Best Solar Power Charger For Camping

Solar Power Banks: The Best Solar Charger With A Battery

Want to a solar charger with its own battery? The Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 is our top recommendation. You get both a USB-A and USB-C port, and with a 20,000mAh capacity battery, you’ll have plenty of onboard juice to keep your devices topped up. To put that in context, it’s enough charge up an iPhone 12 around 4.7 times, a Galaxy S20 3.4 times, and an iPad mini 2.7 times.

Plus, while the battery is running down, you can be topping it up again via the solar panels. Don’t expect miracles: it can take several days to fully charge in this way. But it does give you that extra bit of juice that will stop you worrying about running out.

This power bank is also dustproof and water-resistant to IP65 standards, comes with four-corner drop protection, a handle, and an in-built flashlight, making it a good choice for outdoor adventuring. You get a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box, too, along with a Handy-Carry wrist strap.

If you want wireless charging from your solar power bank, here’s our top recommendation. You can juice up any device that supports Qi charging simply by placing it on the power bank. Alternatively make a wired connection to any of three ports . Or you can use everything at once, and charge four devices simultaneously.

If you don’t have blue skies and all day to spare, you can also use the onboard 3,200 mAh battery to charge your devices directly. Plus that battery, as you might have guessed, can be charged up from sunlight itself.

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Our Pick: Bigblue 28w Usb Solar Charger

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The BigBlue 28W USB Solar Charger is the USB solar charger wed pack for a week in the woods or a month in Malawi. It produced the most power of the models we tested and offers several standout featuresan additional output port, a weatherproof port protector, and an expansive array of panels to catch every last ray of sunlight.

At the sunniest point of our tests, the BigBlue tied with the X-Dragon 20W SunPower Solar Charger for how much power it produced at any one instant, reaching about 10.7 watts. But over the course of the day, the BigBlue had the highest cumulative wattage: 48.8 watt-hours to the X-Dragons 43.7 watt-hours. That isnt a huge gainyou could barely charge an iPhone X battery halfway with the additional powerbut every watt matters if youre far from an outlet, and the extra power costs little more in size or price.

The BigBlue stood out among the dozens of models we considered in part because it has two 2.4 A ports and one 1 A port so you can charge three devices simultaneously. Every other model we tested had just two ports. Plus, the ports on the BigBlue are the most protected from water and dust among all the models we tested, as theyre covered by both a cloth flap and a rubber cover. Thankfully the cover is connected by a small tether so you dont lose it.

Power Output And Charging

We considered only USB solar chargers rated at 10 watts or higher because with anything less you may not get enough power throughout the day to charge a single phone, which just isnt practical. Although we preferred models that claimed to offer even more power, we didnt want that to come with a major increase in size that would limit the chargers portability.

We skipped any chargers that had only a single USB charging port. We preferred two output ports, a design that lets you charge a second device or share the power with someone else. Any extra ports were a bonus. Each port had to draw at least 1 amp, which is the minimum necessary to fully charge a phone like the iPhone X in three to four hours.

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Bigblue 28w Solar Charger

The BigBlue 28W solar charger is the best among the portable solar chargers available in the market today. This solar charger is available at a very reasonable price and comes with a rather large panel that is foldable and reliable at the same time.

The charger boasts a power output of 28 watts and provides a quick charging solution. The SmartIC technology in this charger detects the device youre charging and delivers optimal speeds based on that. The two USB outlets ensure that you can charge multiple devices at one time.

How We Researched: Outdoor Media Experts And Professionals

When researching the best camping solar chargers, we explored websites in the outdoor media sphere, and the tech and science spheres as geeks and gear heads are the most likely to use portable solar chargers to power their electronics.

We chose the models we tested based on reviews and articles we read and analyzed from other reliable sources, including Lifewire, Gear Institute, Backpacker, Wirecutter, The Adventure Junkies, Popular Mechanics, Outdoor GearLab, and others . We also looked at verified customer reviews to gather data from professional reviewers and actual users.

We tested foldable solar panels in the field at campsites and also at home using a USB digital tester .

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Solar Panel Mah Rating

Amperage rating only applies to solar chargers with batteries. It refers to the amount of current it has stored. The higher the number, the more charge you can draw from it. For example, my Pixel 5 has a 4080 mAh battery. So, a 32000 mAh portable solar charger should give me enough juice for charging my phone three times at least.

Keep in mind that 32000 mAh is a theoretical value. The actual solar charger capacity depends, among several things, on its efficiency, which declines over time. For example, that the efficiency is 65%. This means that my realistic capacity is 20800 mAh, not 32000 mAh. Thus, Ill be getting roughly five complete chargers with it.

Always go for the highest mAh rating that your budget allows. Youll never regret it.

Goal Zero Nomad 14 Plus Camping Solar Panel

Probably the most famous backpacking solar chargers brand, GoalZero panels are expensive but very efficient.

