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Quick answer: the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial is the best portable solar panel for most UK buyers. It’s rated at 220W, collects extra light from its back face, and is fully waterproof. If weight matters most, the Anker SOLIX PS200 is a 200W-class panel weighing just 5kg. On a budget, the EcoFlow 160W costs around £199.
Prices are approximate UK prices (RRP or typical retailer price) when we checked in November 2026. They change often, so use the buttons to see today’s price.
One thing every UK buyer should know before spending a penny: British winter sun produces only a fraction of summer output. We explain exactly how much below, so you buy the right size first time.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best overall: EcoFlow 220W Bifacial
- Lightest 200W-class panel: Anker SOLIX PS200 Bifacial
- Best value: EcoFlow 160W
- Best for mixing brands: Bluetti 200W Solar Panel
- Best small panel for Jackery owners: Jackery SolarSaga 100W
Side-by-side comparison
| Panel | Power | Weight | Waterproof | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow 220W Bifacial | 220W (+155W rear) | 9.5kg | IP68 | ~£349 |
| Anker SOLIX PS200 | 200W class | 5kg | IP68 | £449 |
| EcoFlow 160W | 160W | 5.6kg | IP68 | ~£199 |
| Bluetti 200W | 200W | 8.1kg | IP67 | £299 |
| Jackery SolarSaga 100W | 100W | 4.7kg | IP67 | ~£273 |
Specs and prices from manufacturer and UK retailer listings, checked 4 November 2026. Several of these panels were out of stock at some retailers when we checked, and prices change often, so check today’s price before you buy.
How we chose
We haven’t tested these panels hands-on yet. Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, UK retailer listings and published reviews, judged on what matters in the UK: output per kilo, waterproofing for British weather, how easily the panel connects to popular power stations, and value. We’ll say clearly when we’ve tested something ourselves.
How much power will a solar panel really give you in the UK?
This is the question most reviews skip. A panel’s rating is what it produces in perfect lab conditions. Real UK output depends on the season, the weather and how well you angle the panel.
As a rough guide, UK rooftop solar data shows each 1kW of panels produces about 4 to 5.5kWh a day in summer but only 0.5 to 1.25kWh a day in winter (source). Scaled down to a single 200W portable panel, that’s roughly:
- Summer: around 0.8 to 1.1kWh a day, enough to refill a 1kWh power station on a good day
- Winter: around 0.1 to 0.25kWh a day, enough to top up phones and a laptop, not much more
Portable panels can do a little better than fixed ones if you keep turning them to face the sun, and much worse on heavy, overcast days. The takeaway: if you need year-round off-grid power in the UK, buy more panel wattage than you think you need, and keep a way to top up from the mains or your car in winter.
1. EcoFlow 220W Bifacial: best overall
The 220W Bifacial is the panel we’d point most people to. Its front face is rated at 220W and its back face can add up to 155W from light reflecting off the ground, which helps on bright days over pale surfaces like concrete, gravel or snow. Efficiency is 22 to 23%, and its IP68 rating means it shrugs off British rain.
It connects with an XT60 cable, which suits EcoFlow power stations directly.
- Rated power: 220W front, up to 155W rear
- Weight: about 9.5kg
- Efficiency: 22 to 23%
- Waterproofing: IP68
- Open-circuit voltage: 21.8V
Good for: pairing with a 1kWh power station like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus for garden offices, campervans and longer trips.
Watch out for: at 9.5kg it’s the heaviest panel here. The rear-side bonus only applies when there’s reflected light to catch.
2. Anker SOLIX PS200 Bifacial: lightest 200W-class panel
The PS200 weighs just 5kg including its stand, roughly half the weight of the EcoFlow 220W. Anker uses N-type cells it rates at over 25% efficiency, and claims up to 10% more power from the rear face in reflective spots. It’s IP68 rated too.
- Rated power: 200W class, plus up to 10% from the rear
- Weight: 5kg with stand
- Efficiency: 25%+
- Waterproofing: IP68
Good for: anyone carrying a panel any distance: campers, walkers to an allotment, people with a bad back.
