Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel Charger: Definitive Review (2024)
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TopNotch Outdoor is independent – we research, test, and rate the top products to help you make the right buying choice. We sometimes use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on your purchase. Learn more…
So we bring to you the Ultimate TopNotch Review to Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel Charger 2024.
Here’s an abundant, unbounded, and free source of clean energy right at your fingertips.
Well, it’s not exactly magic.
It’s solar energy.
And to make the best use of solar energy anywhere, you’ll always need a top-class solar panel.
In this comprehensive review we’ll cover:
- Value it offers
- Charging speed
- Side by side comparison with other top models
- And lots more…
In case you’re looking to make the best use of this never-ending energy source, you’ll love this guide.
- Manufacturer : Rockpals
- Panel Type : Mono-crystalline
- Power Output : 3 USB
- Output Capacity: 100W
- Weight: 10.8lb
Bottom Line : Superb all-rounder solar panel
Pros
- Works well on a cloudy day
- Huge adapters set provided
- Lightweight and portable
- Charging circuit with smart IC technology
Cons
- Quite expensive considering it has no batteries
- Using DC and USB as same time leads to ampere drop
- Slightly heavy for carrying long distance
- Lack of power bank
Our Verdict: Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel
Let me start with three words.
Simple, advanced, and reliable.
These are the three major aspects of this panel that the TopNotch team really liked.
Just connect it with any solar generator in the market and you have a dependable source ready to serve up unlimited energy.
It allows you to recharge all those gadgets in a few simple steps.
Another important insight – With top-grade solar cells, the panel has excellent conversion efficiency.
Worried about sudden rain?
This is made from water-resistant Oxford cloth that can handle light showers.
Moreover, you’ll dig the advantage of multiple USB ports.
When it comes to the cons, here’s what we found…
It’s not the most compact panel on our list.
In addition, using the DC port and USB ports at the same time reduces the output.
So what’s my point?
If you want the very best devices in this category, take a look at the TopNotch Top Picks.
Even then, this solar panel packs enough exciting features to make it a super good choice – one of our Top Ten favorites in fact.
Let me tell you how.
Related: 9 Best Portable Solar Panels
Our Analysis Comparisons and Test Results
We needed to field test and review the top solar panels in the field in line with our TopNotch standards.
The solution was simple…
We headed out on an RV trip with our ten favorites.
And our conclusion was – our foldable charger delivers good value as long as you don’t mind compromising a little on the portability.
However, keep in mind there’s no battery unit.
So you’ll need to choose a separate solar power station like the Goal Zero Yeti 400.
Shall we delve deeper?
Let me walk you through the details.
Value for Money
Here’s something we all agree on here at TopNotch…
A solar panel has to offer the right value for money.
The fact is, our 100w folding solar panel from Rockpals does tick the right boxes in this metric.
To start with, it’s made from high-quality solar cells created from single-crystal silicon for the best efficiency.
Next, you have an intelligent IC chip that adjusts the current flow to the various equipment automatically.
Value for Money Rating
The overall efficiency levels are good even though not quite the best.
Remember, it’s lightweight and foldable.
So carrying it around is easy.
It gets better…
The Rockpals Charger also packs multiple USB charging ports, along with support for QC3.0 fast charging.
A set of different connectors is provided for easy connection with generators.
Lastly, the product is covered by a 24-month warranty.
We really love long warranties.
So what makes it lag behind in this metric?
Short answer…
The price to performance ratio of the top choice, the Suner Power 20 Watts panel was a little better.
Charge Interruption Recovery
Suppose you’re camping on a day that’s partially cloudy.
You’d think the charge delivery of your solar panel might be interrupted by the cloud cover, right?
Well yes, but…
How fast it recovers and re-establishes the connection will depend on the technology the manufacturers invested in the design.
Charge Interruption Recovery Rating
You see my point, right?
And our Rockpals Charger always delivered a solid performance under this metric.
Unfortunately, there were no real clouds when we tested this 100w portable solar panel so we had to simulate.
We moved it from full sunlight round to the inside the RV to see what happened. Almost immediately, the power output dropped to zero.
Next, we took it out in the sun again and the panel reconnected with the device smoothly within a minute.
However, considering the price, we missed the auto-restart function that’s found in quite a few other top-class panels.
