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

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.

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]

Wow!! This thing is amazing! Incredibly light weight and fast charging. I used it on a 7 day backpacking trip to charge up all my devices including cameras, battery banks, pones, headlamps, watches and more. It would charge my phone from 40% to full in about 1-1.5 hours. It’s a total game changer. I charged my GoPro battery probably 10x in those days and never needed to use my spare batteries. I was able to film time lapses and charge the battery of the GoPro at the same time ensuring I still had a full battery after the Timelapse to video something else. It’s crazy light weight and easy to strap on to your pack when hiking. My only complaint are two things: 1 - I wish it had two more usb c or an output ports to charge 1 or 2 more devices simultaneously. 2 - I wish it had a Velcro or rubber strap to keep it closed. It fine to put inside your pack but I found times that I wanted to leave it on the back of my pack but folded up and stowed position rather than hanging down in charging position. There’s no way to do that as there’s no holes in between the panels to connect the provided carabiners. I used a piece if bungee cord in my pack to do the trick and found a large rubber band when I got home but it would be nice if it came with something like a Velcro strap or rubber band to keep it closed. (See pic of my upgraded band)

This is the best 40 watt solar panel on the market. It’s extremely durable and has a coating similar to that of a basketball, yet it performs better than my 60 watt solar panel. It charges my power bank via USB Type-C at up to 30 watts, with a minimum of 21 watts on sunny days while laying flat. I highly recommend it as it even provides 4-5 watts of charge in daylight with no direct sun something my other panels don’t do. I love its foldability; it's well designed, compact, and easy to carry. It charges my iPhone 15 Pro at its maximum speed of 20 watts before dropping to 7-9 watts, making it a fast and efficient option.

The latest 20 watt very lightweight and is finally just what I wanted. It has a little bit more amperage and is a little lighter than the previous 20w panel. Look for parallel aluminum collector lines in the panels, the older models don’t have this. It works surprisingly well in low light conditions, a slight shadow gets about 0.5 amp , no shadow but bright sky about 0.3 amp. Here in Alaska it gets about 2 amp under ideal conditions, but further south I would guess about 3amp in the tropics. The connection box has both USBA and USBC 5to 12 volts and as with all fold ups, don’t fold if you don’t have to because this is where it would eventually break, everything is water proof solid state.

Looks good and not sure if it works correctly. Used to try and charge inverter and it would not charge it to 100%.

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.

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 !

Wij hebben deze zonnecel aangeschaft voor het kamperen met de tent. Wij gebruiken daar nooit stroom. Nu met deze uitvouwbare zonnencellen, kunnen wij onze powerbank opladen en daar weer mee al onze telefoons, reader's en elektrische tandenborstels opladen. Na ontvangst heb ik de zonnecellen even getest en in ongeveer 2 uren was de powerbank (22800) opgeladen. Was niet constant stroom. We zijn dus zeer tevreden.