Goal Zero Nomad 20 solar panel charger review

The Goal Zero Nomad 20 is a tough portable fold-out solar array for recharging small gadgets on the go

Goal Zero Nomad 20
(Image: © Jamie Carter/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

A sturdy and reliable solar panel for recharging small devices that can be daisy-chained to other products to create a mini-solar farm. However, it’s relatively heavy and has built-in cables many users won’t need.

Pros

  • +

    10W into smartphones

  • +

    20W into power stations

  • +

    Sturdy build quality

  • +

    Easy to use

Cons

  • -

    Heavy at 1kg

  • -

    Built-in cabe is annoying

  • -

    Expensive

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Have you got a solar charger yet? Although traditionally seen as an expensive, large and a somewhat specialist item, products like the Goal Zero Nomad 20 are quickly going mainstream. However, while consumer-grade solar panels for off-grid living are popular in some parts of the world, small, travel-friendly products like the Nomad 20 that are most suited for short trips with a smartphone.

The Nomad 20 is all about simplicity. A ‘personal’ solar panel that folds up for easy travel, it produces up to a maximum of 20W for recharging small portable power stations, and a little less for recharging everything from smartphones and power banks to cameras and LED lamps. 

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Jamie Carter
Astrophotography expert

Jamie has been writing about all aspects of technology for over 14 years, producing content for sites like TechRadar, T3, Forbes, Mashable, MSN, South China Morning Post, and BBC Wildlife, BBC Focus and BBC Sky At Night magazines. 

As the editor for www.WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com, he has a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise for all things astrophotography, from capturing the Perseid Meteor Shower, lunar eclipses and ring of fire eclipses, photographing the moon and blood moon and more.

He also brings a great deal of knowledge on action cameras, 360 cameras, AI cameras, camera backpacks, telescopes, gimbals, tripods and all manner of photography equipment.