Can the BigBlue SolarPowa P25 charge an iPad?

In strong direct sunlight, it may sustain a slow charge on an iPad. In anything less than full sun, the iPad draws more power than the panel can deliver, so it drains faster than it charges. BigBlue does not clearly document this limitation. For reliable tablet charging, a 28W or larger panel is a better match.

What is the difference between the BigBlue P25 and the BigBlue 28W?

The P25 is lighter (under a pound vs about 1.5 pounds), more compact, and carries a higher water resistance rating on the panel surface (IP68 vs IP44). The 28W has a built-in ammeter for real-time output monitoring, three USB ports instead of two, and produces more power. Choose the P25 when weight and packability are the priority; choose the 28W when output and versatility matter more.

Is the IP68 rating on the BigBlue P25 really waterproof?

The IP68 rating applies to the solar panel surface only, not to the junction box where the USB ports are located. BigBlue documents this distinction. The panel itself resists dust and water, but the port area needs to stay dry. Treat it the same way you would treat a phone in rain: usable in a drizzle, but dry it promptly and keep the ports covered.

Home Gear Reviews BigBlue SolarPowa P25

Gear Review · Energy

BigBlue SolarPowa P25 25W Solar Charger.

BigBlue's quality in a pocket-sized package. Here is what the P25 actually delivers, how it compares to the larger 28W, and who should spend the extra half-pound on more power.

Rated Power

25 watts

Weight

~0.84 lbs

NWS Verdict

Buy it (for the right buyer)

View on Amazon

Strengths

Folds to pocket size and weighs under a pound, light enough to carry everywhere.
IP68-rated panel surface resists dust and water better than most competitors.
ETFE coating and solid baseplate resist the cracking that degrades cheaper panels over time.
USB-C port delivers up to 5V/3A for faster phone charging than USB-A alone.

Limitations

No ammeter means you cannot see real-time output or confirm the optimal angle.
Two ports limit you to charging two devices at once, one fewer than the BigBlue 28W.
25W rated output produces less power than the 28W in the same sunlight conditions.

What it is

A pocket-sized solar panel from the same company that makes the best full-size one

The BigBlue SolarPowa P25 is a foldable 25-watt USB solar panel small enough to fit in a cargo pocket. Eight panels fold down to roughly the size of a large smartphone (4.65 by 6.42 by 1.38 inches), and the whole unit weighs under a pound. It unfolds in direct sunlight and charges phones, power banks, headlamps, GPS devices, and other small electronics through one USB-A port (5V/2.4A) and one USB-C port (5V/3A).

The P25 uses high-efficiency solar cells rated at 25.4% conversion efficiency with an ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) coating over UV-resistant EVA and a rigid baseplate designed to resist the hidden micro-cracks that degrade cheaper panels over time. ETFE is the same coating used on architectural glass and high-end commercial solar installations. It is significantly more durable than the PET surface used on many budget panels, and BigBlue claims it roughly doubles the operational lifespan.

The panel surface carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, which is unusually high for a foldable USB solar charger. BigBlue is explicit, however, that the IP68 rating applies to the panel only and does not extend to the junction box where the USB ports live. The port area needs to stay dry.

Like all USB solar panels, the P25 has no internal battery. It generates electricity only while deployed in direct sunlight with a device plugged in. It does not store power. This is a distinct product category from solar power banks, which are battery packs with a tiny integrated panel that contributes negligible charge. A dedicated panel like this one, paired with a separate power bank, is a far more capable system.

Why it works

The case for going smaller

The weight changes where it goes

At under a pound, the P25 weighs roughly half of what the BigBlue 28W does. That difference is the reason it actually ends up in a go-bag, a day pack, or a glove box instead of staying on a shelf. A solar panel you always have with you beats a bigger panel sitting in a closet at home when the power goes out while you are somewhere else.

ETFE outlasts PET

Most budget foldable solar panels use a PET plastic surface that yellows and cracks over a few seasons of UV exposure, gradually reducing output. The P25's ETFE coating is the same family of fluoropolymer used on commercial solar installations and the transparent roof of the Eden Project in the UK. It resists UV degradation, corrosion, and fire, and it maintains light transmittance longer than PET alternatives. For a preparedness tool that may sit in a kit for years between uses, durability of the surface layer matters more than it does for a panel used daily.

