Solar blankets — better known in most parts of the world as solar panels — are a must-have for dedicated campers, hikers, and backpackers.
With the right solar blanket and portable power station (or solar charger,) you can generate enough off-grid electricity to run just about anything…
But unless you’re heading out in a motorhome or caravan, portability is probably right at the top of the list of what you’re looking for.
Fortunately, EcoFlow has designed a range of solar blankets — and solar chargers — with hardcore (and casual) campers, hikers, and backpackers in mind. And just because our solar camping solutions are compact doesn’t mean you can’t get industry-leading performance — even from our lowest-priced model.
Read on to find out more!
EcoFlow’s Top Solar Blankets for Camping in 2024
- Best All-Around: EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Solar Panel
- Best for Car Camping: EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel
- Best for Hiking & Backpacking: EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel
Best All-Around: EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Solar Panel
If you’re looking for the ultimate camping solar blanket, EcoFlow’s 220W Bifacial Solar Panel is the obvious choice. Its unique bifacial design means the PV panel captures sunlight on both the front AND the back. With high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells embedded on both sides, it maximises sunlight capture — especially on overcast days — and converts more ambient sunlight into electricity.
Like all of EcoFlow’s solar blankets for camping, the 220W panel is IP68-rated, meaning it can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions. You can dunk it in water, and it’s heat-resistant up to 149°C.
Even the most scorching day in the bush doesn’t get that hot!
Thanks to its one-piece tempered glass design, the 220W Bifacial Solar Panel is five times tougher and 10% smaller than comparable 220W solar blankets. Higher efficiency means it weighs less and takes up less space — always a bonus when camping!
The included carrying case makes moving this 220W solar blanket from place to place a breeze. And it doubles as a kickstand. You can start producing clean, renewable solar energy as soon as you set up camp!
Because of its high rated power output, the 220W solar blanket pairs best with our most robust portable power station purpose-built for camping: the RIVER 2 Pro.
Already own a portable power station or solar generator from another manufacturer? No worries! The 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel features a Universal Solar Connector plug and a variety of adapter options.
Even if you don’t buy an EcoFlow portable power station, you can put this 220W solar blanket to work for you!
Specifications
- Rated Power: 220W Front Side/155W Rear Side
- Pairs Best With: RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station
- Folded Dimensions: 82 x 50 x 3.2 cm
- Unfolded Dimensions: 82 x 183 x 2.5cm
- Weight: 9.5 kg
- Solar Panel Type: Monocrystalline
- Efficiency: 22-23%
- Warranty: 12 Months
Key Features
The 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel is designed to absorb power from both sides, increasing electricity generation by up to 20%.
Its portable and foldable design makes this solar blanket easy to transport. The included carrying case also acts as a kickstand — you can be up and running as soon as you set up camp.
Like all of EcoFlow’s solar blankets (even the flexible ones), the 220W PV panel is composed of high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells. Higher efficiency means you can generate more electricity using less space.
Pros
- High Efficiency: Thanks to the bifacial design and high-quality solar cells, this panel can generate a lot of power.
- Portability: Its foldable design and handle make it easy to transport and store.
- Durability: The panel is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Smart Charging: The MPPT charging controller maximises the power output
Cons
- Weight: Weighing in at 9 kg, it might be heavy for some people to carry around.
- Price: High-quality solar panels can be expensive. However, you typically get what you pay for if you buy from a reputable manufacturer.
Best for Car Camping: EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel
If you’re heading out for a weekend car camping, you may not need all of the electricity generation capacity of the 220W bifacial solar blanket. EcoFlow’s 160W Portable Solar Panel is a more affordable option.
It should still provide more than enough electricity for your car camping — at a significantly lower price.
In addition to being about 25% cheaper than the 220W PV panel, the 160W solar blanket is also over 40% lighter. If you’re venturing into the bush and leaving your vehicle behind, you’ll appreciate the 5.6kg build.
But this solar blanket is not lightweight. Like the 220W panel, it boasts up to 23% efficiency — much higher than the industry average of 15-18%. Higher efficiency means you’ll generate more electricity while taking up less space.
Carrying and setting up the 160W solar blanket is practically effortless. Simply slide the panel out of the included carrying case, unfold it, and prop it up with the kickstand to receive the maximum amount of direct sunlight. Because of the portable design, you can easily reposition the panel over the course of the day to chase the sun.
Of course, no solar blanket works alone. The 160W Portable Solar Panel is a perfect fit with EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 Max. With a maximum starting wattage of 1000W, RIVER 2 Max can run 80% of essential appliances and weighs only 6.1kg. With the 160W solar blanket, the combined weight of your off-grid car camping solution is under 12kg — hardly a stretch for most active people to carry.
