FlexSolar 40W Foldable Solar Panel Charger with USB-C and USB-A Outputs for Phones, Power Banks, Tablets - Waterproof for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking

I've tested several portable solar panels in rugged conditions, and the FlexSolar 40W is a game-changer, but only when paired with the right battery. Let's break it down: Renogy E.Flex 10W: Ultralight (11.5 oz), but underwhelming: 0.696 watts/oz. Struggled to charge a 5000mAh battery in Yellowstone, even with optimal sun. Frustrating for demanding use. BigBlue 3: Moderate weight (24 oz), better output: 1.042 watts/oz. More reliable, even in cloudy conditions. Still struggled with heavy iPhone recording use. I feel the panel could be lighter with fabric trim reductions. FlexSolar 40W: Heavier (28.16 oz), but powerful: 1.243 watts/oz. The difference maker, but only when paired with a supporting battery pack. Key Insight: Solar panel wattage per ounce is important when you have to carry it on your back or in your boat all day, but compatible battery bank management is paramount. I have found optimal use occurs with a battery that allows for higher throughput charging. An unnamed Battery bank, that allows for 12V @ 1.5A input, allows for very quick recharge times. Avoid Anker battery packs that lack high-throughput charging. Best Battery Pack for Solar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJC57PPC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1 Real-World Performance: With the correct battery, the FlexSolar 40W effortlessly powered a GoPro, multiple batteries, iPhone, iWatch, GPS/satcomm, speaker, headlamp, and more. Even in three days of limited sun, it maintained essential device power. In ideal conditions charging speeds are very impressive. Verdict: For serious outdoor users, the FlexSolar 40W delivers exceptional power and reliability. Yes, it's heavier, but the performance is worth it. Make sure to pair this panel with a battery that can take full advantage of the power output. Finally, use a HIGH QUALITY charging cable on USB-C. No more than 36" long. Look for something like the Anker USB-A > USB-C Powerline II, which uses a lower gauge wire. If you use a cheaper lighter weight charging cable, you are choking the solar panels ability to push power to the battery BMS. Links: *BEST* Unnamed Battery: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJC57PPC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1] *WORST* Anker Battery: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S829LBX?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_10&th=1] *BEST* Flex solar panel: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H6GGK55?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2] *MID* Big Blue 3 panel: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXWCPLC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4] *WORST* Renogy E.Flex panel: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K63CO0O?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6] *BEST* Charging Cable: [https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Powerline-Certified-Samsung-MacBook/dp/B07213D35X?ref_=ast_sto_dp]

I purchased for an up coming backpacking trip. I use the solar panel in conjunction with a battery bank to provide power to a host of electronics. It preformed flawless and even provided power on less than ideal conditions. It proved exceptional durable has it spend a days bouncing on my pack charging the battery bank I walked. The solar allow me to reduce my battery bank capacity. It was a great addition to my kit and I would recommend it. It is of great value to me to be able to provide continual power. The only improvement would be to put small silcone covers over the output ports to protect from precipitation. I always made sure to hang the panel with the ports in a downward orientation to protect from precipitation and I had no problems. Super easy to use.

Avid kayak camper. Got this solar panel to charge a power station but found that the station prefers a slow charge which kinda blows the solar idea. i got the power station to charge my phone and other electronics i use while camping. Ironically this solar panel charges my phone and those other electronics quicker than the power station including my bose flex Bluetooth speaker. It has 3 outputs, but the one i recommend is usb c. It spits out the most power from that connection so get yourself a 100w c to c cable. I got a 10' so i can have the panels in the sun while the electronics stay in the shade. Im also a tradesman and use my bose speaker everyday but the battery doesn't go all day, but it does with this solar panel connected to it. I gave it 4 stars because it doesn't put out nowhere near 40 watts because my power station tells me the what its recieving, but it does effectively charge my devices provided the sun is out. It folds down very compact and very easy to carry. Im satisfied with my purchase, but would recommend to hold off until a sale or coupon or a bundle offer. If it was a true 40 watt, it would be worth the full price, but it's not so it's not.

Very nice set of panels

Works well! Charges as advertised!

UPDATE2: So I bought BigBlue 28W solar panel just to test out with and see how I like it. And the results are surprising. It produces as much Watts as this 40W one (keep in mind i haven't got higher than about 22 at peak, and average about 19W). On an overcast, i put them side by side, and BigBlue got 3.5W will flex solar got 1.5. Then we had a brief period with more sun today. Big Blue got me 11W and flex solar topped off around 8.5-9. Big Blue is smaller, lighter, and produces more juice. I got to downgrade this to just 3 stars. Its a good product, and maybe mine is an outlier, but results are results. UPDATE: In full sun for the charging...Solar cells never produced higher than 17-20 watts. Not sure what I did wrong. angled panels to face the sun at optimal "input", moved it away from the house in case that did something. It still charged in about 5-6 hours...but I'm disappointed it didn't perform as specified. So I purchased the panel in conjunction with the Omni charge 20+. I'm 30 min into my first test. Today we have mostly cloudy skies, with brief periods of full sun. So far, according to the Omni charge (which has active readout) I've only peaked at 20W during full sun. Nothing higher. When clouds are blocking the sun, I hover around 2-4W. In the first 35min of this test. I've gone from 21% battery to 29% battery. Now some people may want to leave it out all day, however if your a hiker and you can only unpack it during a rest in order to give it full sun, or maybe in a climate with more clouds....I feel the above information is helpful for you. As for me I'm pleased with it. I see three stars as a "meets my lowest expectations." Not sure why I can't get a full 40W in full sun during cloud breaks. However, this is first of many test. Id still recommend this item. Check in later for more updates to my review

Bonne efficacité. M'a permis de garder tous mes appareils électroniques chargés oendnt un voyage de 6 semaines. Assez robuste pour les activités de plein air.

