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Best Overall
Bluetti PV120
Powerful with easy setup and takedown
Best for Small Spaces
Lion 50W Foldable Solar Panel
Most powerful panel for its size and weight that I’ve tested
Best Built-In Battery
BioLite Solar Panel 5+
An impressive solar charger that can keep your phone juiced in a blackout
Experienced campers know that you can get off the grid without having to ditch your electronics if you bring along a great solar panel that’s built for camping and outdoor environments. Modern panels have come a long way since the low amperage models of even a few years ago and with the right setup, you can power anything from a laptop to an electric cooler, with nothing more than a clear view of the sky on a sunny day (sometimes you don’t even need that). To find the best solar panels for camping, I put high-performing models from the top brands to the test:
Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel
Best for Tight Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable
Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+
Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60
Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50
How I Tested the Best Solar Panels for Camping
My initial test of solar panels for camping on a classic Pacific Northwest “Juneary” day. It should have been summer already, but it just wasn’t and wouldn’t be for a while. Solar panels were then evaluated on a number of criteria, including:
Power Output: I tested each panel to see how long it took to charge my phone 5 percent. The larger panels were also tested on how long it took to charge a 32,000 mAh battery pack 5 percent, and whether the panel could charge both my phone and the battery pack at the same time. The battery pack used during this portion of the test was not the same brand as any of the products tested.
Size: The size of the products I tested ranged from small panels that could crossover to backpacking all the way out to foldable four-panels arrays that can be chained together.
Features: I considered the features of each solar panel in my test and the potential they had to improve the overall experience of the unit.
Ease of Use: I considered how easy it was to set up and position each solar panel and how easy it was to break them down again for storage.
From top left to bottom right, the Jackery SolarSaga 60, Goal Zero Nomad 50, Anker 625, Anker 515, BioLite 5+, GoSun 30. Laura Lancaster
I’ve been continuing to test solar panels, large and small, since then, including in our roundup of the best solar generators and the best solar chargers.
The Best Solar Panels for Camping: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
Key Features
Max output: 120 watts
Weight: 12.6 pounds
Ports: MC4 connector (with DC adaptor)
Dimensions: 65 inches x 21 inches x 1.8 inches (unfolded); 18.5 inches x 21 inches x 3.4 inches (folded)
Warranty: 12 months
Pros
Compact package
Generates over 100 watts of power under clear skies
Snap features make setup and takedown a breeze
Cons
No sun dial feature
Cannot plug directly into a smartphone
The Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel is one of the best solar panels I’ve tested, and just barely squeaked out the Anker 625 for the top slot. These two panels, similarly sized and priced (with the Bluetti typically running a bit less expensive), were tested side by side under sunny skies. The Bluetti produced 16 more watts during testing, an over 15 percent difference in performance. I also appreciated that its kickstands had snap buttons at the adjustment points, making it simpler to find the correct angle then on solar panels that lacked that feature.
Testing the Bluetti PV120 (center) against the Anker 625 (left) and BioLite (back). Laura Lancaster
Even storage was simpler, thanks to snaps that wrap around the accordian sides to hold the package together when folded up, eliminating the need for an extra carrying case. This has become my new go-to panel when I head out camping due to its space savings and power generation potential. Even better, since its DC-compatible cable pairs with the Goal Zero Yeti and Jackery power stations, I’m able to use it with my favorite power station for camping.
Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel
Anker
Key Features
USB max output: 15W (5V)
XT-60 port: 100W (26.5V)
Weight: 11 pounds
Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and XT-60 (includes both XT-60 to XT-60 cord and XT-60 to DC7909 connector)
Dimensions: 56.9 inches x 20.7 inches x 1.8 inches (unfolded); 20.7 inches x 18.5 inches x 3.4 inches (folded)
Warranty: 18 months
Pros
Strongest panel in my test, charged two devices simultaneously under very overcast skies
Overpower protection
Integrated sundial
Cons
Expensive
Less stable when set up than other panels in my test
Despite being dethroned from the top slot, the Anker 625 is still one of the best solar panels out there, and an excellent addition to any camping setup. During the cloudiest part of my initial testing day, when dark gray clouds obscured the sun and the other solar panels packed it in, the Anker 625 was still able to charge my phone 5 percent in only five minutes. Then it powered up a 32,000 mAh battery pack 5 percent in a half hour under similar conditions. When I plugged both the battery pack and the phone in at the same time, it kept charging. If there is any chance of less-than-ideal weather on your camping trip, then this is the solar panel solution you’ve been looking for.
Even in cloudy conditions, it was still possible to line up the dot in the sundial on the powerful Anker 625. Laura Lancaster
The Anker 625 was also only one of two solar panels in my test to incorporate an integrated sundial, which allowed me to optimize the positioning of the panel. This is helpful when it’s tough to distinguish the angle of the sun. Less helpful were the kickstands. Despite the nearly five-foot width of the four panels, there were only two kickstands provided, one on each end. This meant that the unit had a tendency to sag in the middle, and it moved more in the light breeze that blew during testing than other setups with a higher kickstand to panel ratio.
