15 Mini Portable Solar Panels Tested! 5w-60w (SunJack, Goal Zero, BioLite, AllPowers, FlexSolar)
Ғылым және технология
Solar Panel Test Spreadsheet with UPDATED PRICES - airtable.com/appELEdBYqS2p4xz...
*** Includes updated pricing on Sunjacks 15w panel ($60 instead of $80) and their 25w Panel ($80 instead of $120)
You can check out the solar panels and support the channel using the affiliate links down below:
Sunjack 15w - $60 amzn.to/3Dln99k
Sunjack 25w - $80 amzn.to/44FL92T
Sunjack 60w - $170 amzn.to/44Z9pgh
AllPowers SP026 60w - $80 shrsl.com/4ex3u
Biolite SolarPanel 5+ - $100 www.dpbolvw.net/click-1007856...
Biolite SolarPanel 10+ - $150 www.dpbolvw.net/click-1007856...
BigBlue3 28w - $80 amzn.to/3N6remm
Goal Zero Nomad 5 - $60 amzn.to/3pBEBTT
Goal Zero Nomad 10 - $100 amzn.to/3PR7Dt6
Goal Zero Nomad 20 - $150 amzn.to/3OacGUk
FlexSolar 6w - $15 amzn.to/44mo2tV
FlexSolar 10w - $40 amzn.to/44GD91m
FlexSolar 20w - $45 amzn.to/3NMSypY
FlexSolar 40w - $80 amzn.to/3pC29bb
Nitecore FSP30 30w - $120 shrsl.com/4415z
Solar Panel Giveaway Rules - Groove Dude was the winner!
* Leave a comment below to enter and let us know which panel is your favorite!
* 1 Winner will be randomly selected using the Comment Picker app on AUG 4, 2023 and announced on my community page. I will reply to your comment as well but beware of spammers/ impersonators.
* Please only make one comment. If you make multiple comments on this video you’ll be disqualified from this giveaway. You can still reply to other comments.
* Open to worldwide residents, 18 or older. (Winners outside USA may receive a PayPal donation for resale value of the panel instead)
* You’ll have 48 hours to message me via email at urbanpreppergearguide@gmail.com to claim your prize.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:36 Giveaway
01:02 Solar Testing
01:46 5-6w Panels
02:47 10-15w Panels
03:48 20-30w Panels
05:22 40-60w Panels
06:23 Sunjack
07:27 FlexSolar
08:29 Allpowers
09:30 BioLite
10:37 Nitecore
11:13 BigBlue
12:04 Goal Zero
13:09 Top Choices
#solar #solarpanel #solarenergy
Пікірлер: 120
Solar Panel Test Spreadsheet with UPDATED PRICES - airtable.com/appELEdBYqS2p4xzE/shr8WXuyfIDDSkZSn * Includes updated pricing on Sunjacks 15w panel ($60 instead of $80) and their 25w Panel ($80 instead of $120) You can check out the solar panels and support the channel using the affiliate links down below: Sunjack 15w - $60 amzn.to/3Dln99k Sunjack 25w - $80 amzn.to/44FL92T Sunjack 60w - $170 amzn.to/44Z9pgh AllPowers SP026 60w - $100 amzn.to/463WRFJ Biolite SolarPanel 5+ - $100 www.dpbolvw.net/click-100785677-15201429 Biolite SolarPanel 10+ - $150 www.dpbolvw.net/click-100785677-15201429 BigBlue3 28w - $80 amzn.to/3N6remm Goal Zero Nomad 5 - $60 amzn.to/3pBEBTT Goal Zero Nomad 10 - $100 amzn.to/3PR7Dt6 Goal Zero Nomad 20 - $150 amzn.to/3OacGUk FlexSolar 6w - $15 amzn.to/44mo2tV FlexSolar 10w - $40 amzn.to/44GD91m FlexSolar 20w - $45 amzn.to/3NMSypY FlexSolar 40w - $80 amzn.to/3pC29bb Nitecore FSP30 30w - $120 shrsl.com/4415z
@undefinednull5749
9 ай бұрын
The problem with this video, and your testing is that you don't provide the light illuminance values. The STC (Standard Testing Conditions) for panels are at 100 thousand lux of light or 120 thousand. You can use any smartphone with any free lux meter app to verify.
@undefinednull5749
9 ай бұрын
Additionally, you tested the output of the USB ports. Whereas the rated total power is more than standard (not quick charge etc.) USB ports are capable of outputting. Overall, i think you should delete this video as it is mostly very misleading. Unfortunately, you are not alone in this idiocy.
