People have become more interested in relying less on the grid and using alternative energy sources in recent years. It is good for the environment and it gives you a sense of independence. Using a portable solar panel is a great way to achieve this goal and they can be used in a variety of settings. Whether you are taking them camping to power your portable power bank or using them to get power for your RV or part of your home, they allow you to use energy while reducing your carbon footprint.
What to Look for
When you are shopping for a portable solar panel, you should choose one that is ideal for your particular needs. Take a look at the technology and the materials they are made of. The most common type of solar panel is one with crystalline panels, which come in monocrystalline and polycrystalline models. Monocrystilline models are more efficient and widely used by people looking for the smallest solar panel to use in a variety of environments.
You can also get a mini solar panel that is a thin-film panel, which is lightweight and very portable. However, it is less efficient than the former model. Choose the one that works best for your needs. The efficiency refers to the rate that sunlight is converted into energy. You want to look for models that are highly efficient and portable at the same time.
Consider the weight of the portable solar panel as well as how you intend to use it. Make sure that its maximum wattage is sufficient for your needs. You might choose the smallest solar panel if your goal is simply to charge your phone and a few other devices but you may want a larger one if you plan to power an entire RV. In addition, look at the ease of installation. Pay attention to what is included so that you have everything you need.
Best Portable Solar Panels
1) Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
This portable solar panel by Renogy offers 100 watts of power and it is foldable for easy portability. It is an entire solar power system including two waterproof 50-watt monocrystalline solar panels, one 20-amp charge controller, a tray cable that allows it to easily connect to a battery, and a carrying case. You can use it with your RV, boat, trailer, and more.
It is made of adjustable, corrosion-resistant aluminum and it has a heavy-duty handle and latches that make it durable. The controller also gives you overcharge protection and reduces your fire risk. It is a low-voltage system that helps you avoid electric shock hazards. It is compatible with different kinds of batteries including gel, sealed, lithium, and flooded. The controller has an LCD display that displays information and data for you. You can use 500 watts a day of power, depending on your access to direct sunlight. This is a great choice in a mini solar panel for a variety of applications.
- Comes with a durable carrying case
- Portable and easy to set up
- The controller gives you overcharge protection
- Low voltage to avoid electric shock hazards
- Compatible with lithium, flooded, gel, and sealed batteries
- Great in a variety of settings
- Slightly heavier than others at 12 pounds
- The kickstand can be unstable on uneven ground
Our rating: 
4.6 / 5
2) FlashFish Foldable 50W 18V Portable Solar Panel
This mini solar panel is designed for portability. It folds up into a briefcase that has a handle and it weighs only 3.44 pounds. The FlashFish solar panel works as a clean source of power for a number of devices including phones, laptops, iPads, cameras, drones, and more. It also has both a USB port and a DC port so you can get power to more than one device at the same time.
In addition, this solar panel comes with a smart IC chip built in that can adjust the power to make sure that your devices are charged efficiently. It also makes sure that your devices are protected from overcharging and overloading. It is constructed with materials that are designed to maximize energy conversion and it offers a 23.5% conversion of solar energy so that you have clean, usable energy that is free. When you are ready to go, it folds up into a briefcase with a handle.
- Super lightweight at just 3.44 pounds
- Includes smart IC chip for more efficient charging
- Connects to multiple devices at the same time
- Offers 23.5% energy conversion
- Folds into a briefcase with a handle
- Doesn’t pack easily because it only folds twice
- The stitching and zipper are of lower quality
- Instruction manual is not very helpful
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
3) Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel
The smallest solar panel by Jackery is high-quality and powerful. It has a sleek design and it is made of materials that convert solar energy into usable energy for a lot of different items. This solar panel has a conversion rate of around 23.5% and it powers the three USB ports and outlets. It is easy to set up and easy to take with you wherever you go, and it sits on two legs to easily absorb the sun’s rays.
The great thing about Jackery products is that they are made to work together. You can connect additional panels and connect them to Jackery generators, and you can custom tailor your solar energy needs. When you choose this brand, you can use this panel on its own or connect it to what you need to meet all of your energy needs. It is easy to fold up and carry with you, and it has a handle piece included. Just set it up, place the panels in direct sunlight, and you are ready to start using clean energy to power your devices.