IP68 on the panel surface

The IP68 rating on the panel surface is a meaningful step above the IP44 rating on BigBlue's own 28W model. It means the panel itself can handle full immersion in dust and water rather than just splashes. For a panel that gets clipped to the outside of a pack in variable weather, that rating reduces the risk of moisture damage to the cells during a surprise rain shower. The junction box still needs protection, but the most expensive and least replaceable component has real weather resistance.

USB-C for modern devices

The USB-C port delivers up to 5V/3A, which is fast enough to charge most modern phones at a reasonable speed in good sunlight. The USB-A port (5V/2.4A) handles older devices, headlamps, and radios. Two ports let you charge a phone and a power bank simultaneously, which is the core use model for any solar charger in a preparedness context.

What owners actually say

A newer product with a shorter track record

The SolarPowa P25 is a newer product than the BigBlue 28W, and its owner discussion base is proportionally smaller. Where the 28W has nearly 10,000 Amazon ratings and extensive forum coverage, the P25 has a fraction of that. The patterns that follow are drawn from what exists, not from a deep pool.

The most consistent praise centers on the size and weight. Owners who carry it on day hikes or keep it in a vehicle kit mention that it is genuinely small enough to forget it is there until they need it. The folded dimensions are frequently described as comparable to a large phone or a small tablet, which matches BigBlue's marketing claims rather than overstating them.

The most notable complaint involves charging tablets. At least one owner reported that the P25 would not charge an iPad at all, and after troubleshooting with BigBlue support, was told the panel simply does not deliver enough power for that device. This is a real limitation of any 25W panel in imperfect sunlight: iPads and other tablets draw more power than phones, and if the panel cannot sustain the minimum charge rate the tablet expects, the tablet rejects the charge entirely rather than charging slowly. BigBlue does not clearly document this limitation in their product listings, which sets up a frustrating surprise for buyers who assume a USB-C solar panel will charge any USB-C device.

A broader pattern from the BigBlue brand across its product line: owners who contact BigBlue support for defective units report mixed experiences. Some describe responsive warranty service; others describe slow or unhelpful replies. The P25 does not yet have enough volume to establish its own pattern here, but the brand-level signal is worth noting.

The one thing to know

You are trading output for portability

Every watt you trade away for lighter weight is a watt you do not have in imperfect sunlight. The P25 is rated at 25 watts under laboratory conditions no real sky matches. In typical outdoor use, expect something closer to 12 to 17 watts. In partial shade or heavy overcast, that number drops further. The BigBlue 28W, which is already a relatively compact panel, produces measurably more power in the same conditions because it has more cell surface area.

The P25 is the right choice when the alternative is not carrying a panel at all. A 25W panel in your bag is infinitely better than a 28W panel on a shelf at home. But if you are building a stationary preparedness kit where weight does not matter, the 28W is the better investment for the same money, because it produces more electricity per hour of sunlight.

How it fails, and what to do then

What breaks and when

The same physics apply to the P25 as to any foldable solar panel: solar cells degrade slowly under UV exposure over years. A panel stored indoors and deployed only when needed will outlast one left permanently in the sun. The ETFE coating on the P25 slows this degradation compared to PET-surfaced panels, but it does not stop it. Over several years of use, the panel will produce gradually less power than it did when new.

The USB junction box is the most likely failure point. Despite the IP68 rating on the panel surface, the port area is not sealed to the same standard. Water, condensation, or prolonged humidity around the ports can damage the electronics. The rubber port covers help, but they are not a watertight seal. After any wet-weather use, open the panel fully and let everything dry before folding and storing.

The fold hinges and the attachment points for the carabiners are the mechanical wear points. On any eight-fold panel, the hinges flex every time you deploy and store it. Inspect these before relying on the panel for a trip. If a hinge starts to crack or a carabiner loop frays, the panel's portability advantage becomes a liability.

BigBlue's warranty terms vary by product. Some owners report a two-year warranty on BigBlue panels; others report twelve months. Confirm the warranty period on your specific purchase at the time of purchase. A dead panel within the warranty period, particularly one that stopped working within the first few uses, is a legitimate warranty claim regardless of the stated duration.

What it costs over time

Close to a one-time purchase

The BigBlue SolarPowa P25 is in the $55 to $75 range depending on the retailer and any active promotions. There are no consumable parts, no filters, no cartridges, and no fuel. The only recurring cost is replacing USB cables as they wear, which is a few dollars every year or two.

