Xtorm SolarBooster 28W
(2 reviews)
The Xtorm SolarBooster 28W foldable solar panel turns sunlight into power for your phone, tablet or GoPro, wherever your next outdoor trip takes you.
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Characteristics
- Power: 28W, 4 monocrystalline SunPower cells
- Outputs: USB-A + USB-C, 15W each (5V/3A)
- Weight: 910g folded, backpack-friendly
- Water resistance: IPX4 (splash resistant)
- LCD output screen, built-in kickstand and carabiner
Detailed overview: Xtorm 28W foldable solar panel
The Xtorm SolarBooster 28W (Gen'24) is a foldable, portable solar panel designed to charge a phone, tablet, GoPro or power bank straight from the sun, with no mains socket needed. Unfolded, its four monocrystalline silicon cells (SunPower technology, ETFE) offer a claimed 24% yield, well above standard polycrystalline panels, and keep producing power even under cloudy skies or in the shade, thanks to low energy loss.
Two charging ports work at the same time, USB-A and USB-C, each delivering up to 15W FastCharge (5V/3A), enough to top up two devices at once out in the field. A built-in LCD screen shows the live amp output, which makes it easy to angle the panel precisely towards the sun to squeeze out the best yield, a genuine advantage over panels with no feedback at all.
Folded, the SolarBooster 28W weighs just 910g and packs into its included carrying pouch. Unfolded, it measures roughly 88.7 x 23.6cm and 2.3cm thick. A built-in kickstand lets you prop it up at the best angle towards the sun, and a carabiner makes it easy to clip onto a backpack while walking. Rated IPX4, it withstands splashes and light rain for several minutes, but it has no internal battery: no energy is stored, so a device (or power bank) needs to be plugged in while the panel is in direct sunlight to actually charge.
Like any portable solar panel, its output depends heavily on conditions: best in direct sunlight, noticeably lower under cloud cover, and close to nothing behind glass or a car windscreen. Used while hiking, van touring or camping, it works best as a top-up source, keeping a power bank or phone charged over several days off-grid, rather than as a fast standalone charger. Supplied with a USB-A and a USB-C cable, the Xtorm SolarBooster 28W suits travellers, hikers and van-lifers after a compact, reliable and easy-to-carry source of solar power.
EAN: 8718182277951
Comparison
At around £115-130, the Xtorm SolarBooster 28W competes with the most searched-for foldable solar panels for hiking and van life, matching queries like "foldable solar panel" or "portable solar panel". Here is how it stacks up against three alternatives: the BigBlue 28W, the Elfcam 40W and the FlexSolar 25W pocket panel.
| Criterion | Xtorm SolarBooster 28W | BigBlue 28W | Elfcam 40W | FlexSolar 25W pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 28W | 28W | 40W | 25W |
| Outputs | USB-A + USB-C, 15W each | 2x USB-C + 1x USB-A (4.8A total) | USB-C + USB-A | USB-A only |
| Output screen | LCD (amp reading) | No | No | No |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP44 | IPX5 | Splash resistant |
| Weight | 910g | ≈ 600g | ≈ 700g | Pocket-sized, very light |
| Typical price | ≈ £115-130 | ≈ £60-70 | ≈ £60-70 | ≈ £45 |
The Xtorm SolarBooster 28W stands out with its LCD output screen, absent on all three rivals, which makes it easy to angle the panel precisely towards the sun for the best yield. The brand's reputation for rugged outdoor gear and its extended 2+1 year warranty justify a higher price than the BigBlue or the Elfcam, even though the latter is rated higher on paper at 40W. The FlexSolar, light and cheap, remains a minimalist backup option, with no screen and no simultaneous dual output. For anyone who values precise control over solar charging and brand reliability, the SolarBooster 28W remains a solid pick despite its higher price tag.
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Video: XTORM 28W - Sprawdzamy jak działa mobilny panel solarny w praktyce | #xtorm #solarpanel XR2S28 - Published on 16/04/2025
Our tester's review: Julien De Jurquet
We took the SolarBooster 28W on a week-long hiking trip, clipped to the backpack with its carabiner during the day's walk. The LCD screen is genuinely useful: tilt the panel slightly and watch the amp reading climb to find the best angle for the sun. In full sun, charging a phone over USB-C is fast and steady; under overcast skies, output drops off noticeably, so you really need direct sunlight to get the most out of it. Unfolded on the ground with its built-in kickstand, it stays put well, but the hinges between the four panels are quite stiff, and the outer sections tend to fold back in on themselves if nothing holds them open, a small gripe several other users mention too. At 910g it is still easy to carry without being ultra light, and the included pouch protects the cells well in transit. Overall, a solidly built panel for topping up solar power on a trek or in a van, as long as you accept its limits on cloudy days.
Frequently asked questions: Xtorm 28W foldable solar panel
Yes, its USB-A and USB-C ports each deliver up to 15W (5V/3A) in full sun, enough to charge a phone or tablet directly, or top up a power bank.
910g once folded into its carrying pouch, about the weight of a paperback book, compact enough to slip into a hiking backpack without adding much bulk.
It is IPX4 rated: it withstands splashes and light rain for a few minutes, but it is not designed for immersion or prolonged heavy rain.
Yes, the USB-A and USB-C ports work at the same time, each up to 15W, so you can charge a phone and a power bank together.
No, it has no internal battery: you need to plug in a device (or a power bank) while it is in the sun to transfer the energy, it does not work as a standalone energy store.
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Published on 30/08/2026