- Buildable and compatible with other Jackery products to customize your energy needs
- Offers a 23.5% solar energy conversion rate
- Comes with a durable carrying case with handle
- Built-in technology regulates the current for optimized charging
- It has three USB hookups to charge devices
- Weighs a little over 11 pounds
- Has only USB connectors
Our rating: 
4.8 / 5
4) Aeiusny Portable 60W Solar Panel
This mini solar panel by Aeiusny folds multiple times to become the smallest solar panel to carry with you when you travel. You can easily take it with you when you go camping or you can use it in your RV or on your boat. It weighs around six pounds and it has pockets to hold your devices. It comes with three ports for charging different devices and different sizes of connector pieces. You can use up to 25% of its solar energy to charge your items and it is made of materials designed for high energy conversions.
The Aeiusny has an IC chip built in that helps to prevent damage to your devices by controlling how much power flows through its circuits. It helps to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time it takes to charge your devices. It is made of materials that are waterproof and corrosion-resistant so you can use it in a variety of conditions. All-in-all, it outperforms what you would expect from a 60-watt solar panel.
- Very portable with fold-up design and carrying case
- Contains three USB ports and connectors of different sizes
- High solar conversion rate of up to 25%
- IC chip optimizes energy for fast charge times
- Weighs more than six pounds
- The charging time slows when you connect a lot of devices
Our rating: 4.4 / 5
5) SUAOKI Solar Charger 60W Portable Solar Panel
This portable, lightweight solar panel is compatible with many different power banks and can help you build the ideal energy system for your needs. The SUAOKI folds up into a small carrying case that is very light and easy to maneuver. It has an ideal shape for packing and bringing along when you go camping or hiking and the handles make it easy to hang it on your car, tent, RV, and more. The panel also includes two output connections — a USB and an 18V DC — that are very useful.
It has a built-in IC chip to monitor the devices that are charging and the available solar energy. This optimizes your charge times and maximizes your power, and it doesn’t slow down when you hook up multiple devices. The panels offer a 20% solar energy conversion rate. It comes with a number of accessories, including a car charger, a clamp, and a connector cable for your laptop, and a two-year warranty.
- Compatible with a number of other devices
- The foldable carrying case design is super portable
- Converts solar energy into usable energy at a 20% conversion rate
- Comes with connectors and other accessories
- Needs maximum exposure to sun for best results
- Can be slow to charge compared to other models
Our rating: 
4.5 / 5
6) Eco-Worthy Portable Solar Panel
This Eco-Worthy mini solar panel is perfect if you are looking for one that is small, inexpensive, and lightweight. It weighs only 14.4 ounces and it comes with 12 volts and 5 watts. You can use it to charge your car battery and it has a car charger included. It is so light that it can connect to your car window with the included suction cups.
This solar panel is designed to maintain any battery, whether your vehicle, your lawnmower, your boat, or more. It also has an alligator clip adaptor to make it super easy. This company makes larger solar panels as well but this is a very economical, small one that is really useful if you need to jump your battery when you are away from town.
- Easy to set up and use
- Weighs only 14.4 ounces
- Inexpensive
- Comes with two connectors (5W and 12V)
- Comes with suction cups to hang it
- You can’t charge mobile devices
- Cables are quite short
Our rating: 
4.3 / 5
7) Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel
The Rockpals 100-watt foldable solar panel is very flexible and well made. It is made of high-quality materials and is compatible with a number of different devices. You can use it with a lot of different brands of solar generators; all it needs is exposure to direct sunlight. It has three USB ports and one DC port. The panels are made of monocrystilline material that has a conversion rate of more than 23%.
It uses IC technology for maximum efficiency and it is made of materials that are corrosion- and water-resistant. When you fold the solar panels up, it goes into a convenient carrying case and is easy to take with you. It weighs around ten pounds but it gives you a lot of solar power. Rockpals is a trusted brand and you will find this to be a quality product.
- Folds from 65 inches down to 10 inches in a portable carrying case
- Comes with a variety of connections for different devices
- Smart charging technology monitors charging and makes it more efficient
- Solar conversion rate of over 23%
- Made of quality materials and backed by trusted Rockpals brand
- Weighs ten pounds and can get heavy
- Bulky in hard carrying case
Our rating: 
4.7 / 5
Conclusion
There are many ways to make use of portable solar panels. If you spend time camping or hiking outdoors, or you have a boat or an RV, this is a great way to use clean energy and reduce your carbon footprint. You can choose the type of solar panel that is best for you. If you have other products, such as a solar generator, make sure that the solar panel you choose is compatible.
Some people get these portable solar panels to make sure that they can charge their mobile devices while others want to use power while camping in the outdoors. You can customize how much power you harness from the sun by choosing panels that can chain together to give you more output. If you simply want to have the convenience of charging your mobile device, there are a few that can do the trick. No matter what you are looking for, there is a solar panel system that is ideal.
