Portable solar charging devices - overall introduction and top products
Types of portable solar charging devices
So far, there is no smartphone that can run continuously for more than a day with GPS turned on. Solar charging panels, on the other hand, can absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity to charge electric devices or battery packs.
Unlike conventional batteries or power bank, even products from top 100 portable power station companies, which will sooner or later run out of power, portable solar charging devices are suitable for long trips, because as long as there is sunlight, solar chargers can charge devices.
There are three common types of portable solar charging devices: photovoltaic panels only, photovoltaic panels with integrated battery packs, and photovoltaic panels with removable battery packs.
There are three types of common portable solar charging devices: only with photovoltaic panels, photovoltaic panels with integrated battery packs, and photovoltaic panels with removable battery packs.
Only photovoltaic panels:
At present, the most popular portable solar charging device is a charging device with only photovoltaic panels. Users simply connect the solar panel to their device, and the device will be filled with sunlight energy. However, before buying this kind of solar battery charger, it is necessary to ensure that it is compatible with the user’s device (connector type).
Photovoltaic panels with integrated battery pack:
This type of portable solar charging device is usually very compact – the solar panel and battery pack are integrated. The accompanying disadvantage is that they are not one modular, so they are usually attached to backpacks.
Photovoltaic panels with removable battery packs:
This kind of portable solar charging device is basically a photovoltaic panel with a battery pack, but the battery pack is removable, so users can also not use the included battery pack.
Backpack solar panels also come in two types: hard panels and semi-flexible panels. The semi-flexible solar panel is foldable and easy to carry. When needed, just simply unfold the semi-flexible panels and put them towards the sun. The main advantage of semi-flexible solar panels is that although they are very small when packed, they have a large surface area when unrolled.
Battery packs for portable solar charging devices
The output of the solar panel is measured in watts, and the larger the power number, the more electricity it outputs, the larger (and heavier) the solar panel, and the faster it can charge the battery pack. However, smaller or lighter solar panels are easier to pack and carry. This is also an important factor for backpackers to consider, it’s more important to choose their own portable solar charging device size according to their own power consumption.
While it is possible to charge the device directly as long as there are solar panels, charging devices with battery packs are much more convenient when charging. The battery packs can offer energy storage solutions, so users can still use it to charge devices when the sun is not shining.
Battery packs vary in terms of storage capacity and power output. Storage capacity is measured in milliampere-hours, and the larger the storage capacity, the more times you can charge your device. However, the larger storage capacity also increases the weight and size of the battery pack.
The power output of most battery packs is enough to charge electronic devices such as smartphones, GPS devices, and GPS watches. However, the battery pack in a portable solar charging device is rarely capable of charging larger electronic devices such as laptops.
Tips for using portable solar charging devices
When choosing a portable solar charging device, make sure it is compatible with the electric devices that plan to use. The vast majority of solar panels and battery packs are equipped with USB ports that can be paired with most smartphones and tablets.
It is also important to choose a solar charging system with enough ports to meet travel needs, for example, if you want to charge your phone and camera at the same time while traveling, you need to choose a solar charging gear with two ports that can be used at the same time.
In addition, many backpackers choose to attach portable solar charging panels to their backpacks. Because solar panel battery needs sunlight to work, they can be placed outside the backpack during the day when user might be hiking.
Global top 5 portable solar charging equipment
Top 5 global portable solar charging devices of the best quality are listed as below.
1. Goal Zero Nomad 10：
Goal Zero Nomad 10 solar panel is a foldable single crystal 10W solar panel with USB port, suitable for: backpacking, hiking, climbing and camping.
The Nomad 10 solar panel has a power output of 10W, which works perfectly with Goal Zero’s battery pack (which has a capacity of 7,800 mah), and the solar panel can be fully charged in 4.5 to 9 hours.
It can also directly charge a variety of electronic devices such as mobile phones and cameras. With a built-in bracket, multiple angles can be adjusted to adjust the solar panel to the most appropriate Angle with sunlight. The material is durable and can be hung on a backpack, tent or other gear.
2. Anker 21W：
The Anker 21W is a portable solar charging device with two USB ports with fast charging technology that provides charging speeds up to 2.4 amps per port or 3 amps overall in direct sunlight.
The photovoltaic conversion rate of the solar panels is 21.5-23.5%, which is enough electricity to charge two devices at the same time. The Anker 21W port supports iPhone13/12/11/Xs/Xs Max/XR/X/8/7, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S9/S8/S7/S6 and many more device models.
The Anker PowerPort 21W portable solar charging device is also very light, with a foldable panel which is very compact to pack. It has a connection buckle, so you can easily hang it on the backpack or tent. The industrial-strength PET polymer-faced solar panels, sewn onto sturdy polyester canvas, are extremely durable outdoors, but they are not waterproof, so they need to be protected in rainy conditions.
3. BioLite SolarPanel 5：
BioLite SolarPanel 5 is an efficient single crystal solar panel with USB output that powers mobile phones, tablets, cameras and BioLite devices. Equipped with a stand and built-in battery strength indicator, integrated sundial indicator allows users to see the sunlight angle directly and easily align the panel with direct light to maximize power generation.
At 396 grams, it includes an integrated battery, making it one of the most lightweight and portable solar charging devices for backpackers, and a great choice for all kinds of outdoor activities. BioLite SolarPanel 5 is made of ultra-thin and durable material, which also improves power generation efficiency because of its ultra-thin characteristics conducive to heat dissipation.
It is a solar panel with an integrated 2200 mah battery pack has a power output of 5 watts, which can fully charge the battery in three hours. The 360° bracket can be easily supported on uneven terrain and can also be hung from trees and tents.
4. SunJack 15W：
SunJack 15W foldable solar panel with weatherproof ETFE single crystal panel, is waterproof, shock-proof, dust-proof and fall-proof. Single crystal panels with ETFE structures offer maximum efficiency and UV penetration, plus ETFE coatings can withstand more temperature stresses and chemical erosion than PET coatings commonly used.
Each USB port outputs up to 2 amps of current (up to 4A on two ports) for fast charging. The built-in intelligent IC chip can intelligently identify the device, dynamically improve the charging speed, and can effectively charge two different devices at the same time.
The SunJack 15W’s compact panel folds up to the size of a tablet and easily fits into any backpack, and the integrated magnetic closure system keeps the panel closed during storage without strapping. It also comes with a carabiner that makes it easy to hang it on the backpack.
5. Powertraveller Falcon 21：
Powertraveller Falcon 21, a portable 21W foldable solar charging panel, uses single crystal panels from SunPower that produce 25-35% more power than conventional batteries, making this solar charger truly stand out in terms of performance. The Falcon 21 has a foldable design and weighs just 470 grams, making it best suited for long backpacking trips in tough areas due to its strong power.
It’s compatible with laptops up to 40W and all brands of tablets, the Powertraveller Falcon 21 solar panel is capable of charging most devices of 20V and 5V via a 20V DC output or 5V/3A USB port.
The waterproof level of Falcon 21 is IPX4, which makes it able to handle water that plummets to the surface from any direction without damaging the equipment. The sturdy material means it’s perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, and can withstand rain and minor bumps. It also comes with four connection clasps for easy connection to tents.
