has the largest surface area, measuring 62 by 21 inches when unfolded. This larger footprint helps to gather as much solar energy as possible in lower-light scenarios, like on a cloudy day.
The EcoFlow 110 and Renogy 100W also performed well in indirect light. The EcoFlow generated 20 watt-hours of power, and the Renogy generated 20.8 watt-hours in one hour under the Big White Sheet. On average, most of the panels we tested experienced at least a 50% reduction in energy generation during our indirect solar charging test. This means, in general, you should expect a solar panel to perform about half as well on overcast days.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 almost generated as much charge during our indirect solar testing as the top performers. It produced 17.6 watt-hours during our tests. This is about the same amount that the Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase put out as well.
This shouldn’t be a surprise, but the Bluetti PV120 also had the highest measured power output (in watts) during indirect solar testing. This panel put out 28 watts when under the white sheet. We measured the EcoFlow 110 and the Jackery SolarSaga, both at 25 watts. The Renogy 100W we measured putting out 24 watts of power under our simulated cloud. Unless you’re really in a hurry to charge your devices while camping, any of these panels are a solid choice when you find yourself under heavy cloud cover.
Portability
These panels aren’t designed to be permanently mounted on the top of your camping rig or house. They’re meant to be packed up in the back of your car or under the seat in your RV or van, to be pulled out and placed in the sun when you need them. You might be cramming a lot of gear into your car if you’re going on an extended trip, so you don’t want your solar camping setup to take up any more room than it needs to.
We tested portability by weighing every panel and measuring its dimensions when folded. We packed them up and carried them around. We considered all the features that add to a solar panel’s portability, such as whether it has a handle or carrying case to make transportation from your car to where you’ll set up your solar charging station easier.
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is the most portable solar panel to bring on your next camping trip. This model folds down to the smallest size, measuring 20 by 14.5 inches and two inches thick. At 9.5 pounds, this is also one of the lighter panels we tested. It has a zippered case to ensure you won’t have to deal with a mess of cables when you’re stuffing things into your trunk as well.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is quite light, at 8.8 pounds. This panel only folds once, so its packed size isn’t as small, but it is very thin. It doesn’t have a place to store charging cables, though, which made it less pleasant to pack and unpack in our cars.
The Anker 625 is another one of the most portable solar panels we tested. This panel folds up into a small size, is lightweight, and has an integrated handle. It’s not the absolute smallest and not quite the lightest, but it’s light and small enough and is the only panel we tested with two zippered pouches to stay organized on the go. And it has an integrated handle, making it very convenient for transporting.
The Topsolar 100W Foldable is the lightest 100+ watt panel we tested, weighing just 5.1 pounds. It doesn’t fold down as small as some others, though, and is lacking in other attributes to make it a good pick overall. The EcoFlow 110 is another one of the lightweight models we tested. It comes with a carrying case to make transporting it from your vehicle easy.
The Goal Zero Nomad 100 folds up impressively small, making it the smallest packed-up model among all the panels we tested. However, it’s also one of the heaviest panels in our lineup — nearly doubling the weight of most of the other panels, at just over 20 pounds — and doesn’t have a handle to carry it. However, this is one of the easiest panels to stash in especially tight spaces, fitting into a small, jam-packed trunk or even a large backpack if you’re up for a challenge.
The Renogy 100W Foldable and Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase were the least portable models we tested. These panels both weigh over 20 pounds and have a large packed size. The Boulder 100 is almost impossible to get into the included carrying case by yourself, as it only unzips at the top, barely opening wider than the panel itself. The Renogy carrying case is hard-sided and opens like a clamshell, so it was much easier to load this panel into its case than the Goal Zero Boulder 100.
Functionality
Our functionality metric evaluates how user-friendly a camping solar panel is. To test this fairly broad metric, we considered aspects such as ease of setup, multiple device charging capabilities, cable integration and storage, fold-out supports to angle the panel toward the sun, and anything else contributing to how well a solar panel functions during real-world testing.
Th, Jackery SolarSaga 100, BioLite 100, and Anker 625 stand out regarding functional features that make them easy to use.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 was one of the easiest solar panels to use. It only folds once, whereas most other panels fold two or three times. This makes the SolarSaga a little larger, but it was consistently the easiest to set up. It also has a pair of folding legs to angle it toward the sun. Since there are only two sections of the panel to support, the two legs of this panel are the sturdiest out of the entire testing lineup. The SolarSaga has a USB-A, USB-C, and hardwired DC output to charge a large battery, so it can also charge up to three devices at once.
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 has a ton of features that make it super functional as well. This panel has a direct DC charging output, a USB-C port, and two USB-A ports as well. It also has a pair of fold-out legs to angle at the sun and a sundial to take the guesswork out of angling it directly at the sun.
The Anker 625 has two zippered pockets. One of these pockets holds the XT 60 solar charging cable and both USB-C and USB-A outputs. This allows you to charge three devices simultaneously, though, as with every solar panel we tested, if you’re splitting the output wattage three ways, it will slow the charging speed. The other zippered pocket will hold any other accessories you want to keep with your solar camping setup. It also has an integrated sunlight alignment device that lets you quickly ensure the panel is angled at the sun to maximize efficiency.
The Renogy 100W Foldable legs are some of the most secure of any model we tested. They adjust and secure in place with a threaded handle, allowing you to easily angle this panel exactly where it needs to be for maximum efficiency. They’re made of stiff metal, making this one of the last panels to ever blow over — and it would take a really strong storm to do so.
The Bluetti PV120 also has very secure adjustable fold-out legs. While these legs fold out just like other panel supports, they then secure in place with snaps and straps so you can actually adjust the angle of the legs. This makes the Bluetti slightly more secure than all but the Renogy.
At first glance, the EcoFlow 110 doesn’t have a way to point it at low-angled sunlight, like during the early morning and toward dusk, making it less convenient to use when you’re away from camp all day. In actuality, you can use the included carrying case to prop up one side of the panel, but this is much less convenient or sturdy than models with included legs for more accurate angling.
It’s also worth noting that every panel we tested comes with the necessary cable to hook up to a battery, except the EcoFlow 110, Bluetti PV120, and Renogy 100W Foldable. These panels all have a universal standard solar cable connector, also referred to as MC4, but you’ll need to get the right adaptor to attach these to your power station of choice. To charge most large batteries or power stations, you’ll need to purchase an MC4-to-XT60 cable. The MC4 universal connection is waterproof, though, so this is likely a benefit for some people, even if it is inconvenient — not to mention more expensive — to purchase extra cables for your solar camping setup.
While this style of cable connection has the least amount of energy loss (and therefore yields more efficient energy gathering), it does require some extra cables for plugging into most large power stations. This style of connection also allows you to chain multiple solar panels together so you can multiply the power generated from the sun.
Conclusion
Choosing the right panel for your solar camping setup can seem daunting. There are tons of solar panels out there, and choosing the right one can be the difference between having a piece of gear that lasts a long time and one that leaves you short on electricity and money. Armed with the info we’ve provided, we hope you have what you need to decide which camping solar panel is best for you. Whether you’re camping in a front-country campsite or boondocking far off the grid, having the right solar camping setup can make or break your experience.
