If you plan to go hiking or camping sometime soon, you should think about how you’ll be charging your electronics. While being in nature should help you escape the digital world, you’ll still need your phone in case of emergencies.
RVs can come in handy with trips like this. But what if you don’t have an RV or you’re only taking a day trip? Portable solar chargers are the answer! Here are some of the best portable solar chargers to help ensure your electronics stay charged wherever you are.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
ROCKPALS SP003 100W Portable Solar Panel
Best Budget:
BigBlue 3 USB-A 28W Solar Charger
Best AC-Output:
Jackery Solar Generator
Best Overall
ROCKPALS SP003 100W Portable Solar Panel
The Rockpals solar panel is the best portable solar charger if you need something reliable for charging small electronics when expecting low-light conditions. If you plan to be off the grid for a while, this 100-watt solar panel system has about a 23% conversion rate. This means it can charge much faster than traditional solar panels.
One of the best features of this solar panel is that it’s powerful enough to attach to portable power stations. It comes with ten connector types to help with compatibility. You don’t even need to worry about buying a new cord. This option makes it especially helpful for camping trips, off-the-grid trips, and disaster kits!
If you don’t need it to connect to a generator, this best portable solar charger option has multiple outputs for electronics. You have access to USB and USB-C output options, which can charge your electronics four times faster than an outlet. Quick phone charging can be especially helpful in emergency situations.
The easily foldable and portable design weighs about seven pounds and comes with a handle. So, you can either carry it around with you on your travels or throw it in your bag for later. And don’t let a little rainy sprinkle hold you back from taking it along with you, as it’s water-resistant!
Pair this solar panel charging system with the RGVOTA Portable Charger. It’ll give you extra charging power storage for nighttime when the sun goes down. Charge your phone while you sleep, or just save it for emergencies. Extra power is always a good thing!
Pros:
- Has an IC chip that identifies your device to tailor its charging speed
- Can charge four devices at once
- High solar conversion rate
Cons:
- It’s a little large, so it might not fit in all backpacks
Best Budget
BigBlue 3 USB-A 28W Solar Charger
The BigBlue solar charger is the best portable solar charger if you’re looking for a slim design. This charger uses four solar panels to help with faster charging. It folds up into an accordion design, leaving the charger thinner than a typical book. The panels can stand up to weather elements, as well as wear and tear. So, it shouldn’t get damaged.
This portable solar charger has three USB charging ports, which have a rubber protective covering for dust and water. It can charge small electronics and specific types of tablets. However, it cannot handle laptops, as large electronics like this require more power than the charger can offer.
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The slim, lightweight, and clip-on design makes this charger easy to carry. It’s the best portable solar charger to have on hand or to put into an emergency kit. You won’t have to worry about getting weighed down or struggling to jam the device into a bag. Its folded design is about the size of a standard piece of paper and weighs just over 1.5 pounds!
BigBlue ensures that their portable solar charger is 100% safe and has overcurrent, short circuit, and temperature protection. It can also detect your type of device and automatically change charging speeds to match it. This can help put your mind at ease knowing you and your electronics will be safe when using this charger.
Pros:
- Has overheating and short-circuit protection
- It has a slim, foldable design
- It has sunlight smart detection to prevent power loss
Cons:
- It’s a little expensive
- It can’t charge iPad Pros or laptops
Best AC-Output
Jackery Solar Generator
The Jackery solar generator 300 system comes with both a solar panel and a power station, which makes it the best option if you need an AC voltage output for something like a laptop or a small appliance. The two AC outlets are rather helpful, as most portable chargers only have DC outputs.
This generator can charge to 80% in just two hours through an outlet and 3.5 hours through the panel! You can even charge this generator from a 12v supply in your car if getting sunlight is difficult. So, you can easily charge it fully before the sun goes down, allowing you reliable nighttime power.
The 300 watts of power output are safe and deliver a stable connection to all your electronics. Charge any device you can think of with USB and DC ports in addition to the AC ports!
It weighs about seven pounds and comes with a handle for convenient carrying. Its small size makes it a great camping addition, as it’s easily packable in most bags, cars, or RVs! Simply set up the solar panel on its kickstand, plug it into the generator, and get charging!
Pros:
- Can charge six devices at once
- Has a MPPT controller inside to provide maximum charging speed for your device
- Splash-proof
Cons:
- Not completely waterproof
FEELLE Solar Charger
This is one of the best portable solar chargers if you need something small, yet reliable. The Feelle charger comes with four solar panels that provide a total of 6 Watts of power to the integrated battery pack. And they all fold into one compact piece that’s the size of your phone! You can easily hold it as you walk, throw it in your bag, or hang it on your bag with its built-in strap. Let it charge while you have fun!
This charger has 3A fast charging. So, your phone will go from 0% to 50% in about half an hour! And it also has protection mechanisms in place to prevent overcharging and short-circuiting. You can feel at ease knowing your electronics will be safe if you leave them plugged in for long periods.
When the charger is full, you’ll get about eight iPhone or six Samsung charges out of it even if you don’t recharge it at all! So, if you conserve the power for emergency use, this charger will definitely last you a few days. That’s why it’s a great option for hikes, general traveling, and for other times you won’t always have power access.
This charger has both USB and USB-C ports, which will support three electronics, like phones and tablets, at a time. And don’t forget about the sleek, bright LED camping flashlight on the back! This is a great feature for nighttime camping or emergencies like natural disasters when you lose power.
Pros:
- Rainproof
- Small size
- Fast output charging speed
Cons:
- It takes eight hours to charge fully on an outlet and a few days in the sun
BLAVOR Solar Power Bank
The Blavor solar power bank is the best portable solar charger if you’re looking for a combination of helpful features. This charger is resistant to almost anything, including fire, so you can feel assured it’ll stay intact throughout your travels. Due to this, it’s the best portable solar charger for outdoor activities like camping and hiking.
