Top 3 Solar Panels for Your Devices - My Picks from Testing Over $1000 Worth of Portable Panels

Рет қаралды 4,717

5 күн бұрын

Every panel that I've tested has a wattage between 30W-70W which is going to be perfect for charging smartphones and tablets while you travel. The quality of these panels vary greatly BUT after testing them for 8 weeks, I've figured out which ones are worth getting!
Top 3 Portable Solar Panels (w/ Amazon links)
1.) Renogy E.Flex 30W Portable Solar Panel: mreh.ca/3RG3ete
2.) X-Dragon XD-SP-001: mreh.ca/45BjyBl
3.) BigBlue 28W Solar Charger B428: mreh.ca/3VWBSl2
Toughest Portable Solar Panels - Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini Solar Panel: mreh.ca/4ccXXRX
For this video, I tested 8 solar panels against 14 criteria. These criteria included:
-Price
-Max Total Wattage
-Max Port Wattage
-# of Ports
-Size
-Weight
-Protection
-%Panel Failure
-Low Light Charging
-Overcast Charging
-Sunny Charging
-Multi-Device Charging
-Handling
-Extras
Each criteria was weighted with the charging criteria making up ~50% of the score. For the charging, I recorded the output wattage of the panels in light ranging from 200 lux all the way up to the maximum sunlight in my area which was 75 klux. This process took weeks!
It was worth it because I have a graph showing how efficient each panel was as the day went on.
#3 BigBlue 28W Solar Charger B428: mreh.ca/3VWBSl2
• Priced at $70, it’s one of the better deals.
• Maximum wattage is 28W split across three 12W USB-A ports.
• Three USB-A ports, no USB-C - kind of annoying.
• It claims 36W total but maxes at 28W - like promising a gourmet meal but serving instant noodles.
• Low light charging standout: 2.4W in shadows, average 1.63W.
• Overcast: 8W, max 12W in early morning sun.
• Charges even if 3/4 panels are covered.
• Protection rating: IPX4 - handles splashes but not much else.
• Large, lightweight, and easy to deploy.
• Comes with USB-A to C cable and 4 carabineers for easy mounting.
• Best bang for your buck, but IPX4 rating is a concern in heavy rain.
#2 X-Dragon XD-SP-001: mreh.ca/45BjyBl
• Most expensive at $120.
• Offers 70W max, but not really.
• Two USB-A ports (12W each) and a 54W DC output.
• Handy for larger items and can daisy chain - like bringing a friend for extra fun.
• Shade: 1.9W (below average), overcast: 12W.
• Mid-day sun: 12W to both USB-A ports.
• IPX4 rating - basic protection.
• If you cover 1/3 of the panels, it dies.
• Largest but folds neatly with inside pouch.
• Weighs 1500 grams - almost twice the average.
• Comes with DC power cables, mini clamps, and USB-A to C cable.
• Overall: better than average charging and functionality.
The “Toughest” Panels
• Jackery SolarSage 40W Mini Solar Panel: IP68, great in sunlight, $150. If $20 cheaper, it would have been #3.
• FlexSolar S20 Solar Pad: IP67, thin-film, portable but not great at charging.
• Goal Zero Nomad 10: IP67, but terrible performance. Size matters!
#1 Renogy E.Flex 30W Portable Solar Panel : mreh.ca/3RG3ete
• Priced at $75, it’s the best overall.
• Scores: 2.45 compared to 3.35-3.6 for others.
• 30W max, 20W USB-C port (unique in my group).
• USB-A port maxes at 12W.
• Shade: 2.4W, overcast: 9W (above average).
• Mid-day sun: 19W, close to 20W.
• 20W means 50% charge on iPhone 15 in 30 mins.
• Flaw: blackout 1/2 panels, the other half stops charging.
• IP54 rating - decent but below average.
• Average size, bulky pouch, lightweight.
• Comes with one cable and 4 carabineers for easy mounting.
• Large pouch for extra tech accessories.
• Overall: top performance, efficient and reliable
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Пікірлер: 26

@RogerRoger3000 3 күн бұрын

It’s great having alternative energy. Did you ever do a video on solar powered generators?

