Solar-powered chargers and hand-crank devices.

Product Category: Solar Chargers

Solar-powered chargers and hand-crank devices.

Nekteck 28W Solar Charger

Overview

The Nekteck 28W Solar Charger is the performance leader in the portable direct-charge solar panel category, delivering an impressive 28 watts of output through high-efficiency SunPower monocrystalline cells at a price that dramatically undercuts the competition. At just $35.99 with a 4.4-star rating, this tri-fold panel provides fast, reliable smartphone charging directly from sunlight with dual USB-A ports that can charge two devices simultaneously. SunPower cells are the same premium technology used in residential solar installations, delivering 21-24% conversion efficiency — meaning more of every ray of sunlight becomes usable electricity for your devices. For the preparedness-minded buyer seeking the best balance of solar performance and value, the Nekteck 28W delivers in a way that few products at any price can match.

Key Capabilities

The 28W output from SunPower monocrystalline cells is the highest-performing portable solar solution in the direct-charge category at this price. In strong, direct sunlight, each USB-A port delivers up to 5V at 2A (10W), providing smartphone charging speeds comparable to indoor wall charging. With two ports active, total output reaches up to 28W, allowing simultaneous charging of two smartphones, a phone and a GPS unit, or any combination of USB-A-powered devices. This dual-port capability means a family can charge two devices at once rather than waiting in sequence.

SunPower’s monocrystalline cells are manufactured using an interdigitated back contact design that eliminates front-side contact shading, achieving 21-24% efficiency compared to the 15-18% typical of standard polycrystalline cells. In practical terms, this means the Nekteck generates more power from the same physical area, giving you more charging capability without more weight or bulk. The efficiency advantage is most noticeable during suboptimal conditions like early morning, late afternoon, and hazy skies, where the SunPower cells continue producing useful power while lesser panels fall to minimal output.

The compact tri-fold design opens to present three panels to the sun and closes to roughly the size of a folded newspaper. Backpack attachment loops integrated into the design allow the Nekteck to be clipped to the outside of a pack, charging a connected device as you hike. This passive charging approach means your phone gains charge while you walk, arriving at camp with more power than you left with.

Build Quality & Design

The Nekteck 28W features a durable polyester canvas housing that protects the solar cells during transport and deployment. The tri-fold design opens flat for maximum sun exposure and folds compactly for storage and travel. At 1.3 pounds and approximately 10 x 6.3 inches when folded, it occupies minimal space in a pack or emergency kit. The USB ports are housed in a zippered pouch that provides weather protection for connected devices during outdoor charging. Grommets at the corners allow the panel to be hung from branches, tent lines, or clotheslines for elevated sun exposure. While the build quality is practical rather than premium, it is well-suited to the demands of outdoor use and priced accordingly.

Best Use Cases

The Nekteck 28W is the ideal solar charger for budget-conscious preppers, hikers and backpackers who want high-output solar at minimal weight, emergency kits where solar charging is a priority, and anyone who wants to pair a capable solar panel with their existing battery bank. It excels when combined with a 20,000mAh battery bank — the Nekteck charges the bank during the day, and the bank charges your devices at night, creating a sustainable power cycle. For families building multiple emergency kits, the $35.99 price makes it feasible to include solar charging capability in every kit without breaking the budget.

Considerations

Like the Goal Zero Nomad 10, the Nekteck 28W uses USB-A ports rather than USB-C, meaning you will need appropriate cables for USB-C devices. The build quality is functional and durable without reaching the premium fit and finish of higher-priced alternatives like Goal Zero panels. There is no built-in battery, so the panel only produces power when exposed to sunlight — pairing it with a battery bank is recommended for maximum utility. As with all solar panels, performance correlates directly with sunlight quality; heavy cloud cover and shade significantly reduce output. Clear skies and direct sun angles produce the best results.

Our Take

The Nekteck 28W Solar Charger offers the most solar charging performance per dollar of any portable panel we have tested. SunPower’s premium monocrystalline cells deliver 21-24% efficiency — technology typically found in panels costing two to three times more. The 28W output charges phones at near-wall-charger speeds, the dual ports serve two devices simultaneously, and the compact tri-fold design travels easily. At $35.99, it is a preparedness essential that pays for itself by generating free electricity for years. Pair it with a quality battery bank and you have an indefinite off-grid charging system for less than the cost of a nice dinner out. Outstanding value.