@vytasffbismarck7001
2 ай бұрын
the most relevant information would be to know how much power is received when charging multiple usb/usb-c devices simultaneously, because that weirdly varies greatly, some 30w+ panels only letting through 5w each when shared and such. so some of the panels would be completely irrelevant for anyone wanting to charge multiple devices, which, lets face it, its probably majority of users
Anyone that has gone to this much trouble to put together such a complete and comprehensive video surely deserves my subscription. Thank you.
@UrbanSurvivor
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the sub!
@MyTube4Utoo
3 ай бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor You're welcome. 👍
Anyone that has gone to this much trouble to put together such a complete and comprehensive video surely deserves my subscription.
@IndirectManifestatio
24 күн бұрын
This comment appears twice, word for word from 2 different accounts.. sketchy
I'm suprised at the lackluster performance on the Goal-Zero. This was a very useful test. Thank you for taking the time to make the test a great and useful one!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Me too! Can't believe how poor the performance was, especially for how expensive they are.
@tarstarkusz
5 ай бұрын
Realize just how bad these lies are. These tests were done when the panels had the most sun to convert. This video was uploaded in July. Give him a week to do the editing, takes you back to the late teens of July (like 18th, 19th, 20th). This is less than a month away of the best the solar panels are ever going to do in the Northern hemisphere (peak solar output is solar noon June 21st) Plus, they were likely not tested for hours before the test period, which means they weren't in the July sun for 8 hours before solar noon and so were at a higher level of efficiency than they would have been had they been in the sun all day in July. Had this video been done in Nov or January, they would have produced maybe 1/2 of what they produced on test day. The whole solar industry is just a pack of lies.
*Summary* *Overview* - The video tests 15 mini portable solar panels ranging from 5w to 60w. - Brands include Goal Zero, Sun Jack, BioLite, AllPowers, FlexSolar, Big Blue, and Nitecore. - The panels are tested for watt output, cost per watt, and watts per ounce. *Key Findings* - *5-6w Panels:* FlexSolar 6w is the most affordable but produced only 4w. BioLite 5+ was the only panel to meet its claimed wattage. - *10-15w Panels:* SunJack 15w had the highest total watt output (12w). FlexSolar 10w was the most affordable. - *20-30w Panels:* SunJack 25w produced 16w but was less efficient than its 15w version. Nitecore FSP30 was the most efficient in watts per ounce. - *40-60w Panels:* SunJack 60w produced 46w, AllPowers 60w produced 50w. FlexSolar 40w was the most affordable in this group. *Pros and Cons by Brand* - *SunJack:* High build quality but expensive. - *FlexSolar:* Most affordable and good performance, lacks storage pouch. - *AllPowers:* Highest output and most affordable in the 40-60w range. - *BioLite:* Includes built-in battery but is expensive. - *Nitecore:* Efficient in watts per ounce but medium build quality. - *Big Blue:* Disappointing output, reasonable build quality. - *Goal Zero:* Average performance, good build quality but expensive. *Recommendations* - *Micro Size:* FlexSolar 6w for affordability. - *10-15w Range:* SunJack 15w for build quality. - *20-30w Range:* FlexSolar 20w for affordability. - *40-60w Range:* AllPowers 60w for output and cost-efficiency. The video also encourages viewers to check out a spreadsheet airtable.com/appELEdBYqS2p4xzE/shr8WXuyfIDDSkZSn for more detailed information and to participate in a giveaway.
@cxsey8587
9 ай бұрын
Did you throw the transcript into chat gpt ?
I was on the fence between sunjack and goalzero, and after doing some basic research, as good as a solar noob like me could do, I went with the 60watt sunjack. Im happy with the purchase.
wow thanks for taking the time to make this super detailed video
The Sunjack 25 is my favorite, looks really well-made!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
I got the pricing wrong on that panel, its only $80 instead of $120!
Exactly the comparison I was looking for. Thank You
Thank you man, you make the internet a wonderful place
This was a great review and exactly what I needed to know. Thank you so much.
The Sunjack 60 is my favorite. The size is very manageable and yet it provides very good power.
Definitely the AllPowers SP026 just ideal for a family of three! Starting to take my daughter as she’s old enough now to walk out there so we are excited to start exploring together. Thank you for the video!
