The 4 best portable solar devices: Consumer Reports

A dead phone or drained power station can cut a camping trip or a power outage short. Portable solar panels and chargers refill batteries using nothing but sunlight, but weak output or a clumsy setup can leave devices running on empty anyway. Consumer Reports tested solar chargers and panels for power output, portability and ease of use, so shoppers can find a model that matches their trip.

Credit: BigBlue

The BigBlue 28W Solar Charger costs $73 and claims a maximum output of 28 watts, enough to charge a phone or a small battery pack over a few hours of good sunlight. Consumer Reports rated it easy to use and noted the fabric design folds down to roughly the size of a magazine while weighing just 1.4 pounds, making it a practical fit for a backpack. CR found it comes with carabiners for clipping onto a pack so it can charge while its owner hikes, though it lacks a kickstand, which makes angling it toward the sun trickier than with rigid panel designs. Three USB-A ports allow multiple devices to charge at once, and an IPX4 rating means it can handle light rain or splashes, though not dust or dirt.

Credit: Jackery

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel costs $300 and claims a maximum output of 100 watts, suited to powering basics at a drive-up campsite. Consumer Reports rated it easy to use, crediting adjustable kickstands that make angling it toward the sun straightforward, and gave it a moderate portability score at 10.3 pounds with a built-in carrying handle. CR noted its single USB-C port and single USB-A port let it charge small electronics directly, while a hardwired DC cable option connects it to a portable power station instead. Its IP65 rating keeps out dust and dirt and handles light splashes, though Jackery advises keeping it away from direct rain exposure, and it comes with a two-year warranty.

Credit: Jackery

The Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel costs $700 and claims a maximum output of 200 watts, double that of the smaller Jackery panel in this lineup. Consumer Reports rated it easy to use and gave it the same moderate portability score as its smaller sibling, noting it folds down nearly as compact despite weighing 17.5 pounds and including a carrying handle. CR found it connects directly to a portable power station through an included cable, though it skips USB ports entirely, so phones and small gadgets need a separate charging path. Its IP68 rating covers dust, dirt and water exposure, making it a sturdy option for severe weather, and it carries a two-year warranty.

Credit: Amazon

The EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel costs $690 and claims a maximum output of 400 watts, well above the other three chargers in this lineup. Consumer Reports rated it easy to use, though slightly behind the two Jackery panels, and gave it the same moderate portability score despite its four-panel design weighing about 35 pounds. CR noted it folds neatly into an included carrying case that fits a trunk or camper, and connects to a separate power station through an MC4 port, though it has no USB ports for charging phones directly. Its IP68 rating handles rain and splashes during outdoor use, but its 12-month warranty runs shorter than the two-year coverage on the Jackery panels in this lineup.