BioLite Solar Panel 100 Review

The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is a super versatile and easy-to-use solar panel for your solar camping setup. This panel folds and unfolds faster than most panels, and it packs to the smallest size of any panel that still has a carrying handle. So, it's also very portable. It's about average in solar efficiency, but this panel is small and light enough that we aren't disappointed about this. It will easily pack into a trunk stuffed with camping gear and will leave plenty of space for the rest of your solar camping setup in that trunk, too.

Performance Comparison

Direct Solar Charging Speed

The BioLite Solar Panel 100 performed decently in our direct sunlight charging speed tests. Though it wasn't the fastest and most efficient panel, it generated plenty of charge to keep all our tech powered up and running at the campsite.

During our side-by-side tests, this 100-watt panel generated 42.4 watt-hours of energy over the course of an hour in full sunlight. Those results are about in the middle of the pack among models we tested — respectable but not outstanding.

The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is made up of four 25-watt panels utilizing monocrystalline silicon solar cells well-known for their efficient energy conversion. While this particular panel isn't really a standout in direct solar efficiency, it doesn't stand out for performing poorly, either.

We also monitored watt output during direct solar charging tests. As the sun conditions shifted above us, we noted that the watt output from the BioLite Solar Panel 100, like most panels, fluctuated within a fairly consistent range.

With an output of 45-50 watts (and an average of 47 watts), the BioLite 100 occasionally peaked at wattage levels in the mid-50s and 60s — if you use its integrated sundial to point the panel directly at the sun — putting it nearly on par with other top models in our lineup.

Indirect Solar Charging Speed

We also tested charging speeds in indirect light because it's not always bright and sunny. A panel needs to perform well in cloudy conditions, too. Or else you'll be left waiting around for those clouds to pass to charge your tech.

To ensure fair testing, we suspended a white sheet over all the panels in our lineup, side by side. The BioLite Solar Panel 100 performed once again in about the middle of the pack for charging efficiency.

Over the course of one hour in our “cloudy day” test, the BioLite generated 14.9 watt-hours of energy. In other words, it didn't do terribly, but there are also plenty of better options we've tested.

In our measurements of power output in indirect light, the BioLite 100 still managed to pump out about 19 watts. Here again, this is a respectable performance without being particularly good or bad.

Portability

The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is very portable. It weighs only 9.5 pounds and folds down to 1.5 inches thick, making it easy to pack it into your trunk with everything else you'll need for a long weekend camping.

This portable panel has a comfortable integrated handle that makes it easy to carry to wherever you plan to set up your solar power station at the campsite. The BioLite 100 folds four times to a small size, and when folded, it measures just 20 inches by 14.5 inches.

This is the smallest folded size of any panel that also has a carrying handle. It's also exceptionally simple to fold and unfold this panel — there are no clips or velcro pieces to fight with when setting it up or taking it down, and the panels are thin and light, so they're easy to handle. The Biolite Solar Panel has a zippered pouch on the back to store your charging cables and other solar accessories. This pouch technically adds some thickness to the panel, but only in one area.

Functionality

The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is versatile and adaptable models we tested. It has three USB outputs (two USB-A and one USB-C), a DC charging cable (hardwired directly to the controller), fold-out legs to point it at a low-angled sun, and an integrated sundial to take the guesswork out of getting that angle perfect.

With two USB-A outputs, a USB-C output, and a DC cable, this panel is technically capable of charging four devices at once. However, during our testing, we found that the DC charging cable was the most energy-efficient when used alone. This is true of most panels we tested — you're better off charging a battery or power station with the DC cable and charging your devices from that external power bank than charging all your gadgets straight off of the panel itself.

This panel can be daisy-chained together with other BioLite panels to increase energy drawing capacity for more power-hungry camping setups. The fold-out kickstand legs of the BioLite deploy easily to point this directly at low-angled sunlight. It's one of the only panels we tested with an integrated sundial, too. This sundial, along with the kickstand legs, makes pointing the panel directly at the sun simple and easy.

The fold-out legs aren't the most stable in a strong wind, but they're pretty par for the course among similar models. Just two legs support the four panels, adding extra wobbliness. We didn't find any four-panel folding designs that used more than two kickstand legs, but the Biolite would be more secure if it had a support leg behind every panel. This would increase the weight and packability, though, so we're willing to accept the two-leg design. When not using the fold-out legs, they securely fasten against the back of the panel with Velcro.

Should You Buy the BioLite Solar Panel 100?

The BioLite 100 is very easy to use, and it's also portable and extremely versatil. Its small footprint allows you to set it up in places where larger panels won't fit. It also is easy to find a place to fit this panel into a car stuffed full of outdoor gear. It has a bunch of useful features that make it a great option for someone who's just getting into the world of larger yet still portable solar panels. This panel is expensive, but if you're prioritizing packability and useability over all else, it may be the right choice for you.

What Other Solar Camping Panels Should You Consider?

If you're looking for a great overall panel that performs well in any light conditions and is still full of handy features, check out the Jackery SolarSaga 100. For a waterproof and portable model with excellent energy conversion in direct and indirect light, consider the EcoFlow 110. If you're looking for a 100-watt panel that's high-performing at a lower cost, check out the BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE. Or perhaps you need a smaller portable solar panel for fast and light adventures, in which case, check out our review of portable solar chargers.