Charging Speed
Fast charging speed is definitely an issue we can’t ignore.
So, we paired up this 100 watt panel with a Jackery 240 solar generator under full sun conditions.
The time taken to get it fully charged was a little more than four hours.
Charging Speed Rating
But we were not done yet.
Next, we connected the panel with one of our external battery packs of 10,000 mAh after depleting it fully.
What was the result?
In one hour of bright sun, the battery was charged 22 percent.
And the secret behind this fast charging rate is…
The high solar energy conversion efficiency.
Actually, the charging speed depended on the output power range of the electronics we plugged in.
Not only that, the number of electronics being charged also played an important role.
To sum it up, the Rockpals Foldable Solar Panel Charger performed even better than the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar panel, our Editor’s choice.
Great result!
Multiple Device Charging Speed
The 3 USB ports in this 100w foldable solar panel charger, is a feature our TopNotch team loved. They make it super easy to charge multiple electronics at the same time. Better still, one of the ports is a fast charger.
Pretty effective, right?
Multiple Device Charging Speed Rating
So we plugged in two smartphones and one of the external battery packs to test it out.
With multiple devices, the overall charging speed through the USB ports reduced only slightly.
And the best part:
The built-in smart IC chip in this 100W solar panel adjusts the output according to the requirement of the device.
At the same time, it prevents your electronics from overcharging and overloading.
In theory, all three ports can deliver 2.4A when the sun is at its peak.
In our tests, the panel delivered an average output of 50 to 70 Watts depending on the angle of the sun during the day.
With yet another solid performance, the Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel Charger emerged at the top of the chart in this metric.
Durability
When we’re heading outdoors with a product it’s got to be durable.
This 100 watt kit from Rockpals is wrapped in a durable fabric that’s water-resistant.
But there’s a catch…
The junction box isn’t water-resistant at all.
Durability Rating
So be careful before you place it during a shower.
The Oxford cloth also acts as a sunscreen that keeps the cells protected from the heat.
One more thing…
…The fabric is also resistant to scratches.
The high-quality solar cells also hold up well even after months of exposure to the sun.
The quality of the connectors was good enough to get a big thumbs up from the TopNotch team.
Coming to the overall flexibility of the panel, it’s not the best choice to squeeze into a tight space.
In fact, the overall build quality was not on par with our Top Pick, the BigBlue 28 W solar charger
The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar was our second favorite choice under this metric.
Weight & Portability
We really liked the way it folds up into a neat package.
It packs up like a medium-sized suitcase and the handle means carrying it round is a breeze.
Moreover, at 10.8 lbs it’s not very heavy either.
Sounds perfect right?
But there is a small problem…
Weight & Portability Rating
The overall size isn’t ideal for fitting it into a backpack.
Wait.
What about attaching it with a loop?
Possible, but that’s going to increase your overall load by quite a bit.
To sum up, if you’re a light packer, our Rockpals isn’t the best choice for you.
If you sacrifice some of the output power, our Top Pick, the Suner Power 20 Watts Solar Panel is definitely the best lightweight option in this metric.
Our Final Verdict: Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel
Conclusion: Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel
Time to sum up this Rockpals 100w solar panel review.
Honestly, the Rockpals 100w Foldable Solar Panel Charger was a curious case for the TopNotch team.
Let me clarify…
Certainly, this portable power station has some great features – like – good power delivery, excellent efficiency, and smart design.
Add to that the excellent quality of the solar cells that lead to efficient and long-term performance.
In fact, it performed better than our Top Picks under a few metrics.
But that’s not everything…
Things head south when you consider the size and portability of the panel.
Quite simply, the size won’t allow you to carry it in your backpack. When you’re looking for a hands-free option, this solar panel just isn’t it.
We felt that for lightweight convenience the Suner Power 20 Watts solar panel or the BigBlue 28 W Solar Charger are superb choices for solo travelers.
In case you don’t want to compromise with the portable power output, the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel is also a lighter option.
The final result is – The Rockpals 100w solar panel Charger has some superb features you can’t ignore.
It’s definitely a great portable power station for RV owners and small families on short camping trips.
So that’s it from our end.
You now know all there is to know about this great little solar panel – it’s time for you to make your choice to make sure you always have portable power at your fingertips!
