Anker 625 vs Goal Zero Nomad 10: Which Solar Panel Is Better for Emergency Preparedness?

Last updated: February 2026 | By the ISOPREP Team

Portable solar panels are a cornerstone of long-term emergency preparedness. When the grid goes down, the sun keeps shining. The Anker 625 Solar Panel and the Goal Zero Nomad 10 represent two very different approaches to portable solar charging: a high-wattage powerhouse versus an ultracompact travel panel. We have tested both through real-world charging scenarios to help you choose the right solar solution for your emergency kit.

Quick Verdict

The Anker 625 Solar Panel (100W) is the better choice for home backup power, vehicle kits, and serious off-grid preparedness where you need to charge power stations, laptops, and multiple devices quickly. The Goal Zero Nomad 10 is the smarter pick for ultralight go-bags, day hikes, digital nomad travel kits, and situations where compact size trumps charging speed. If you need meaningful power output for emergency scenarios, get the Anker 625. If you need a solar trickle charger that packs almost anywhere, get the Nomad 10.

At a Glance: Anker 625 vs Goal Zero Nomad 10

Feature	Anker 625 Solar Panel	Goal Zero Nomad 10
Price	~$250	~$50
Wattage	100W	10W
Weight	11.2 lbs (5.1 kg)	1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
Folded Size	24.0 x 21.2 x 1.8 in	9.5 x 6.5 x 0.75 in
Cell Type	Monocrystalline	Monocrystalline
Efficiency	Up to 23%	Up to 20%
Output Ports	1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, XT-60 (DC)	1x USB-A (8mm port)
Can Charge Power Stations	Yes (via XT-60/DC)	Limited (small ones only via USB)
Kickstand	Yes – adjustable	Yes – integrated
Water Resistant	IP65	Weather-resistant
Our Rating	9.0/10	7.8/10
Best For	Home/vehicle backup, power station charging	Ultralight kits, travel, phone trickle charging

Anker 625 Solar Panel Overview

The Anker 625 is a serious solar panel designed for serious preparedness scenarios. At 100 watts, it delivers enough power to meaningfully charge portable power stations, laptops, tablets, and multiple devices simultaneously. In a grid-down emergency lasting days or weeks, this is the kind of solar capacity that keeps critical electronics running.

The panel uses high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells with Anker Suncast alignment technology, which helps you position the panel for maximum solar exposure. Real-world output in direct sunlight consistently reaches 70-85 watts, which is typical for panels in this class since rated output represents ideal laboratory conditions. On a sunny day, the Anker 625 can charge a 500Wh power station in roughly 5-7 hours, providing enough stored energy for days of phone charging, LED lighting, and radio use.

The output options are versatile: USB-C and USB-A ports for direct device charging plus an XT-60 DC connector for power station input. The USB-C port supports enough wattage to charge phones at near-wall-charger speeds in direct sun. The adjustable kickstand makes positioning for optimal sun angle straightforward, and the IP65 rating means light rain will not damage the panel (though the charging ports should be protected).

The trade-off is size and weight. At 11.2 pounds and roughly 2 feet wide when folded, the Anker 625 is not going in a backpack. It is designed for vehicle kits, home preparedness setups, or basecamp scenarios where you can deploy it on a roof, balcony, or sunny patch of ground. For apartment power outage preparedness, it is excellent when paired with a balcony or window with southern exposure. Read our full Anker 625 review.

Goal Zero Nomad 10 Overview

The Goal Zero Nomad 10 takes the opposite approach: minimal solar in the most portable package possible. At just 10 watts and 1.1 pounds, it is a solar panel you can genuinely carry in a day pack, clip to the outside of a backpack while hiking, or tuck into a go-bag without any meaningful weight or space penalty.

The panel uses monocrystalline cells in a compact folding design that opens to roughly 10 x 14.5 inches, about the size of a large book. A single USB-A output port delivers up to 10 watts (5V/2A), which is enough to charge a smartphone in roughly 3-4 hours of direct sun. It will not charge a phone as fast as a wall outlet, but it turns sunshine into usable power anywhere on the planet, which is the core value proposition for emergency preparedness.

Goal Zero is the premium name in portable solar, and the Nomad 10 reflects that pedigree. The build quality is excellent for its weight class, with a durable canvas exterior, integrated kickstand, and weather-resistant construction (though it is not fully waterproof). The panel chains with Goal Zero ecosystem of power banks and stations, though at 10 watts, it is really designed for small devices rather than serious power storage.

The limitation is obvious: 10 watts is not much power. You are trickle-charging one device at a time, and cloud cover or imperfect sun angles can reduce output below useful thresholds. You will not charge a power station, run a laptop, or keep multiple devices topped up. For a solo traveler maintaining a phone, GPS, or satellite communicator during an extended emergency, the Nomad 10 is adequate. For family preparedness or powering anything beyond small electronics, it is insufficient. See our full Goal Zero Nomad 10 review.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Build Quality and Durability

Both panels are well-built for their respective categories. The Anker 625 uses industrial-grade monocrystalline cells behind a durable protective surface, and the IP65 rating means it handles dust and light rain confidently. The Goal Zero Nomad 10 uses a canvas-and-panel construction typical of portable solar, with a weather-resistant rather than waterproof rating. For emergency preparedness, where gear might sit in storage for months before being needed, both are reliable. The Anker IP65 rating gives it an edge for extended outdoor deployment.

