This fairly light and robust solar charger accompanies you during your hikes or a festival because it is easily transportable. Its performance is already undeniable because it captures a lot of solar energy to transform it into electricity, but also because it is resistant to rain. With the help of the ammeter, it thus outputs great power and thus offers fast recharging. It has a pocket and adjusts its refill according to the device detected.

Compact, this solar charger is easy to carry. It is resistant to splashes and raindrops thanks to the quality of its materials. Some accessories are provided to improve its ergonomics when camping. If it lacks a bit of power, it’s because it only includes one solar panel. In return, you have the option of plugging it into a power outlet, thus transforming it into an external battery. Finally, it has Qi technology, which allows wireless charging.

The X-Dragon 40W is solid, durable and ergonomic. Its connectivity offers multiple possibilities, so much so that it can charge your smartphones as well as your laptops. It easily absorbs the sun’s energy thanks to its SolarIQ technology, even in gloomy weather. Its exceptional power results in a design of eight solar panels, ensuring an excellent conversion rate. In addition, it benefits from multiple protections.

Very popular and easy to carry, this solar charger is visually pleasing and has an ergonomic format. Its resistance to shocks, dust and rain ensures reliability in all weather conditions. Especially since it charges at an impressive speed, without discriminating against certain devices. In addition, it includes a very practical LED lamp. Despite everything, the power of its competitor pushes us to place it only as an alternative.

our selection

Our Pick, Best Mid-Range	best cheap	Best high end	Mid-range alternative
Big Blue 28W	Blavor PN-W05	X-Dragon 40W	Hiluckey Hi S025
Thanks to its ammeter and its four panels, this solar charger adapts to the energy needs of your devices. But it is above all its power guaranteeing fast charging that makes it so popular.	Light and easy to carry, it also acts as an external battery. It incorporates a practical compass and lamp for hiking or camping. Plus, it includes Qi wireless charging technology.	It has great power and an excellent conversion rate useful for those who carry more energy-consuming devices and/or in greater numbers. Resistant and protected, it works even in mixed weather.	If a solar charge allows it to last about a week, it also has a very practical rechargeable battery. Compact and resistant, it recharges quickly and allows the simultaneous charging of two devices.
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Honorable mentions

X-Dragon 20W ($41.99 at publication): This waterproof nylon model features three solar panels and two USB ports. It can charge a tablet, a smartphone or even an electronic cigarette. Its 20 W power guarantees the simultaneous charging of two devices. SolarIQ technology regulates current and it has surge protection. Finally, if it is foldable and easily transportable with its carabiner, users also find it imposing and fragile.

Anker Powerport 21W ($59.99 at time of posting): It has three solar panels which are made of polyester fabric. They are equipped with PowerIQ and Voltage Boost technologies for fairly fast charging. Its power is 21 W. Lightweight (only 417 g), it folds up for easy transport in a bag. Its smartphone pocket, eyelets and other accessories increase its practicality. While effective in full sun, it is less effective in shade. In addition, it is not waterproof.

Sunslice Photon ($99.95 at time of posting): Unbeatably lightweight at just 220g, this charger is made with premium materials. It is foldable and has a built-in battery. Your phone is charged in just 3 hours. Although it’s a little less than other models in its range, we have no complaints about this value index. Unfortunately, its quality/price ratio is a bit disproportionate compared to its competitors when we focus on its power and its features.

How to choose your solar charger?

Solar chargers have several times saved the lives of many hikers by infusing power into their devices. But with the number of models on the market, the choice is sometimes difficult.

Before starting your search, it should be clarified that a solar charger is not equivalent to an external battery. Chargers are intended for outdoor use and are generally bulkier. But that said, as long as the sun is out, they never suffer a breakdown, unlike external batteries. It is also more economical.

Thus, based on this precision, we have determined the criteria to monitor according to your use and the environment in which you wish to take advantage of it:

• The number and type of ports : most solar chargers on the market are equipped with USB ports. They are equipped with a higher amperage to meet the needs of the latest generation smartphones and tablets, which consume a lot of energy. Often the device also has other ports for charging other equipment like a camera or camera.
• Ease of use : this criterion mainly concerns the automatic restart technology. This allows the charger to turn off automatically when a cloud appears but it is also supposed to turn on by itself in direct sunlight. Often, chargers come with a pouch that is used to put your devices in the shade.
• Weight : to slip your charger into your backpack and practice walking, it is important not to weigh yourself down with additional weight. To consider the importance of weight, determine what the charger is used for.
• Portability : Most of them feature collapsible solar panels, making them easier to store and transport. Thus, the product becomes compact and space-saving
• Versatility : some have USB ports with different amperages, namely 2.1 A for tablets and 1 A for smartphones. On the other hand, if you want to power other devices that only charge using a wall outlet, you absolutely need a converter. The concern is that a large part of the current is lost during the conversion.
• Accessories : sometimes there are eyelets allowing you to hang them on a backpack, a camping tent or even a tree. Accessories include adapters, load indicators, carabiners and lamps.
• Solar capture : its position influences its capture. Once the solar energy is captured, it transforms it into electricity. The higher the conversion rate, the more electricity a charger has and the more it can transmit.
• The charging speed : this depends on the current flow, the output current and the type of device. The first two elements of this criterion are an indication of the power of the charger and it is this power which determines the charging speed.

Our Pick: BigBlue 28W

This fairly light and robust solar charger accompanies you during your hikes or a festival because it is easily transportable. Its performance is already undeniable because it captures a lot of energy to transform it into electricity, but also because it is resistant to rain. With the help of the ammeter, it thus outputs great power and thus offers fast recharging. It has a pocket and adjusts its refill according to the device detected.

