10 Best Solar Power Banks

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Finding yourself in an emergency situation is never good, however, getting ready is an important part of any camping trip or outdoor activity planning.

Besides counting on your emergency kit, another device that you must also consider is a solar power bank. These devices are strongly designed to resist outdoor conditions and factors such as water, dust, and shocks. All of them include flashlights to act as emergency light sources with SOS modes of operation.

More than just for using under emergency situations, you can also normally use these power banks as battery packs to charge your smartphones and even tablets when no AC power source is available. Especially in camping situations where you will probably be located in the wild close to forests or beaches, having a power bank with flashlights that can recharge with solar power, is an excellent gadget that should not be missing in your backpack. Now let’s take a look at some of the most remarkable products available in the market.

10 Best-selling Solar Power Banks

1. Dualpow Portable Dual USB Solar Battery Charger 30,000mAh

The Dualpow solar power bank is a valuable device that can be used on multiple occasions when your electronics run out of energy.

There are mainly two charging options for this power bank. The first option is to plug it into a wall outlet and charge it directly using AC power, while the second one is by using direct sunlight to charge it. Small solar panels integrated into the power bank are capable of transforming solar energy into DC electricity which is later stored inside a lithium battery.

The battery capacity of this power bank is 30,000mAh which is enough for taking camping trips and participate in long term outdoor activities. The Dualpow solar power bank can charge two devices at the same time with a dual USB output. The first USB port has a 5V and 1A output, while the second one has a faster charging rated at 5V and 2A.

Useful features of this particular solar power bank are related to an integrated LED flashlight (practical during camping nights) and a hook that makes it highly portable. The flashlight is placed on the backside of the power bank with a button on the side to activate it (press twice the side button to turn the LED light on).

Due to the large capacity of the power bank, it is recommended that the battery is fully charged through a wall outlet and that the solar recharge option acts only as a complement to keep charge during trips.

2. Nexgadget Solar Charger 20000mAh, Qi Wireless Portable Solar Power Bank

Nexgadget has developed another very useful power bank that can be charged through solar power. The device has a built-in lithium-polymer battery with a 20,000mAh capacity that can be easily used to charge iPhones (4 times), iPads (2 times), tablets as well as other smartphones and electronics (3-4 times).

A very important property of this power bank is that it’s able to automatically adjust the charging current to protect electronics from undesirable effects like overcharging, over-current, over-voltage or short-circuits that could damage the performance of the devices. Moreover, the portable solar power bank includes two traditional USB outputs and 1 type-C output allowing to charge up to three devices at the same time.

The Nexgadget solar power bank can be fully charged within 6-8 hours by using the Micro-USB or Type-C inputs located in the bank and connecting them to an AC output. Using solar energy as a charging source is also possible thanks to its front side solar panels, however, they shouldn’t be used as a primary charging source.

Considering its uses, Nexgadget has designed a bright LED flashlight located in one of the sides with 3 modes of operation (steady, SOS and strobe) that can be useful in emergency situations and especially during nights. Manufactured to be resistant and durable, the outer case is made from ABS plastic material that protects the battery from shocks, drops, dust (IP6 dust protection) and even water (IP54 rainproof).

Another important feature of this product that makes it one of the best in the market is that it can wirelessly charge devices thanks to its Qi wireless charger (electrical energy transfer by induction between devices separated up to 4 cm) which allows charging the fourth device at the same time.

3. GoerTek 25000mAh Battery Solar Power Bank Portable Panel Charger

The GoerTek solar power bank is one of the most remarkable and requested products available in the market with remarkable performance and quality.

Using a black cover and a lithium-polymer battery with a 25,000mAh capacity, the power bank can be used for charging an iPhone XS for up to 7.4 times, a Galaxy S9 Plus for nearly 5.7 times and an iPad Pro for nearly 1.6 times assuming a full charge.

This solar power bank can get fully charged by a 5V/2A input adapter and get partially charged through solar power to keep the state of charge of the battery. The GoerTek device features a blue indicator light that turns on whenever the device is charging through the input adapter and turns on a green light indicator when the power bank is being charged through solar power.

At the same time, the power bank features 3 USB port outputs for charging gadgets and electronics. Besides, it has been designed with an ABS material to protect the power bank from any damage and features up to 36 LEDs spread across the entire surface of the power bank that act as a powerful lighting source under 3 modes of operation (low, medium and high).