Features and Functionality

The Anker 625 offers dramatically more functionality. Triple output ports (USB-C, USB-A, and XT-60 DC) let you charge multiple devices or feed a power station simultaneously. The adjustable kickstand allows precise solar angle positioning. At 100 watts, you are generating meaningful power for a household emergency scenario, enough to keep communications, lighting, and medical devices running indefinitely with a properly sized power station.

The Nomad 10 single USB-A port limits you to one device at a time. The integrated kickstand is functional but less adjustable. At 10 watts, you are maintaining rather than powering, keeping a phone alive rather than running a household. For its intended use case (ultralight portable charging), the Nomad 10 is well-designed, but the capability gap is enormous.

Portability and Weight

The Goal Zero Nomad 10 wins this category by a factor of ten. At 1.1 pounds, it is genuinely packable. You can throw it in a 72-hour kit, clip it to a pack, or carry it in a laptop bag. The Anker 625 at 11.2 pounds is a deliberate piece of equipment that requires planning to transport. For bug-out bags, travel kits, and on-foot scenarios, the Nomad 10 is the only viable choice. For vehicle kits and home preparedness, the Anker weight is irrelevant.

Value for Money

The Anker 625 at approximately $250 delivers 100 watts, which works out to $2.50 per watt. The Goal Zero Nomad 10 at roughly $50 delivers 10 watts, or $5.00 per watt. On a watts-per-dollar basis, the Anker 625 is the significantly better value. However, value also depends on what you need. If you only need to keep a phone charged during an emergency, spending $250 on a 100W panel you will never fully utilize is wasteful when a $50 panel does the job. Match the panel to your actual emergency power needs.

Who Should Choose the Anker 625?

• Home emergency preparedness planners who want to power essential electronics during extended outages
• Power station owners who need a solar panel capable of recharging their battery storage
• Vehicle kit builders who have trunk space for a larger solar panel
• Family preppers who need to charge multiple devices for multiple people
• Apartment dwellers with balconies or roof access who want outage preparedness
• Anyone pairing solar with a solar generator setup

Who Should Choose the Goal Zero Nomad 10?

• Ultralight kit builders who need solar charging under 2 pounds total
• Hikers and backpackers who want to clip a panel to their pack
• Digital nomads and international travelers who need a packable solar backup
• Solo preppers who only need to maintain a phone and one or two small devices
• Budget-conscious buyers who want solar capability at the lowest possible price point
• Supplement buyers who already have a larger panel and want an ultralight backup

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Anker 625 worth the extra money over the Goal Zero Nomad 10?

They serve different purposes, so the comparison is not entirely direct. If you need to charge a power station or keep multiple devices running during an extended emergency, the Anker 625 is essential because the Nomad 10 simply cannot do that job. If you only need to keep a single phone alive and want maximum portability, the Nomad 10 is the appropriate tool. For comprehensive home emergency preparedness, the Anker 625 is worth every penny. For travel and ultralight kits, the Nomad 10 is the smarter buy.

Can the Goal Zero Nomad 10 charge a portable power station?

Only very small power banks that charge via USB, and it will be slow. At 10 watts of output (less in real-world conditions), charging even a modest 20,000mAh power bank would take a full day or more of direct sunlight. The Nomad 10 is designed for direct device charging (phone, GPS, satellite communicator) not for recharging power stations. For power station charging, you need at least 50-100 watts, which puts you in the Anker 625 territory.

What are the main differences between the Anker 625 and Goal Zero Nomad 10?

The three fundamental differences are: (1) power output at 100W vs 10W, a 10x difference; (2) weight and portability at 11.2 lbs vs 1.1 lbs, also roughly 10x; and (3) price at $250 vs $50. The Anker 625 has multiple output ports (USB-C, USB-A, DC) while the Nomad 10 has only USB-A. The Anker can charge power stations and laptops; the Nomad 10 is limited to phones and small devices. The Anker is IP65 rated; the Nomad 10 is weather-resistant. They serve fundamentally different use cases rather than being direct competitors.

Our Bottom Line

The Anker 625 and Goal Zero Nomad 10 represent opposite ends of the portable solar spectrum, and many well-prepared households will want both. The Anker 625 is your home and vehicle emergency power solution. Paired with a quality power station, it provides indefinite electricity for essential devices. The Goal Zero Nomad 10 is your personal go-bag and travel solution: ultralight solar that keeps your most critical device charged when you are on the move.

If you can only choose one, ask yourself: will I mostly shelter in place during emergencies (get the Anker 625), or will I mostly be mobile (get the Nomad 10)? For a comprehensive power preparedness plan, pair either panel with a quality power station. See our Best Portable Power Stations and Best Solar Chargers guides for more options.