The Nomad comes in three versions, the lighter Nomad 7 , the compact and efficient Nomad 10, and this Nomad 14 Plus .

The NOMAD 14 PLUS by Goal Zero has been re-engineered in 2021 to be lighter and smarter, with a newly included kickstand to keep the panel at the perfect angle and a power-flow indicator that ensures the best solar charging experience.

The new auto-restart feature tracks power flow history and knows the difference between a device that is fully charged and one that disconnects due to environmental causes like lack of sunlight.

If a device is disconnected before fully charged due to lack of sunlight the NOMAD 14 PLUS will reconnect and begin charging once the sunlight returns. Ideal for phones, GPS, headlamps, or FLIP 20/30

You can choose between different packages, the solar charger only, with Venture 30 or Venture 70 battery packs, or even with the Guide 10 battery packif you wish to charge AA batteries.

Charges an iPhone 6 from 0 to 100% in 2/3 hours in perfect sunny conditions, works well even with an overcast sky. Dimensions: 17.5 x 11.22 in , 8.46 x 11.22 in .

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Most Affordable High Amp Pwm: Eeekit 12v/24v 30a Pwm Solar Charge Controller

Specifications:

• Amperage: 100 amps
• Notable features: timer, 3-stage charging
• Safety features: short-circuit, open-circuit, reverse polarity and overload protection
• 1 year warranty

Why we love it:

This 12V/24V PWM charge controller from EEEkit is a budget friendly option for first time RV owners or budget campers who do not travel full time. It is very basic and there are shortcomings, but overall it gets the job done at a very low cost. There are three options, 30 amps, 60 amps and 100 amps, all available at $35 and below.

Do note that although the product description says this is an MPPT controller, it is a PWM unit. This means there will be about 20 percent of power loss, which is quite considerable if you travel full time, but it can be allowed if you only camp occasionally in a smaller rig thats not heavily burdened with too many appliances.

For the price, its a huge plus that this charge controller supports 3-stage charging. The major shortcoming for me though is that the display only tells you whether the battery is charging and its current voltage, but theres no information on the voltage that your solar panels are producing. Other than that, this unit does its job at properly keeping the battery topped off without overcharging and overheating.

The 100 amp unit comfortably handled my 500 watts solar array wired in parallel. I wasnt pushing the limit of my system, but I dont think you should when using a basic PWM charge controller like this one.

Best Solar Charger For Backpacking 2022

Are you an avid hiker or backpacker? If so, you know that having a reliable and lightweight solar charger is a must. With so many different products on the market, it can be hard to know which one is the best for your needs.Here at Hiking and Backpacking, weve put together a list of the best solar chargers for backpacking in 2022. Weve considered factors like weight, portability, and charging speed to find the best options for you. If youre looking for a solar charger that can keep your devices charged while youre on the go, check out our top picks below.

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About Our Trusted Experts

Adam Doud has been writing in the technology space for almost a decade. When he’s not hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast, he’s playing with the latest phones, tablets, and laptops. When not working, he’s a cyclist, geocacher, and spends as much time outside as he can.

Yoona Wagener has a background in content and technical writing. She has written for BigTime Software, Idealist Careers, and other small tech companies.

Gannon Burgett has more than a decade of experience as a freelance photojournalist and sports photographer.

Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panel

The Nomad 20 is perfect for typical backpacking trips. At just over two pounds it isnt crazy heavy to carry with you.

This portable solar charger is more versatile and provides more power output. It also will pair nicely with bigger power banks or small power stations so your entire group can stay powered up.

Double the output capacity of the Nomad 10, for just 50 percent more cost. Scale up, get more value, charge more devices and bigger power banks.

This solar panel has an integrated 8mm cable and USB port. This allows you to charge a wider range of small to medium size devices. Using the cable, you can also chain together additional solar panels for even greater charging capacity and faster charge times.

The Goal Zero Nomad 20 is great for charging:

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Suaoki Collapsible Clover Style Lighting Lights

• Eco-friendly and efficient
• Comes with a smart protection chip
• Ideal for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities

• Might not be the most durable pick

The solar lighting for camping is another recommendation that I would like to include on this list. It is with great features and functions that impress thousands of users worldwide. One of the things that make the 18-Led Camping Tent Lantern a top pick is its rechargeable feature. With it, you dont need to buy batteries from time to time.

The solar panel and USB charging lighting light also works as a flashlight. It is one of the best outdoor solar lanterns because it can work through solar charging. On the other hand, it can also charge through micro USB in just three and a half hours using a full battery.

This model also has three different solar panels supporting the charging when in a disaster or emergency. As it is solar-powered, you only need to charge it so that it can work. It does not need power source or outlets.

