Reader rating
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The SolarPanel 5+ stores power in a 3,200 mAh battery, so you can charge at night from what you collected during the day. **Highlights** - Built-in 3,200 mAh battery - Measured 4.9 W in sun - Available when checked **Watch-outs** - 5 W only - Micro-USB input - IPX4 only Research only: Wild10 has not field tested this model. Specifications come from the maker page; any measured figure is credited to the outlet that measured it.
Pros
- Built-in 3,200 mAh battery
- Measured 4.9 W in sun
- Available when checked
Cons
- 5 W only
- Micro-USB input
- IPX4 only
Best uses
- Basecamps
- Slow trickle charging
Specifications
- Rated panel power
- 5 W
- Ports
- 1 x USB-A out, Micro-USB in
- Built-in battery
- 3,200 mAh
- Weight
- 13.76 oz (390 g) per maker
- Water rating
- IPX4 per maker
- Measured output
- 4.9 W USB-A sun (Outdoor Life)
- Wild10 evidence
- Research only, not field tested
- Best for
- Panel with a built-in reserve
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Best for
Basecamps, Slow trickle charging
Where to buy the SolarPanel 5+
Prices and stock change often, so check the current Amazon offer before you buy.
Some links are affiliate links. Buying through them supports our testing at no extra cost to you.
The SolarPanel 5+ stores power in a 3,200 mAh battery, so you can charge at night from what you collected during the day.
Why it ranks here
Its built-in battery and sundial make it easy to use at camp. Outdoor Life measured 4.9 W in sun, close to its 5 W rating.
Specs that matter on trail
Rated panel power: 5 W; Ports: 1 x USB-A out, Micro-USB in; Built-in battery: 3,200 mAh; Weight: 13.76 oz (390 g) per maker; Water rating: IPX4 per maker; Measured output: 4.9 W USB-A sun (Outdoor Life). All figures are maker-stated unless a review outlet is named.
Limits and caveats
Only 5 W. Micro-USB input is dated. The built-in battery is small, so it does not replace a power bank.
How we picked
We started with a long list of backcountry solar chargers that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world output
- Usable charging in clouds or cold, not just the rated wattage or capacity.
- Ports and packability
- Port types, charging speed and weight for the power delivered.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
SolarPanel 5+ — frequently asked questions
- Is the SolarPanel 5+ worth it?
- We rank it #8 in Backcountry Solar Chargers. The SolarPanel 5+ stores power in a 3,200 mAh battery, so you can charge at night from what you collected during the day. 9 W in sun - Available when checked **Watch-outs** - 5 W only - Micro-USB input - IPX4 only Research only: Wild10 has not field tested this model.
- What is the SolarPanel 5+ best for?
- Best for basecamps and slow trickle charging. Standouts: built-in 3,200 mah battery and measured 4.9 w in sun.
- What are the downsides of the SolarPanel 5+?
- 5 W only, Micro-USB input and IPX4 only.
- What are the key specs of the SolarPanel 5+?
- Rated panel power: 5 W · Ports: 1 x USB-A out, Micro-USB in · Built-in battery: 3,200 mAh · Weight: 13.76 oz (390 g) per maker · Water rating: IPX4 per maker
- Why it ranks here?
- Its built-in battery and sundial make it easy to use at camp. 9 W in sun, close to its 5 W rating.
- Specs that matter on trail — what should I know about the SolarPanel 5+?
- 9 W USB-A sun (Outdoor Life). All figures are maker-stated unless a review outlet is named.
Compare side by side
Put the SolarPanel 5+ against any other pick on this list — specs, price, pros, cons and reader ratings.