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

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]

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.

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

As solar generators are becoming popular I whimsically bought a lower end generator. This of course incited my curiosity about, solar panels. The flexsolar 40w (by the way they should change their name or modify it, as 'flexsolar' pulls up all sorts of other products), is highly appreciable. Had it not been for two videos on Youtube, about this product, I would not have taken notice. I ran across this panel while researching other, solar generators. I was waiting for pay day to buy another panel that was on sale for $50, a 60w portable panel. I missed the sale. Then flexsolar popped up, I really liked the ipad pro 11" size of the panel, when folded up. And, the youtube video was getting 35 x 38 watts on a cloudy day. (The clouds would make that number dipp significantly.) This was significantly better than other small, portable panels, that would only get half the wattage touted by their adverstising (anker, and others). It has been a several days since this panel arrived. Today is my first full sunny day. I am very famillar with a rav power 20,000 mah portable battery that I own. I charge it with an sd pd 61 watt and 30 watt ravpower ac cube, constantly. Lets just say I was not in the least bit displeased with the speed at which it was charging on solar. This panel has an old style usb port, a usbc port and a dc 5221 port. I was able to obtain from amazon a male to male dc 5221, a male 5221 to usbc male cable, and I already own the old school usb cables. The panel does not come with cables but if you have a usbc male to male cable you can use it for your usbc device, though I do reccomend a usbc battery rather than directly into your ipad, macbook air (there is no problem charging iphone or mac book air directly, but when you charge a brick, you do not have to leave your phone or computer vulnerable), they do sell usbc to lighntning cable for iphones. It is rather crazy that I can get input above a thirty watt wall charger, from direct sunlight. I could potentially buy another panel and parallel charge with an adapter, increasing my watt input potential. The panel is well built and in all probability will take a few years of abuse. I have lived through a few hurricanes in a major city with no electricity for in excess of two weeks. I also lived through the Texas power shutdown in our unusual freeze. This device would have been a game changer. In the freeze, even a small solar generator paired with two of these panels and the right cables in parallel, can run a 12v heating throw blanket, charge ipad, laptop, and run fans. A ten watt LED lamp is a god send after being in the dark all night long, not to mention all the books, and movies to make it through entertainment wise, knowing these solar panels can and will charge my portable batteries. I am very happy and am seriously considering another panel from flexsolar. *This panel could charge my phone in less than an hour of direct full constant sunlight. *This panel folds down into a shape comperable to an 11" ipad pro, though definately thicker and heavier. 3 lbs maybe. It is not that noticeabke in a backpack. It is an apppealing pannel, shape and feel. *This panel could potentially charge my 20,000 mah usbc battery brick in three hours. A 42,000 mah solar generator battery in 6 hours. *This panel does not have "kickstands", it does work laying flat, but something to prop it toward the direction of the sun would increase the watt potential. This is my first step into solar and I sincerely believe I have made a good first step.

Works well! Charges as advertised!

UPDATE2: So I bought BigBlue 28W solar panel just to test out with and see how I like it. And the results are surprising. It produces as much Watts as this 40W one (keep in mind i haven't got higher than about 22 at peak, and average about 19W). On an overcast, i put them side by side, and BigBlue got 3.5W will flex solar got 1.5. Then we had a brief period with more sun today. Big Blue got me 11W and flex solar topped off around 8.5-9. Big Blue is smaller, lighter, and produces more juice. I got to downgrade this to just 3 stars. Its a good product, and maybe mine is an outlier, but results are results. UPDATE: In full sun for the charging...Solar cells never produced higher than 17-20 watts. Not sure what I did wrong. angled panels to face the sun at optimal "input", moved it away from the house in case that did something. It still charged in about 5-6 hours...but I'm disappointed it didn't perform as specified. So I purchased the panel in conjunction with the Omni charge 20+. I'm 30 min into my first test. Today we have mostly cloudy skies, with brief periods of full sun. So far, according to the Omni charge (which has active readout) I've only peaked at 20W during full sun. Nothing higher. When clouds are blocking the sun, I hover around 2-4W. In the first 35min of this test. I've gone from 21% battery to 29% battery. Now some people may want to leave it out all day, however if your a hiker and you can only unpack it during a rest in order to give it full sun, or maybe in a climate with more clouds....I feel the above information is helpful for you. As for me I'm pleased with it. I see three stars as a "meets my lowest expectations." Not sure why I can't get a full 40W in full sun during cloud breaks. However, this is first of many test. Id still recommend this item. Check in later for more updates to my review

I did hours of research to find this gift for my son who is an avid outdoor enthusiast. All of the solar chargers have limits, or particular features you may or may not want. So get what works for Your application. I got this because it is light weight, simple design, durable, versatile, and has enough power for 12 volts, not just a phone charger. you can run an. iPad, or charge a camera, or even run a fan, or some LED lights. there are bigger more powerful panels. also heavier, bulkier. this 40 watt it a big step up from one of those battery packs with small panels. so you can get both, this panel can keep your battery packs charged up. For the price, totally worth it, since it can be used many many times, in many applications.

This solar panel is perfect. I clip it onto my backpack while hiking and run a cord straight to my phone or battery bank. In good sunlight conditions, this will have my phone charged in just a couple hours. Easy to fold up and stash away. Very convenient and stays with my gear all the time