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The sun is an incredibly powerful source of energy that is readily available to us for free. On a clear and sunny day, the energy from the sun can generate up to 1000 watts of power per square meter. While modern photovoltaic panels are not 100% efficient, they can still produce around 200 watts of power per square meter. This means that even a small installation of solar panels can generate a significant amount of energy.
To put this into perspective, a typical smartphone charger can output anywhere between 5 watts and 25 watts of power, with some of the more advanced super-fast chargers capable of pushing the limit up to 100 watts. With solar panels producing up to 200 watts per square meter, the potential for harnessing solar energy is enormous. Is this the case, though? Read on to find out!
If you're someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly in the mountains, getting a solar mobile charger is a practical option. But picking the best solar phone charger can be hard because there are so many brands and hidden factors.
A general guideline to keep in mind is that you'll need a minimum of around 7 watts of power to charge your phone using a solar phone charger, but the more power, the better. It's also essential to check if the solar charger has a built-in battery, particularly if you're using it overnight when there's no sunlight available. Without a battery, the solar charger would be as useful as a piece of paper when your phone dies at night.
Portability is also a crucial factor when selecting a solar phone charger since you'll likely use it on the go, far from any wall sockets or other luxuries of modern society. For frequent travelers who don't want to add any extra weight or bulk to the backpack, lightweight and foldable solar phone chargers are the best option. However, it's worth noting that if you want more power, you'll need a bigger solar panel to capture more light, which may mean a bulkier device.
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Without further delay, here's a list of the top solar phone chargers that you can get in 2023. These chargers have been carefully selected for their power output, portability, durability, and overall value, and they will ensure that you can keep your phone charged even when you're off the grid.
The best solar phone charger is called BigBlue and can harness 28W of power in ideal conditions. This is plenty of juice for your phone or tablet, and you can charge up to three devices simultaneously via the 3 USB ports.
This solar charger uses high-efficiency SunPower monocrystalline photovoltaic cells that convert up to 21.5-23.5% of solar power into free energy. These numbers are pretty impressive for a consumer product, especially at this price point.
There’s a special PET polymer coating that protects the panel from the occasional rain or water spatter, and all the ports have rubber flaps to ensure the IPX4 rating. There are two main downsides to the BigBlue solar charger.
First, it doesn’t include a battery or a power bank of any sort. If it’s nighttime or there are heavy clouds, you’re not gonna get much electricity out of it. Second, the device comes with a single micro USB cable, so you need to use/buy your own USB-C or USB-to-Lightning cable.
Other than that, this solar phone charger actually works (unlike many other bogus products out there), and it works pretty well. It’s not too heavy and you can fold it and carry it in your backpack. The price is also pretty reasonable, considering the power.
BigBlue 28W Solar Charger
with Digital Ammeter, Foldable Portable Solar Panels with Dual USB(5V/4A Overall), IPX4 Waterproof
One of the most powerful solar chargers at that price point
Foldable design
3 USB ports
IPX4 rating
Price
Cons
No built-in battery
Only one micro USB cable in the box
Anker PowerPort 24W
Anker is a known entity in the charging business. It’s not surprising that the company has its own offering in the solar phone charger category. This 24W charger is almost as good as the BigBlue one but it’s more affordable, and a bit more compact.
It uses the same SunPower solar array (3 panels x 8W) with high efficiency, and thanks to the PowerIQ delivery system can pump up to 2.4A per USB port. The USB ports are just two (as opposed to the three in the BigBlue) but you can still charge two gadgets simultaneously.
The solar panels in this charger probably come from the same manufacturer as the ones in the BigBlue but if you choose Anker, you get an 18 months warranty and some peace of mind. Other than that, it’s the same charger, minus one panel. The same PET coating and water resistance apply here too. And sadly, there’s only one micro USB cable in the retail box as well.
Solar Panel, Anker 24W
Give your phone, tablet, or other mobile devices up to a 12W charge in optimal sunlight conditions with this portable solar charger. 3xUSB A ports.
If portability is really important, you should get a compact solar charger with a built-in battery. The Hiluckey 25,000mAh may sound like a character from a children’s book but it works and packs one of the biggest batteries around.
Most of these hybrid power banks/solar chargers don’t really work but this one has four monocrystalline cells that unfold to offer 5W of power and 1A of input current to actually charge that huge battery.
The plus side is that you can pre-charge the battery and use it as a normal power bank, and only top it up using solar power when conditions are good. This solar charger features two 2.1A high-speed USB ports and can charge two devices simultaneously.
As an added bonus you get built-in LED lights so the charge can double as a torchlight after dark. The ports are covered by rubber flaps and the whole thing is water-resistant, shockproof, and dustproof.
Solar Charger 25000mAh, Hiluckey
Outdoor Portable Power Bank with 4 Solar Panels, Fast Charge External Battery Pack with Dual 2.1A Output USB
The BioLite 5+ solar charger combines the best of both worlds - it features two big photovoltaic panels, and a 3,200mAh built-in battery.
Granted, the 5W of solar charging power is nowhere near the power of big 3 or 4-panel chargers but it’s considerably faster than the small power bank solar chargers.
This charger also includes a cleaver tool to maximize the power you can gather from our good old Sun. It’s a simple sun alignment tool that helps you position your solar charger at an optimal angle.
There’s also a rotating kickstand for extra comfort/utility, battery charge indicator, micro USB port for charging the battery manually, plus corner latches to Attach the charger to a backpack and capture some watts while on the move.
The Nomad 10 solar charger from GoalZero not only sounds and looks cool but also delivers. It’s a 2-panel foldable solar charger with 10W of power, and if you find 10W too underpowered, you can order a model with power up to 200W! Of course, this comes at a price.
Back to the 10W variant. It’s a simple solar charger for small gadgets like phones, fitness trackers, power banks. Wait, power banks? Yeah, there’s no built-in battery, although the company offers a nice chart for pairing the solar charger with various GoalZero power banks.
The company itself is based in the US and operates a local support center which is also a big plus. It’s a serious company that offers everything from small solar chargers and power banks to mountable solar panels for solar arrays and household appliances.
Goal Zero Nomad 10
Foldable Monocrystalline 10 Watt Solar Panel with USB Port
So there you have it - the best solar phone chargers you can get in 2023. This list is a "work-in-progress", of course, and as solar technology moves forward, we expect many new models to arrive - much more powerful, efficient, and affordable. Watch this space for updates. Stay safe and happy hiking!
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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