The BigBlue 28W offers good durability thanks to its waterproof material. Its weight is estimated between 400 and 600 grams, which remains light.

With its four foldable panels, it is easily transportable and secure thanks to a solid closure. These panels are wrapped in polymerized fabric to make it ergonomic. Either it attaches to a bag or it can be placed on the ground. So it’s perfect for hikes, music festivals or another outdoor activity.

Once connected, your smartphones can fit in the zipped pocket provided. However, it absorbs heat and we advise you to monitor its temperature to avoid possible overheating of your phone.

This device indicates the current flow through the ammeter when your phones or tablets are charging on both USB ports. This rate is adjusted automatically because the charger has an automatic restart function when the sun comes out.

The two USB ports, although a bit difficult to reach because of the ammeter, are protected from the rain thanks to rubber. They have an output current of 2.4 A each and the charger can deliver a power of 28 W. You benefit from high charging speed (in 1h30, your smartphone will be recharged). However, it is not equipped with a built-in battery.

The ammeter allows you to see when to adjust the positions of the device so that it better captures solar energy. Its solar yield is increased through its higher energy-to-electricity conversion rate.

In summary, it is a very advantageous quality/price ratio and its popularity is justified: it is unanimous on the market!

The best cheap solar charger: Blavor PN-W05

Compact, this solar charger is easy to carry. It is resistant to splashes and raindrops thanks to the quality of its materials. Some accessories are provided to improve its ergonomics when camping. If it lacks a bit of power, it’s because it only includes one solar panel. In return, you have the option of plugging it into a power outlet, thus transforming it into an external battery. Finally, it has Qi technology, which allows wireless charging.

IPX4 certified, the PN-W05 is splash and shock resistant. Lightweight and compact, it measures 7 x 15 x 1.5 cm and fits easily into a backpack.

This model features high quality ABS flame retardant materials to compose a strong lithium polymer battery. Everything goes through its one and only solar panel.

Regarding the accessories, it comes with a double flashlight and a compass. Moreover, it is perfect for hiking, camping or climbing.

With a maximum capacity of 10000 mAh, it charges your smartphone two to three times. It includes two USB ports and one type-C input port of 5V 2.1A each.

However, it does not benefit from intensive energy given its low conversion rate. However, the device can also be charged via a power outlet.

It can act as a Qi wireless charger but the equipment must be compatible with this technology.

Finally, the Blavor brand offers excellent after-sales service to its customers.

The best high-end solar charger: X-Dragon 40W

The X-Dragon 40 W is solid, resistant and ergonomic. Its connectivity offers multiple possibilities, so much so that it can charge your smartphones as well as your laptops. It easily absorbs the sun’s energy thanks to its SolarIQ technology, even in gloomy weather. Its exceptional power results in a design of eight solar panels, ensuring an excellent conversion rate. In addition, it benefits from multiple protections.

Its compact and slim design displays 1.16 kg on the scale. It is therefore quite heavy. The device is designed for outdoor use with water and weather resistance. In addition, it is protected against short circuits and other dangerous systems.

The panels of this equipment are made from photovoltaic cells combined with premium materials and a high efficiency circuit. They guarantee unequaled reliability.

Equipped with a hook, it can be hung on a backpack with the four carabiners provided or simply placed on the ground. On its front facade, there are eight solar panels for this fully foldable model both along its length and its width. When folded, it is quite easy to transport.

As accessories, it is equipped with a DC cable, a 10 in 1 connector cable to connect it to different laptops. At the output, it has a 5V/2A USB port to charge your mobile devices as well as an 18V output to charge other larger ones such as a laptop. On the other hand, the power cable is a bit short and this prevents the phone from being sheltered from the sun.

It features SolarIQ technology that automatically adjusts current and voltage so that charged equipment receives maximum charging power in direct sunlight.

Finally, its charging time is estimated at around 2 hours. This remains a reasonable time. The X-Dragon is powerful and benefits from such an efficient conversion rate that it draws energy from the sun even when the weather is not very nice outside.

A mid-range alternative: Hiluckey Hi S025

Very popular and easy to carry, this solar charger is visually pleasing and has an ergonomic format. Its resistance to shocks, dust and rain ensures reliability in all weather conditions. Especially since it charges at an impressive speed, without discriminating against certain devices. In addition, it includes a very practical LED lamp.

This model is available in different versions, each one differing in terms of its capabilities. We have chosen to tell you about the one that has a capacity of 25,000 mAh. It comes in a compact format with a correct weight of 538 g, an attractive design and beautiful finishes.

Like the others, its four solar panels are foldable. The set attaches to a backpack, making it ideal for your camping vacation or hiking.

It is waterproof, but let’s be clear: if it resists heavy rains, it cannot be totally immersed in a pool. On the other hand, it copes with shocks and dust.

It is possible to charge two devices simultaneously thanks to the two USB ports which each deliver a significant power of 2.1 A. So if the product has taken the sun well, it can charge a phone in less than two hours.

As long as there is sunshine, you can go without electricity for a week, which makes it a reliable model. In addition, it binds to various products, ranging from the electronic cigarette to the tablet through the smartphone.

Finally, it incorporates a lithium battery, also rechargeable with a power outlet. The small LED lamp located at the back of it is qualitative and can be modulated according to three levels.

Very reliable, it does not fail to impress its users, as many of them testify on the Web. Despite everything, the power of its competitor pushes us to place it as an alternative.

Sources

1. Digital Trends, The best solar chargers for your phone or tablet, November 25, 2020
2. iMore, Best Solar Chargers for your iPhone 2020, November 25, 2020
3. Outdoor GearLab, Best Portable Solar Charger of 2020, November 25, 2020
4. Wirecutter, The Best Portable Solar Battery Charger, November 25, 2020