The FlexSolar 100W is extremely portable. It is the lightest panel we tested, and folds down to a very small size as well.
It only weighs 4.1 pounds. This is extremely light compared to the other 200-watt panels we tested, but it’s also very light compared to other 100-watt panels we’ve tested.
It folds down to about the size of a large book: 13 by 10 inches and two inches thick. This is actually small enough to fit inside a backpack.
The FlexSolar 100W is also relatively easy to set up. It folds down 10 times, so it takes more time than a 2- or 4-fold panel.
While its 10-fold design means it folds away into a compact package, it doesn’t fold as fast as some panels. However, we found that after a few rounds of practice, it was actually easier to fold this away or set it up compared to larger folding solar panels.
For a panel of this weight, we were impressed that you can use all three ports at once: DC for up to 100W, USB-C for up to 45W, and USB-A for up to 18W.
Since the FlexSolar 100W is rated at only 100 watts, it isn’t the most powerful.
In our charging tests, the FlexSolar 100W generated 70 watts of power in one hour. This isn’t nearly as much as many of the larger 200-watt panels we tested. But overall, we’re okay with a loss of efficiency because it’s so portable.
In addition, there’s no easy way to prop it up, which means you pretty much always lay it flat and often end up getting a less ideal position to get maximum direct sun exposure.
You should buy the FlexSolar 100W if you’re looking for the most portable solar panel that is still relatively powerful. This is an ideal panel for group backpacking trips, where multiple people will be recharging their USB devices off of one solar panel. No other panel in this lineup is light enough to carry more than a few miles. If you’re looking for the most efficient panel or a large panel to charge a portable power station, there are better options.
This panel is all bout saving space and weight. If you don’t need to save weight or space, get the Renogy 200W Portable. It has double the power and is much easier to angle at the sun.
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