Customer reviews from bioliteenergy.com
BioLite - SolarPanel 5 - Black
Average customer rating
3.9
(112 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 112 reviews
5 Stars
70
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
8
2 Stars
9
1 Star
17
56%of customers recommend this product.
(
36 out of
64)
Customer Reviews for BioLite - SolarPanel 5 - Black
Customer Rating
2
Not impressed
on June 22, 2026
Posted by: Lemma
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
I got this panel a few years ago and I am not impressed. No matter what I do I can’t seem to get this panel to work properly. After 8+ hours in full direct sun the built in battery will charge fully. That full battery will charge my phone very little. If I try to charge my phone off the panel directly, my phone sometimes even loses charge. I use it as an emergency charger. I figure if I can charge my phone off the panel battery enough to make a call, fine.
I have multiple other solar charged things (another panel from a different company, camping lights, camping fan) all of those solar items I have gotten to work just fine. I’ve even helped my friends and family with their solar tech to show them how to use it/troubleshoot shoot. I wanna like this panel but I can’t.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from bioliteenergy.comBy CS, June 23, 2026
We're sorry to hear about your experience with the SolarPanel 5+ and appreciate you sharing your feedback. This product features a 5W solar panel and an integrated 3,200 mAh battery designed to store energy for charging small devices.
Charging performance can vary based on sunlight conditions, panel positioning, and the power requirements of the connected device. Many newer phones have larger batteries and support higher charging inputs than the 5W output this panel is designed to provide, so charging may take longer. Additionally, if a phone is actively being used or consuming more power than the panel is producing at that time, the battery percentage may decrease while connected.
We're sorry this product has not met your expectations. We'd love to learn more about your setup and see how we can help. Please reach out to our team here: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/pages/contact.
Charging performance can vary based on sunlight conditions, panel positioning, and the power requirements of the connected device. Many newer phones have larger batteries and support higher charging inputs than the 5W output this panel is designed to provide, so charging may take longer. Additionally, if a phone is actively being used or consuming more power than the panel is producing at that time, the battery percentage may decrease while connected.
We're sorry this product has not met your expectations. We'd love to learn more about your setup and see how we can help. Please reach out to our team here: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/pages/contact.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Posted by: Dave
from Cleveland, OH
Length of ownership:3 months
Verified Purchase:Yes
The panel came in a great box that protects it when not in use. Have set it up in a south window and it is powered up and ready to go.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Posted by: JenB
from Albuquerque, NM
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
Verified Purchase:Yes
I purchased my original several years ago and it's been working beautifully. I moved cross country and lost it. this was a replacement. I use it to keep my & my kids' cell phones charged when we are camping. The original made it through several summers of heat & pop-up thundershowers. looking forward to m=seeing it this replacement does the same.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
2
Micro USB...really!?
on December 24, 2025
Posted by: Bapa13
from Midwest
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
Overall it's good and well built but Micro USB input is a deal breaker.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from bioliteenergy.comBy CS, January 2, 2026
Thanks for sharing your feedback—we completely understand how micro-USB can be a deal breaker. Some of our earlier products were designed with micro-USB when it was the most widely used option and helped maintain compatibility across the BioLite ecosystem. That said, we’ve been transitioning our newer products to USB-C (including the SolarPanel 100, lanterns, and headlamps), and that’s the direction we’re continuing to move in. We’re glad to hear you found the product well-built overall.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
1
Overheats too much
on August 11, 2025
Posted by: TooHotPanel
from Canada
Length of ownership:1 week
I 'purchased' a SolarPanel 5+ through a points-based rewards program at my place of employment. I am not the original purchaser, I have no receipt and no recourse for exchange or refund. Am dissatisfied with the product: overheats before charging the internal battery past 1 LED. Wish I had spent my points on anything else or saved them for future.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from bioliteenergy.comBy CS, August 12, 2025
Thanks for the feedback. We're sorry your panel's overheat feature is disrupting charging. While designed to protect the battery, it shouldn't affect normal use. Please contact our support team here: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/pages/contact for assistance.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
5
So simple
on December 21, 2024
Posted by: Sheryl
from Maine
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
I’ve had mine about a year. I love the size and how easy it is to use. I’m also impressed with how long it holds a charge. Very happy I bought it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Posted by: Joau
from Northeast
Length of ownership:3 months
Verified Purchase:Yes
Needs direct sun. After a week in the south facing window it did not charge at all. In direct sunlight it did charge quickly. If hiking/camping in woods it might not provide the same speed of charge as in the open. If I lived in southwest I would give it a 5 star but in northeast it gets a 2 because where I would use it tends to be much woodier so I am now required to add full sunlight to my camping spots.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com
Customer Rating
1
Doesn't work!
on July 10, 2024
Posted by: CSH13
from Portland, or
Length of ownership:1 year or longer
Do not waste your money on this solar charger. After sitting in bright direct sunlight then charging phone, the SolarPanel 5+ actually drained charge from my phone!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from bioliteenergy.comBy CS, July 18, 2024
Thanks for reaching out. This is definitely not how the Solar Panel should be performing. We'd like to learn more. Please reach out to us at support@bioliteenergy.com.
Written by a customer while visiting bioliteenergy.com