Cheapest way in
Renogy Wanderer 10A PWM Charge Controller — — at $34.99.
The least you can spend and still be buying the real thing. The full range, and how to choose within it, is below.
Renogy list price at the time of writing. We may earn a commission, which never changes what the figures say.
The short answer
A charge controller sits between the panel and the battery and decides how energy gets in. The choice is between PWM, which is simple and cheap, and MPPT, which tracks the panel's best operating point and typically recovers 20 to 30 per cent more energy in the same conditions. Renogy's Wanderer line is PWM; the Rover line is MPPT.
The range
| Model | Rating | Chemistry | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy Wanderer 10A PWM Charge Controller | — | — | — | $34.99 |
 Renogy Rover Li 20 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | — | 1 yr | $87.99 |
 Renogy Rover Li 20/30/40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | — | 2 yr | $87.99 |
 Renogy 36V/48V Rover Boost 10A MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | LiFePO4 | 2 yr | $113 |
 Renogy Rover Li 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | — | 2 yr | $149.99 |
 Renogy Rover Lite 12V/ 24V/ 36V/ 48V 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | — | — | $249.99 |
 Renogy Rover 60 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | Li-ion | — | $399.99 |
 Renogy REGO 12V 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller | — | LiFePO4 | 5 yr | $470 |
Cheapest first, accessories excluded — Renogy lists cables, lugs and mounting trays in the same catalogue, and a table that mixed them in would not be a shortlist. We track 67 Renogy products in total; the brand page has all of them including the hardware.
Questions
Is MPPT worth it over PWM?
On anything above about 200W of panel, or in cold and cloudy conditions, comfortably yes — the extra harvest pays back the difference quickly. On a single small panel trickle-charging a battery, PWM is the sensible economy.
What size charge controller do I need?
Divide total panel watts by battery voltage to get amps, then leave headroom. 400W of panel on a 12V battery is roughly 33A, so a 40A controller rather than a 30A one.
What is the difference between the Renogy Rover and the Wanderer?
The Rover is MPPT and the Wanderer is PWM. That is the whole distinction, and it matters more than any feature either one lists.
How we work these out
Prices and specifications are Renogy’s own published figures, held in the catalogue of 67 Renogy products we track alongside every other brand. Where Renogy publishes no figure for something, it is left blank rather than estimated. Retailer links are affiliate links; they never change the ordering, which is by price. How we research.