Watch out for: it’s the most expensive panel here at £449 on Anker’s UK site, and it was sold out when we checked. It’s designed around Anker SOLIX power stations, so check the connector and voltage if you own another brand.
3. EcoFlow 160W: best value
If you don’t need a big panel, the EcoFlow 160W is the sensible buy at around £199. It’s 5.6kg, folds down to 42 x 68cm, and has the same IP68 waterproofing as its bigger sibling.
- Rated power: 160W
- Weight: 5.6kg
- Efficiency: 21 to 22%
- Waterproofing: IP68
- Folded size: 42 x 68 x 2.4cm
- Open-circuit voltage: 21.4V
Good for: topping up a small or mid-size power station like the EcoFlow RIVER 3, weekend camping and allotments.
Watch out for: 160W is modest. In a British winter, expect it to add only a small top-up each day.
4. Bluetti 200W Solar Panel: best for mixing brands
Most portable panels use a brand’s own plug. This Bluetti uses standard MC4 connectors, the universal solar plug, so with the right adapter cable it can charge most power stations whatever the brand. It’s rated at 200W with up to 23.4% cell efficiency and IP67 waterproofing, and Bluetti’s UK price has dropped to £299 from £399.
- Rated power: 200W
- Weight: about 8.1kg (per Bluetti’s listing)
- Efficiency: up to 23.4%
- Waterproofing: IP67
- Folded size: 58.5 x 60.8 x 4.5cm
- Open-circuit voltage: 24.6V
Good for: people who own, or might switch to, a power station from a different brand.
Watch out for: you may need an MC4 adapter cable for your power station, so factor that in.
5. Jackery SolarSaga 100W: best small panel for Jackery owners
If you own a Jackery power station, the SolarSaga 100W is the simple plug-and-play choice. At 4.69kg it’s easy to carry, it’s IP67 waterproof, and it has its own USB-A and USB-C ports so you can charge a phone straight from the panel.
- Rated power: 100W
- Weight: 4.69kg
- Efficiency: about 23%
- Waterproofing: IP67
- Extras: built-in USB-A and USB-C outputs
Good for: Jackery owners, light camping, charging phones directly.
Watch out for: at around £273 it’s expensive for 100W. Jackery lists two of these for its Explorer 1000 v2, with a full charge taking about 7.5 hours in good sun.
How to choose a portable solar panel
1. Match the panel to your power station
Check your power station’s maximum solar input in watts and its voltage range. The panel’s open-circuit voltage (Voc) must sit inside that range. If you connect two panels in series, their voltages add up, so double-check before wiring them together.
2. Check the plug
Brands use different connectors: EcoFlow and Anker panels here use XT60-type plugs, Jackery uses its own, and the Bluetti uses universal MC4. Adapter cables exist, but buying the matching brand is the simplest option.
3. Size it for UK weather
Aim for enough panel wattage to refill your power station in a summer day, and treat winter solar as a bonus top-up. As a rough rule for summer, 200W of panel per 1kWh of battery is a sensible starting point.
4. Weight versus power
Bigger panels collect more power but get heavy fast. If you’ll carry it far, the 5kg Anker PS200 or 5.6kg EcoFlow 160W make life easier than a 9.5kg panel.
5. Waterproofing
IP67 and IP68 panels can cope with rain, but don’t leave connectors sitting in puddles, and store panels dry.
Frequently asked questions
Do portable solar panels work in the UK?
Yes, but output varies hugely with the season. Expect strong output from late spring to late summer, and only small top-ups in winter.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
They still produce some power, but much less than in direct sun. Heavy overcast can cut output to a small fraction of the panel’s rating.
Can I leave a portable solar panel outside?
IP67 and IP68 panels are built to handle rain, but they’re designed to be set up and packed away. Bring them in when you’re not using them to make them last longer.
Can I use a different brand of panel with my power station?
Often, yes, as long as the voltage is in range and you have the right connector or adapter. Check your power station’s manual first.
How many solar panels do I need?
For a 1kWh power station, around 200W of panel will refill it on a good summer day. For year-round use or bigger batteries, add more panel wattage, up to your power station’s solar input limit.
Pair your panel with a power station
Not sure which power station to pair it with? See our guide to the best portable power stations in the UK.