Goal Zero Nomad 10

Overview

The Goal Zero Nomad 10 is a compact, foldable solar charger that brings Goal Zero’s legendary build quality and reliability to the smallest end of the portable solar spectrum. At $49.95 with a 4.3-star rating, this 10W panel is designed for one job: keeping your small USB devices charged using nothing but sunlight. It folds to roughly the size of a small journal, weighs just 1.1 pounds, and is built to withstand the demands of outdoor use with weather-resistant construction. For hikers, backpackers, and preparedness-minded individuals who want to add renewable charging capability to their kit without significant weight or bulk, the Nomad 10 is the gold standard in compact solar charging.

Key Capabilities

The Nomad 10 outputs 10 watts through a single USB-A port at 5V, 2A. In direct sunlight, this provides enough power to charge a smartphone at roughly the same speed as a standard wall charger — a remarkable capability from a device that generates its own electricity from the sun. The monocrystalline solar cells deliver efficient energy conversion, and the integrated smart electronics regulate the output to provide consistent, device-safe power regardless of slight variations in sunlight intensity.

The foldable design opens to present the full solar panel to the sun while maintaining a compact travel profile when closed. An integrated kickstand allows you to position the panel at an optimal angle to the sun without propping it against objects or holding it in place. Corner loops and attachment points allow the Nomad 10 to be secured to backpacks, tents, vehicle dashboards, and window ledges, capturing solar energy passively while you attend to other tasks.

For emergency preparedness, the Nomad 10 represents a fundamentally different approach to power than battery banks. While a battery bank stores a fixed amount of energy that eventually depletes, a solar charger generates new energy every day as long as the sun rises. Paired with even a modest battery bank, the Nomad 10 creates a self-sustaining charging ecosystem that can operate indefinitely — a powerful capability during extended grid-down scenarios.

Build Quality & Design

Goal Zero’s reputation for premium build quality is fully evident in the Nomad 10. The panel surface is protected by durable, weather-resistant material that withstands UV exposure, moisture, and moderate abrasion. The folding mechanism is reinforced and designed for thousands of open-close cycles without degradation. The integrated kickstand is cleverly designed and sturdy enough to hold the panel in position in light to moderate wind. The overall construction communicates durability and longevity — this is a panel built to spend years exposed to the elements. At 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.75 inches when folded, it occupies minimal pack space while unfolding to a generous solar collection area.

Best Use Cases

The Goal Zero Nomad 10 is perfect for hikers and backpackers who need solar charging without heavy gear, ultralight go-bags and bug-out bags, window-based emergency solar charging during home outages, and as a companion to small battery banks for creating an indefinite off-grid charging system. It is also an excellent choice for international travel, boating, and any activity where you may be away from electrical outlets for extended periods. Pair it with a 10,000-20,000mAh battery bank and you have a solar charging system that can keep your phone alive indefinitely through any outage.

Considerations

The 10W output is optimized for small devices like smartphones, GPS units, and headlamps. Tablets and larger devices will charge more slowly, and laptops are outside this panel’s intended scope. The USB-A output means you will need a USB-A to USB-C cable for modern devices, as there is no native USB-C port. The price-per-watt is higher than larger panels, reflecting the Goal Zero build quality and compact engineering rather than raw wattage. Performance is best in direct, unobstructed sunlight — cloud cover and shade reduce output proportionally, which is a fundamental characteristic of all solar technology.

Our Take

The Goal Zero Nomad 10 is the solar charger for people who demand quality and reliability from their gear. It will not charge a laptop or fill a power station, but it will keep your most essential device — your phone — charged using free energy from the sun, day after day, for years to come. The premium build quality means you can trust it to perform in the field, on the trail, and through the kind of rough treatment that outdoor use demands. At $49.95, it is an investment in sustainable, indefinite charging capability that you will carry with confidence. When paired with a good battery bank, the Nomad 10 creates a solar charging system that never runs out.

