A solar charger is a perfect device for keeping all of your technological devices and gadgets fully powered up when you do not have access to an electrical powerpoint.
Whether you are backpacking around the country, camping out under the stars, or just need some juice for your phone while you are having lunch in the park, a solar charger harnesses the power of the sun so that you can stay in contact with friends and family. (And don’t forget it as a vital part of your bug-out-bag!)
Solar chargers work similarly to solar panels, which have photovoltaic cells that trap the rays of the sun and convert the light into electricity. As solar panels are becoming increasingly popular and can be easily installed onto the roof of your house or mounted on your RV, solar power also gives us an instant source of power in an emergency, when we are out in the wilderness, or even at home when the power grid goes down.
As well as getting you out of a tight spot when your smartphone battery goes flat, solar power is a clean, sustainable, and environmentally friendly source of energy. And the best part, it is free.
The 5 Best Solar Chargers
- GoerTek Solar Charger
- BigBlue Solar Charger (Our Top Pick)
- Nekteck Portable Solar Panel Charger
- Anker Solar Charger
- YOLK Portable Solar Charger
Our Top Pick for the Best Solar Charger
Our top pick for the best solar charger is the BigBlue Solar Charger. Featuring the latest in SunPower solar charging technology and offering three USB ports, the BigBlue Solar Charger will provide all the power you need to stay connected off-the-grid.
Perfect for tough outdoor conditions, the BigBlue Solar charger has a durable weatherproof design. It is also lightweight and compact. If you are hiking through the wilderness or on a backpacking trip, the BigBlue solar charger will keep all of your devices fully charged, so you can relax and enjoy your adventure.
Check the price on AmazonHow To Choose the Best Solar Charger
So how do you choose the best solar charger to fit your lifestyle? The first thing to consider is the type of panels that solar chargers use. Solar chargers can either contain monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels or the newer high tech PET or SunPower panels.
Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, or CIGS Panels
The most common types of solar panels contain monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. Both of these types of panels contain silicon crystals. However, a monocrystalline panel is made from a single crystal whereas a polycrystalline panel is made up of multiple crystals.
Monocrystalline panels are black and are considered to be more energy-efficient than polycrystalline panels, and may perform better in low light conditions. However, they can be more expensive.
Polycrystalline panels have a bluish hue, and they cost less to manufacture, so you pay less. However, they tend to have slightly lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline solar panels. To get the best performance out of your solar charger, choose a solar charger that uses monocrystalline panels, or even choose SunPower panels.
PET and SunPower Solar Panels
Solar panel technology is coming along in leaps and bounds and while monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels are still a powerful way of absorbing sunlight and converting it to the power you need for your devices, solar panels that contain solar silicon photovoltaic cells are a highly efficient charging option for those backpackers or trekkers who want to travel light.
Solar chargers that use SunPower photovoltaic cells, such as the BigBlue Solar Charger, or PET polymer-faced solar panels can have 2, 3, or 4 panels. They are lightweight, flexible, and fold down into a handy carrying case that can fit into your backpack. You can even drape them over a rock or hang them from your tent.
In particular, Photovoltaic solar cells are designed to maximize sunlight so they are faster charging and perform better in low light conditions than other types of solar panels.
However, they may not be quite as durable as the traditional rigid panels and can degrade quickly over time. A portable and flexible solar-powered charging option that will not weigh you down. PET and SunPower solar powered panels are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Wattage
When it comes to choosing the right type of solar-powered charger, it is all about its power level and ability to charge your devices quickly and efficiently.
The wattage determines the overall power or charging performance of the solar panel and it makes all the difference to how fast it can charge your device or devices. A solar charger that has 5-watts is ideal for charging a small device such as a cell phone or mp3 player. However, if you have a smartphone that needs more power, a charger that has 10-12-watts should be sufficient.
A charger that has 10-12-watts can take from 2.5-8 hours to fully charge the device in full sun. Solar chargers that have a higher wattage such as 15-21-watts are the best choice as they can power larger smartphones such as an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy or tablets such as an iPad, and some can charge multiple devices.
There are streamlined solar chargers such as the YOLK Portable Solar Charger, which has two 2.5-watts panels, which gives you 5-watts of power. However, you also have the option of attaching additional panels to increase the power of the charger.
If you need to power your devices fast or you have a larger device such as a laptop you may need an integrated or a separate battery.
Integrated or External Battery
While many solar chargers come with just the solar panels, some chargers also come with integrated storage batteries and others may have separate storage batteries.
A solar charger that has a battery gives you more charging power. Once you have fully charged the battery up at home, the battery stores the power you need and it can operate at any time of the day, even when the sun is not shining.
There are 2 types of batteries: integrated and external. Some chargers double as a battery that can fully charge a smartphone in 8-10 hours. Still, if you need a lot of power and want to charge multiple devices fast, there are solar charger manufacturers that pair the solar charger with 2 external batteries.
