Best solar phone chargers
Pick the right portable charger for your next adventure
Solar phone chargers are portable power banks with USB-A or USB-C outlets that can be used to charge your phone or other devices on the go with solar energy. These machines are popular with outdoor athletes, like hikers and backpackers, but they’re also used by everyday individuals who want access to power wherever they are.
We compared several devices on the market today to select our top picks for best solar phone chargers:
| Hiluckey Outdoor USB-C Portable | Feeke Solar Charger | Superallure Solar Charger | BigBlue Solarpowa 28 | Riapow Solar Power Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon rating* | 4.4 stars | 4.2 stars | 4.4 stars | 4.4 stars | 4.4 stars |
| Reviews on Amazon* | 9,002 | 4,805 | 1,801 | 6,415 | 10,992 |
| Price on Amazon* | $46.99 | $19.99 | $45.99 | $72.96 | $39.99 |
| Weight | 1.34 lbs. | 13.4 oz. | 1.5 lbs. | 1.57 lbs. | 1.76 oz. |
| Capacity (milliamp-hours) | 25,000 mAh | 36,800 mAh | 43,800 mAh | N/A | 26,800 mAh |
| Wattage | 15 watts | 15 watts | 15 watts | 28 watts | 15 watts |
| Compatibility | 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C port | 2 USB-A ports | Built-in USB-A and USB-C cables | 3 USB ports | 1 wireless charging spot, 2 USB-A and 1 USB-C ports |
| Key feature | 4 solar panels for optimum absorption | Built-in flashlights and compass | Automatically delivers appropriate voltages | High wattage for more effective charging | Wireless charging capabilities |
Compare our top 5 solar phone chargers
To create this list, we scoured Amazon for the most popular options, plus a few of the lesser-known ones, and compared a few key factors: configuration, capacity, device compatibility, pricing and reviews.
|
|
The Hiluckey Outdoor USB-C Portable Power Bank has a battery capacity of 25,000 mAh (milliamp-hours), enough to charge a phone up to 10 times and a tablet up to four times. It can be used for an average of nine days per charge, which is great for backpack or hiking trips. With one USB-C and two USB-A ports, you can charge three devices at once. The design is perfect for outdoor use, with a durable and waterproof exterior and a built-in flashlight.
Many customers mention opening it up and attaching it to their backpacks while hiking so it charges during their trip. At 1.34 pounds, it’s a little heavier than some others on the market, but it does pack a good amount of power.
What we like
What to consider
What reviewers say
|
|
The Feeke Solar Charger Power Bank offers lightning charging in a small profile, weighing only 13.4 ounces. It includes built-in safety features like a dual-light flashlight and built-in high-precision compass. With a built-in battery and a wattage of 15, you can charge it up and take it with you on the go, or you can use the solar panels to charge it as needed. The company says it’s powerful enough to juice up your phone several times.
What we like
What to consider
What reviewers say
|
|
The Superallure Solar Charger Power Bank brings quite a bit of power, with 43,800 mAh and 15-watt charging. With three built-in output cables (USB-A, USB-C and a lightning cable), a built-in 680-lumen flashlight and two additional ports to support the charging of five devices at once, it’s a bit of an all-in-one. It’s powered by four foldable solar panels, and the built-in smart transformer chip immediately identifies and delivers each device’s required current and voltage.
What we like
What to consider
What reviewers say
|
|
The BigBlue Solarpowa 28 SunPower Solar Charger has a wattage of 28, which means it can charge up to three devices more quickly and efficiently than others on this list. The package includes four carabiners, which can be used to attach to a backpack or the exterior of a parked vehicle. While it only has USB-A ports,the pack does include one USB-A-to-C cable. It doesn’t store any power, though, so it can’t be used when direct sunlight isn’t available.
What we like
What to consider
What reviewers say
|
|
The Riapow Solar Power Bank is a lightweight power bank, weighing just 1.76 ounces. It can be easily packed in most bags and holds up to eight days’ worth of power on a single charge. This machine can charge four devices simultaneously at full speed through either wireless charging, one of its two USB-A ports or the USB-C port. For added convenience, it can charge fully when plugged into a wall outlet for just seven hours.
What we like
What to consider
What reviewers say
*Amazon ratings and prices are at the time of publishing.
How do solar phone chargers work?
Solar phone chargers work like traditional solar energy generators: They take energy from the sun, store it and turn it into usable energy that can charge a device via a USB-A or USB-C cable. For these portable solar panels, the mAh is important — this will determine how many times you can charge your phone before you need to charge the device again. The higher the mAh, the longer it lasts between full solar charges.
Solar phone chargers are usually the size, weight and shape of a traditional iPhone. They’re easy to pack and to use. In some cases, they may include a charging cable for charging the device through a wall outlet before a trip. To charge a device, you can simply plug your own USB-C or USB-A cords into the appropriate holes and let the sun do the rest.
It’s important to understand what to expect from a solar phone charger before purchasing. Usually, these devices are best for topping off a device’s charge; it may take quite a bit of time to bring a dead device to 100% charge.
What should you look for in a solar phone charger?
With so many solar phone chargers on the market today, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which is the best to spend your money on. According to Luke Xavier, travel expert and founder of the travel website USA Rover, these are the factors you should consider when comparing solar phone chargers:
- Price: It’s important to set your budget right off the bat. Most devices are between $20 and $50, though there are some really cheap and some more expensive ones, depending on your needs. Generally, though, you should expect to spend around $35 for an average device.
- Size: A good rule of thumb is that a bigger device will hold more charge because it has more surface space to absorb energy from the sun. If you’re going on a hiking trip, you may only have a small amount of space available to pack a charger, but if you’re keeping this in your vehicle or home for emergencies, size may not be as much of an issue.
- Capacity: The storage capacity is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). This refers to how much the bank can hold before it needs to recharge. Not all devices offer significant capacity, but it can be handy for those who are off the grid and need reliable energy at all times of the day and through all types of weather.
- Wattage: Wattage is equally as important as capacity — if not more so. Wattage tells you how quickly and efficiently you can charge your device. Ten to 15 watts is usually considered good for charging one or two phones, but higher-wattage devices will charge even faster. That being said, the added price may not be worth it for those who just need to charge one or two devices.
- Compatibility: Most devices are equipped with USB-C outlets, but several recent phone and tablet models come with USB-A cables. You may have to buy a separate cable for your device if it doesn’t include the outlets you already have cords for.
- Backup battery: Most, but not all, solar chargers have backup batteries that can store the sunlight’s energy to use later (like at night). If you’re heading somewhere where rain or cloud coverage is likely, this is a necessity.
You’re signed up
We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.