Nice review. I went with the Big Blue 28W for a recent canoe backpacking trip due to the output per oz., the storage pouch to conceal the charge ports, and the sale on Amazon for $45. My critique of the charge port pocket is the orientation, which means the cables have to route out of the pocket and thus you couldn't store the charging device in the pocket and protect from moisture - the counter is that charging during the rain is a bad idea anyway. The lack of a kickstand was annoying, so I actually used the phones we were charging to angle the panel, which was never ideal. Given that it's only rated for two simultaneous USB ports, it's not possible to actually get 28W out, but given how hard it is to get perfect aiming throughout the day, getting around 20W is perfect when you only have two simultaneous 2.1A 5V charging ports. I found the product was able to charge two connected devices surprisingly quickly and thus it did exactly what I needed. Ideally, the pocket would be designed to hold a battery pack and keep the cables protected, so you can charge your device in the evening. It would have been nice for you to explain, in detail, how you were measuring the output (what load was applied on the USB outputs), and also discuss what the outputs were since they are what limit output. So, if you got 17W out of a USB interface with only 21W of rated output, not 28W, I think it's worthwhile to discuss both efficiencies. It's possible (and likely) the panels themselves are capable of the rated output, but the USB interface is the limitation. We expect the interface to reduce output, so a discussion on useful wattage ratings versus marketing wattage ratings can occur.
Good content. Thank you.
Thanks for doing this kind of product comparison, there are so many portable available that it is difficult to know if your getting what you think your buying.
Allpowers SP026 because mo’ powa baby!
THANK YOU!!! ... By sharing so much detailed and helpful information, you have answered so many of my questions and given me very helpful information to make decisions on panels like these. Thanks again!:-)
I like the Nitecore FSP30 because I have several nitecore products that all work very well
Just ordered myself a big blue for $58 on sale for Black Friday. Thanks for the info!
@UrbanSurvivor
8 ай бұрын
Awesome deal!
@steve3011
8 ай бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor Absolutely! Can’t wait to try it out.
That is such a cool tech ! Count me in for the giveaway ! I like the Flexsolar 40W
I would pick the FlexSolar 40W. Would be a bit hesitant about a built-in battery in terms of longevity.
I like the Flexsolar 40w based on the specs and price. There is a lot to choose from here, all pretty good. Thanks for the rundown!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Good choice! Thank you for watching!
Some great testing! I prefer the larger watt panels like the allpowers
I bought a new 14W Allpowers IBC Panel now. It has an integrated big ~10000 mAh battery. it´s great as well. Got it for cheap. However it´s great for power output... it is bad in low light conditions. So when there is very few sun, it won´t turn on and cannot charge. So strenght is: Good for shadows. Can be half shadowed and still will output 10W out of 14W! Has very powerful output for the small size and it´s light weigth and weather proof! Weakness: not good for winter or low light. Will not produce any energy in such conditions. Will not turn on on morning daytime such as 8am or 10am. Only able to be used from 12 pm to 20pm. This Solarpanel has a 3 led indicator to show how good sun is right now: Green for very good output (2 or 3A). Yellow for good output (1 or 2A) and red for "OK" output (less than 1A). I made a test and it has shown, that on sunny days, you can charge it fully in just 3 hours of full bright sun. It has 3 output connections (1x USB C with 18W, and one standard 2.4A USB and one USB QC 3.0 plug) and two inputs for manual charging. Efficiency of the conversion when charging something isn´t that good btw. (70 or 80 percent depending on heat). So it has no GAN tech! But it has sunpower IBC cells and those have an efficiency of 28 Percent which is the best you can get right now (if you don´t count on very expensive CIGS Cells). You can easily charge 20000 mAh/day (roughly 74wh) with this panel, if not even more. The battery is well protected against any heat shoved into the backside of the panel. The panel does not have any heatconductive materails so it won´t kill your battery if you put it directly into the sun.
Definitely AllPowers SP026. Great performance for price per watt. Love the info spreadsheet.
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Great choice and glad you enjoyed the spreadsheet!
Very detailed and comprehensive review. As always you did amazing job 👏
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great weekend
Excellent roundup, extremely comprehensive. I’ve been testing a bunch of these panels myself and agree that Sunjack and Flex Solar are the best best. I wasn’t a fan of the Allpowers 60w - it felt so heavy and bulky. Anyway, great work!
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Thank you Todd! Dan over at SunJack is a really great guy and they make excellent quality panels. In your testing did you discover any other noteworthy brands?
