Best Portable Solar Panels · head-to-head

Goal Zero Nomad 100 vs BigBlue 28W

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Goal Zero Nomad 100 is cheaper at $399.95. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Goal Zero Nomad 100 or BigBlue 28W?

The BigBlue 28W wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0.

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Full spec sheet

✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Goal Zero Nomad 100 BigBlue 28W
US price $399.95 —
BrandGoal ZeroBigBlue
Released——
Rated power watts 100 28
Cell efficiency (%) — 25.4
Cell type monocrystalline monocrystalline
Open circuit voltage (V) 21.5 —
Short circuit current (A) 5.9 —
Weight (lb) 10.2 1.5
Folded dims (in) 20.5 x 15.5 x 2 11.1 x 6.3 x 1.4
Ingress protection — IP44
Surface material — —
USB ports built (in) No Yes
Connector output proprietary —

Sources — Goal Zero Nomad 100: goalzero.com (verified 2026-10-20). BigBlue 28W: bigblue-tech.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Goal Zero Nomad 100 and BigBlue 28W?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Rated power watts: Goal Zero Nomad 100 100 vs BigBlue 28W 28
  • Weight (lb): Goal Zero Nomad 100 10.2 vs BigBlue 28W 1.5
  • Folded dims (in): Goal Zero Nomad 100 20.5 x 15.5 x 2 vs BigBlue 28W 11.1 x 6.3 x 1.4
  • USB ports built (in): Goal Zero Nomad 100 false vs BigBlue 28W true

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Goal Zero Nomad 100

Only one whitelisted tester — Wirecutter (NYT) — hands-on power-tested the exact Nomad 100; no other whitelisted outlet published a hands-on review. Wirecutter praised its power-for-size, built-in kickstand and trusted brand, but ranked it only so-so in power tests, and flagged no listed IP rating and zero included accessories. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Good power output for its size and price; Handy built-in kickstand for angling toward the sun; Made by a trusted, well-established brand.

Flagged: Only so-so real-world performance in power tests; No listed IP weatherproofing rating; Ships with no included accessories.

BigBlue 28W

No sourced tester review yet.

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