10 Best Portable Solar Panels: Reviews & Buying Guide

I admit to having become somewhat of a Bluetti brand advocate — thanks to their outstanding Bluetti AC200P solar generator.

While I was looking for some dependable solar panels for my AC200P, the obvious choice was these PV200 200W solar panels.

I wanted higher wattage from my portable solar panels as I needed 2400Wh of juice for my generator. Bluetti PV200 200W solar panels didn’t disappoint me.

With 4 of these 200W panels, I can fully charge my Bluetti AC200P power station in less than 3 hours. And that’s about 2400Wh of capacity.

Initially, I wanted to go for Bluetti SP200, but they were out of stock. 

With a high conversion rate (23.4%) and anti-scratch ETFE coating, these portable solar panels let me charge my power station even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Thanks to their water-resistance rating, now I don’t have to worry about a sudden shower of rain.

— “My monocrystalline solar cells deliver 200W of solar output, I weigh less than 20 lbs, and you can fold me into a nice suitcase for carrying around.”

— “Then you must be Bluetti PV200.” 

— “Wrong guess. Jackery Boy over here.”

It didn’t take much to realize that the boss fight in this portable solar panels review will be between Bluetti and Jackery. Year after year, two old rivals are launching top-of-the-line solar panels and generators, forcing each other to become better with every new generation of products. 

Jackery SolarSaga 200W is a highly efficient and very portable solar panel that is a worthy runner-up to the Bluetti PV200. 

Using four of these panels, I managed to fully recharge my Jackery 1000-watt solar generator in just 1.8 hours. 

And yet, it’s so portable that folded, it takes up ¼ of its deployed size. Perfect for campers and adventurers who like to travel light. 

This is a direct nod to its predecessor, the Jackery SolarSaga 100W, which is among the lightest portable solar panels on the market. 

Unfortunately, SolarSaga 200W has lost the ability to charge gadgets directly via USB ports, a feature that made the 100W version so popular.

With an efficiency of 24.3%, SolarSaga 200W is definitely setting a high mark for other solar panels on the list. 

A high-efficiency degree is especially important if you don’t have ideal sunlight conditions where you live. The higher the number, the more efficient your solar panel will be in overcast or cloudy weather

On the downside, Jackery SolarSaga 200W is the most expensive portable solar panel on this list — more than 30% more expensive than the Bluetti PV200!

Hey, but if you want top performance, who am I to look into your wallet?

When I’m choosing a solar panel to take camping, I want something lightweight, durable enough for trail use, and with plenty of capacity to charge my camera, phone, and drone. 

The EcoFlow 160W ticks all the boxes. It weighs just 15 lbs, it’s IP67 waterproof rated, and has an additional layer of fiberglass, so it’s highly resistant to scratches and falling debris. 

This is important from the cleaning aspect as well because out there, the best I can do is a wet cloth. 

Due to the water resistance, these solar panels would make a great solar system for a boat. You don’t have to glue or drill anything. The panel has eyelets in the corners, so you can easily rig the panel to the deck or superstructure. 

Just take care not to hang it by the eyelets because they’re not designed to support the panel weight. 

The whole panel folds nicely into its carrying case, while when deployed, the case acts as a kickstand. 

If just a couple of years ago, someone told me I’d be able to buy a highly-efficient 100W solar panel from a reputable manufacturer for less than $200, I’d think they’re joking. 

However, it’s a fact that solar gear is becoming more and more affordable, so today, you can get a great foldable solar panel that is ideal for van life or boat use. 

Of course, for the price point, you can’t expect the top capacity, but in bright sunlight, this Renogy 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase will recharge your solar battery in 3-4 hours. 

Speaking of the battery, this solar panel comes with the Voyager Charge controller with an LCD display. 

This means you can charge any type of 12V battery directly, as the controller lets you choose the type of battery with a few clicks. 

The solar charge controller is also packed with intelligent protection functions and gives you several charging modes to keep your battery healthy. 

If you’re not planning to get a power station, this Renogy 100W Foldable Solar suitcase is an offer you can’t refuse. 

If I can match the cost, I’d always go with more solar panels of smaller size than one or two big ones. 

Why?

First, smaller portable solar panels have a smaller footprint, so they are easier to fit on your RV or boat roof. 

Also, if you have only one big panel and it gets damaged or just breaks down, that’s the end of it.

Goodbye solar power. 

On the other hand, if I have three or four smaller ones, I can quickly disconnect the broken one and let the others work uninterrupted.  

