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Plan on doing some camping this spring and summer? You’ll need one of these.

Emily is a journalist and certified health coach living in Cary, North Carolina.

Unlike batteries and portable power banks, portable solar panel rely on access to the sun. The seven portable solar panel chargers rounded up here are some of the highest-rated ones you’ll find on Amazon. 

This portable solar panel charger from Jackery literally only takes seconds to set up: Just push out the two kickstands, and you’re good to go. What sets this charger apart from others is that it’s up to 23% more efficient at converting sunlight into energy than conventional panels. It also has rubber handles that make it easy to carry.

Promising review: “We purchased this initially for use when we go camping with the Boy Scouts to keep the Jackery charged for cell phone charging for the leaders, and this did not disappoint. It charges our 300W Jackery box up quickly and works well. We also love that it is adjustable to the angle of the sun, so you can get peak sunlight on the panels throughout the day.” —Ex-Chief Jim

Yes, this portable solar panel charger is pricier than many others you’ll find, but if you plan on spending a lot of time off the grid, it might be worth the investment. The 100-watt panel can charge not just small devices but also portable fridges, camp stoves, and lanterns. It also comes with a canvas bag for easy carrying.

Promising review: “Bought this mainly for emergency use, but also occasional off-grid needs. The first test was to hook it up to the power station and run a RecTeq Bullseye wood pellet smoker/grill. Using the two together, I was able to get a net positive charge while running the smoker. (In other words, it was charging faster than the smoker was drawing power.) This was on a mostly sunny/partly cloudy day, with a little bit of shade on the panel. Granted, the power station and solar panel are brand new, but they seem pretty solid and well-built. So far, it seems like a good investment. My only constructive criticism so far is that I wish the cord from the solar panel to the power station were a couple of feet longer. I'm guessing it's about 4 to 5 feet, an 8-foot cord would be really handy, but it's not a deal breaker.” —Douglas D.

Weighing less than three pounds, this is one of the lighter portable solar panels you’ll find. It’s perfect for charging small tech devices, like phones and tablets. It’s also waterproof, so if it rains or you spill something on it, you won’t be completely screwed. 

Promising review: “I'm really impressed with just how fast the solar panel alone charges. I tested my tablet, and it was working pretty quickly. I love that it came with two chargers, too. Also, if you want it to charge faster, get a fast charging cable cord; it makes it go even faster.” —Stacey

This portable solar panel charger is only 5 pounds and ultra-thin, which, for its size, is super lightweight. It’s pretty flexible, so you can fit it to a curved roof if you need to. There are pre-drilled holes and connectors, making installation easy. It promises to work well on boats, RVs, and trailers.

Promising review: “I purchased a 100-watt flexible just to see what I'd be getting for $100. This panel total blew away my expectations! Durable as a rock, and I'm getting an honest 90 to 95 watts, which is, in my experience, about as good as it gets. I'd really like to do the TV test and blast it a couple of times with a sledgehammer. No doubt it could probably withstand it, but I love it too much to try...Definitely recommend this 4 lb powerhouse of a panel!” —D.

Not only is this baby waterproof, but it can also convert up to 23% of sunlight into usable energy to charge your devices even in bad weather. It folds right up and is easy to carry, so you can bring it anywhere you have to go.

Promising review: “I needed some solar panels when I go camping. It's extremely wild there. I left it out, and it gathered energy pretty quickly. I used it all day long, and it worked fine. Took me a little bit to figure it out because I am not good with technology, but I got the hang of it after a little bit.” —Steve Guerra

If you’re serious about off-grid RV life or camping, it’s worth it to consider a portable solar panel that’s powerful enough to provide enough energy for all your needs. While this one is an investment, it’s built to last 25 years and comes with a five-year warranty. 

Promising review: “Picked this up to support RV life when we don't have power. It's a little heavy, but it is easy to set up and connect to the RV. I like that it has a protective case and that the controller is directly attached to the backside of the panel. It easily keeps the AGM battery system charged up, so we have the power we need for 12VDC applications. And since it is not attached to the roof, we can put it in direct sunlight and run a cord to the battery if the RV happens to be parked in the shade. Works great for us!” —David

The four panels outfitted in this solar panel charging power bank are seven times more efficient at converting sunlight into energy than single-panel solar battery packs. It’s waterproof and comes with a super-bright flashlight.

Promising review: “The product is very reliable. Even with cloud cover, it keeps charging, and the high capacity means I can get at least three charges from the start. Took this for a hike, and it was very helpful for my group and me. Also, the light is a bonus, very powerful. Highly rate this product.” —Sarvesh

Price: $49.98+ (available in two colors)