Anker 625 Solar Panel

Overview

The Anker 625 Solar Panel is a versatile 100W foldable solar panel that bridges the gap between portable chargers and full-size solar installations, delivering serious power generation capability in a package that folds up and travels with you. At $54.99 with a 4.2-star rating, this panel outputs up to 100 watts through MC4 connectors for portable power stations, plus integrated USB-C and USB-A ports for direct device charging. With 23% efficient solar cells and Anker’s proven PowerIQ optimization technology, the 625 represents a significant step up in portable solar capability for users who want to rapidly charge power stations, run multiple devices from the sun, and maintain genuine energy independence during extended off-grid periods.

Key Capabilities

The Anker 625’s 100W output is the highest in our portable solar comparison by a significant margin. This level of solar generation can charge a 300Wh portable power station in approximately 3-4 hours, a 500Wh station in 5-6 hours, or a 1000Wh station in 10-12 hours of direct sunlight. The MC4 connector provides universal compatibility with virtually all portable power stations on the market, making the 625 an excellent upgrade panel for anyone who already owns a solar generator and wants faster charging times.

The integrated USB-C and USB-A ports add direct device charging capability without requiring a power station as an intermediary. You can charge your phone, tablet, or other USB devices directly from the panel while simultaneously feeding power to a connected power station through the MC4 output. Anker’s PowerIQ technology monitors sunlight conditions and adjusts output in real time to maximize energy harvest, providing optimal charging performance even as cloud patterns shift throughout the day.

At 23% cell efficiency, the Anker 625 extracts more energy from each square foot of panel area than standard panels, which translates to either more power from the same size or the same power from a smaller, lighter panel. This efficiency advantage becomes particularly meaningful during partially cloudy conditions or suboptimal sun angles, where every percentage point of efficiency means more usable energy reaching your devices.

Build Quality & Design

The Anker 625 features a multi-panel folding design that opens to 60 x 20.5 inches for maximum solar collection and folds down to a compact, transportable size. An integrated adjustable kickstand positions the panel at optimal angles to the sun without requiring external supports. The panel surface is scratch-resistant and designed for outdoor deployment, and the overall construction reflects Anker’s commitment to reliable, long-lasting products. At 5 pounds, the panel is light enough for one person to carry comfortably and set up in moments. The folding design includes a carry handle for convenient transport between your storage location and deployment site.

Best Use Cases

The Anker 625 is the ideal solar upgrade for anyone who already owns a portable power station and wants faster solar charging. It excels in extended power outage preparedness where daily solar recharging of a power station is essential, RV and campsite setups, emergency base camp operations, and off-grid living or working. For homeowners with a power station like the Jackery 300 Plus, EcoFlow River 2, or similar unit, adding the Anker 625 dramatically reduces solar charge time and increases daily energy independence. It also serves well as a standalone solar charger for USB devices in situations where a 100W output panel makes shorter work of the charging task.

Considerations

The Anker 625 unfolds to a generous 60 x 20.5 inches, which requires adequate space for deployment. You will need a clear area with direct sun exposure and enough room for the panel to lay flat or stand on its kickstand. At 5 pounds, it is heavier than small, phone-focused solar panels — this is a power station-class panel designed for significant energy generation rather than ultralight pocket carry. The panel achieves its rated 100W output in optimal direct sunlight conditions; expect proportionally lower output during cloudy weather, morning and evening hours, and winter months with lower sun angles. These are characteristics shared by all solar panels and are accounted for in energy planning.

Our Take

The Anker 625 Solar Panel is the most capable portable solar panel in our comparison, delivering 100W of power generation through MC4 and USB connections at a remarkably competitive $54.99 price point. For anyone who owns or plans to purchase a portable power station, this panel transforms it from a device that stores a finite amount of energy into a system that generates energy every day the sun shines. Paired with a quality power station, the Anker 625 creates a genuinely independent power system capable of sustaining your essential devices indefinitely during extended outages. If you are serious about solar-powered preparedness, this panel provides the generation capacity to make that vision a practical reality.