Ryno-Tuff 21W Review

With high scores in charging speed and multiple device charging abilities, this panel is an all-around charging machine, especially considering its somewhat humble capacity. We were impressed to see this panel performing alongside panels that have 10W more output power — our results go to show that the claimed wattage on a panel has to be taken with a grain of salt.

Performance Comparison

This panel was surprisingly one of the fastest chargers out there.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Charge Interruption Recovery

When it experienced intermittent periods of shade and sun, the Ryno-Tuff ended up having to re-initiate charge over and over again, causing our phone to vibrate incessantly. This was not only annoying but also meant that the panel didn't charge that well during this test. The level of charge delivered to our Pixel decreased significantly from our simple charging speed tests, where this panel scored very high.

During this test period, our phone charged only 20% as compared to 34% when placed in full sun for the same amount of time. Our reasoning for the less-than-ideal results in this metric is that the panel lacks the surface area of some of the larger capacity models. This surface area is key in marginal conditions because the bigger the panel, the higher chance there is that the unit is bringing in a charge from the sun. With only three sections of solar cells, the Ryno-Tuff just doesn't have the same level of exposure that a larger panel does.

This panel is not the best at recovering after an interruption, which may be due to its relatively small capacity.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Charging Speed

We were fairly blown away when we first plugged our phone in to measure the Ryno-Tuff's overall charging abilities. This panel is a serious workhorse; we had to keep double-checking to make sure it was truly only a 21-watt panel, as the results reflected those of a much more powerful panel. Our first test was done with a Google Pixel. The Ryno-Tuff charged our phone 34% within the first 30 minutes of our test period. This is on par with panels that have double the claimed wattage, which truly impressed us. That's over a percentage point per minute! Perhaps it is solar technology improving vastly over the years, or maybe it is just this particular brand, but the Ryno-Tuff delivered a light-speed charge, while still maintaining a reasonable size and price tag — needless to say, we are impressed.

When it comes to charging speed, the Ryno-Tuff knocks it out of the park.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Multiple Device Charging Speed

With its impressive charging speeds in the single-device category, it is no surprise that the Ryno-Tuff* knocked it out of the park in this metric. When charging an iPhone and a Google Pixel simultaneously, this panel charged each device a fair bit over the course of 30 minutes. The iPhone's battery increased 22% while the Pixel charged 14% over the same period. This is astounding when the overall output of the panel is taken into consideration. With only 21W of power, this little powerhouse charged multiple devices better than some panels with twice the wattage.

The Ryno-Tuff has two USB ports and was able to successfully charge two devices at once.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Durability

This panel's name conjures images of a burly, safari-proof panel that is designed to endure the harshest conditions. We didn't subject the Ryno-Tuff to any harsh durability tests, but we did find that it easily endured the usual wear and tear of daily life. Its Velcro pocket is secure and didn't wear out, even after hundreds of times of opening and closing it. The pocket could be a little bit bigger, and then it would be much more useful, especially when charging phones and moving the panel around to find the best sun angle.

The USB ports do not have covers, but the pocket is so secure that this didn't seem to be an issue for us. The methods for hanging the panel include sewn loops rather than reinforced eyelets, which is the only remarkable feature that we believe could potentially lack long-term durability. That said, we had no problems with these loops over the course of our test period.

The standard canvas and coated solar cell construction make the Ryno-Tuff on par with the durability scores of many panels in this review.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Weight and Portability

Weighing in at just over a pound, the Ryno-Tuff is average in terms of weight and size. There is nothing particularly remarkable about this panel's weight, but it is not excessively heavy either. Our measured weight for this product is 17 ounces, or one pound one ounce. In comparison to panels with similar results in our charging speed tests, this panel is actually fairly lightweight. It packs a heavy punch in performance, alongside a reasonable weight, making it a great option to bring on a luxury backpacking trip.

The Ryno-Tuff is fairly compact, though we were a bit disappointed to find that the pocket doesn't fit a phone.

Photo: Jane Jackson

Value

This panel is all about bang for the buck. The Ryno-Tuff is highly efficient, performs to high standards, and carries an excellent price tag. Though there are less costly products in our review, we've identified it as the best price for the best performance. The Ryno-Tuff gets the job done and charges devices with ease. It comes in a tight package that is durable and built to last, and it excels in the charging speed metric. This, combined with a fair price, make the Ryno-Tuff our go-to for affordable performance.

Conclusion