Best for Tight Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable
Laura Lancaster
Key Features
USB max output: 27W (12V)
DC port: 48W (18V)
Weight: 3 pounds
Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and DC
Dimensions: 46 inches x 11.3 inches x 0.8 inch (unfolded); 11.3 inches x 11.3 inches x 1.6 inches (folded)
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
Compact
More powerful than it looks
Lightweight
Cons
Less powerful than larger 100W models
I’ll admit I had low expectations for the Lion 50W Foldable when I first took it out of the box. It’s noticeably smaller than other 50W panels I’ve tested—would it really be able to match its power specs? The setup is also pretty flimsy, with only two small kickstands stitched onto the back panel fabric.
But then I set up the panel, on a cloudy and windy March day, and was more than impressed. In medium light (where the sun isn’t exactly visible, but there is plenty of active light coming through the clouds), the panel kicked out enough juice from the USB-C port to charge my laptop. Not bad for three pounds.
While this is just too large and too heavy to consider for a backpacking trip, its combination of small size and power make it practically a necessity for a pack rafting or canoe trip. (Just make sure you pair it with one of the best dry bags.)
Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+
BioLite
Key Features
Max power output: 5W
Weight: 13.8 ounces
Ports: USB-A
Dimensions: 10.1 inches x 8.2 inches x 1 inch
Also available in SolarPanel 10+
Warranty: 1 year
Pros
3200mAh internal battery
Affordable
Small and lightweight
Integrated sundial and adjustable kickstand
Cons
Slowest charging time of the solar panels I tested
Performs poorly in even slightly cloudy weather
Not everyone is looking to charge an electric cooler or laptop while camping. Sometimes, you just want to juice up your phone a bit, so that you don’t have to monitor how much battery is left over the course of your trip.
The internal battery and sundial helped make up for some of the missing oomph with the BioLite Solar Panel 5+. Laura Lancaster
The BioLite Solar Panel 5+ is essentially a low-cost alternative to a smaller battery pack. Its max output is only 5 watts, which, while too low to charge a larger battery pack, is ideal for charging a smartphone. I also liked that it featured an adjustable kickstand (the only one of the solar panels I tested) and an integrated sundial, which I used to optimize the positioning of the panel during testing. However, it still took the BioLite Solar 5+ 22 minutes to charge my phone 5 percent, even though it was sunnier (although still quite cloudy) than during other parts of my test. Unlike the other other panels, which could be used to spot charge a device on the go, the best and highest use of the BioLite is to charge the onboard 3,200 mAh battery (which can also be charged before leaving home via a micro USB port), speeding up your smartphone recharge so that you can get going again.
Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60
Jackery
Key Features
USB max output: 12W (5V)
DC port: 68W (19V)
Weight: 6.6 pounds
Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and 8mm DC
Dimensions: 33.7 inches x 21.1 inches x 0.2 inches (unfolded); 16.7 inches x 21.1 inches x 1.38 inches (folded)
Warranty: 2 years
Pros
Two panel array was both stable and easy to set up
Great value
Overpower protection
Cons
Unable to power two devices in cloudy conditions
Solar panels for camping have to hew a fine line between being compact enough to store on the go, but stable enough to withstand the elements. What impressed me most about the Jackery SolarSaga 60 during testing was how easy it was to set up, and once I had it set up, it just stayed put, unruffled by wind or me knocking into it as I fiddled with the other units. (Like the other solar panels in this test, it does need to be protected from rain.)
The SolarSaga 60 was one of the easiest panels in my test to get into position under direct sunlight. Laura Lancaster
Once set up, the SolarSaga 60 did an excellent job powering my devices—even when the weather was cloudy, it charged my smartphone to 5 percent in five minutes. Unlike the more expensive Anker 625, however, it struggled to power two devices when plugged in during cloudy conditions.
The SolarSaga 60 featured an LED indicator light in between its USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as an integrated DC output cable. Laura Lancaster
Because the SolarSaga 60 consists of two panels with two kickstands, it was the easiest large panel in my test to put away, simply folding up like a book with a magnet securing the edges together at the handle. If you need a high-power device that is simple to use, this one is hard to go wrong with.
Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50
Goal Zero
Key Features
USB max output: 12W (5V)
DC port output: 50W, chainable up to 150W (14-21.5V)
Weight: 6.9 pounds
Ports: USB-A and male 8mm
Dimensions: 17 inches x 53 inches x 1.5 inches (unfolded); 17 inches x 11.25 inches x 2.5 inches (folded)
Warranty: 2 years
Pros
Easy to chain
Compact size for a four-panel array
Cons
Struggled to charge my phone during cloudy weather
I’ll admit that once I started charging my smartphone and power banks for camping, it was easy to start getting carried away. What couldn’t I charge with just the power of the sun? But to really capture all that energy (especially if, like me, you live in an overcast part of the country) you’ll need more than the typical 50 or 60 watts of most panels. To facilitate (enable?) you to supercharge your solar powering capabilities, the Goal Zero Nomad 50 was designed to make it easy to chain multiple panels together with dedicated cords next to the port for this purpose.
