When you’re camping, backpacking, taking long day hikes, or simply sitting around your fire pit in the backyard, your closest outlet is likely farther away than your charging cable can stretch. Pack a solar charger for the trip and suddenly you’ve got the world back at your fingertips.
These portable gadgets marry solar panels with battery packs—they’re small and lightweight enough to not add much heft to your pack and powerful enough to juice up your phone, headlamp, and other small tech. Many portable solar chargers come with ports to plug your devices in directly, while others fill up separate power banks you can store in your pack.
Whether you’re going on a months-long road trip in your RV, a camping trip into the woods, or just a quick hike a few miles from your home, these solar chargers are built to keep you connected and your devices juiced up.
Best Solar Chargers
What to Consider
How We Selected
Out in the wilderness, dead devices are a mild inconvenience at best and a survival liability at worst. To ensure we can stand reliably by our choices, we tested out multiple solar chargers ourselves. Additionally, we researched 29 other models, evaluating them on their efficiency, output, portability, and overall effectiveness. These included portable solar panels and solar-rechargeable power banks, though we primarily focused on the former given their greater efficiency at converting sunshine into electricity.
We narrowed the list by comparing these key specs, using our experiences with solar chargers to find the best designs and features. To whittle the contenders down further, we relied on reviews from verified customers and expert intel at Popular Mechanics.
BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger
BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger
Pros
- Can charge up to three devices simultaneously
- IPX4 waterproof exterior
Cons
- Large footprint when unfolded
Key Specs
| Weight | 1 lb. 5.5 oz. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 28 W |
| Output Ports | Three USBs |
| Folded Dimensions | 6.3 x 11.1 in. |
BigBlue’s 28-watt solar charger checks a lot of boxes. It’s powerful, packable, and versatile with three USB ports—a rarity in the category—and an affordable price tag. It’s slightly smaller than a piece of printer paper when folded, so it can fit easily into a day pack. However, finding a sunny area that’s large enough for all four solar arrays to catch the light could prove to be more difficult, especially if you’re in a forest.
It extends nearly one yard when unfurled, lending the charger enough power to juice up three devices at once—just don’t expect the fastest performance when all three ports are occupied. Two standard 2.4-amp ports accompany one slower, one-amp port that’s better suited to a headlamp or lantern than a phone or power bank. Specs aside, reviewers report this is a reliable, well-made charger that doesn’t disappoint.
BioLite SolarPanel 10+ Solar Charger
BioLite SolarPanel 10+ Solar Charger
Pros
- Built-in sundial to optimize charging
- Adjustable kickstand
Cons
- Low overall output
Key Specs
| Weight | 1.21 lb. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 10 W |
| Output Ports | One USB, one microUSB |
| Integrated Battery | Yes |
| Folded Dimensions | 8.19 x 10.12 x 0.94 in. |
The first thing to notice about BioLite’s SolarPanel 10+ is the economic size. This solar charger easily fits in a backpack when folded up and it’s incredibly lightweight at just over a pound. The folding design means that you won’t need a ton of extra space to get double the output of many options with similar footprints.
The Bi0lite solar charger shines in two major ways when it comes to energy. The first is the internal battery built into the device. While it isn’t enough to charge multiple devices, it should be enough to juice up your phone for a few extra hours.
This also allows you to keep some charge for later in the day as opposed to needing the sun for power, even if you don’t have a power bank. BioLite also offers durable power banks that are built to work seamlessly with the solar charger, though the bank adds a few extra pounds to your bag.
Perhaps one of the most interesting and useful features on this solar charger is the built-in sundial. Instead of guessing what angle to place the panels, you can adjust them based on the sundial’s shadow to find optimal performance all day long.
Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Charger
Goal Zero Nomad 5 Solar Charger
Pros
- Adjustable kickstand
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Low power output
Key Specs
| Weight | 12.69 oz. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 5 W |
| Output Ports | One USB |
| Integrated Battery | No |
| Dimensions | 9.45 x 1.1 x 7.01 in |
When it comes to portability and value, very few options offer what the Nomad 5 solar charger from Goal Zero offers. At less than a pound, I barely felt the weight of this charger in my backpack when walking around, and the small size gives you about the smallest footprint possible while still providing enough power to charge devices in real time.