While not what I like to call fully portable, you can easily fix this 100W solar panel to a variety of ground and roof mounts, as well as take them down when you’re not using them for a long time. 

Compactly sized and inheriting the high efficiency of Renogy monocrystalline cells, this 100W solar panel kit is a perfect starter pack for anyone looking to try solar energy. 

Due to their size, these panels would be perfect for small cabin roofs, while they’d surely feel at home on RVs, trailers, and even bigger boats. 

Like its foldable brother, this solar panel comes with the Wanderer PWM Charge Controller that is compatible with four different types of batteries: sealed, gel, flooded, and lithium batteries. 

There are two schools when it comes to choosing solar panels for RV. One is going with flexible solar panels that you glue or rig flat against the curving RV roof, and the other is using compact but rigid portable panels that you prop on the mounts. 

I prefer the second option for both convenience and cooling. 

This 195W panel from Eco-Worthy can easily become the next RV-favorite panel. Competitively priced and with a great power rating, it’s a great choice for your trailer kit. 

These monocrystalline panels have an above-20% efficiency, so you can maximize solar gains even when your RV is on the road and moving in and out of shade. 

The solid frame and hardened panel glass are able to withstand high winds and heavy loads, while beginners will love to hear that all the cables, connectors, and mounting hardware are already in the box. 

Still, the reviews on Amazon often complain about the quality of hardware, so I recommend using your own screws. 

If Eco-Worthy 195W is the best solar panel for RV, the BougeRV 180W is an easy runner-up in the segment. 

A bit less powerful, heavier and more expensive, when it comes to choosing between this and Eco-Worthy 195W, I say don’t give it much thought. 

Get one that gives a better discount at that moment. 

It comes with pre-drilled holes in the back of the panel which allows you to install them without any heavy tools. 

These semi-portable panels are great if you venture in areas with extreme weather. While they can work with no problem in the rain like true rigid frame panels, the BougeRV 180W can also withstand high winds of 2400 Pa and snow loads of 5400 Pa. 

How can you tell that your portable solar panel is perfectly aligned with the sun every time? You definitely can’t drill a peephole through one, right? 

The Anker 625 has solved an issue with an ingenious feature —  a simple sun device that aligns a shadow of a dot on the glass with the circle on the dial. So whenever the shadow dot is in the circle, your solar panel is perfectly aligned with the sun.

Another nice feature that you don’t normally find on portable solar panels is the adjustable kickstand, which helps you tilt the panel at the right angle toward the sun. 

With a weight of only 11 lbs, this is a hiker’s solar panel through and through. 

I’ve taken mine to the beach, on a couple of fishing trips, and regularly for camping trips as a backup to my SolarSagas. 

And while the Anker 625 is not impressive in terms of power capacity, it has a USB-A and USB-C port. So I can charge my phone and laptop directly from the solar panel; no battery or inverter is needed. 

Pretty cool.

If an old adage, “Jack-Of-All-Trades,” can be applied to portable solar panels, it would best describe the versatile Jackery SolarSaga 100W.

Put it in your trunk, strap it to your RV roof, or stash it somewhere with your survival gear. This 100-watt solar folder is ideal for outdoor life but also comes in handy for power outages. 

Like its big brother, the 200W version, this solar panel comes with nice features, like anchoring eyelets, plus USB-A and USB-C outputs. 

This is a great option to have if you need to charge up your phone or Macbook in a pinch — no battery or power station is needed. 

On the other hand, the Solar Saga 100W also shares its big brother’s weakness — it is only compatible with Jackery power stations.

I could hardly think of a better name for this portable solar panel.

The Boulder is designed as a self-contained, rugged, and durable briefcase, just like something you’d expect to see in a Michael Bay movie.  

I mean, tempered glass is not something you’d expect from a 

The two 50-watt monocrystalline solar panels are connected by a sturdy hinge, while the integral kickstand lets you set the optimal angle to the sun. 

And as if reinforced aluminum and corner protection weren’t enough, the panels are covered with tempered glass.

So why is this solar panel tank the last on the list?

First, it’s got a very limited application. You’d be pressed hard to find a way to strap it to your RV or boat. 

The rigid construction prevents you from placing it flush with any kind of curving roof or surface. You can always use the kickstand, but if the ground is soft and wet, there’s little you can do about it. 

Finally, it’s too heavy to haul around. This ironically beats the whole end-of-days suitcase design.