Portability and Durability
When you are hiking along the trail or camping out in the wilderness, portability is a top priority.
There are small and extremely lightweight solar chargers such as YOLK Portable Solar Charger that can fit between the pages of a book, while other chargers have multiple panels that fold down into their own carrying case and will fit into your backpack. Or they may come with carabiners so that you can attach them to your backpack or hang them from your tent.
The best type of solar charger for the outdoors is the one that is durable and is designed to fit all types of weather conditions and terrain. There are foldable solar panels that are designed to be waterproof and shock-resistant.
They have Industrial-strength PET polymer faced solar panels that are sewn into the rugged polyester canvas, which can handle rough outdoor conditions.
USB Connections
If you are on a hiking expedition or camping with friends, you will most probably have more than one cell phone or GPS device to charge. Some solar chargers offer you 2 USB ports. While other chargers come with 2 batteries and can hold enough power to charge up to 8 smartphones or multiple devices.
While it is very handy to have a charger with the capacity to charge more than one device at a time, some devices may need more than just a USB port, such as a camera that may need an adapter as well.
So before you choose a solar charger, read the manufacturer’s instruction manual for your phone, tablet, GPS, or camera to see if it needs another device for the charging process.
5 Best Solar Chargers – Reviews
1. GoerTek Solar Charger
With a high capacity 25000mAh polymer battery and 3 USB ports, the GoerTek Solar Charger can charge multiple gadgets at the same time, while the integrated cells recharge in full sunlight.
Whether you are backpacking or camping in the woods, the GoerTek solar charger is a universal device that is compatible with most mobile phones and devices such as an iPhone, Galaxy or Samsung smartphone, iPad, or iWatch.
The solar charger is made from strong ABS plastic that is shockproof, dustproof, and has an IPX6 waterproof rating, so it can handle rough outdoor conditions.
As well as being a powerful solar charger when it is fully charged for 13 hours via a wall adapter, this charger has 36 powerful LED lights and 3 lighting modes, which means you can use it as a reading light, a flashlight, or a lantern to illuminate your tent.
The GoerTek solar charger is the ultimate traveling companion as it is very compact and you can use the lanyard cord to attach it to your backpack. The charger is covered by a 12-month warranty, and it comes with a USB charging cable, a carabiner, and a manual.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Good price
- Powerful high capacity battery
- Good solar charging capacity
- Three USB outputs
- Weather and shock-proof
- Integrated solar cells
- 36 powerful LED lights
- Can be used as a flashlight, a reading light, or a lantern
- Lanyard cord
Cons
- Needs to be fully charged before outdoor use
- Takes a long time to fully recharge in the sun
2. BigBlue Solar Charger
The upgraded BigBlue Solar Charger is the perfect charging buddy for all your outdoor adventures. Its advanced Sunpower solar cells offer you a super-fast charging power performance with a 23.5% solar conversion efficiency.
BigBlue’s SmartCharge technology can also automatically detect your device to start charging your smartphone or tablet straight away.
With such dependable power that can charge a Galaxy smartphone or a power bank up to 70% during a full day of hiking, and access to 3 USB charging ports, you can just relax and enjoy your holiday or business travels knowing that all your devices are ready to use.
Two of the stand-out features of the BigBlue solar charger is that it has a durable IPX4 weather-resistant design, and even the USB ports have a cloth flap and a rubber cover to protect them from dust or water.
The BigBlue charger is the ideal choice for intrepid travelers, as it is lightweight, compact, and also foldable, so it will fit into your backpack, and you can even use the 4 carabiners to securely attach the charger to a backpack, tree, or a tent.
No matter what the weather or wherever you choose to roam, you can be assured of safe and stable solar power as the BigBlue solar charger has overcharging, overheating, and short circuit protection. The charger is covered by a generous 24-month warranty.
If you want to charge a larger device such as an iPad, you will need to position the panel where it will get the best exposure to the sun.
Pros
- Ideal for charging smartphones and power banks
- High performance
- Superfast solar charger
- Advanced Sunpower solar cells
- Durable weather-resistant design
- Lightweight
- Portable with 4 carabiners
- Three USB ports
Cons
- Pricey
- May not get full power on cloudy days
- Panel needs to be in full sun for larger devices
3. Nekteck Portable Solar Panel Charger
For super-quick and reliable solar power, the Nekteck Portable Solar Panel Charger with dual USB ports is a great choice.
The ultra-highly efficient solar charger utilizes advanced Smart IC chip technology and 3 SunPower monocrystalline panels, which can deliver the fastest possible charge up to 21-watts under direct sunlight and it can power up your devices in just 2-3 hours.
Designed for rugged outdoor conditions, the Nekteck charger has a durable canvas surface with precision stitching and a PET polymer cover that guarantees dust and splash waterproof protection. However, keep in mind the charger is not fully waterproof, so keep it out of the rain.
Extremely portable, the foldable charger is designed with backpackers, campers, and trekkers in mind. Its compact size (6.3 x 11.1 x 1.06-inches when folded or 26.3 x 11.1-inches when opened), makes it easy to fit into a backpack.