Clearly labeled cords make it easy for even luddies to safely chain together their solar panels into a fast-charging array. Laura Lancaster
On its own, a single Nomad 50 charged my phone 5 percent in just over five minutes but only once the weather started to clear out into a more manageable PNW monocloud. Under darker clouds it struggled to provide any power at all.
The three kickstands on the back made the Nomad 50 both easy to set up and fairly secure. Laura Lancaster
I liked how, despite it being a four-panel array, the Nomad 50 folded down relatively easily to about the size of a briefcase for travel and had a handy magnet to snap the packet together. With this one, it’s easy to start dreaming about adding on a few more panels to create a truly powerful array.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Solar Panel for Camping
How Solar Panels Work
At its most basic, solar panels are made up of solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Each cell has two conductive layers, in between which are two different types of silicone—one with extra electrons, and one with space for electrons. When sunlight hits a solar panel, it sends a photon slamming into a solar cell, which in turns knocks one of the extra electrons loose. When that electron makes its way over to one of the silicone layers with space for electrons it creates a positive charge on one side and a negative charge on another. The solar cell channels the movement of the electrons, so that it can capture the energy it produces as it moves. While the amount of energy captured by each solar cell is negligible, when strung together in a solar panel, it can be quite impressive, with some of the solar panels in my test able to produce as many as 100W.
Some solar panels are better at regulating this output of energy than others, which matters when you are trying to capture this energy on the other side, whether in a power bank or directly into a device like some of the best solar generators. For instance, if you try to charge your smartphone on a port that can output 20V of power, then there is a good chance that you’ll damage the battery of your phone, even if in the moment it appears that your phone is simply charging extremely quickly. The solar panels in my test limited the voltage output from the USB ports (5V or less), while the DC ports, which are intended to pair with one of the best power banks for camping, provided a higher voltage output (between 14.5V and 26.5V). While this provides some protection against accidentally overcharging your devices, it’s still worth knowing how the max voltage output of each solar panel port compares to what your device’s or power bank’s battery can handle.
Power Output
While there are differences in the power ratings between solar panels, generally speaking, the larger a solar panel is, the more power it will generate. This is why solar panels for camping are typically folded twice or more—to maximize the amount of surface area they can cover when in use, while also minimizing the amount of space they occupy during transit.
Packed Size
While most people have plenty of room to spread out a solar panel unit at camp, the same can not always be said of the vehicle you use to get to get there. If your space is limited, the weather is predictable, and your power needs are low, consider a smaller solar panel.
External Battery
Many of the best solar panels for camping are designed to pair with a power bank for camping. This is because most solar panels do not have a way to store the electricity they generate when the sun is shining for those times when it’s overcast or slightly cloudy. Further, since the USB ports on most solar panels for camping limit the voltage output—to prevent inadvertent damage to the battery of smaller electronics, it’s important to ensure that your solar panel has a port that matches the high voltage output port of your power bank.
Chaining Solar Panels
To maximize the power captured in a battery pack during the sunniest portion of the day, some campers may opt to link, or chain together, multiple solar panels into a single array.
FAQs
Q: How much do solar panels for camping cost?
Solar panels for camping can cost anywhere from $80 to over $300, depending on the size and quality of the panels.
Q: What size solar panel is good for camping?
The size solar panel that is best for camping depends on what you are trying to charge with it. If you are looking to charge a smartphone, then a smaller single panel (with an accompanying battery) is all you’ll need to get going. If you have multiple appliances or devices that you are looking to charge, then a triple or quadruple panel setup (or even an array chained together) will work better.
Q: Can a solar panel overcharge a battery?
If you try to charge your smartphone on a port that can output 20V of power, then there is a good chance that you’ll damage the battery of your phone, even if in the moment it appears that your phone is simply charging extremely quickly. The solar panels in my test limited the voltage output from the USB ports (5V or less), while the DC ports, which are intended to pair with a battery pack, provided a higher voltage output (between 14.5V and 26.5V). While this provides some protection against accidentally overcharging your devices, it’s still worth knowing how the max voltage output of each solar panel port compares to what your device’s or power bank’s battery can handle.
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Final Thoughts
After testing the best solar panels for camping from Jackery, Anker, Goal Zero, BioLite, and GoSun, the Anker 625 claims the top spot. If you’re only looking to power a smartphone, either the Anker 515 or the BioLite 5+ will provide sufficient juice at a lower cost (and a slower speed).
Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel
Best for Small Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable
Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+
Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60
Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50
The post The Best Solar Panels for Camping in 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.
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