If you need a solar charger for car camping, the 160W solar blanket and RIVER 2 Max combo is your ideal off-grid companion.
Specifications
- Rated Power：160 Watts
- Pairs Best With: RIVER 2 Max Portable Power Station
- Folded Dimensions: 68 x 42 x 2.4 cm
- Unfolded Dimensions: 68 x 157 x 2.4 cm
- Weight: 5.6kg
- Solar Panel Type: Monocrystalline
- Efficiency: 22-23%
- Warranty: 12 Months
Key Features
As with other EcoFlow solar blankets, the monocrystalline solar cells allow for increased power generation compared to polycrystalline and thin-film PV panels.
When paired with RIVER 2 Max or a similar portable power station, this 160W solar blanket is suitable for multiple scenarios, including camping, other off-grid adventures like boating, or essential home backup during a blackout.
EcoFlow’s proprietary solar cell tech utilises an innovative composite material that maximises sunlight conversion while remaining almost feather-light and portable. Like other EcoFlow solar blankets, the 160W Portable Solar Panel is almost universally compatible with solar batteries and inverters from other manufacturers.
Pros
- High efficiency: 22-23% efficiency is very high for a portable solar panel.
- Portable and foldable: The design makes it easy to transport and use in various scenarios.
- Lightweight: Even when paired with the RIVER 2 Max portable power station, your solar charger setup will weigh less than 12kg.
Cons
- Size: While size helps maximise sunlight capture and off-grid electricity generation, it could be cumbersome in certain scenarios.
Best for Hiking & Backpacking: EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel
The baby of the EcoFlow solar blanket family still packs a punch.
If you’re backpacking off-grid or setting off on an extended hike, this 110W solar blanket will keep all of your personal electronic devices charged and running for the long haul.
As every experienced backpacker knows, there’s a direct correlation between the size and weight of your pack and how much you enjoy the trek. At 4kg, the 110W Portable Solar Panel weighs less than three 1.5l bottles of water.
You can easily strap the 110W solar blanket to the back of your pack. Or use the included briefcase-style carrying case/kickstand to carry it in one hand.
When paired with the RIVER 2 portable power station, this 110W solar blanket can output up to 600W of AC electricity and operate up to 99% of consumer electronics. Can it run your household refrigerator? No, but you’re hardly going to take a fridge backpacking!
What it CAN do is power your smartphones, laptops, digital cameras, etc., off-grid indefinitely.
One of the best things about hiking and backpacking is disconnecting from modern life. But few people can afford to disconnect completely anymore. And even fewer people likely want to.
Snapping and sharing photos with your on-grid friends and family is part of the fun of a scenic hike or backpacking trek. Now, as long as you’ve got mobile data, you never have to worry about being unable to capture and share those perfect backpacking moments because of a dead smartphone.
Specifications
- Rated Power：110 Watts
- Pairs Best With: RIVER 2 Portable Power Station
- Folded Dimensions: 42 x 178.5 x 2.5 cm
- Unfolded Dimensions: 42 x 48 x 2.5 cm
- Weight: 4 kg
- Solar Panel Type: Monocrystalline
- Efficiency: 22-23%
- Warranty: 12 Months
Key Features
The 110W solar blanket is compact and lightweight enough to take even on challenging hikes but powerful enough to run all of your personal electronic devices. You can even power LED lanterns and some low-wattage camping appliances.
Even when paired with a RIVER 2 portable power station, the combined weight is less than 8kg — nothing an experienced hiker or backpacker shouldn’t be able to handle with ease.
RIVER 2 offers the fastest charging times in the industry. You can charge the portable power station from 0-100% in less than 60 minutes using AC (household) electricity before you hit the trails. Then top up with your 110W solar blanket whenever you take a break or camp during daylight hours. Using solar power alone, the 110W Portable Solar Panel can fully recharge RIVER 2 in as little as three hours of direct sunlight.
Even if you’re only taking an hour break, you can set up and pack this off-grid solar charging solution in under 5 minutes flat.
This solar charger setup is convenient and portable, and it will also last you for countless bushwalking excursions. Using industry-leading LiFePO4 battery chemistry, RIVER 2 provides a cycle life of over 3000 full charges and discharges. That’s the equivalent of 10 years of daily use!
The 110W solar blanket is no slouch when it comes to lifespan, either. With its durable construction and IP68 water/dustproof, you can expect decades of hiking with the 110W Portable Solar Panel as your reliable off-grid energy source.
