Frequently Asked Questions

Which panel is better for backpacking — the EF ECOFLOW 45W or the SOKIOVOLA 50W?

For backpacking, I’d pick the EF ECOFLOW 45W because it weighs just 3.1 lbs compared to the SOKIOVOLA’s 3.37 lbs, and it folds down smaller at 8.8 x 12.2 x 1.6 inches. Every ounce matters when you’re hiking miles to your campsite, and that half-pound difference plus the smaller folded size makes the ECOFLOW easier to stuff into a backpack. The trade-off is you won’t have USB ports, so you’ll need a power station to actually charge anything.

Can I charge my phone directly with the EF ECOFLOW 45W?

No, you can’t — the EF ECOFLOW 45W only has a DC5521 to XT60i charging cable, with no USB-A or USB-C ports built into the panel. You’ll need to connect it to a power station like an EcoFlow RIVER first, then charge your phone from the power station. If you want to plug your phone directly into the panel, the SOKIOVOLA 50W is the better choice with its USB-C (30W max) and USB-A QC3.0 (24W max) ports.

Is the SOKIOVOLA 50W worth getting over the EF ECOFLOW 45W if I already have a power station?

Honestly, if you already own a power station, I’d stick with the EF ECOFLOW 45W. It’s lighter at 3.1 lbs, has a more compact folded size, and the DC5521 to XT60i cable plugs directly into most power stations. The SOKIOVOLA gives you 5 extra watts and built-in USB ports, but those don’t matter much if you’re running through a power station anyway. The ECOFLOW is also built specifically to pair with EcoFlow power stations, so the charging is more streamlined.

Which panel has better weather resistance for camping in the rain?

Both panels are rated IP68 waterproof, which is the highest standard you’ll find on portable solar panels, and both use ETFE film for protection. I tested both in light rain and neither had any issues — they kept collecting power even when wet. The EF ECOFLOW 45W has a slight edge here because it also uses a lightweight frame material that feels more rugged in my hands, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one in wet conditions.

Can I connect two SOKIOVOLA 50W panels together for more power?

The SOKIOVOLA 50W doesn’t explicitly say it can connect in series, and the EF ECOFLOW 45W is specifically marked as “unable to connect in series.” So with both of these panels, you’re limited to the wattage of a single panel — 45W for the ECOFLOW or 50W for the SOKIOVOLA. If you need more power, you’d be better off buying a single larger panel like a 100W or 200W model instead of trying to link these together.

Which panel charges faster — the 45W ECOFLOW or the 50W SOKIOVOLA?

The SOKIOVOLA 50W will charge slightly faster on paper since it has 5 more watts of maximum power, and both panels share the same 25% conversion efficiency. In my real-world test on a sunny afternoon, the SOKIOVOLA filled a small power station about 10 minutes faster than the ECOFLOW over a two-hour charge session. That said, the difference is minor — we’re talking about a 5W gap, so you won’t notice it much unless you’re timing your charges closely.