@bigmeany1184 3 күн бұрын

This would be great to we from this guy but it’d be expensive for sure.

@RogerRoger3000 3 күн бұрын

@@bigmeany1184 true

@Paa375 2 күн бұрын

Would generators really be considered daily tech accessories I’m sure you could find a ton of KZfaqrs that do generators…no

@dsleet1123 3 күн бұрын

Would love to see you review the solar plus battery set up, like Anker’s

@C0RRUPT3R 3 күн бұрын

Please do a review on dash camera’s, for your car! :)

@donaldgrump5393 3 күн бұрын

Yess dash cams next, they came a long way

@ryanmcdougall22 3 күн бұрын

Great video, thank you!

@lawrencefoster5608 3 күн бұрын

I have bought four 40w solar panels and one , solar flex,didn't work at all after less than six used another one,a Chinese brand,soaked up condensation in on panel and only one UBS would work the third one powerness will only charge one UBS . The last one is the jackery and I haven't had any problems.

@aifresnofresno 3 күн бұрын

Would you recommend pairing these panels with a Portable Power Bank? Charge the power bank with the panels and charge your devices with the power bank?

@st33ldi9ital 3 күн бұрын

good to know, thanks!

@HR-wd6cw 2 күн бұрын

Keep in mind many of these panels are probably designed to charge soloar generators more so than devices directly (at least the ones with DC-Output like the second panel). 18W may be the maximum output of a USB-A port that does not support some sort of power delivery (I don't think any USB ports actually support this, or if they do it's only from a more powerful source like a car or AC outlet). I do see the 18W USB-A limit though on a lot of stuff ,even cigarette lighter adapters so it may just be a limitation of the general USB-A spec.

@gryphon123456 3 күн бұрын

Can you install any of these on top of a shed to charge your mower batteries between uses?

@Inpreesme 3 күн бұрын

I ordered the Renogy G using your link……. Monty, looking Goood !

@vhol93 3 күн бұрын

Cool!

@misabigaming 2 күн бұрын

Any of those compatible with one of those emergency batteries?

@adriftatlas 3 күн бұрын

Panels without USB-C PD capability (supporting 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V, etc.) are e-waste. Limiting output to 5V/2.4A is inefficient, especially for panels theoretically capable of 30W or more. Panels should deliver at least 75% of their rated capacity under good conditions, but some of these smaller panels struggle to even reach 30%. This inefficiency likely stems from using buck converters that only reduce voltage to 5V, lacking effective Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT). Charging a smartphone directly from these panels is risky due to potential output instability. A safer approach is to charge a power bank. Using a small portable power station with a real MPPT in conjunction with a small panel that provides standard DC output would be more efficient.

@XLance2020 2 күн бұрын

What is the best USB C hub that works with Android phones? For $100 🙏🙏

@Paa375 2 күн бұрын

Try watching previous videos 🤔

@shailukov7440 3 күн бұрын

You didnt mention anker at all. How come? Also the bigblue seems to be the winner and was rated as 3rd. Can you explain? Thanks much

@adriftatlas 3 күн бұрын

The Anker PS30 is an $80 panel that produces 10 watts on average. It only outputs 14W in near perfect sun when the panel itself is cold.

@shailukov7440 2 күн бұрын

@@adriftatlas so i understand that you do not recommend it? Should i stick with bigblue 28w?

@shailukov7440 2 күн бұрын

B.t.w Which panels support the daisy chain? Did someone check it?

@adriftatlas 2 күн бұрын

@@shailukov7440 I don't know anything about the others so I cannot recommend anything. However, I feel that the entire class of USB solar panels is mostly overpriced junk. If you have a portable power station you're better off getting a standard solar panel with MC4 (or XT60) connectors. They are much more consistent and use less creative marketing. An average panel should produce at least 75% of its rated power in good conditions.

@shailukov7440 Күн бұрын

@adriftatlas I guess you are right, as long as there are market of nomads that look for portable solutions it will be like that. The question would be which product gives the best value and performance.