The best portable solar chargers could be the solution for individuals who want to ensure their smartphones, laptops, or other electronic devices remain charged during an adventure or in a power outage. In addition, your battery packs and power bank can maintain temporary charging, but they have limitations. However, you will need access to a power outlet for recharging once your power banks or battery packs are minimized.
Moreover, portable solar chargers offer a solution by harnessing available sunlight to produce power usage in sudden circumstances. Whether you are experiencing an emergency or spending a long day outdoors, these chargers allow you to charge a power bank while using your devices. Furthermore, the power can be used to recharge your devices at your convenience, even after sunset.
Best Portable Solar Chargers
Portable solar chargers are capable of charging devices like smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices where wall outlets are unavailable. Moreover, these chargers consist of various modules including a battery, USB ports, and multiple solar panels, that harness solar energy. They are also easy to establish, compatible, lightweight, and accessible in several sizes and capacities, allowing users to select the most suitable option based on their power needs.
EcoFlow 160W
EcoFlow emerges for producing the best portable power stations and home battery backup solutions, ranking it at the top overall on our list. This brand has a good range of outstanding portable solar panels, spanning from 60 to 400 watts (W).
Additionally, these portable solar panels are waterproof and capture sunlight effectively. However, the EcoFlow 160W portable solar panel owns an IP68 rating, exceeding all other panels. Moreover, this brand is equipped with a standard MC4 connector with an XT60 adapter. This adapter facilitates compatibility with compatible power stations.
BigBlue SolarPowa 28
The BigBlue SolarPowa 28 stands out as the best option for a portable solar charger due to its exceptional performance in solar charging efficiency relative to its size. Among the solar panels, it has the best balance between portability and charging effectiveness.
Generally, when portable electronics require a recharge, this panel consistently delivers compared to others even on cloudy days. Moreover, it enables simultaneous charging of multiple devices with three USB-A outputs, enhancing convenience. After charging, this solar charger folds into a compact size, making it suitable for fitting any backpack.
Allpowers SP012 Solar Panel 100W
The Allpowers SP012 Solar Panel 100W emerges as the best choice for those seeking a portable solar charger to keep their devices powered during power outages or adventures. Typically, it packs enough power and supports most phones and devices with sturdy and effective weatherproofing to ensure durability even in challenging conditions.
Moreover, this model includes a wide range of accessories, such as four carabiners, five DC adapters, DC and Micro-USB charging cables, and car jumper cables. Additionally, its IP65 weatherproof rating offers solid protection against dust and water.
Ryno Tuff 21W USB Solar Charger
For most individuals, Ryno Tuff 21W stands out as the best choice for a portable solar panel. This charger is categorized as the top across key metrics such as power output, watts per ounce, and efficiency.
Moreover, Ryno Tuff consistently keeps an excellent 10W output on a single USB port during an evaluation of weather, sunlight levels, and panel heat. In a certain single test, it even reached a peak performance of 12W. In addition, the Ryno Tuff has a competitive price usually ranging from $5-10 compared to other competitors.
Jackery SolarSaga 200
Jackery SolarSaga 200 stands out as the best choice for a portable solar charger, due to its exceptional efficiency and enough capacity for various usages. However, it remains one of the lightest options available and offers excellent value for its size. While SolarSaga 200 may be slightly pricier compared to other panels, it compensates with its robust features and performance.
Additionally, it includes a three-year warranty against manufacturer defects when purchased from precise retailers. Moreover, SolarSaga 200 offers significant flexibility when used in pair with Jackery power stations. Furthermore, it possesses some of the elevated solar inputs allowing for rapid solar charging expansion.
X-Dragon Mono-crystalline 20W
The X-Dragon 20W stands out as a highly efficient solar panel for charging electronic devices. Additionally, it has three mono-crystalline panels which provide excellent conversion rates, with each port generating 3 amps, to charge two devices.
Moreover, it has an additional feature associated with carabiners, enabling easy attachment to several outdoor forms like trees or trailer ramps. While the USB ports provide enough power, it’s fit for little devices like smartphones rather than larger ones like laptops. However, its competitive pricing offers similar power to more expensive models, making it our best portable solar charger.
FlexSolar 40W
The FlexSolar 40W is a type of model that has a simple unfolding mechanism that can expand from the size of a big book into six solar panels. For those seeking high output or an impressive wattage without sacrificing, this is the best option available. Typically, it doesn’t own Velcro, magnets, or other clasps, ensuring free setup and takedown. Also, its DC output delivers 19 volts of power, used for charging portable power stations, while also featuring USB-C and USB-A charging outputs for devices.
Goal Zero Nomad 50
For those seeking to charge larger devices beyond smartphones or small battery packs and are willing to trade a bit of portability, the Goal Zero Nomad 50 is the best choice. With 50W output, it’s the highest among models, equipped with an 8mm connector and cable for connecting to big power banks or solar generators.
This includes Goal Zero Yeti 500X Portable Power Station, as recommended by Goal Zero. It only features a single USB output port that is reduced by the chance of using it to charge power banks with many USB ports. Additionally, a second 8mm chaining connector allows for series connection with another Nomad 50 panel, or for chaining with additional panels.
Chotech 19W
If the CHOETECH 19W is available at a comparable price to the Ryno Tuff, it presents itself as an excellent option. This model offers a slightly more compact design when folded, in smaller bags making it easy. However, it offers a well-structured with immersed metal rings. Although this panel typically generated slightly less peak power, its overall performance remained closely competitive across various conditions.
Geneverse SolarPower One
The SolarPower One, designed by Geneverse, stands out as a quality solar panel accessible to many people. Additionally, it has a capacity of 100 watts with a cost of $3 per watt, positioning it in terms of affordability for panels of similar size.
While bigger panels offer a lower cost per watt, they often come with a higher total price. However, as it is a bit pricier unlike previous models, it considered an availability of small, affordable panels. Moreover, it has an impressive efficiency rating of 23%, towards the upper end of the spectrum among other panels, while some bigger panels have elevated rates
Major Benefits of Portable Solar Chargers
The best portable solar chargers must produce enough energy from available sunlight, ensuring efficient electricity supply to power stations or other devices within a reasonable timeframe. This energy efficiency proves crucial, particularly where sunlight availability is unavailable.