In addition, I would like to note that it could offer a versatile lighting source, namely low, high or SOS blinking light. Regardless how you want to use the lighting solution, you can rely on it. This item is also good for fishing, hiking and camping. The light is also ideal for porch readings even if late at night.

These features enhance the safety of this product, making it longer lasting, too. It is with a user manual, micro USB cable and solar lantern.

What Is The Best Portable Power Pack For Camping

One of the best portable power packs for camping is the Goal Zero Yeti 1400 lithium power station. This power station is capable of charging laptops, phones, and other small devices. It also has a built-in AC inverter for powering larger devices such as TVs and power tools. The Yeti 1400 is also one of the most rugged and durable portable power packs on the market, making it ideal for camping and other outdoor activities.

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Portable Solar Charger Type

It might catch you by surprise. But there are several types of solar chargers. All work using solar energy, yes. Yet, they charge devices differently. There are three common solar charger types:

• Panel-only solar chargers
• Panel and integrated battery solar chargers
• Panel and removable battery solar chargers

Panel-Only Solar Chargers

As the name suggests, panel-only solar chargers are stand-alone solar panels with no storage means. With this in mind, you need to connect them to a phone, battery, or any other device to reap energy. They are useless otherwise.

So, why should you purchase a panel-only solar charger at all? Well, these are ideal for people looking to stay in one place for several hours. You can also benefit from panel-only solar chargers if you already have a power bank. Specifically, just leave the two connected and take the juice with you after.

Panel Solar Chargers with Integrated Batteries

This is the most common type of portable solar charger you can find. It looks like any other portable solar power bank around, but it has a small panel on one side.

Likewise, you can charge the charger itself and the phone at the same time while you hike. Plus, having a battery means that all the energy gathered by the solar panel will get stored for later use.

Naturally, you need to keep your solar charger out at all times. It wont charge the battery otherwise. Therefore, you must be careful not to hit the panel, or you will render the solar charger useless.

Nekteck 21w Solar Charger

Bottom line: The $40 Nekteck 21W was one of the standout chargers, and its very close in design, size, and performance to the Choetech. These two panels are closely comparable, but while the Choetechs performance is better, the Nektecks design is slightly more versatile and durable it has a flap with three embedded rings on one end, a two embedded rings on the USB port end.

For the weight, price, and performance, its clearly at the top of the heap. For just $40 this charger is a fantastic value.

Test notes: The Nektecks power output was extremely clean and stable over all the runs, and it matched the sunlight level closely. For the third run, the irradiance meter wasnt recording, but the sky was clear until around 3pm, when the power output started to drop steadily with a few dips.

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Solar Panel Output Power

The electrical power is measured in Watts, unite used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The power is the product of Voltage and magnitude of electric current W=V*A.

Given that the output voltage of a USB port is always 5V, the more ampere the Solar Panel generates, the more power it delivers, the faster your device will charge .

More solar cells generate more current, but that means usually means larger and heavier solar panels. The efficiency of the solar cells also plays a huge role, but most of the solar chargers listed here share similar solar cells specifications.

How Big A Charger Do I Need

The bigger the charger, the more solar panel surface area that can pump out power. However, the type of trip you undertake will l automatically limit the size of the panel you can carry. For camping and trekking, anything above 28W may be too big to schlep around. Anything less than 15W could get you in trouble — smaller panels have more trouble charging, especially in dodgy weather. Plus, many devices won’t charge at all with a weak power source. If you’ll mostly experience sunny weather on your outings, look for one that is powerful, lightweight, and compact. If you want a solar charger that is reliable in different weather conditions, look for an option with large panels.

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The 5 Best Solar Panels For Camping

To narrow down our list of the best solar panels for camping, we looked at the industrys top products and ranked them based on factors including durability, ease of setup, charge time, run time, portability, total power output, and cost.

Based on our findings, these are the top five portable solar panels for camping currently on the market:

• High-capacity 25,000 mAh
• Up to two days for full sun charge

The FEELLE Portable Solar Power Bank has four panels that can generate 6W of solar power and fold down to a size slightly larger than a smartphone.

There is a built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 25,000 milliamp-hours , which is enough for around eight smartphone charges, with a charging time of about an hour. The device has dual USB ports to charge two devices at once, and it recharges its own battery at the same time when the solar panel is unfolded and in direct sunlight.

The FEELLE Power Bank has a tough waterproof enclosure, so you dont have to worry if it gets wet. It also comes with a powerful LED light built in, which can be used as a flashlight after dusk, and protection against common electrical faults such as overcharge, overvoltage, overcurrent, and short-circuit.

Even with all of these features, the charger weighs only 1.18 lbs, making it one of the best solar panels for camping trips and other outdoor activities.

Pros:

• 2.5 hour minimum for full sun charge

Pros:

• Two to six hours minimum solar charge time

Pros:

Cons: