A solar panel at camp means no more anxiety about dead devices. We tested panels from 10W to 100W to find which ones actually deliver.
BioLite's SolarPanel 10+ includes a 2,200 mAh internal battery to store charge when you're hiking. The kickstand and sundial help you optimize angle without babysitting.
The Nomad 20 is the sweet spot for weekend backpackers. 20W charges a phone from zero in about 2 hours in full sun. Pair with a Goal Zero Sherpa power bank for storage.
For car camping with a power station, the SolarSaga 100 is a workhorse. In full sun it generates enough power to run a mini-fridge overnight when paired with an Explorer 1000.
Anker's 21W panel is reliable, affordable, and uses quality monocrystalline cells. Good enough to keep a phone charged on a 3-day trip with a few hours of sun per day.
BigBlue's 28W panel has a built-in ammeter so you can see how many amps your panel is producing — invaluable for positioning. Three USB-A ports charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Solar panels almost never hit their rated wattage in field conditions. A '20W' panel in perfect sun might produce 14–16W. In partial cloud or shade, output drops by 50–80%. Budget for roughly 60% of rated output on average.
A panel alone only charges while the sun shines. A panel paired with a power bank lets you charge the bank during daylight and draw from it at night. The Goal Zero Nomad + Sherpa combo is the classic pairing.
Monocrystalline panels (black cells) are more efficient at the same size, especially in lower-light conditions. All the panels on our list use monocrystalline cells. Avoid cheap polycrystalline panels for outdoor use.
Most backpacking panels don't output enough sustained wattage for laptop charging. Larger 60–100W panels paired with a power station can. Look for USB-C PD output rated at 45W or higher for laptop charging.
For just a phone, a 10–15W panel with a few hours of sun per day is plenty. For a phone plus a GPS watch or headlamp batteries, 20W gives comfortable margin.
See also: Best Portable Generators • Camping Gear Hub • Best Camp Lanterns
