If you plan to spend some days hiking, camping, or taking a road trip, then you need the best portable solar panels with you. The most powerful solar panels will help give you some home comforts outdoors. For instance, your solar panel camping setup can give you light at night, charge your camera or smartphone, or connect to a solar generator.
The Best Solar Panels for Camping
Of course, there are many portable solar panels on the market for camping. In this article, you will find a review of the top 5 solar panels for camping. In particular, we hope that this information will help you pick the best mobile solar panel system for your camping needs.
1. DOKIO 80 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Panel
Our top pick is this portable solar panel for camping by DOKIO. It is a very lightweight energy solution when you are in remote places. The foldable panel comprises of efficient monocrystalline solar cells that give you 80W of power.
One of the advantages of this foldable solar panel is that the 10A power system works with 12V and 24V devices. The camping solar panel also comes complete with a solar controller. Therefore, you can use it to power a number of appliances or charge various gadgets.
Pros:
- This portable waterproof solar panel receives consistently high reviews
- It is only 0.5 cm (0.2”) thick and is easy to transport
Specs:
- 80 Watts, 12 Volts, 10 Amps
2. AIMTOM Portable Solar Charger 60W for Camping
If you have a number of different devices or gadgets to power while camping, then this AIMTOM solar charger is a good choice. The highly efficient solar panels conveniently fold up into a briefcase for easy transport. Unfolded, the portable solar panels stretch out to catch as much of the sun’s solar energy as possible.
The portable solar panel is highly efficient and has an efficiency rating of over 22%. This particular system includes a number of adapters to power almost any gadget or device you take with you camping. This portable power solution provides DC 12-18V, 4.5A as well as USB 5V power.
Pros:
- Easy to carry design and provides quick efficient charging
- Compatible with power stations to power larger portable appliances
Specs:
- 100 Watts, 18 Volts, 5.56 Amps, dual USB charging port
3. ACOPOWER 120W Portable Solar Panel for Camping
The ACOPOWER is one of the most powerful portable solar panels on this list. So, if you are looking for an easy-to-use solar panel setup, then this is one of the best choices. The panels deliver 120W of power in a portable fold up system.
The monocrystalline solar cells provide 25% solar conversion efficiency. This makes them some of the most efficient mobile solar panel systems in this review. These foldable panels come installed with a charge controller and wires, so you can easily and quickly connect to solar generators or AC portable power outlets.
Pros:
- The portable carry case and solar cells are waterproof for outdoor use
- Good reliable performance for your basic camping needs
- Comes with a 120W, 10A charge controller
Specs:
- 120 Watts, 12 Volts, 10 Amps, USB charging
4. Ryno Tuff Solar Charger Dual USB Solar Panel for Camping
If you enjoy hiking and camping outdoors and you have basic charging needs, then the Ryno Tuff solar charger is a good option. This is somewhat smaller than the other models featured here but is also much lighter. These portable panels weigh just over 400 g (16.6 oz.)! The high conversion panels provide up to 25% efficiency with 21W of power at a 2.4A charge.
This is an especially good portable solar panel system for hiking as the 3 panel design can easily cover your backpack when you are hiking. Many online reviews highly rate this mobile solar panel system for its sturdiness and fast charging options.
Pros:
- Very lightweight and easy to clip on the back of your backpack for all-day charging
- Works well with portable storage devices while you are on the move
Specs:
- 21 Watts, 5 Volts, 2.4 Amps, USB charging
5. TCXWpower 100 Watts 12 Volts Portable Solar Panel Kit
The TCXWpower is a great option for your solar panel camping setup. The mobile solar panels pack 100W of power in an ultra-thin design. This kit includes 3-port smart charging as well as 18V/5.0A DC power for your portable solar generator. You can also connect this to a solar generator to charge a 12-V battery.
The highly durable monocrystalline solar cells are in 2 panels that fold out to 1.2 m long and 54 cm high. These powerful solar panels are weather-resistant and efficiently harness the sun’s energy. Therefore, you will always be powered-up and connected in the remotest of places.
Pros:
- Thin, foldable design and works at 23% efficiency
- Easily adjust the solar panels to any angle to power devices while camping, hiking, or on any outdoor activity
Specs:
- 100 Watts, 12 Volts, 5.5 Amps, 3-port charging including USB
How to Choose the Best Solar Panels for Camping?
To know which is the right solar panel for your outdoor needs, there are a few factors to consider. For example, some of these are:
- What appliances do you need the solar panels for?
- How long will you use your gadgets or appliances?
- Will you transport the panel kit in your car or carry it in your backpack?
- How many hours of sunshine do you expect to get every day?
Of course, to use any good solar panel, you need to make sure that it is lightweight, durable, flexible, easy to store, and waterproof.
What size solar panel do you need when camping?
A lot depends on your needs and efficiency of your solar panel kit. For example, smaller solar panel chargers should have a 5V, 2.4A output to charge a smartphone. If you need to power a laptop or solar generator, then you will require a larger solar panel kit. For example, a 12V, 10A size kit with a controller should be enough for your camping needs.
So, taking these factors into consideration, this portable solar panel review looks at some of the best ones you can buy.
Summary of the Best Solar Panels for Camping
Choosing the best solar panels for camping can make or break any camping trip and so we truly hope that this review has in some way helped you to make a satisfying decision that will give you that perfect camping trip.