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The Sun is more than just a glowing red dwarf that orbits our planet. It is an effective tool (or hazard) for naturally illuminated photographs, a good indication of what to wear (or not wear) depending on how sunny it is, and an effective source of energy connected to the Earth.
Thanks to solar panel technology, we humans have devised a way to power the UV rays generated by the sun and recharge our precious electronics. For those of us looking for ways to re-juice our smartphones and tablets while camping, hiking or traveling, a solar powered battery charger is a great investment.
How We Picked the Best Solar Battery Charger
Solar battery chargers are designed and engineered for complete peace of mind when it comes to keeping the technology you need powered and reliable. That being said, the solar charger needs to be more, if not more, reliable than the devices you are connecting.
In considering which chargers to include in this roundup, we weighed several essential criteria when examining and testing the products that make up the Final Cut.
milliamp hour
It is a value (represented by mAh) that refers to the total energy capacity of a particular battery. The average solar battery charger typically tops out at around 20,000mAh, but there are units that exceed that rating, and smaller batteries that have less storage capacity.
While the large storage capacity is ideal for charging multiple devices at once and getting more device charge from a single solar charge, higher milliamp ratings can sometimes mean a larger design.
If heaviness is a deterrent to your next outdoor Galavant, we’ve rounded up solar battery chargers with low, medium, and high milliamp ratings, so you can choose one that’s best suited for the gear you’re traveling with.
Available connections
When it comes to inputs, we want solar battery chargers that come with as many connections as possible. Traditionally, most portable chargers will have two to four USB-A ports for common devices such as phones, tablets and laptops.
But these days, USB-A alone won’t make the grade. In keeping with our selections, you’ll notice that we’ve done our best to include a solar battery charger with USB-A And Along with less common connections like USB-C inputs, AC and DC outlets, and even an alligator clamp for charging car or boat batteries.
endurance
Many solar battery chargers are designed for grab-and-go use. This means that manufacturers must design these portable cells with heavy armor because let’s face it—we’re going to drop, bang, and slam them (by accident, of course).
Furthermore, we try to find the top solar battery chargers with IP-weather ratings. While many of these chargers are designed for sun-powered energy conversion, we want the chargers to be able to withstand extreme temperatures, precipitation, as well as dirt, dust, and humidity.
1. Riapow T11W 26800mAh Solar Power Bank
overall best
When it comes to emergency power, this solar power bank from Riapow will never leave you stranded. Sporting a rock-solid 26,800mAh battery, a full charge will charge an iPhone 11 to eight, a Samsung Galaxy 10 to six, and an iPad mini to three. Featuring two USB-A inputs, a USB-C port (also used for recharging the battery), and Qi wireless charging, you can charge up to four devices at once. It takes about seven hours to fully recharge the battery, but thanks to the attached solar panel, it’s easy to top up the battery while outside.
Courtesy of Amazon
2. Anker Powercore Solar 20000
most efficient
Sometimes we need to recharge our devices as quickly as possible, whether we’re near a dead battery or our phones have already kicked the can for the day. This 20,000mAh solar battery charger from Anker is capable of delivering 12 watts from its USB-C port and 8 watts of power from its USB-A connection. To put things in perspective, charging a dead iPhone 12 using the USB-C port for just 15 minutes will give you enough power for up to three hours of HD video playback. Built for durability and the elements, the IP65 rating also makes the Solar 20000 completely resistant to dirt, dust and precipitation.
Courtesy of Amazon
3. BEARTWO WT-H186 Solar Charger
best budget
No one wants to carry around an external battery that adds a lot of weight to an already bulky hiking backpack. Perfect for hiking, camping, and other types of jungle trekking, this BEARTWO solar charger weighs less than half a pound. The battery holds up to 10,000mAh of power, takes just five hours to fully recharge, and has two USB-A inputs. While we would have liked to see a USB-C port, the WT-H186 is a solid solar charger for a low price.