@todd.parker
11 ай бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor Dan is the best. I requested 40 and 80w samples from Powerness because they look good and have a built-in display to tell you output. Bi-fold design so not as portable but still interesting. Big Blue 30w panel was pretty good too but PD output was limited to 20w
Great test and very helpful for getting a better overview of the market. It would be great if you could add some information to the spreadsheet that indicates if it is possible to get the full power over a single usb port. I dont want to connect multiple powerbanks to get the full power.
Think I gotta go with the FlexSolar 40w, it seems to be an all around solid brand and more compact than the others in the same range. Great video. Thanks for the info!
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed the video and i agree with you that the Flexsolar 40 is a great option!
Sun Jack was impressive. Good review.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Yes it was! I provided too high of prices on a few of their panels and when you factor that in they did even better!
I like that the All Powers has the nice carry handle and multiple ports.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Yeah they make prettty good stuff across the board! Got a power station review in the works as well!
@Paul_Kasper
Жыл бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor Can't wait to see that video, I will be watching, thank you.
The Sunjack 60W looks really interesting for a Blackout Kit. But for backpacking i dont see a need to go over 20 Watts.
I never liked goal zero. No bang for your buck.
Flex Solar seems to be really affordable & at the same time, decent quality. I’ll be looking into them for my first portable solar panel purchase. Great review!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Yeah they really make some great quality panels for a good price! Thank you for watching!
the nitecore is my favorite, i have a few flashlights from them and i love that brand. will be perfect for my kayaking trips. thanks for the video !!!!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Good choice! Hoping to review some of their 21700 EDC and Tactical flashlights next month! Kayaking seems like a fun hobby.
@silviolopez3281
Жыл бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor yes.. very fun when the weather is good haha i hope nitecore send you some flashlight to review !!
The sunjack is great with 12watt
Sunjack one looks great.
I'd go with the flexsolar 20w. Thanks for the review.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Yeah they really impressed me across the board with their reasonably priced performance
Thx for video! 👍
@UrbanSurvivor
Ай бұрын
You bet!
am i the only one bothered by the false advertisement of the watts ? in almost all the companies.
@user-in3br2qs8x
5 ай бұрын
It isn´t false advertisement. But when you use USB-plugs, power is lost. My 8W-chinese-cheapo-panel (bought for 16 Euros 3 years ago!) has exactly up to 8W measured output (1.6A in biggest sun, usually around 0.8 or 1A in mid-sun in spring and summer and around 0.6A in fall`s sun and about 0.4 - 0.5A in current winter-days where many other panels get ZERO output or less than 0.1A). It uses a very high-efficiency USB-converter to reach 100% output. Same for my 120W-panel: up to 120W were measured (in biggest sun). In mid-sun around 80W are possible (Spring/Summer) and in fall around 60W. In winter around 20-40W is possible with this. You just have to understand, that whenever you want to use e.g. PD on any solar-panel, you will LOSE Watts. So a 60W-Panel won´t give you 60W via PD (USB-C). Because the voltage of the panel has to be converted and sometimes 50% of power is LOST through conversion (bad converters are often being used). So again: the advertisement is never false on solar-panels. If you don´t get your 100% output this just means they used cheap and low-efficiency USB/DC/PD-converters for your panel. Remember that you also need a HIGH efficiency-powerstation which does NOT lose power when you charge it via solar. My powerstation has that feature, no Power is lost when i charge it. I can charge it with 0.5 Watts if i want to. This is important because it means again no power is lost when i charge it via solarpanel. 99% Efficiency. No MPPT being used.
That Sunjack 25W seems like a great pickup!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
It is! I got the pricing wrong on that panel, its only $80 instead of $120!
I like 40w flexsolar, it fit in my bag, 30 watt is good enaough to fully charge a flashfish A101 in 3 hours, then i can use to charge my phone more than 5 times
Judging by the video, the panel test was carried out very unreliably. Panels that had some supports were placed perpendicular to the sun's rays, while some panels were simply placed flat, which significantly reduces the efficiency of such panels. Additionally, some panels are connected in parallel or, even worse, in series, and if not all of them are positioned equally to the sun, the efficiency of the whole thing drops significantly. If such a comparison were to be carried out reliably, all panels should be treated equally, e.g. by resting on an identical surface.
The All Powers SPO26 looks legit!
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
It is very good! Thank you for watching
on the biolite stuff...battery is always nice....but can it be changed? They tend to go bad and with some panel solar units like that, the panel is dead when battery is toasted. Just another test point maybe idk....ideas lol.
Would like to enter into the giveaway. I don’t have a favorite because I’ve never used one of these panels before, very cool though.
