This handy solar panel charges all your devices and weighs less than a MacBook

ZDNET’s most important conclusions

• The Jackery SolarSaga 40W mini solar panel is available on Amazon for $99, which is 24% off the retail price.
• It is a lightweight and effective solar panel that can be attached to a backpack or vehicle.
• But it is only compatible with some Jackery power plants.

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Over the years I have tested many solar panels designed for power plants, from large and bulky to huge and unwieldy. While they’re great for charging power plants, they’re not very practical to carry around.

Plus: The best portable power stations you can buy: tested by experts

So how can you harness the power of the sun while you’re on the move? Fear not, because Jackery has created a portable solution with SolarSaga 40W Minia solar panel that you can attach to your backpack and take with you, collecting solar energy while hiking, camping or traveling.

View on Amazon

Technical data of Jackery SolarSaga 40W:

• Ultralight design, weighing just 2.6 pounds
• The four-panel foldable design makes it easy to pack and carry
• Charging at a power plant and direct charging of devices
• 23% solar energy conversion rate
• Ports: USB-A output: 5V⎓2.4A, USB-C output: 5V⎓3A
• Peak power: 40W ± 5%
• Size:
  Folded: 9.9 × 11.8 × 1.2 in (252 × 300 × 30 mm)
  Unfolded: 40.1 × 11.8 × 0.7 in (1020 × 300 × 18.5 mm)
• Weight: 2.6 ± 0.5 lbs (1.2 kg ± 0.2 kg)
• IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating
• Wide operating temperature range from -4℉ to 149℉ (-20℃ to 65℃)
• Included: 1 x SolarSaga 40 mini solar panel, 1 x accessory bag, 1 x DC8020 to USB-C/USB-A adapter, 1 x multi-function solar charging cable, 2 x carabiners
• 3 years warranty + 2 years extended warranty

The SolarSaga 40W Mini is a four-panel solar panel with dimensions of 9.9 x 11.8 x 1.2 inches when folded, and when unfolded it measures 40.1 x 11.8 x 0.7 inches. It uses magnetic flaps and snaps to stay securely closed, and has eyelets in each corner for attaching carabiners, allowing you to attach it to items such as backpacks or vehicles.

Weighing less than three pounds, the panel is light enough to attach to a backpack, allowing you to charge your devices on the go.

Also: I tested the smallest power plant in the world and it is a solar charging beast

Speaking of charging, the panel comes with a detachable power splitter with two USB-A/C ports for charging devices, as well as a separate DC8020 power cord for power stations. A DC8020 to USB-C adapter is also available for power plants with USB inputs.

When it comes to power stations that can be charged with the SolarSaga 40W Mini, Jackery lists Explorer 100Plus, 240 ver. 2and 300Plus power plants as directly compatible and notes that you can use a DC8020 to DC7909 converter to make the panel compatible with older power plants such as Explorer 300 AND 500.

ZDNET purchasing advice

Not everyone needs a portable solar panel, but if you’re an adventurer who spends a lot of time outdoors and wants to collect solar energy on the go, Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini it is undoubtedly one of the best portable panels on the market. The panel is high quality, durable, water and dust resistant, easy to install and works great.