With an integrated battery bank and two USB ports, the Hiluckey Solar Charger Power Bank is a ready-to-go solar charging solution. The panel folds up to a compact 6.1 by 3.35 by 1.37 inches, weighing about one pound and easy to tuck away when you’re not using it. Shoppers reported it was too big to fit in a pocket but would easily fit in a bag. Some reviewers felt the charging rate was slow, rated at 1A on each USB port.

For the most success, some reviewers recommend charging the battery at home before use, charging items at night, and then keeping the solar panel in the sun all day. With a loop at the top to secure the panel, and with the waterproofing rating at an IPX7 (good for a 30-minute dunking), this solar panel would be rugged enough for camping use.

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel is intended to be used with the Jackery power station, a battery with a built-in converter to let you run pretty much anything with a plug. With USB-C and USB-A ports on the side, the panel itself can charge most cell phones, making it a great entry to building a solar-powered system for camping or emergency use at home. This solar panel’s upfront cost is a bit more than other systems, but the quality of the panels is apparent to reviewers, who report quick charging times (on top of a two-year warranty).

Shoppers liked the quick setup for the panels: lightweight at about five pounds, the kickstand is attached to the back of the panels, and the panels fold down to roughly half their size. The panels are portable, but not really sized to fit in a bag at 22.83 by 19.69 by 2.36 inches. Portability is important, since the panels are not completely waterproof and are rated to withstand splashes only.

This is a panel you don’t want getting completely soaked, so pull it out of the rain. While most reviewers used this for car camping, several mentioned that it was part of their emergency preparedness kit.

A solar energy system doesn’t need to be complicated, as the Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel proves. The kit includes the controller and all needed wiring to set up your first panel—after you add in your style of 12V battery. While reviewers mentioned how easy the setup was out of the box, and how simple it was to install solar panels and batteries that came in addition, some reviewers noted that the kit lacked fasteners or a kickstand. The panels are able to stay out in all kinds of weather, but the controller is not waterproof. Reviewers struggled with attaching wires to the controller, reporting that it was easy to overtighten and snap the plastic connectors.

The controller seemed to be the biggest complaint, with several shoppers saying you should just purchase a different one to go with the panel. Many reviewers struggled with getting support from Renogy customer service, as well, with issues ranging from difficulty contacting customer support to getting warranty replacements. Overall, though, shoppers found the kit to be straightforward and easy to install, offering a great value.

For solar panel installer systems, the Rich Solar 100-Watt Solar Panel offers a great value. Several shoppers mentioned purchasing one or two panels and then going back for more to build the solar-power output.The panel is one of the lighter options, weighing in at 17.5 pounds. Since this is only the panel (rather than a kit), different reviewers mentioned using a range of controllers or power stations with success.

One reviewer found water under the glass, so be careful with the placement of these, since the waterproof rating is only against splashes rather than submersion. Reviewers reported that customer service was very helpful and responsive, following up and replacing panels covered under the five-year warranty.

A solid panel at 25 pounds, the folding design of the Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase is a unique format for portable solar panels. The panels are on the outside when the briefcase is closed, protecting the wiring and the legs. Reviewers liked the separate bag for protecting the solar panel in transit, but disliked the lack of padding. The supports only have one setting at 45 degrees. The cable is a short three feet, with several shoppers purchasing an extension cord at the same time as the panel.

The solar panel can’t charge anything on its own; the system is intended to be used with a portable power station, like the Goal Zero Yeti. Since the connections are proprietary, the panels are limited in terms of the power stations it can charge. Goal Zero offers a two-year warranty for this solar panel. Generally, people commented on the solid build, the long-term durability of the panel, and the helpful customer support.

If you’ve already invested in a power bank or other controller and would like to try another brand of solar panel, the Dokio 110W 18V Foldable Solar Panel Kit’s got you covered. By including a range of connectors, the Dokio can accommodate many other solar panel manufacturers’ equipment. Reviewers praised the amount of cable from the solar panel, at 9.84 feet long, one of the longest cables you’ll find in one of these bundles. As one of the lighter panels, the Dokio should also be easy to move and set up.

Some Dokio solar panel reviews express concern about customer service being unresponsive; however, more recent reviews indicate shoppers have been able to get support and parts covered under warranty. One reviewer using the panel on a boat found it to be a little fragile, but folks using the kit in a camping environment found it sturdy enough.