I WANT IT !
does elevation take into account on the effectiveness of these?
flexsolar seems to have a 2 panels for $24 making it go down to a whooping $3 per watt
I have a small AllPowers panel and I like it The AllPowers SP026 should be a good one.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Thats great! I've had a few allpowers panels and they are fantastic!
Sunjack all the way!
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Yeah i actually got the pricing wrong in the video, they are more affordable than originally quoted
Flexsolar really impressed me
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching
Subscribed
All power would be my choice since I have made a powerstation that I have been wanting to a solar panel to.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Yeah it would be great for a power station! Which brand powerstattion did you end up getting?
Your amazing 🤩
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Obrigado e abraços.
Sunjack 60w. Looks more portable than Allpowers.
I bet my big blue will produce 24 watt in outback australia.
I expected goal zero to be subpar. I wished it was better considering how insanely overpriced it is.
I have a goal zero nomad 20 and it is crap. Claims to charge a phone but it actually makes my phone charge go down. I'm thinking about the nitecore panels.
No Anker panels tested? Is there a reason they aren’t here?
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
i don't understand what the cost per watt is. anyone can explain
Saya suka sunjack 60 dengan wat besar tapi ukuran tidak terlalu besar
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for watching!
It’s hard to trust your data only because the video of you testing some products shows your head shadow over the panel while you are looking at the battery bank output number. For example the biolite 10W. I saw the same head shadow on goal zero 20. Is that how you recorded the value? Having even a finger over a corner of the panel can ruin the entire cells performance output. I’m hoping your testing was done so that all the panels were at the same angle and tilt angle. I saw you using kickstands on some and flat on others. That is another factor that can change the output.
I have a question- how Are you able to show 16 watts getting pulled from flex solar 20 watt when all it has is a USBA that will only push 10 watts at the most? Were you testing the USBA output or the DC output?
@user-in3br2qs8x
5 ай бұрын
You will only get max. wattage of any solar-panel via DC-output! USB will NEVER give you max. wattage, since voltage has to be converted (which costs energy, and usually 50% of power is LOST when you charge via USB without GAN-tech).
That is an amazing giveaway, enter me as well, I would love the Flex Solar 40w , thanks
@UrbanSurvivor
11 ай бұрын
Just drew you as the winner! Email me at urbanpreppergearguide@gmail.com and we'll arrange shipment of the FlexSolar40w panel ASAP!
@Groovedude925
11 ай бұрын
@@UrbanSurvivor That is so cool ! Thank you so much ! I am writing right away !
I would choose the Sunjack 60 watt. as a Jeep owner, space is limited. the size and quality of the Sunjack would be the best fit. it could easily fit in the behind the seat pouch or under the seat, without being damaged by other gear in the Jeep. all the Sunjack wattage sizes could serve a purpose if you plan on being stationary for a long period of time and for what you need to be recharged.
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
I expect the sunjack 60w would hold up very well in a jeep and would be sufficient for some overlanding trips! Probably could handle being tossed around in the trunk with ease!
Out of them all my fav is the bio lite mini would be great to carry around in my pack for work etc another great video mate 💪
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
The built in battery pack is pretty convenient!
The biolite solarpanels are worthless, the onboard battery overheats in the sun and it shuts down. Same with goal zero, I'm lucky if I get 6-7watts from their 20w panel and that's when I'm using their powerbank with a built in mpp controller.
@thatyoutubeguy7583
9 ай бұрын
Had a solar charger like that with built in battery.
Having a solar power bank , of some kind in your pack , is almost a must these days . Tech has come a long way in recent years , and there are far more rechargeable products out there , than ever before . I can see the throw away battery power gear , going away soon .
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Agreed! Mini solar should be a part of everybodies kits these days! Performance has come a long way and the prices are great. Especially the ETFE panels will last a long time.
🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌 0:36 0:37 0:37
Comment
I like BIO LITE 100 w
@UrbanSurvivor
Жыл бұрын
Have that one too lol kzread.info/dash/bejne/dYSMmaecqJCqcpc.html
The problem with this video, and your testing is that you don't provide the light illuminance values. The STC (Standard Testing Conditions) rate the panels at 100 thousand lux of light or 120 thousand. You can use any smartphone with any free lux meter app to verify. Additionally, you tested the output of❤ the USB ports. Whereas the rated total power is more than standard (not quick charge etc.) USB ports are capable of outputting. Overall, i think you should delete this video as it is mostly very misleading. Unfortunately, you are not alone in this idiocy.
Anyone that has gone to this much trouble to put together such a complete and comprehensive video surely deserves my subscription.