lightest solar panel

2.8oz lixada 10watt

For this price it’s easy to buy and try.  Curious about water resistance.  The USB port would need to be protected in any case.  Same for Suntactics.

For lighter weight panel there’s powerfilm.  $$$.. They don’t have the small form factor USB power output, so you might get to the same weight.  I have a feeling you get what you pay for.

On second check those are a lot lighter

Russell, you can buy an S5 directly from Suntactics for $117.95 through their eBay storefront. Shipping is included in that price.

I’ve been using one of their S8s on long trips for quite a while and it’s reliably fast at charging and quite rugged to boot.

Newegg has the s5 for $99.95 right now — free shipping.

I have a panel very similar to the lixada – claimed to be 6.5W, like most they are very unlikely to achieve their rated output.  That said they are cheap, light and work well.  Mine puts out between 800mA and 1000mA at 109 grams and happily charges my phone, steripen, and headlamp. Cost about $20 from BangGood https://www.banggood.com/6_5W-5V-Solar-Panel-USB-Charger-Semi-flexible-Portable-Solar-30_3x15_3cm-p-1278903.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

The weight on the BangGood site is in packaging.

I received the Lixada Solar Panel 10W last night, and tried it out this morning at 11am in full-strength Southern Arizona sun (hot enough to fry an egg).  Verdict:  COMPLETE FAIL.

I don’t know what the problem is, but it just doesn’t work.  I tried charging a Kindle I had lying around, and after 1hr:  Zero; after 1.5hrs:  Zilch.  Gave up.  Used the same Kindle with the same charging cable inside the house, and it charged up like a champ.

I’d LOVE to get something lighter than my Suntactics 5 (which works beautifully), but This. Ain’t. It.

@kramrelwof — Mark, if you see this, what is the weight of your panel (not in packaging)?

First, it is not a 10 watt panel, but the issue usually is the panel does not put out the minimum wattage needed to charge the device. That is why those lower watt panels are used to charge a battery first. Then the battery is used to charge your device(s).

I think the Suntactics chargers are still the backpacking standard. I use chargers a lot backpacking and it’s always the Suntactics charger. For boating where weight doesn’t matter I sometimes carry a bigger one.

Whatever became of the Enerplex Kickr FL, which was supposed to be out last year and claimed to be the lightest solar panel? Is the company still around?

I have used the Goal Zero by Nomad and really liked it. I used it on my High Sierra Trail Trip and it worked like a champ when I wasn’t under tree cover.