This is the most bizarre portable power station I've tested – and it actually works

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The EcoFlow Power Hat does a good job of transforming sunlight into power.
• It features two ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously.
• The hat is on the heavier side due to the tech within.  

I’ve reviewed a lot of solar panels over the past few years, including big panels that unfold to harvest the sun’s rays and store it in power stations. They work really well, but they’re hardly portable.

I have yet to review a solar panel that you wear… on your head. Until now.

Also: The best portable power stations you can buy: Expert tested

EcoFlow, a big name in the power station and solar generator business, has created the aptly named Power Hat.

EcoFlow Power Hat features

• Charging using the sun while on the go
• Solar panels that capture energy from all angles, so there are no blind spots
• Made from Perc Monocrystalline Silicon, which has a 23% to 24% power conversion efficiency
• 5V 2.4A max output
• Dual USB-A and USB-C ports for charging two devices simultaneously
• UPF 50+ sun and UV protection
• IP65 waterproof- and dustproof-rated
• Available in two sizes, 22.8 inches and 24 inches
• An adjustable hook and loop fastener to get that perfect fit
• Weighs 370g

OK, so it’s a hat made of solar panels. Under ideal conditions, it can charge a smartphone or a power bank with a 4,000mAh capacity battery in about three or four hours. Under the fall sun here in the UK, that metric goes up to about six or seven hours, so you could be wearing the hat all day.

The solar panels can transform sunlight into 12W of power quite effectively, but this, obviously, depends on the prevailing conditions.

Also: Finally, a long-lasting power bank that’s lighter than anything I’ve ever tested

Along with the hat, you get a chin strap and a bag that hold it in place (the bag itself can be used as a hat, if you’re determined enough). The chin strap is an important addition because a stiff gust is enough to send the hat flying.

The hat works remarkably well for a solar panel that’s small enough to fit on your head, and I think this is down to EcoFlow using quality solar cells.

The biggest downside I found is the weight. The hat weighs close to a pound, and you feel it, especially when turning your head rather quickly. The wide, hard brim, which does a good job of protecting you from the sun’s rays, also causes sounds to become muffled and echoey.

Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested

Then there’s the look. Let’s just say that the style doesn’t suit me, and I don’t think even my mom would have said I looked cool wearing it. Every time I wear it, hilarity ensues. Maybe it’s a style thing, and I don’t have it. I’m okay with that.

ZDNET’s buying advice

I want to like the EcoFlow Power Hat. It’s a great idea, and it works, largely thanks to EcoFlow using quality components. It’s $129, but you’re getting a quality product, unlike those solar panels you see built into cheap power banks that are just garbage.

Yes, the hat is a bit on the heavy side, but it’s no heavier than a helmet. While it looks rather hilarious, if there was a choice between wearing the Power Hat and my iPhone going flat, I’d suck it up and wear the hat.