Pros
- Most lightweight solar blanket and charger option
- Combined weight (RIVER 2 PPS and 110W Portable Solar Panel) under 8kg
- Powers 99% of consumer electronic devices
- Same great EcoFlow quality and efficiency — at our lowest price
- Easily fits in a backpack for hiking and bushwalking
Cons
- Maximum AC output of 600W (RIVER 2) limits what you can power
- Rated power wattage of 110W means this solar blanket can only recharge a small PPS or solar battery
What Is a Solar Blanket?
In Australia, solar blanket is used interchangeably with solar panel to describe a photovoltaic module that gathers photons from sunlight and converts solar energy into DC electricity. Solar cells do all the hard work — using what’s called the photovoltaic effect.
It’s essential to remember that solar blankets are not a standalone off-grid electricity generation solution. Solar panels/blankets always require a portable power station or other balance of system (BOS) to convert and store the sun’s energy into usable electricity.
Essential balance of system components include:
- Inverter
- Solar battery
- Charge controller
- Battery management system
For home systems, you may opt to build a BoS out of parts from different manufacturers. That’s not a viable solution for camping or backpacking. Luckily, EcoFlow’s portable power stations (PPS) contain everything you need to generate electricity off-grid — all in one compact design. With an EcoFlow solar blanket and PPS, you can just plug and play.
How Do I Choose a Solar Blanket for Camping?
When it comes to camping, packing light and smart is crucial. One item that has quickly become a must-have for many camping enthusiasts is the solar blanket. But why are solar blankets a game-changer for camping?
Size & Portability
The first and foremost benefit of solar blankets is their incredible portability. Unlike traditional solar panels, which are often bulky and rigid, solar blankets are lightweight and flexible. They can be folded or rolled up into a compact size, making them highly convenient to carry around. This portability gives you a reliable power source wherever your adventure takes you, whether at a remote campsite or a mountaintop.
Ease of Use
Solar blankets are designed with the user in mind. They are incredibly easy to use – just unfold them, place them in the sun, and connect them to your device or portable power station. This simplicity removes the intimidation factor that often comes with using new technology, making solar blankets an excellent choice for both camping novices and seasoned explorers.
Eco-Friendly
In this era of environmental consciousness, we’re all looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Solar blankets allow you to harness the power of the sun, providing a renewable and clean energy source. By using a solar blanket, you are not only reducing your reliance on non-renewable power sources but also minimising pollution and waste associated with disposable batteries.
Versatility
The versatility of solar blankets cannot be overstated. They can power a wide range of devices, from small electronics like smartphones and laptops to large appliances like camping refrigerators or portable power stations. Versatility makes solar blankets an invaluable tool for camping trips, providing you with the power you need when you need it.
Cost-Efficiency
There may be a substantial upfront cost when purchasing a solar blanket, but the long-term savings make it a cost-effective choice. With a solar blanket, you’re essentially getting free power after the initial purchase. The sun doesn’t charge you for energy! This means that over time, your solar blanket will pay for itself in the savings you’ll make from not having to buy fuel or replace disposable batteries.
Using solar blankets for camping provides a convenient and reliable power source and contributes to environmental sustainability. They are an investment in convenience, reliability, and responsible outdoor recreation. With their portability, ease of use, environmental friendliness, versatility, and cost-efficiency, solar blankets are undoubtedly a valuable addition to your camping gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Should I Place My Solar Blanket for Camping?
Solar blankets and PV panels should always be placed where they will receive the most direct sunlight. With residential solar installations, positioning can be a challenge. With a solar blanket or portable solar panel, it couldn’t be easier. Simply change the angle and position of the panel over the course of the day to follow the sun.
Are Solar Blankets Waterproof?
Most solar blankets designed for outdoor use are water-resistant to some degree. If you’re unfortunate, you may already know that water-resistant and waterproof are absolutely not the same. When shopping for a camping solar blanket, insist on a water/dust-resistant rating of IP86. An IP86 solar panel can be submerged in water at least 1m deep for 30 minutes or more without sustaining damage.
Final Thoughts
Australia has no shortage of beautiful (or challenging places!) to go backpacking and hiking. With the right solar blanket and portable power station, you can take off-grid electricity with you just about anywhere — even if you’re travelling on foot.
EcoFlow’s selection of portable solar panels is universally compatible with solar chargers from most manufacturers. Or, for the ultimate in camping and backpacking convenience, simply plug your solar blanket into one of the RIVER 2 solar chargers recommended here.
Take your next camping or hiking excursion to the next level with EcoFlow.