Running Low in the Outdoors, Solar Chargers for Your Battery Needs

More and more people tend to use electronic devices in the outdoors. Running low on battery power may become troublesome in some situations. You may suddenly need an extra battery to power your gear. In these cases, you should definitely consider using solar chargers as a supplemental source of energy in case you find that your device is running low on battery while you are enjoying the great outdoors.

Solar chargers are also the best help when it comes to long trips during which your device may need multiple recharges. They are normally portable, and some are pocket-sized. There are also some chargers that come in a larger size. You can use these great set-ups during camping or anywhere that you find that may not be equipped with a primary source of electricity.

The following are reviews of some of the best solar chargers that you can buy on Amazon today.

1. Ayyie Solar Charger

The Ayyie Solar Charger is a perfect option for travelers. Being water, shock and dustproof, it proves to be a convenient source of supplemental energy. Once full, you will be able to charge most phones at least twice. The item is featured with a compass and 2 LED flashlight which will provide more convenience during your trip. This battery charger with a solar panel can recharge by either solar or outlet. Of course, it will take more time to charge by solar energy as it’s subject to sunlight intensity and a panel conversion rate.

Pros

• You can charge two devices simultaneously as it has dual USB ports
• It has an extra Compass whistler for emergency purposes
• Lightweight and no bigger than a large phone, easy to carry
• It’s water-resistant, dust-resistant, and shock-proof
• 5V/1A, 5V/2.1A outputs are available for most digital equipment, 2.1A port for iPad/Tablets, 1A ports for phone/Bluetooth or other 5V USB supported devices.

Cons

• Since it is a small unit, it will take a long time to charge the battery fully.

2. Gold Zero Nomad 7

This device will never weigh you down. It will charge your phone quickly since it has no internal battery. The charger is weatherproof. You can simultaneously charge USB and 12 V devices since it has three ports. It is easily portable and folds up nice and flat. The charger features an auto restart which gives additional value to the device.

Pros

• Equipped with three ports so you can simultaneously charge three devices
• The folded system comes with a storage pocket on the outside
• The device will charge anything that can usually be charged via a USB plug
• Has a Ziploc bag that allows charging sensitive items to stay safe in the rain
• Easy-to-read LED indicator display strength of solar conditions
• Comes with two carabiners to attach it to a backpack

Cons

• iOS7 will reject the device if the charge is not enough, so you might find it to be tricky if you try recharging your device while on the move
• It is not a super lightweight unit if you compare it with 3 ounces of the Creative Edge, but you will get four times more power

3. AKEEM Portable 24000mAh External

This charger features the latest dual input port and solar charging technology. It supports multiple devices charging at once. With the support of 24000 mAH battery, the unit ensures the highest output for 3 USB ports （5V / 2.1A,5V / 2.1A, 5V / 2.1A. It usually takes about 23-24 hours to be fully recharged via 1A charger, but only 11-12 hours recharge with 5V/2.

Pros

• You can charge your iPhone 8 about eight times, iPhone 8 plus over five times, a Galaxy S8 up to 5 times, or an iPad Mini more than three times with 24000mAh capacity
• Strong and durable outer casing
• Usually takes about 7-8hrs to recharge depending on the sun
• Intelligent battery pack. It turns off itself when it detects no devices plugging in.

Cons

• It is a bit heavy, but it has a lot of battery life

4. Nekteck Solar Charger 10000 mAh

Nekteck is an efficient solar charger that is also good for your budget. The device comes with a dual USB port so that you can charge two units at once. It has also features an LED flashlight that works perfectly well in the darkness. This device will be handy during emergencies.

Pros

• 1000+ recharge cycles over the life of the battery
• Built-in 10000mAh battery
• Comes with Li-Polymer battery which is one of the safest battery in the world. They do not explode, even if over-heated
• It has a rugged, nonslip design and withstands shocks and drops and even getting rained on
• It will charge your phone, like Samsung Galaxy, 3-4 times once fully charged
• Lightweight
• The unit operates both on the outlet and solar energy

Cons

• The compact solar panel size takes a long time to charge

5. Yolk Solar Paper

Yolk Solar Paper is one of the most competitive solar chargers on the market. You can charge your iPhone 5 within 2.5 hours. It is an expandable unit, and if you need to charge larger devices, you can just add additional panels. Compared to competitors, it is only 1/3 of the weight and 1/8 of the volume. Best for long trips and hiking.

Cons

• Fast charging time compared to other similar devices on the market
• Expandable using magnets
• Can be plugged into any device
• Resets itself every time solar charger was under the shade
• Super thin and light

Pros

• Doesn’t contain any internal battery so it can’t store the energy
• More expensive option

Final Remarks

Your choice of the solar charger will depend on how much you are going to use it. To decide the type of solar charger you want, it is a good idea to look at the mAh sign. It is “milliampere hour” or the runtime (the length of operating time) the battery will deliver on one charge. It means that the higher the mAh, the longer the runtime will be. Bigger batteries are labeled in ampere-hours (1 Ah = 1000 mAh).

If you are hiking all the time, or you need it during emergencies, high-power solar chargers are right for you. For charging your phone up to 3-4 times, you can go with something inexpensive.