Beyond the impressive portability, the Goal Zero solar charger is a noticeably sturdy device. I (admittedly) dropped it multiple times without any damage to the exterior and, more importantly, the panel itself stayed pristine.
While it isn’t necessarily chock full of exciting added features, I appreciate the Nomad 5’s adjustable kickstand, which can help you angle the solar panel to capture as much sun as possible. The style of the kickstand makes it easy to mount it on the exterior of your backpack, too, to charge your devices as you walk (but be careful—solar panels get hot!).
ECOFLOW Bifacial Foldable Solar Panel
ECOFLOW Bifacial Foldable Solar Panel
Pros
- IP68 water and dustproof
- Comes with carrying case
Cons
- Requires connected power station
Key Specs
| Weight | 20.9 lb. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 220 W |
| Output Ports | MC4 output controller |
| Integrated Battery | No |
| Folded Dimensions | 32.3 x 72 x 1 in. |
Ecoflow’s Bifacial solar panel stands as the best option for heavy duty charging. While too large to carry with you on a hike, it is for perfect car campers. The panels fold out pretty comfortably, and when it’s at maximum output, it provides over 220 watts of power. This is more than enough to charge multiple devices at once using the USB ports in the panel.
The solar charger comes with a carrying case that allows for handheld carry. However, what makes the case unique in comparison to many others is that it doubles as an adjustable stand for the solar panels. By hooking the case to the solar charger, you can angle the panels to consistently take in as much sun as possible.
The biggest downside on the solar charger also serves as a major upside. The panels must be connected to a power station or solar generator to hold a charge, and the output is far too high to use for a small portable battery. Luckily, Ecoflow has a plethora of large power stations that work with this panel. The higher output means these power stations can charge up relatively quickly and store a lot—enough to power small devices all night long and even power large devices and appliances for multiple hours.
Ryno Tuff 21W Lightweight Portable Solar Charger
Ryno Tuff 21W Lightweight Portable Solar Charger
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Fully charges most phones in two hours
Cons
- Other comparable options at similar price points
Key Specs
| Weight | 1.06 lb. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 21 W |
| Output Ports | Two USB ports |
| Integrated Battery | No |
| Folded Dimensions | 18.1 x 11.8 x 0.12 in. |
From a weight-to-power standpoint, you can’t beat the Rhyno Tuff solar charger. The 21-watt charger tips the scales at just over pound. Trail cred translation: It won’t weigh down your pack or take eons to revive your battery life.
Even with both USB ports occupied, the solar charger delivers at least a little juice to each device, which isn’t always true for other options with multiple ports. This solar charger also comes with a waterproof canvas carrying case for easier storage and protection when not in use. That being said, the solar panels are both water and dustproof, so don’t feel too worried their durability even without the case.
Pros
- Large included battery
- Doubles as a flashlight
Cons
- Inefficient solar charging
Key Specs
| Weight | 14.8 oz. |
|---|---|
| Solar Panel Output | 2 W |
| Output Ports | Two USB ports |
| Integrated Battery | Yes |
| Folded Dimensions | 6.4 x 3.3 x 0.8 in. |
Marketing campaigns often play up the small built-in solar panels on solar power banks, but the real standouts of these gadgets are their large lithium-ion batteries. Practically speaking, you should think of the category as a portable energy storage solution, not a real-time energy converter like the other options on our list.
Still, a solar-equipped power bank like this Oufaken one is a good choice for anyone who plans on only using it to top up phones on a sunny hike. (Because the puny two-watt solar arrays are so inefficient, they’re best saved for emergency use, or for maintaining battery power while you charge up devices.) When fully charged, this 30,000-mAh battery can restore power to your phone several times. Three USB ports allow for simultaneous charging, too.
As for juicing up the power bank, rely on at-home wall charging and use the sun to add a bit more battery life on the go—we recommend juicing it up on sunny days in the car or on the back of your pack while you hike. Opposite the panel, you’ll find another cool feature: 36 LED lights that transform the power bank into a three-mode flashlight.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Adrienne Donica tested hiking, camping, and other adventure gear as Popular Mechanics' outdoors editor, before going on to edit gear reviews for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Bicycling as Expert Reviews editor. Find her on the trail, working on her latest cocktail project, or eating mint chocolate chip ice cream.
