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The best portable solar panels offer the right amount of wattage and portability without sacrificing durability. But with all the different power levels and features, choosing the right design to fit your needs can prove challenging. And with the inflated cost of portable panels versus mounted ones, it’s essential to invest wisely.
So, which models do you choose? We’ve reviewed dozens of models to offer you the best one for every situation. Whether you’re looking for power or portability, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our recommendations on solar panels you can take anywhere.
Top Picks: Best Portable Solar Panels
- Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Portable Solar Panel
- The complete kit includes a 200W solar suitcase, a 20A waterproof Voyager charge controller, and alligator clips
- Advanced smart PWM technology charge controllers ensure charging efficiency and safety
- Foldable design
- Advanced smart PWM technology charge controller with multiple protections, ensuring charging efficiency and safety
- Comes with a premium rugged canvas protective case
- Goal Zero Ranger 300
- Folding solar panel design
- 300-watt flexible solar-panel briefcase
- Zero-emissions, zero-noise solar energy
- ALLPOWERS SP029 140W Portable Solar Panel
- High Efficiency
- Foldable and Portable
- 1/3 lighter than the same power of solar silicon
- Constructed with durable and waterproof nylon and adjustable bracket to receive the most effective sunlight
- Jackery Solar Generator 1000
- Can be fully charged with 2 Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panels within 6 hrs or only 5.5 hrs via AC wall outlet charging
- Easy to Use
- Safe and Reliable for Outdoor Camping
- Quiet and Strong
- Goal Zero Nomad 20
- The 20W, 18-22V Panel has a built-in 8mm charging cable and a USB port
- Weighs 2.25 lbs
- Versatile
- Developed by a US-based team
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best Portable Solar Panels: Side-by-Side Comparison
Our recommended models feature specs that vary widely. Review the tables below to see the differences.
| Renogy 200W | Goal Zero Ranger 300 | ALLPOWERS SP029 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 35.6 x 25.9 x 3.1in | 30.6 x 26.3 x 3.8in | 25.6 x 20.0 x 1.2in |
| Weight | 36.0 lbs | 39.0 lbs | 9.9 lbs |
| Wattage | 200W | 300W | 140W |
| Type | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline | Polycrystalline |
| Accessories | 20A charge controller, alligator clips | Carrying case | Connector cables, alligator clips |
| Price | $469.99 | $799.95 | $209.99 |
| Jackery Solar Generator 1000 | Goal Zero Nomad 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 12.5 x 9.2 x 6.1in | 30.5 x 13.0 x 1.0in |
| Weight | 25.3 lbs | 2.3 lbs |
| Wattage | 100W x 2 | 20W |
| Type | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
| Accessories | 1,000W power station, AC adapter, car charger cable, panel parallel adapter | None |
| Price | $1,649.00 | $149.95 |
Best Overall: Renogy 200W Portable Solar Panel
- The complete kit includes a 200W solar suitcase, a 20A waterproof Voyager charge controller, and alligator clips
- Advanced smart PWM technology charge controllers ensure charging efficiency and safety
- Foldable design
- Advanced smart PWM technology charge controller with multiple protections, ensuring charging efficiency and safety
- Comes with a premium rugged canvas protective case
Offering plenty of wattage, a durable frame, and safe charging, the Renogy 200W suitcase is one of the best portable solar panels for just about any situation. The kit comes with everything you need to power your energy storage devices; the alligator clips make it easy to connect the panel to a battery and the charge controller ensures they aren’t overcharged. It also manages output to all types of storage, making it incredibly versatile.
In addition to its efficiency and safety, the Renogy 200W is easy to set up anywhere. The suitcase comes with an adjustable stand, allowing you to position it perfectly in the sun. The whole panel system folds up (protecting the charge controller and wires) and packs into a canvas carrying case. This help users carry it to and from their vehicles.
We love the monocrystalline panel type, which allows it to collect more sunlight per cell. However, it does make the system more expensive. To this detriment, Renogy currently offers a discount on the 200W suitcase model; though normally priced at $470, those that purchase the panel at the time of this writing can find it for only $330.
Best for Performance: Goal Zero Ranger 300
- Folding solar panel design
- 300-watt flexible solar-panel briefcase
- Zero-emissions, zero-noise solar energy
Normally, 200W can cover most appliances, but if you’re in need of high-power output, you could probably use more. For a portable solar panel that supercharges power banks, the Goal Zero Ranger 300 has you covered.
Not only does it pack in 100 more watts than our top model, but it uses state-of-the-art framing to drop the weight and size. This makes it one of the most powerful and portable models on the market.
Coming from Goal Zero, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve purchased some of the highest-quality panels available. However, buying this model comes at a price; not only does the Goal Zero Ranger cost nearly $800, but it only charges power stations of the same brand. This means that unless you already have one, you’ll have to invest even more to use the panels.
Best for Budget: ALLPOWERS SP029
- High Efficiency
- Foldable and Portable
- 1/3 lighter than the same power of solar silicon
- Constructed with durable and waterproof nylon and adjustable bracket to receive the most effective sunlight
Having the best equipment for performance seems nice, but if you’re not willing to invest over $1,000 in it, you might want something more affordable. The ALLPOWERS SP029 offers a good amount of wattage and comes with a unique junction box, allowing you to charge power stations, battery banks, and even your devices straight from the panel. And all of this with one of the lowest prices anywhere.
