Boondocking is increasingly popular these days. But one of the major challenges of camping off-grid is the lack of electricity. With a foldable solar panel, it’s now possible to get an authentic wilderness experience. And you still get to stay connected to the world.
Ultimately, you will want to focus on power output before choosing a portable foldable solar panel. Not only that, the space you have, and the kind of devices you bring should also be top of the things to consider.
It’s important to estimate your desired power output. If you want to power bulbs and a laptop, a 200W solar panel will be more sufficient than a 100W panel.
And don’t forget to look at the size and weight of the solar panel. For backpacking, an ideal foldable solar panel should weigh less than two pounds. But if you are using an RV the weight may not matter as much as the size.
We’ve selected four of the best foldable solar panels for traveling. Hopefully, you will find one to incorporate with your traveling lifestyle.
Contents
DOKIO 200W 12V Monocrystalline foldable Solar Panel- Best Portable Solar Panel for Camping
- 220 watts of Pwer
- Easy fold design
- High efficiency
- Uses Monocrystalline
DOKIO foldable solar panel is designed with backpackers and campers in mind. If you are planning on roughing it out for a couple of days, it is the perfect solution for powering electric devices. It is ideal for energy bulbs, laptops, smartphones, and even batteries.
Build Quality and Power Efficiency
DOKIO has a robust and lightweight design. It uses monocrystalline solar cells. These have the best power efficiency on the market. We are talking 14% to 21% which is typically what you will get with this solar panel. Its silicon rods are pure. Thus, it can perform equally well in low sunlight.
Considering the power efficiency of this solar panel, it is not going to be enough for running an RV camper. Even though DOKIO sells it as a solution for RVs and boats, there’s only so much power output you can get from it.
In the best sunlight conditions, you can expect up to 80W with the 20A controller. DOKIO supplies you with their robust inverter. It can charge 12V and 24V batteries. The controller comes with its clamps and an LCD.
It’s nice that with the inverter, you don’t need to carry a battery to pair with DOKIO. You can charge devices directly.
Portability
DOKIO’s folds like a magazine. It has four panels that close on each other in their fabric case. The case has been sewn in on the panel to protect it during carriage. You also get a handle that comes in handy during transport. However, the quality of the handle is not the best.
Don’t try to use the handle to hang the solar panel on a branch. It keeps falling. We also don’t see the handle holding up for a long time.
Overall, the DOKIO foldable solar panel caters to the needs of most travelers. It is an ideal pick if you have more than your phone to power. It is power-efficient and does not require carrying a battery to accompany the unit.
Pros
• 14-21% power efficient
• Made of durable monocrystalline solar cells
• Completely weatherproofed
• Tested for hot spots formation
Cons
• The handle on the case should be of better quality
• It does not produce as much power for running campers and RVs
Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel- Best for Use with Solar Generators
- Suitable for solar generators
- 3 usb smart chargers
- High efficiency
- water resistant
The Rockpals 100W solar panel supports picnics, hiking, and the like. But it is not the kind you pick when you want to travel light. At 10.8 pounds, this unit is heavier and larger than most solar panels on the market.
Build Quality and Power Efficiency
This model boasts a durable design. All thanks to the monocrystalline solar cells in the panels. It comes in the form of four panels that fold in a magazine-style. Seeing that it is heavy, it goes well with camping vans and RVs where weight is not an issue anf you don’t have a portable generator.
You’ll like that it can operate in a wide range of temperature from 0-120 degrees Fahrenheit. But remember the power efficiency is heavily reliant on outdoor conditions. At best, this solar panel has a 21.5-23.5% efficiency. It is superfast to charge devices.
Rockpals comes with all the adapter and cables needed to work with most portable power stations. It covers both standard and non-standard plugs. Such pugs are in models like Jackery, Suaoki, Goal Zero, and many others.
Apart from the connectors, this solar panel also includes three USB ports. It even has a Quick Charge 3.0 port which is nice for your smartphone, tablet, or power bank. However, because of its power output, it is not recommended for laptops.
Remember that this is a 100W solar panel so it’s not going to make the 45W output needed for laptops.
Flexibility
Rockpals is one of the few solar panels that will not give you trouble when using it. You can mount it on the roof of your RV, camper, hanging from a tree, or even a tent. But you won’t get the most out of it when placed on a bonnet because of its boxy shape that needs some kind of support.
When it comes to using the different ports, it’s best not to use the DC and USB ports at the same time. Power efficiency seems to drop when you have both power types connected. Another thing with this solar panel is that it does not have an internal battery. You will need an external battery when you need 24/7 electricity for your devices.
Although Rockpals is a large solar panel, it suits most people’s situations. It can pair with any portable power station and also help you charge devices directly.
