Goal Zero Nomad 50 Review

The Goal Zero Nomad 50 boasts excellent charge interruption recovery and charging speed, but is by far the heaviest in our fleet.

Performance Comparison

Direct Solar Charging Speed

The Nomad 50 performed well compared the competition. The four mono-crystalline panels received 1900 mAh in direct sunlight which was one of the better results in our tests.

Indirect Charging Speed

The Nomad 50 did well in this regard. In total coverage, it produced 795 mAh, which was the second-highest amount for all the panels. In partial coverage, it produced a mere 648 mAh. Combined, the Nomad 50 did a decent job of getting power from the sun in less than ideal conditions. However, it was far from ideal.

Overall, we were a bit underwhelmed by the panel's performance in this metric. It turns out, this panel is not much more efficient than some of the 28 or 40-watt options in this review. Throughout our 30-minute test period, the Nomad 50 charged our phone to 16% in full sun conditions. These results are a bit lackluster, seeing as panels with half the capacity managed to charge our phones more during the same amount of time. That said, we didn't use this panel in conjunction with a Goal Zero battery pack; perhaps it is more designed for that use as opposed to simple charging tasks using a USB port.

Multiple Device Charging Speed

Since we didn't use the panel alongside a battery pack, we weren't able to test its ability to charge multiple devices simultaneously, as it only has one USB port. To make this test standardized across all the panels, we only performed it when multiple USB ports were present. This panel has a single USB port alongside an AC power port, which is meant to plug into a Goal Zero power bank. This design makes the Nomad 50 highly specific. Don't expect to be able to charge multiple devices off this battery but instead consider it as a large panel system that can contact with other Goal Zero panels.

Portability

A burly 50-watt panel naturally lacks the portability of a smaller capacity model. The Nomad 50 is not a lightweight product and isn't really designed for backcountry use unless weight is not a concern. This panel weighs in at roughly 7 pounds or 110.4oz ounces. This is far and beyond any other product in this review and kind of sets the Goal Zero in a class of its own in terms of what it is designed for. Folded this panel comes in at 17" x 11.25" x 2.5." Unfolded it's 17" x 53" x 1.5." That makes this a pretty sizeable panel. Car camping and other backcountry trips where weight isn't a concern are the great uses for this large panel.

Should You Buy The Goal Zero Nomad 50?

Along with its substantial weight, the Nomad 50 also has a substantial price tag. This panel is a serious investment. Before purchasing, we would recommend you do research to ensure this is the setup that will best suit your needs and your next adventure. The fact that it is designed to work with a battery pack also means that you will want to look into the options in that realm as well — an added expense. Though it comes at a cost, this may be the best option for your next adventure.

What Other Solar Chargers Should You Consider?

The Goal Zero Nomad 50 is an expensive solar charging set-up that is designed for a specific use. It didn't blow our minds when it came to charging speed, but it certainly has a large capacity and the ability to charge devices in marginal conditions. It is also very durable and well-made. That said, its heft, both in shape and weight, made it hard to imagine using in most situations — unless weight is not a concern. For specific trips, this may be the best option, but most folks will be able to charge their devices using smaller, more affordable panels.