Top 10 Best Portable Solar Panels in the UK 2021

Choosing the right portable solar panel for you primarily requires understanding your needs. Are you just after a quick boost to keep your smartphone alive or do you need to power your caravan's leisure battery, keeping it at full power as it heats the shower or cools the mini-fridge? We have a variety of solar panels to show you, with different primary purposes and additional features, so let's shed some light on things.

There are two main types of solar panels that are designed for your lifestyle - a vehicle-based or a lightweight panel. The former can be permanently attached to your camper van, caravan, or even yacht; while the latter is designed to be carried with you or stored in the vehicle until needed.

Fitting your vehicle with a solar panel or two will give you an extra level of freedom. Coupled with a fixed leisure battery, a fixed solar panel will convert sunlight into charge throughout the day - and a good one means you will never have to worry about running out of juice again.

The best type of fixed solar panels is also physically flexible, allowing you to bend them around the curves of your vehicle. They are tested to remain in place and perform in windy conditions, are proofed against poor weather, and are capable of getting a charge even on overcast days.

Solar panels designed to be fixed to a vehicle can also be chained, or connected, allowing you to add multiple panels to generate more electricity for a faster charge.

With a range of power categories, multiple USB connections, and size considerations, lightweight panels are designed to be brought with you and used as is convenient.

Some are small enough to fit inside a small bag, while others fold themselves into briefcase-like forms. So consider whether you are looking for something that you can stow in the boot of your car, or something you can easily fit into your rucksack to use on hikes. 

Watts (W) is the term used to represent the amount of electrical power output by the solar panels. In simple terms, the more wattage you have, the more power you are supplying to the devices. High wattage panels not only charge your gadgets faster, but they are also able to charge multiple devices at the same time.

Do bear in mind, though, that even high wattage may not lead to satisfactory performance. If the conditions are not at optimal levels, i.e. it's a really cloudy or overcast day, the charging capabilities will certainly be hindered and you may still not be able to charge your gadgets.

For that reason, it’s sometimes reasonable to look for a panel with a larger output than you might at first consider needing, especially living in the UK where days of nothing but bright sunlight are traditionally less frequent than in other areas of the world!

All of the devices featured below, however, are more than capable of charging a phone, even on a cloudy day. It’s when you want to add higher demand devices, such as laptops or electrical cooking devices, that the drain can cause problems. Adding a battery to the equation, such as a car leisure battery or portable smartphone battery pack, can provide an extra layer of support to your outdoor electrical system.

Consider the devices you plan on charging when selecting the available ports on the panel. Most portable solar panels will come with a USB connection - thankfully, this is the most common use connector for devices, and if you have the right USB lead for your phone, headphone, or other objects, you will be able to easily connect. Looking for multiple ports in order to connect to multiple devices is recommended. 

Higher-end systems can come with additional connectors, and a few even include charging controllers that are designed to regulate the output correctly for your devices. If you plan to have a variety of non-USB devices plugged in, then consider one of these solutions. Additionally, vehicle-based panels are designed to be hardwired directly into the vehicle's electrical system.

There are a few extra features that can set apart one solar charger from another. You may want to consider a few of these to really make sure that the solar panel will suit your intended use.

• Waterproofing: All our featured panels are waterproof for use, but it’s an important feature that some manufacturers overlook.
• Hot Spot Resistance: Sitting in the sun all day long, it is possible for some panels to suffer over time. Panels with quality hot sport resisting materials fare better as the years go by.
• Built-In Carry Facility: Some panels are designed to fold up or be stored better than others - make sure the panel you choose suits your need.

• Charge Control: when charging multiple devices, in-built charge regulation can help maintain the life of your gadgets as well as optimise the panel’s performance.
• Long Cable Length: if you plan to situate your solar panel in direct sunlight while you rest in the shade, then a longer cable length is advantageous.
• Load Size: the number of devices that can be simultaneously charged efficiently depends on the output of the panel and the amount of sunlight reaching it. We’ve included load size to help you get an estimate of how much pressure you can put on the panel in good conditions. Look to large loads if you need to power a full family of devices!

Now that we have gone over quite a bit of important information. Let us go over the top 10 best portable solar panels available today!

Portable solar panels are such a convenient product to have if you find yourself away from an electricity source, but what are the logistics of these underrated products? We have the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on the internet.

This is something that you should check on the manufacturer's description as it can be a feature that is left out of certain designs. While the odd drop of water here and there most likely won’t cause any major damage, if you’re expecting heavy rain, it’s best not to chance things. 

Your average portable solar panel should last you for a good 20 years before you start to see any signs of decline. However, if you’re frequently out in the elements you may find the wear and tear will occur a little sooner. Nevertheless, you should still have a solid decade of use.

Yes, portable solar panels will work even on a cloudy day. The only difference is that it will generate a much smaller amount of energy than it would on a clear, sunny day. Therefore, you should be more sparing with how you use your panel on days such as these.

Getting out and exploring is one of life's greatest joys. Make sure you give yourself the most enjoyable experience by kitting yourself out with gadgets and clothing to keep you safe, warm/cool and able to deal with what the world can throw at you. Take a look at some of these related products or search for what you're looking for in the mybest UK search bar!

Being able to relax and not worry about when and where you can charge your phone, or fearing the low battery warning on your laptop, can help keep the peaceful dream of your camping holiday alive! Knowing that when night comes you won’t be struggling around in the dark wishing you’d charged a torch or two is another great bonus!

Harnessing the power of the sun to keep your gadgets going is an amazing feeling and it’s now so easy to do, with a great selection of top-quality portable solar panels available to UK buyers - it’s another reason to hope for good weather whenever you make plans.

Author: Josh Welch