As far as durability goes, the SP029 can feel flimsy; opting for nylon framing sacrifices resiliency for portability. Where the panels differ the most from other models is their cell type. Featuring polycrystalline material, the SP029 is noticeably less efficient. This means you’ll need more direct sunlight to charge your devices than others. However, the panel type definitely lowers the price.
Best Kit: Jackery Solar Generator 1000
- Can be fully charged with 2 Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panels within 6 hrs or only 5.5 hrs via AC wall outlet charging
- Easy to Use
- Safe and Reliable for Outdoor Camping
- Quiet and Strong
If you’re looking for a kit that does it all, from charging to power output, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 is hard to beat. It comes with plug-and-play compatibility and enough energy storage to run coffee makers, induction stove tops, and even heaters for a considerable amount of time.
The outlet diversity really separates this Jackery kit from the rest of the pack. Featuring three AC outlets, three USB outlets, and a DC outlet, you can power multiple devices at once.
And the intuitive display accurately tracks your voltage, keeping you informed of the power level. Although the kit might seem expensive outright, Jackery is offering a $375 coupon as of this writing.
Best for Backpacking: Goal Zero Nomad 20
- The 20W, 18-22V Panel has a built-in 8mm charging cable and a USB port
- Weighs 2.25 lbs
- Versatile
- Developed by a US-based team
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Maybe an entire kit doesn’t seem as portable as you need. If you’re looking for a simple design that can be taken anywhere on your adventure for the sake of keeping devices charged, Goal Zero has the perfect device.
The Nomad 20 is small, lightweight, and comes with a USB port to energize straight from the panel. This makes it one of the best portable solar panels for backpacking, hiking, or any other outdoor activity.
This Goal Zero design features 20W total monocrystalline panels, making it highly efficient for its size. It weighs less than three pounds and folds tight for storage in a backpack. However, you’re definitely paying a premium for the portability; at $150, this model has the highest cost per watt of any on our list.
How to Pick the Best Portable Solar Panels
When choosing the right portable solar panels for your needs, there are four main considerations:
- Wattage,
- Size,
- Features,
- Price.
Let’s review each one in more detail.
Wattage
The wattage determines how much power per hour the panels can collect. You’ll want to consider this aspect for the devices or appliances you’re trying to use. For smartphones or LED lights, you could get away with 100W or less. For more powerful appliances, like coffee makers or heaters, you might want 200W or more.
Size
Because you’re looking for a portable model, it’s essential to consider size and weight. You don’t want to have to lug around heavy hardware and struggle with difficult setups. However, lighter panels often feature weaker frames. The best portable solar panels typically range between 10 and 40 pounds.
Features
In addition to the physical design of your panel system, some aspects make usability easier. Features such as adjustable stands, charge controllers, and versatile outlets can raise the overall cost, but also improve your experience. When choosing a portable solar panel, consider the number of appliances you want to run in addition to how much power you need in total.
Price
Because of their portability, panels of this nature tend to cost more than mounted ones. In fact, it’s not out of the question to find these models running for two to three times the price on average. This is because they aren’t sold in bulk, which typically drops that number. For 200W of solar, you can expect to spend about $400 to $500 before accessories.
What to Know Before Buying a Portable Solar Panel
When considering a portable solar panel, it’s essential to know what type of cells they feature. Monocrystalline feature superior manufacturing, making them more efficient but also more pricey. You can often drop the cost of solar with polycrystalline panels, but because of their lower efficiency, they require more direct sun than normal.
In addition, you’ll want to handle your panels delicately; manufacturers generally use flimsier material to drop the overall weight. This makes the model more susceptible to damage than mounted ones. When storing your solar panel, make sure you pack it in its protective carrying case to avoid scratches or tears.
Using the Best Portable Solar Panels: What It’s Like
When users tested the best solar panels on our list, they first compared the setup. Most found the ALLPOWERS SP029 the easiest to handle due to its weight. However, its frame and stand felt less supportive than other models, such as the Renogy 200W or the Goal Zero Ranger 300.
Next, users tested the efficiency of each panel when powering devices. Most found that the larger panels charged power stations at a quick pace, allowing them to use larger appliances for longer. The SP029 fell short, especially on partly cloudy days, due to its polycrystalline material. Still, it was handy for powering small appliances or keeping handhelds topped off.
Finally, users compared ease of use when charging devices. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 provided plenty of outlets to run multiple devices for long periods of time. The SP029 also made it easy to plug in devices with its native junction box. Both the Renogy and Goal Zero Ranger required external batteries to run appliances.
Best Portable Solar Panels: Further Reading
Whether you need power while road-tripping across the country or camping at your local park, you’ll want to take the best portable solar panels along. These handy devices make it easy to use your gadgets anywhere you go. For more solar-powered equipment to make your time outside easier, check out these articles.
- Best Solar Ovens for Outdoor Cooking – Want to cook without needing electricity? These ovens can reach incredible temperatures using nothing but sunlight.
- Top 11 Solar Gear for Camping – From lighting to music, this equipment uses solar to keep its batteries charged.
- The 5 Best Solar Lanterns for the Modern Camper – Never get lost in the dark with these solar-powered lanterns.
