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!

Pros: it supports fast charging. easy to carry , you can fold it Cons: it absorbs the sun heat aggressively Which will makes it slows down the charging speed , this is normal but really annoying because i have to wait more to charge my device

Bonne efficacité. M'a permis de garder tous mes appareils électroniques chargés oendnt un voyage de 6 semaines. Assez robuste pour les activités de plein air.

Usato in campeggio per 12 giorni,ricaricato powerbank e smartphone senza alcun problema.

Flex Solar Tragbares Solar-Ladegerät mit 40 W ------------------------------------------------------ Seit langem spielte ich mit dem Gedanken mir ein Ladegerät mit Solartechnik zu beschaffen, leider ließt man bei den meisten gemischte Rezensionen von Gut bis schlecht alles dabei, was natürlich Unsicherheit zum Produkt schürt. Dieses Modell ( 40 W ) habe ich mit einem IPhone 13 Mini via dazugekauften USB Anschluss (0,2m) an einem Sonnig / bewölkten Tag (70/30%) im April 2022 getestet. Das Ergebnis kann sich wie ich finde sehen lassen, aber erstmal zum Aufbau & Location: ------------------------------------------------------ > Aufbau: Ich habe das Panel gezielt nur auf das flache Gras gelegt, ohne Anstellwinkel, weil ich wissen wollte wie es in den meisten Situationen ohne suchen von Anstellmöglichkeiten operiert. ------------------------------------------------------ Location: In meinem Garten eine Süd / Südwest Ausrichtung genutzt welche ohne Bäume / Hindernisse frei der Sonne zugängig ist. Uhrzeit Start: ca. 16:00 ------------------------------------------------------ > Ladeleistung: Durchschnittlich hatte ich eine Ladeleistung von 1 % pro Minute (bei praller Sonne), habe dies mehrmals kontrolliert und mit einer Stoppuhr gemessen, WOW !, das würde durchschnittlich bei einem Akkustand von 0 - 100 %, bei praller Sonne 100 Minuten bedeuten ( 1 Std. 40 ) was ich mehr als gut finde für ein Panel dieser Größe. Mein IPhone 13 Mini hatte bei beginn des Tests 30% Ladestand, und für den Sprung auf 100 % ( +70%) waren 1Std & 20 Minuten nötig, leider hat sich zwischendrin ab und an mal eine Wolke dazwischen geschoben. ------------------------------------------------------ > Powerbank: Diesen Test habe ich noch nicht unterzogen, aber aus dem Netz befindliche Informationen beschreiben eine gewisse Problematik mit den Größen der Power Banks, hat man also eine 19.000 + ...... Powerbank würde diese wohl sehr viel Zeit in Anspruch nehmen trotz der guten Ladeleistung, werde dies aber noch beim nächsten mal testen und den Bericht erweitern. ------------------------------------------------------ > Verarbeitung: Die Verarbeitung sieht robust aus, nichts was sich wie eine schwabbelige Folie anfühlt, oder man angst haben muss das es beim Aufliegen auf Stein / holzigem Untergrund sofort kaputt geht. Auf der Unterseite der Solarplatten ist eine Art aufgeraute Matte laminiert, die Stärke des Panels sind ca. 2 mm. ------------------------------------------------------ > Mitführen Für einen Spaziergang im Rucksack oder Strand, Baggersee, Hütte usw. sieht das Panel wie gemacht aus, die Größe würde ich auf IPad Niveau ansiedeln. Das Teil an einen Rucksack hängen während man damit wandert ? Naja ich persönlich würde sagen zu groß !, eher zum laden bei Rast / Pause aus dem Rucksack entnehmen & laden. ------------------------------------------------------ > Fazit. Für Handy, Smartwatch, Taschenlampen usw. ist dieses Teil bei passendem Wetter ein absolutes Monster ! Lade Leistung bei aktuellen Handys überzeugt ! Von meiner Seite aus Daumen Hoch !

Wij hebben deze zonnecel aangeschaft voor het kamperen met de tent. Wij gebruiken daar nooit stroom. Nu met deze uitvouwbare zonnencellen, kunnen wij onze powerbank opladen en daar weer mee al onze telefoons, reader's en elektrische tandenborstels opladen. Na ontvangst heb ik de zonnecellen even getest en in ongeveer 2 uren was de powerbank (22800) opgeladen. Was niet constant stroom. We zijn dus zeer tevreden.