I can confirm that it weight 394 grams. In end of May, middle of Scandinavia with a hazy blue sky and some small passing light clouds afternoon I measured 6w around 1.7-2 amp. The panel has to be angled to the sun for optimal power output. I charged a Nitecore powerbank through USB-C around 25-30% I guess (from 1 dot to 2 dots) within 1h 30min. I think this 20w panel is a good compromise between weight and what power you get. If you are further south on the planet you might get the same power output from the flexsolar 15w panel, less weight? and smaller. The quality of the panel feels good and sturdy. I also have a 7 year old folding 24w panel with DC output. Through usb-a I got 9w more then 2 amp the same day. UPDATE: I used this panel above the Arctic pole circle middle of July to end of july. When the sun shined in the morning I placed the panel at right angle to the sun and could fully charge my powerbank in a couple of hours. I was surprised how well the panel worked. I packed it carefully and was gentle with it. The eyelets in the corners are definitely a point where wear and tare occurs. Not much on my panel but if I had hang it from my backpack I guess it would had taken a beating on those points. If there's no electronics near those eyelets corners it might not matter. Great panel and I'm keen to buy the 15w panel to use during summer hiking since this panel worked so well to save weight and space.

This works perfectly! On a cloudy summer day it charged my phone 40% in only 30 minutes, and also would charge during very low light conditions.

Usato in campeggio per 12 giorni,ricaricato powerbank e smartphone senza alcun problema.

Flex Solar Tragbares Solar-Ladegerät mit 40 W ------------------------------------------------------ Seit langem spielte ich mit dem Gedanken mir ein Ladegerät mit Solartechnik zu beschaffen, leider ließt man bei den meisten gemischte Rezensionen von Gut bis schlecht alles dabei, was natürlich Unsicherheit zum Produkt schürt. Dieses Modell ( 40 W ) habe ich mit einem IPhone 13 Mini via dazugekauften USB Anschluss (0,2m) an einem Sonnig / bewölkten Tag (70/30%) im April 2022 getestet. Das Ergebnis kann sich wie ich finde sehen lassen, aber erstmal zum Aufbau & Location: ------------------------------------------------------ > Aufbau: Ich habe das Panel gezielt nur auf das flache Gras gelegt, ohne Anstellwinkel, weil ich wissen wollte wie es in den meisten Situationen ohne suchen von Anstellmöglichkeiten operiert. ------------------------------------------------------ Location: In meinem Garten eine Süd / Südwest Ausrichtung genutzt welche ohne Bäume / Hindernisse frei der Sonne zugängig ist. Uhrzeit Start: ca. 16:00 ------------------------------------------------------ > Ladeleistung: Durchschnittlich hatte ich eine Ladeleistung von 1 % pro Minute (bei praller Sonne), habe dies mehrmals kontrolliert und mit einer Stoppuhr gemessen, WOW !, das würde durchschnittlich bei einem Akkustand von 0 - 100 %, bei praller Sonne 100 Minuten bedeuten ( 1 Std. 40 ) was ich mehr als gut finde für ein Panel dieser Größe. Mein IPhone 13 Mini hatte bei beginn des Tests 30% Ladestand, und für den Sprung auf 100 % ( +70%) waren 1Std & 20 Minuten nötig, leider hat sich zwischendrin ab und an mal eine Wolke dazwischen geschoben. ------------------------------------------------------ > Powerbank: Diesen Test habe ich noch nicht unterzogen, aber aus dem Netz befindliche Informationen beschreiben eine gewisse Problematik mit den Größen der Power Banks, hat man also eine 19.000 + ...... Powerbank würde diese wohl sehr viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen trotz der guten Ladeleistung, werde dies aber noch beim nächsten mal testen und den Bericht erweitern. ------------------------------------------------------ > Verarbeitung: Die Verarbeitung sieht robust aus, nichts was sich wie eine schwabbelige Folie anfühlt, oder man angst haben muss das es beim Aufliegen auf Stein / holzigem Untergrund sofort kaputt geht. Auf der Unterseite der Solarplatten ist eine Art aufgeraute Matte laminiert, die Stärke des Panels sind ca. 2 mm. ------------------------------------------------------ > Mitführen Für einen Spaziergang im Rucksack oder Strand, Baggersee, Hütte usw. sieht das Panel wie gemacht aus, die Größe würde ich auf IPad Niveau ansiedeln. Das Teil an einen Rucksack hängen während man damit wandert ? Naja ich persönlich würde sagen zu groß !, eher zum laden bei Rast / Pause aus dem Rucksack entnehmen & laden. ------------------------------------------------------ > Fazit. Für Handy, Smartwatch, Taschenlampen usw. ist dieses Teil bei passendem Wetter ein absolutes Monster ! Lade Leistung bei aktuellen Handys überzeugt ! Von meiner Seite aus Daumen Hoch !