You’ll find that the Blavor solar power bank offers a USB-C port, a USB port, and a wireless charging option. This allows you to charge different kinds of devices at one time! It also comes with a compass and an extremely bright flashlight if you find yourself in the dark. While this might sound strange, these features can be life savers in emergencies.
The charger can easily get thrown into your bag, as it is about the size of a phone. Or, you can clip it onto your bag to allow it to soak up the sun when not in use. This is a great feature to help with hands-free charging as you’re traveling. Simply attach the charger to your bag, plug in your phone, and put your phone in your pocket or bag. That’s it!
One charge on this portable solar charger can charge older iPhones almost four times and newer ones about two times. You’ll get about one charge for tablets like iPads. This charger is highly reliable and durable, which is why it’s the best portable solar charger overall.
Pros:
- It has a flashlight and a compass keychain
- Can charge up to three devices at once
- Waterproof, shock-proof, and dust-proof
- Has a flame-retardant case
Cons:
- The design is a little bulky
Portable Solar Charger Buying Guide: How to Pick the Right Charger
Searching for the best portable solar charger can be overwhelming, as there are hundreds of companies that make them. First, you’ll need to assess your situation and understand why you need the best portable solar charger you can find.
What features do you personally need? Maybe you simply need a charger for daily life, or maybe you need one with more survival-like features for camping. These are things you need to consider when choosing the best portable solar charger for yourself.
Here are some important qualities to think about when picking the best portable solar charger.
Battery Life
If you plan on taking your portable charger on long trips, you’ll need to think about how long it’ll last. You’ll need to read the descriptions to understand how many electronic charges you can get from one full charge. It is also wise to consider how long the battery can last if it isn’t in use. Will it lose a charge if unused, or will it stay at 100%?
Using the portable solar charger correctly can also affect the battery life. You should look for helpful options like temperature, overcharge, and overcurrent protection. Features like this will prevent the charger battery from getting damaged too quickly.
Ampere Capacity
The best portable solar chargers typically use milliamperes to measure electrical current. One milliampere is equal to 1/1,000th of an ampere.
Usually, chargers with higher milliampere capacities are the best portable solar chargers. Due to their higher rate of electrical current movement, they will provide the fastest charge to your electronics. This is especially important if you need your phone or other electronics in a pinch or an emergency.
Try to opt for portable solar chargers with high milliampere capacities if you can.
Weight and Size
Consider how you’ll be carrying your charger when picking out the best portable solar charger for yourself. If you plan to take it on a hiking trip, think about what you already have inside your backpack. You probably have water bottles, first aid kits, extra clothes, jackets, books, and plenty of other things. All of this stuff can weigh quite a bit.
With this in mind, you don’t want a portable charger that’s as heavy as a brick. Try to look for compact chargers that use light materials. Smaller-sized chargers will take up less space, leaving more room for essentials. Lighter chargers will keep extra unneeded weight out of your backpack and off your shoulders and back.
Carrying around a heavy charger can be a pain, no matter what activity you’re doing.
Durability
Many people use the best portable solar chargers for outdoor activities like camping and hiking. Typically, the areas you’ll do these activities in do not have electricity. That’s where the solar panel charging comes in.
Since most people are outside with these chargers, you need to make sure they’re durable. You’ll need to look for features like waterproof and shockproof to ensure the charger won’t break during your travels. It needs to be able to withstand the outdoor weather elements and possible physical damage.
How Long It’ll Take to Fully Charge Your Electronics
Most of the best portable solar chargers tell you how long it will take to charge your electronics. This is a good thing to keep in mind, as you don’t want something that takes hours. Charging time typically coincides with ampere capacity, so pay attention to these things in the product descriptions.
Finding chargers that can fully charge your phone in an hour or less is usually your best option.
Portable Solar Charger Frequently Asked Questions
Is a portable solar charger worth it?
Some of the best portable chargers aren’t that pricy. So, they are worth the money even if you don’t use them that often. It’s always a great idea to have a portable charger if you end up somewhere without electricity. Our cell phones can be lifesaving in emergencies, so you should always ensure you have a way to charge them.
Do portable solar chargers work when the weather is cloudy?
When it’s cloudy outside, the clouds can still reflect indirect sunlight down to Earth. Due to this, your portable solar charger can still take in some energy. However, it’ll take much longer to charge than if it is sunny.
Can portable solar chargers damage your phone?
Most of the best portable solar chargers will not damage your phone. However, damage is possible if the electrical current output is out of control. Look for charger options that can regulate the current speed.
How long does a portable solar charger last?
A fully-charged portable solar charger can typically offer you power for a few days. If you’re wondering how long you can use your charger, they typically last for 20 or more years.
How fast can a general portable solar charger charge your phone?
It usually takes around one to two hours for the best portable solar chargers to charge your phone completely. Sometimes it takes longer, depending on the one you buy.
Wrapping Up the Best Portable Solar Chargers
Enjoying nature by hiking or camping is always a great thing for the body and soul. However, there isn’t any electricity available to keep your essential electronics charged for emergencies. Purchasing a portable solar charger is the best way to solve this issue. The chargers can soak up the power of sunlight while you carry on and enjoy yourself.
The best portable solar charger to accompany you on your travels is the Blavor solar bank. Its durable design, three charging outlets, bright flashlight, and keychain compass are perfect features for all outdoor lovers. If you need help learning how to use a compass, use How to Navigate by Compass in 5 Steps!
Don’t let a lack of charging options prevent you from enjoying life! Get a portable solar charger to bring along with you on all your camping, hiking, or any other adventures!