BigBlue SolarPowa 14: Small and Powerful

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BigBlue SolarPowa 14 (view price on Amazon UK) is a compact and efficient solar panel charger designed to keep your devices powered up wherever your adventures take you.

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BigBlue SolarPowa 14
bigblue 14w solar charger
bigblue 14w solar charger review

BigBlue SolarPowa 14 at a Glance

Pros and Cons of the BigBlue SolarPowa 14

What we like

  • Charging current close to 1A
  • Effective Backup
  • Water Resistance IPX-4
  • Seamless Integration
  • Informative Display
  • Lightweight (only 360 g / 0.79 lbs)
  • High Charging Capacity
  • Energy conversion of up to 24% 
  • Excellent customer service

What we don’t like

  • The panel’s performance may vary based on environmental factors
  • It doesn’t have a kickstand to prop it up

Our Verdict

The BigBlue SolarPowa 14 is a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts, offering reliable charging performance in diverse weather conditions. While it may not always reach its maximum advertised power output, its consistent performance makes it a valuable asset for camping and hiking.

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The BigBlue SolarPowa 14: A Comprehensive Review

Performance in Various Conditions

In ideal conditions, the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 can deliver a charging current of up to 1.7/1.8A, making it highly useful for keeping your devices powered during extended outdoor trips. Even in less-than-ideal conditions, such as overcast days, the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 can provide a substantial charging current, close to 1A, ensuring your devices stay powered up.

Portability and Design

Weighing in at just 360 g/ 0.79 lbs and featuring a compact, foldable design, the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 is incredibly portable, fitting seamlessly into your backpack or gear bag. Its smart IC technology optimizes charging efficiency, recognizing your device’s requirements for faster and more effective charging.

The built-in display provides valuable insights into the panel’s performance, aiding users in optimizing its usage across different weather conditions. Also, the device’s performance ensures that device charging doesn’t become a hassle during outdoor activities, seamlessly fitting into daily life in the field.

Waterproof Protection

With an IPX-4 waterproof rating and a special pet polymer surface, this solar charger can withstand occasional rain or wet fog, adding to its durability and reliability in outdoor environments.  In other words, this product is not fully waterproof, but it can withstand light rain. This allows it to continue charging even during showery conditions, enhancing its usability in outdoor settings. However, we recommend not placing it directly on high heat-conducting surfaces (concrete, sand, rock) to prevent overheating.

Effective Backup

With the capability to charge 18650 batteries and Nitecore F1 charger, it serves as a backup power source for rainy days when solar panel deployment isn’t feasible, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

High Charging Capacity

With a maximum output of 14W in full sunlight, the SolarPowa 14 can deliver powerful charges to phones, tablets, and camera equipment, ensuring rapid charging capabilities. Also, this product offers an energy conversion of up to 24% into free energy under enough sunlight.

User-Friendly Features

Despite its powerful performance, the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 is user-friendly, with covered ports to protect against dust and water damage. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry, while the foldable solar panel ensures convenient storage when not in use.

Customer Feedback

Customers have praised the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 for its ability to keep their devices charged during outdoor expeditions, whether hiking, camping, or canoeing. While some have noted minor issues with charging speed and accessibility of the USB ports, overall satisfaction remains high.

Drawbacks

Despite its capabilities, the SolarPowa 14 may struggle to charge devices efficiently in cloudy or overcast conditions. So this could lead to slower charging rates or even device discharge in some cases. On the other hand, this product is floppy and doesn’t have a kickstand or sturdy support mechanism. So, it could be challenging to prop up the panel correctly for optimal sunlight exposure, reducing its overall efficiency.

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FAQs

The BigBlue SolarPowa 14 has a water resistance rating of 3 stars, indicating it can cope with light rain but is not suitable for being fully submerged or exposed to heavy rain.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 14 can still generate a useful charging current even in overcast conditions, providing close to 1A with light cloud cover. However, heavy cloud cover may significantly reduce the output.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 14 weighs approximately 360g / 0.79 lbs, making it lightweight and portable for outdoor activities.
While the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 performs well in sunny conditions, it may be less effective in the UK’s climate, particularly during winter or on cloudy days. Direct sunlight is necessary for optimal performance.
The charging time for devices using the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 varies depending on factors such as sunlight intensity and the capacity of the device being charged. In optimal conditions, it can charge devices within a few hours.

Specifications

Power

General

Solar Cell TypeMonocrystalline Solar Cell (SUNPOWER)
Folded Size ( L x W x H)145 x 140 x 25 mm (5.7 x 5.5 x 0.98 inches)
Unfolded Size (L x W x H)145 x 640.5 x 5 mm (5.7 x 25.2 x 0.2 inches)
Compatible devicesMobile Phones, Tablets, Power Banks, etc.
Compatible phone modelsApple iPhone 13, 12, X, 8, 7, 6 Plus, 6s Plus, iPad Air etc, Android mobile phones such as Samsung S3 S4 S5 S6 S6 edge, S7, Nexus 6, 6p, Sony Z3 etc. HUAWEI, Xiaomi etc

Included Components: 1 x BigBlue 14W Solar Charger; 2 x Hooks; 1 x 65cm TYPE-C Cable; 1 x Manual; 1 x Warranty Card

Conclusion

In conclusion, the BigBlue SolarPowa 14 offers a compelling blend of portability and performance for outdoor enthusiasts. While it may not always meet its maximum rated output, its ability to provide a useful charge, especially in sunny conditions, makes it a valuable tool for camping, hiking, and other adventures. This product offers a compact design and a smart IC technology to power up your essential devices while off the grid. Despite some limitations, it stands out as a practical solution for staying connected in remote locations.

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