Pros
• Four connectors are highly compatible with solar generators
• USB ports use smart charging technology
• Flexible to use on campers, trees, and on the ground
• Pouch includes a strong handle
Cons
• Lacks an internal battery
• The pouch does not protect devices from overheating
>> Read also our guide to the best solar panel for RVs
BigBlue 28W 5V Solar Charger- Best for Phones and Tablets
- Built in Ammeter
- Easy carry
- Tough material
- 24 month warrenty
Go even further knowing that you can capture all your adventures on your phone, tablet, or camera. The BigBlue solar panel is the perfect companion for all-day adventures. It is super compact such that you can hang it on your backpack to get direct power for your devices.
Build Quality and Power Efficiency
The BigBlue foldable solar panel has a solid construction. It features a PET polymer fabric and monocrystalline solar cells. Like the Rockpals model, it has a 21.5-23.5% charging efficiency. It carries a 3-port USB connector. This means you can charge your smartphone and tablet at the same time.
BigBlue enjoys high compatibility. It can work with smartphones from iPhone 5 to 7Plus, Androids, and iPads including iPad Air, Air2, Mini, and Mini 2. It also works with GoPro and DSLR cameras. The included cable is compatible with Androids and some DSLR cameras. For you to charge an iPhone, you must use the original cable.
We like that this solar panel also uses SmartIC technology. It means it can automatically identify the connected device. It then adjusts the current and voltage to deliver maximum power. As always, it’s important to charge devices with a long cable and not directly under the sun.
BigBlue may be waterproof but the USB and ammeter are not. They should always be protected from wet fog and rain.
Flexibility
This solar panel also enjoys flexible usage. It comes with four buckles. These buckles come in handy for hanging it on your backpack, tent, camper, or tree. We like that it has a chip that detects when it encounters forest cover or clouds.
It automatically cuts power to devices when there’s a shadow. It will automatically restart and continue to charge devices when back in the sun.
This is an incredible device to have for long trekking and hiking trips. It is lightweight and super easy to use thanks to its compact size.
Pros
• It has a built-in ammeter
• Waterproof fabric covers the panels
• Can hang directly from backpack
• Widely compatible with phones, tablets, and cameras
Cons
• Does not have an internal lithium-ion battery
• It is not completely weatherproofed
Renogy E.FLEX5 Portable Solar Panel- Best Solar Charger
- HIGH EFFICIENCY - The built-in monocrystalline solar cells give maximum efficiency and the new auto-optimization charging feature allows for a continuous charge the moment you are back in the sun.
- NO CHARGE DELAY – You can move this charger in and out of the sun and it will automatically determine your charging requirements and recover without any charge delay for your devices.
- ULTRA THIN - This charger only weighs 8.7 ounces, making it easy to transport.
- EASY ATTACHMENT - Includes carabiners and 4 suction cups for convenient traveling and set up.
- PORTABLE - Super lightweight backup charger that won’t leave you stranded. Keep one in the car or backpack just in case.
Renogy E.FLEX5 is the smallest foldable solar panel on our list. And with its small size also comes small power output. This solar panel has a 5W output which means it can only charge smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players. It is not enough to charge cameras.
Build Quality and Power Efficiency
You get a water-resistant unit with construction from ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene). This material can resist corrosion and can withstand a wide range of temperature. It uses black monocrystalline solar cells that have an 18% power efficiency.
That’s why it won’t charge anything more than 5V power input. The unit uses auto-optimization technology. It automatically continues charging devices when it is back in the sun. And, it also calculates the power requirements to determine the current and the voltage for that gadget.
This solar charger has overcharge protection. It keeps the power flow steady so it will not kill your battery even before you enjoy a full charge. With this solar charger, you can expect to charge a 3000mAh external battery in six hours. In the right sunlight conditions when the panel is angled towards the sun, it can charge as fast as a wall charger.
Flexibility
Renogy E.FLEX5 has only one USB port. You can charge only one device at a time. However, it can hang from your backpack using four carabiners. It can also stick to a car window with the help of the included suction cups.
Although the solar panel is waterproof, the USB port is not weatherproofed. It should not be used in salty, wet, dusty, or muddy environments.
Renogy E.FLEX5 is small, lightweight, and sturdy. It is for those who want to pack light as you experience the great outdoors. It is power efficient to 18% so it delivers a decent amount of power.
Pros
• Utilizes auto-optimization charging technology
• It is overcharge protected
• Lightweight and ultrathin
• Can attach to backpack or car windows
Cons
• It has only one USB port
• Does not have a battery to store power
Conclusion – Which Foldable Solar Panel is best for Traveling?
Foldable solar panels for traveling are an incredible resource. They help to charge all your portable electric devices. And they can be a source of emergency power. The four solar panels that we have outlined here top the list on the most power-efficient units today.
You can expect reliable performance and durability from any of the brands. You just have to match your pick to your needs. If you want to include a laptop in the devices to charge, the DOKIO model sounds just about right. But if you only have a smartphone and an MP3 player, just go with the Renogy E.FLEX5.
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