If you do not already own a power bank, budget for one. A good 10,000 to 20,000 mAh power bank runs $15 to $40 and turns the P25 from a daytime-only charger into a round-the-clock system. That pairing is the real cost of entry: roughly $70 to $115 total for a complete ultracompact solar charging setup with no recurring expenses.

If the panel dies after warranty, replacement is the only path. There are no repair services for USB solar panels at this price point. The ETFE coating and solid baseplate are designed to extend the lifespan meaningfully compared to cheaper PET panels, which is the reason the upfront cost is slightly higher than a bare-bones 20W panel.

Who should skip this

When the extra half-pound is worth it

Anyone building a stationary home kit where weight does not matter. The BigBlue 28W produces more power, has three ports instead of two, includes a built-in ammeter for real-time output monitoring, and costs about the same. If the panel is going to live in a closet until a power outage, get the bigger one.

Anyone who needs to charge tablets reliably. The P25's 25 watts under lab conditions translates to real-world output that may not meet the minimum charge threshold for iPads and other tablets in anything less than ideal sunlight. A 28W or 30W panel is a safer bet for tablet charging.

Anyone who wants to monitor output. The P25 has no ammeter. You deploy it, plug in a device, and trust that it is working. You cannot see how many amps it is delivering, cannot confirm you have found the best angle, and cannot tell whether a slow charge is because of clouds, cable problems, or panel degradation. If that feedback matters to you, the BigBlue 28W with ammeter is the better panel.

Anyone who needs to charge a laptop, run a CPAP, or power anything larger than a phone. This panel does not have enough output for those devices. Look at a portable power station paired with a 100W+ folding panel instead.

Where it fits in your readiness

The panel that is always with you

A pocket-sized USB solar charger belongs in the Survive tier (the first 72 hours) and the Sustain tier (the 2-week readiness band). Its portability makes it the natural choice for a go-bag or vehicle kit, the gear that goes with you when you leave the house. Paired with a compact power bank, it gives a single person or a traveling household the ability to charge phones, radios, and headlamps indefinitely with no fuel and no wall outlet.

It matters most for power outages, hurricanes, winter storms, and evacuation scenarios where weight and packability determine what you actually bring.

It contributes to the solar-charging line on the Energy Preparedness checklist. For a stationary home energy plan with maximum output, the BigBlue 28W is the better fit. The P25 is the panel for the kit that travels.

Alternatives worth knowing

Other paths to the same goal

BigBlue 28W (~$50 to $70) - more power, same brand

The NWS top pick in this category. Three ports, a built-in ammeter, and measurably more output. Weighs about 1.5 pounds. If weight is not the deciding factor, the 28W is the better panel.

FlexSolar 20W (~$30 to $50) - lighter and cheaper

Even lighter and significantly cheaper. The tradeoff is lower output and a PET surface rather than ETFE. A good choice if budget is the primary constraint, but the P25's ETFE coating and higher output justify the price difference for a panel meant to last years in a kit. Full review here.

BigBlue SolarPowa 30 (~$60 to $80) - more ports, DC output

A step up in power (30W) with USB-A, USB-C, and a DC output for charging small power stations directly. Heavier at about 1.76 pounds and larger when folded. The DC port makes it more versatile than the P25, but it is no longer pocket-sized.

Maintenance

Keeping it ready

Store the panel folded and indoors when not in use. Even with ETFE coating, prolonged UV exposure degrades solar cells over time. A closet shelf, a go-bag, or a glove box are all fine. Avoid leaving it in a hot car trunk in direct sun for extended periods.

Wipe the panel face with a dry or slightly damp cloth before each use. Dust, pollen, and fingerprints reduce output. Do not use solvents or abrasive cloths. The ETFE surface is durable but not impervious to scratches from grit.

Check the fold hinges, carabiner loops, and port covers before relying on the panel. Replace fraying cables. Test the panel against a phone or power bank once or twice a year to confirm it still charges. Without an ammeter, the only test is whether a connected device shows a charge indicator.

After any rain or moisture exposure, unfold the panel completely and let it dry before folding and storing. Pay particular attention to the junction box area. Moisture trapped between folded panels or around the port area can damage connections over time.

NWS recommendation

The BigBlue SolarPowa P25 is the right USB solar panel for the person who will actually carry it. Pair it with a compact 10,000 mAh power bank, put it in your go-bag or vehicle kit, and you have indefinite phone and radio charging capability that weighs under a pound and costs under $80. If you are building a stationary home kit where weight does not matter, get the BigBlue 28W instead. Test whichever one you buy before you need it.