Einhell solar panel review: can I rely on this for camping trips and garden activities?
16.6.2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Anna Sandner
Will the 40-watt solar panel from Einhell, when used with the power station and battery, provide me with a reliable source of mobile power, even if it gets cloudy? I put the foldable, portable solar panel to the test.
A trip to the lake with friends, a weekend camping with the family, just getting away from civilisation – these are the best things about summer. As romantic as the idea of a life far away from any power outlet may be, a little bit of mobile power does make spending time in nature considerably more relaxing. With its foldable 40-watt solar panel, Einhell offers exactly this kind of off-grid solution. So I tested it for a few weeks.
The result? A robust, compact solution that provides sufficient basic and emergency power when you can’t connect to the grid.
Fast and simple
The solar panel’s easy to handle: it has a magnetic clasp and fold-out legs. All you have to do is unfold it, sit it upright and you’re done. You don’t have to do any screwing or complicated assembly or modification – which I’m glad about. There’s a sturdy zippered pocket built into the panel where you can store necessary cables. When folded, the panel’s quite flat, measuring approximately 45 × 9 × 49 centimetres and weighing 2.3 kilogrammes. This means it easily fits in the boot or under the car seat. Alternatively, you can carry it by the handle – which I did all the way to the lakeshore without getting too tired.
In addition to the solar panel, I also got the TE-ES 18/150/1 Li-C power station and matching Power-X-Change batteries from Einhell to test. This would allow me to have electricity even when a cloud passes by or in the dark at night.
Performs in sun and clouds despite pollen
Since there’s no display on the panel itself that shows the current power output, I connected a meter between the panel and the station.
After all, given Hamburg’s weather – which isn’t always sunny – what interests me most is how reliably the panel actually delivers power. I was soon pleasantly surprised. In direct sunlight, my meter connected to the USB-C port read a fairly stable 28.5 to 29.5 watts, regardless of whether the panel lay flat on the ground, slightly angled or stood almost upright on the lawn. Plus, it stayed stable on the lawn even in gusty winds.
As you’d expect, it didn’t work as well once the clouds rolled in. It generated around 19 watts when this happened. In the evening, when the sun was at its weakest, it only generated 3 to 4 watts. My testing period also coincided with the time of year when a fresh thick layer of pollen settles on everything, every single day. To my surprise, neither pollen nor other dust and dirt measurably reduced performance. That goes for both in the garden and on campsites. This is likely because the 40-watt panel still provides enough wiggle room to fully utilise the USB-C port’s 30-watt limit, even when dirt makes it slightly weaker.
You can also quickly clean the panel again with a damp cloth – thanks to IPX4 protection. This rating means the panel’s protected against water splashes from all directions – dew, light rain or mist from watering won’t damage it.
How good is the combo of the battery power station and the Power-X-Change battery?
Using just the panel, you can charge devices directly via USB-C (up to 30 watts) or USB-A (up to 18 watts). Thanks to the TE-ES 18/150/1 Li-C power station and the Power-X-Change batteries, I have additional outlets and a way to store electricity.
The station features a standard 230-V grounded outlet (up to 150 watts), a 12-V port (up to 120 watts, for example, for coolers), a USB-A port and two separate USB-C ports: a USB-C PD input for charging the internal battery – for example, via the solar panel – and a separate USB-C PD output with up to 60 watts for connected devices. In addition, the power station has a built-in, dimmable LED light, which is particularly handy when camping.
So my setup was: Panel → USB-C cable (with meter) → power station → Einhell battery.
It took about three hours to fully charge the 4-Ah battery in direct sunlight. However, since the weather would often change, it usually took half a day to a full day for the battery to fully charge.
Cordless and independent
The system did exactly what I expected it to do. While camping, I was able to get enough electricity for myself, my family and my friends. Camping lights, phone chargers, electric air pumps and other items were ready for use at all times. To keep things simple, I alternated between two batteries. While a fully charged battery charged our devices via a separate USB adapter, the empty battery was plugged into the power station and recharged in the sun using the solar panel.
The mobile power station even came in handy during a cosy barbecue in the garden. And for some of the gardening tasks where I use corded tools, I was able to avoid the hassle of tangled extension cords.
Value for money: where does Einhell rank?
Einhell’s solar panel sits firmly in the middle of the price range. The product has a clean finish, a clever magnetic folding design, a high-quality built-in pouch, and comes with all the necessary cables. It’s a useful piece of gear, especially for those who are already active users of the Power-X-Change ecosystem.
In a nutshell
Mobile and convenient – solar power for the garden and outdoors
The Einhell 40-watt solar panel is a compact piece of kit that delivers solid performance. It’s easy to set up and dismantle, is sturdy on its fold-out legs, is well made and provides a reliable power supply. If you’re looking for a compact solution for a campsite, an allotment without electricity or a spontaneous trip to the lake, you’ll be happy with this – especially when paired with the Einhell batteries and the TE-ES 18/150/1 Li-C power station. It’s just a shame that the full 40 watts are throttled via USB-C and that there’s no display for monitoring power output.
Pro
- Consistent performance under clear skies
- Scratch- and water-resistant casing
- Compact and easy to carry
- Quick and easy to use
Contra
- No power indicator on the panel
- USB-C output limited to 30 watts (full 40 watts available via XT60)
Anna Sandner
Senior Editor
Anna.Sandner@galaxus.deScience editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always the outdoors - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.
These articles might also interest you
2 comments
later