Stainless steel holes on each corner allow you to attach the solar charger to a backpack, trees, tent, or wherever you can get the best exposure to the sun’s rays.
Super lightweight at 17.3-ounces, this charger is the ideal choice for long, arduous treks. For extra device safety, Nekteck has included integrated overheating protection.
Featuring a broad device compatibility design, the Nekteck can be used to power all phones, tablets, a GPS, a camera, and other USB-supported devices. The Nekteck Solar Charger also comes with a 2.6-feet micro USB cable, a welcome guide, and it is covered by an 18-month warranty.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Fast charger
- Performs well in low light conditions
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Broad device capability
- Great customer support
Cons
- Not fully waterproof
- Only comes with one hanging hook
4. Anker Solar Charger
Whether you are backpacking or camping, this super powerful Anker Solar Charger contains 3 industry-leading PET polymer-faced solar panels and 2 USB ports, which give you the fastest charging output of 15-watts and 2.1 amps per USB port in direct sunlight.
You can also purchase a high-speed Power Bank for an affordable price. So your gadgets will be fully powered up and ready to go in no time.
You can charge a wide range of smartphones or tablets, or other USB devices. Its fast PowerIQ charging power has the ability to charge a smartphone’s battery to 49% in about 3 hours which is similar to a plug-in wall charger.
For all-day power around the campsite, the solar panels can be fully charged in 10 hours of direct sun and it can still perform well during occasional cloudy weather.
The panels are sewn into rugged weather-resistant polyester canvas and although the solar charger is not fully waterproof, it can handle a sprinkling of rain. Its durable design is up to the challenge of rough outdoor conditions. Anker has incorporated short circuit and surge protection technology to keep you and your devices safe.
As well as being very powerful, the Anker solar charger is extremely portable and the ultra-thin, superlight folding panels fold down to a compact size and can easily fit into any backpack. The 2 elastic loops that are attached to steel eye holes on each corner allow you to hang the charger up on a tree, a tent, or your backpack for on-the-go gadget charging.
The Anker solar charger is backed by an 18-month warranty. The charger pack also includes a 3-feet micro USB cable and a welcome guide.
Pros
- Powerful
- Fast charging technology
- Very good quality
- Can charge a wide range of devices
- Rugged water-resistant design
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Not compatible with iPod nano, iPod Classic, iPod Shuffle, HP TouchPad, and Asus tablets
5. YOLK Portable Solar Charger
YOLK’s innovative approach to solar-powered chargers has taken them light-years ahead of their competitors. Their solar paper is touted as the “world’s thinnest and lightest solar charger”. Although it weighs less than an iPhone 6 Plus, at only 4-ounces, it is slightly longer and wider at only 1.5mm thick.
It is very compact and fits comfortably within the pages of a notebook or your favorite novel.
Each panel equals 2.5-watts and YOLK’s highly advanced technology makes it the perfect charger for all your outdoor activities. It has the ability to charge almost any device such as a smartphone, tablets, walkie-talkies, flashlights, portable game consoles, cameras, video cameras, and rechargeable batteries.
It is pretty fast, so it can charge an iPhone 6 in full sun in about 2.5 hours. You will not want to leave home without it.
As well as minimizing the bulk that some chargers have, this streamlined solar charger can generate up to 10-watts, as each modular panel has embedded magnets, so you can easily expand the solar paper by connecting 2 extra panels. The magnets are very powerful and you can mount the solar paper onto a metal surface.
You do not have to manually restart the device if there are cloudy conditions, as the charger automatically resets itself once there is sufficient sunlight. There is a built-in LCD screen that displays the current being delivered to the connected device, and a USB port to connect to another device.
The solar paper charger has a water-resistant rating of IPX4 and the connections between the panels are wear and tear-resistant.
Although the YOLK charger can handle water splashes, the USB port is susceptible to corrosion, so make sure that it is completely dry after exposure to moisture. Although the solar paper does not have an internal battery, you can connect it to an external battery.
Pros
- Smart, innovative technology
- Unique design
- Lightweight
- Fast
- Built-in LCD screen
- Stable recharging platform in good sunlight conditions
- Strong magnets for attaching panels for extra power
- Automatically reset in cloudy conditions
Cons
- Expensive
- Need to purchase extra panels to increase the voltage
Our Top Pick for the Best Solar Charger
Our top pick for the best solar charger is the BigBlue Solar Charger. Featuring the latest in SunPower solar charging technology and offering three USB ports, the BigBlue Solar Charger will provide all the power you need to stay connected off-the-grid.
Perfect for tough outdoor conditions, the BigBlue Solar charger has a durable weatherproof design. It is also lightweight and compact. If you are hiking through the wilderness or on a backpacking trip, the BigBlue solar charger will keep all of your devices fully charged, so you can relax and enjoy your adventure.
Check the price on Amazon