Courtesy of Amazon
4. Blavor PN-W12 Solar Charger
strongest design
The Blavor PN-W12 is built to handle any drop, dip or ding it comes into contact with. Rain or shine, the IPX5 rating ensures the Blavor will stand up to the toughest blasts of heavy rain, and the tough outer shell houses a hinged, rubberized cover for the charger’s three USB outputs. A 20,000mAh battery tops out, and with the inclusion of wireless charging, you can re-juice up to four devices at once. We’re also big fans of the LED flashlight and onboard compass, two excellent emergency ideas that make the PN-W12 a top solar battery charger.
Courtesy of Amazon
5. Solpark Solar Panel Kit
best for vehicles
Being stranded with a dead car battery in the middle means a long wait for a rescue tow. However, thanks to this Solpark Solar Panel Kit, there’s a good chance your car battery will turn back. Once exposed, the 20-watt solar panel absorbs sunlight, sending the converted energy to an 8-amp SolPark module with an attached alligator clip. The kit is compatible with many different 12V DC batteries, including those you’ll find in common cars, RVs, boats, jet skis and more. And if you need more power, Solpark produces solar kits with panel ratings of up to 100 watts.
Courtesy of Amazon
6. BLUETTI EB55 PORTABLE POWER STATION
best solar powered generator
When it comes to strong power, a portable solar charger will only go so far. Neighborhood blackouts and power failures make for some huge demand, which is where items like the BLUETTI EB55 Power Station come in. The 700-watt inverter is capable of storing enough energy to keep many household essentials running in the event of a power failure. , from phones and laptops to TVs and mini-fridges. There are enough inputs here to charge 13 devices at once, and you can recharge the station with a solar charging cable, AC outlet, DC vehicle port, or any other backup generator.
Courtesy of Amazon
7. Blavor PN-W12-Pro Solar Charger
best design
When it comes to solar battery chargers, the more surface area your panels cover, the more energy your charger will collect. This Blaver Solar Battery Charger is built for optimized power, with a fold-out panel to keep your battery on top of it while you’re traveling through the great outdoors. The battery itself lasts up to 20,000mAh hours, and you can charge up to three devices (two USB-A ports and one USB-C port) at once. For emergencies, the PN-W12-Pro also includes an SOS flashlight, LED panel, and a built-in compass.
Courtesy of Amazon
8. PSOOO PS-400 Solar Phone Charger
best battery capacity
If you want your solar battery charger to store as much energy as possible, look no further than PSOOO’s PS-400. The cell supports up to 50,000mAh, which is approx. double of the other batteries in this roundup. You can expect a 17.4 charge for the iPhone 12, a 12.2 charge for the Samsung Galaxy 21, and an 8.8 charge for the iPad mini 5. Although it’s a bit bulky, the bigger design necessitates the bigger battery. There’s no shortage of USB inputs here, with four USB-A ports (no USB-C output), so you can charge multiple devices at once.
Courtesy of Amazon
9. Sunway Solar Charger for AA and AAA Batteries
Best for charging other batteries
Investing in a solar-powered charger for your Energizers makes a lot of sense when you consider the cost of buying a brand new AA or AAA battery (especially larger packs). Sure, this Sunway solar charger isn’t the most attractive AA/AAA charger on the market (it’ll also charge a 9-volt battery), but sometimes it’s more about the performance than the shell. Able to juice up seven batteries at once via the power of the Sun, you’ll only want to use this device on rain-free days and expect up to eight hours to bring your battery back to life.
Courtesy of Amazon
10. Battery Tender 17 Watt Mountable Battery
best for windows
That’s how some of today’s digital TV antennas work, this mountable solar charger from Battery Tender is meant to adhere to windows. Once attached, the panel collects up to 17 watts of power which can then be distributed to car, boat and motorcycle batteries using the included leads. Many Amazon reviewers swear by the performance of Battery Tender’s entire product line, using these chargers for many passenger and commercial vehicles. And if you need more power, Battery Tender also makes a 35-watt version of the same panel.
Courtesy of Amazon
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