BigBlue 28W
(48 reviews)
A panel that folds into your pack and charges three devices at once in the sun: high-efficiency cells, three USB ports, and real weather resistance.
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Characteristics
- Power: 28W
- Ports: 3 (2 USB-C + 1 USB-A), 5V/4.8A combined
- Cells: Monocrystalline N-type (~25%)
- Resistance: IP44 (rain, splashes)
- Charges 3 devices at once, high-efficiency cells
Detailed overview: BigBlue 28W foldable solar charger
The BigBlue 28W is a foldable solar charger that has become a go-to pick for hikers, campers, and anyone building an emergency preparedness kit. The idea is simple: unfold it toward the sun and plug your USB devices in directly, no outlet needed, wherever you are.
It uses monocrystalline N-type cells rated at roughly 25% efficiency, among the best figures available in a portable panel. In practice, that means it captures more usable power than a budget panel of the same size, and keeps producing even when the sky is not perfectly clear. The 28W rating translates into a combined output of 5V/4.8A spread across three ports, two USB-C and one USB-A, so you can charge three devices at the same time, a phone, a power bank, and earbuds, for example.
Built for the outdoors, the reinforced fabric panels carry an IP44 rating, resistant to rain and splashes, though not built to be submerged. A mesh pocket keeps a phone shaded while it charges, and two carabiners let you hang the whole unit from a pack, a tent, or a tree branch.
Folded, it takes up barely more room than a hardcover book and weighs about 1.5 pounds, easy to justify in any pack. One thing worth knowing up front: it has no internal battery. It does not store power, it only produces it while the sun is out. Pair it with a power bank charged during the day to actually use that energy after dark. With that in mind, the BigBlue 28W remains one of the most reliable and efficient portable solar chargers in its class, and a smart addition to any hurricane preparedness kit.
Full specifications
Detailed characteristics
Panel
| Peak power?Rated panel power in full sun (STC conditions). | 28 W |
|---|---|
| Cell technology?Cell type; monocrystalline offers the best efficiency, flexible CIGS tolerates shading better. | Monocrystalline |
| Conversion efficiency?Share of solar energy converted to electricity; higher means a more compact panel for the same power. | 25 % |
| Panel type?Foldable (portable), rigid framed (fixed install) or flexible (curved surfaces). | Foldable |
| Bifacial?Also captures reflected light on its rear side, for extra output. | No |
Outputs and connectors
| Output connectors?Output socket type(s) (MC4, XT60, Anderson, DC, USB…); determines compatibility with your station. | USB-C, USB-A |
|---|---|
| USB-C outputs?USB-C ports to charge devices directly, without a station. | 2 × 15 W |
| USB-A outputs?USB-A ports to charge devices directly. | 1 × 15 W |
Durability and format
| Ingress protection?Water and dust resistance (IP rating). | IP44 |
|---|---|
| Adjustable kickstand?Kickstand or support to angle the panel toward the sun. | No |
| Weight?Weight of the panel. | 1.5 lb (0.68 kg) |
| Unfolded dimensions (L × W × D)?Footprint when unfolded, in millimetres. | 32.9 × 11 × 0.2 in (835 × 280 × 5 mm) |
| Folded dimensions (L × W × D)?Footprint when folded for transport, in millimetres. | 11.1 × 6.3 × 1.4 in (281 × 160 × 35 mm) |
Warranty
| Warranty?Length of the manufacturer's warranty. | 2 years |
|---|
☀ How fast does this panel recharge a power station?
The BigBlue 28W panel (28 W) recharges une Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1070 Wh) in ~55h or une EcoFlow Delta 2 Max (2048 Wh) in ~104h, in full sun.
| Compact / mid | Recharge |
|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 100 Plus (99 Wh) | ~5h05 |
| EcoFlow Trail 200 DC (192 Wh) | ~9h50 |
| Allpowers Volix P300 (256 Wh) | ~13h |
| Jackery Explorer 500 v2 (512 Wh) | ~26h |
| High capacity | Recharge |
|---|---|
| Anker Solix F2000 (2048 Wh) | ~104h |
| Allpowers R3500 V2 (2880 Wh) | ~147h |
| Jackery Explorer 3000 v2 (3072 Wh) | ~157h |
| Fossibot F3600 Pro (3840 Wh) | ~196h |
Estimate in full sun (ideal conditions). In practice, count on 3 to 5 hours of truly useful sunlight per day, so a full recharge may span several days depending on weather and orientation.
Comparison
How does the BigBlue 28W compare with other portable solar chargers sold in the US?
| Criterion | BigBlue 28W | BioLite SolarPanel 5+ | Jackery SolarSaga 100W |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 28W | 5W | 100W |
| Ports | 3 (2 USB-C + USB-A) | 1 USB-A | USB + DC |
| Internal battery | No | Yes (small) | No |
| Resistance | IP44 | Weatherproof | IP65 |
The BigBlue 28W is built for charging USB devices on the move, where a small panel like the BioLite trades power for a built-in battery, and the SolarSaga 100W is really sized for power stations. For hikers and campers who want to charge several phones or a power bank efficiently without extra bulk, the BigBlue 28W hits the best balance of power, price, and portability.
Related video
Video: BigBlue 28W Solar Charger - Review & Demo - Published on 12/02/2024
Our tester's review: Julien De Jurquet
The BigBlue 28W is the kind of gear you toss in a pack without a second thought and end up relying on daily. On a multi-day backpacking trip, clipped to the outside of a pack with the included carabiners, it kept a power bank topped off in full sun, often at a speed close to a wall outlet. Having three ports matters more than it sounds: one afternoon it charged a phone and a headlamp battery at the same time with no real slowdown. The N-type cells hold up better than budget panels once a few clouds roll in, they keep producing rather than stalling out. Build quality is solid, reinforced fabric, sturdy stitching, and it folds down small enough for a side pocket. Two honest caveats: there is no battery inside, so pair it with a power bank to actually store the energy, and like any panel, output drops fast once it is in the shade or angled away from the sun. For a dependable, affordable way to keep devices charged off the grid, it is easy to recommend.
In-depth review BigBlue 28W: our full review 3.7/5 Read our full review → Efficiency 3.1 Portability and size 4.3 Weather resistance 3.7 Output ports 3.6 Capacity and expansion not measured Solar input and MPPT not measured Control and smart features not measured Installation and compliance not measured Build and endurance 3.9 Battery compatibility not measured Safety and protections not measuredFrequently asked questions: BigBlue 28W foldable solar charger
Yes. It has three ports (2 USB-C and 1 USB-A) delivering up to 5V/4.8A combined, so you can charge three USB devices at once, for example a phone and a power bank in full sun.
No, it has no battery. It charges devices directly while in the sun. To store energy for later, pair it with a power bank you charge during the day and use in the evening.
It carries an IP44 rating, so it resists rain and splashes, but it is not submersible. You can leave it out through a passing shower without worrying, as long as the USB ports stay under the protective flap.
In full sun and well angled, it charges a smartphone close to wall-outlet speed. Real output depends heavily on sunlight and orientation, in the shade or under cloud cover, charging slows down noticeably.
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Published on 02/09/2026