Finally, the device has the ultimate waterproof protection with an IPX6 rating.

4. RLERON Solar Charger 25000mAh Power Bank Portable Charger Battery Pack

RLERON presents another unique and beautiful design for this quite requested power bank. Designed with solar panels that have a 17% energy conversion rate, you can use them to partially charge the 25,000mAh capacity of the battery bank during emergency situations in the wild.

This portable polymer battery features three USB ports with a 5V/2.4A output that allow you to recharge at the same time smartphones and tablets no matter where you are located. It also includes two inputs: Micro-USB and Type-C that can be used for charging the power bank at a much faster rate than using solar power.

Unlike other products in the market, this power bank features an LCD screen that shows the remaining energy capacity of the battery and that gives you a reference to know when you need to start charging it by solar power before it completely runs out of energy.

There is also an integrated flashlight with 3 LEDs for the night camping experience and you can count on 24 months of warranty by the brand when purchasing this product.

5. Tranmix Solar Charger 25000mAh Portable Power Bank

Tranmix offers this combination between the solar charger and solar power bank that brings up to 4 foldable solar panels with an added capacity up to 6W. Connecting your phone while using the solar panels to charge the battery bank will simultaneously charge both your phone and the power bank. The product also features a Micro-USB (12-15 hours to reach full charge) and Type-C input (22-25 hours for full charge) to charge it faster.

Regarding the power bank itself, it has a 25,000mAh capacity, enough to charge most phones up to 10 times and tablets over 3 times. Moreover, the battery also features a dual 2.0A output that allows you to charge 2 devices simultaneously with a 2A charging speed. Actually, by using a USB-A to USB-C cable adapter you may also charge your laptop.

The construction of this solar power bank has been made for the outdoors. In other words, it has a strong shock-resistant case that protects the battery and the solar panels from any damage, as well as emergency lights and waterproof protection that can last over 5 years with excellent performance. Super-bright LEDs have been built-in to act as an emergency light source with steady, SOS and strobe modes of operation.

6. Uplayteck Qi Wireless Charger 20000mAh Portable Power Bank

Another remarkable product in the market is the Uplayteck Qi Wireless portable power bank. Similar to the NexGadget product, this power bank has a 20,000mAh energy capacity and an intelligent charging feature that can automatically adjust the charging current to prevent any overcharging, over-voltage or short-circuit.

Using its two USB charging ports, its single Type-C port, and its Qi capability for wireless charging, the power bank can charge up to 4 devices at the same time. These devices vary from electronics such as the iPhoneXS (5-6 times), Galaxy S8+ (4-5 times) and iPad Pros (2-3 times).

Moreover, since it has been designed for the outdoors, the product also has an ABS protecting waterproof case material, shock and dustproof as well. This ensures that you can take your power bank to camp, fishing, hiking, trekking and more.

Moreover, you can use its integrated side flashlight as a lighting source in case you find yourself in an emergency situation. This lighting source can be activated under steady, SOS, and strobe modes.

7. Sozo 20,000mAh Capacity Solar Phone Charger

The Sozo solar power bank is another reliable choice for emergency situations. Equipped with a lithium battery capable of charging simple electronic devices such as smartphones and iPads with enough energy as to reliably charge them during a week.

The front side of the case is a 300mAh small portable solar panel with an excellent conversion rate that allows charging the power bank using direct sunlight as its only resource. On the other hand, the backside of the charger has a flashlight that spreads through the entire surface. The flashlight has three light settings and can work up to 72 hours on a full charge. As established by the manufacturer, two hours of full sunlight equal two hours of flashlight use under a solar power charging mode.

Due to the large battery capacity and the small size of the panel, it is not recommended to use solar power as its main charging source, since it would take nearly 84 hours of full sunlight to completely charge the power bank. Instead, use its USB inputs for fast charging.

The power bank features 3 USB ports and a Qi interface for wireless charging as well.

8. BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank 18W

Blavor developed another very interesting solar power bank with multiple features that make it worth it of consideration.

Starting with a 20,000mAh battery capacity, this power bank can get fully charged within 13 hours by AC power through the micro USB or Type C ports. Solar panels placed on the front side will allow you to use direct sunlight to partially charge the power bank as a secondary charging source.

The Blavor power bank features a 9V/2A USB port (18W max) and a quick charging 3.0 USB port as well. Moreover, the Qi technology is also integrated to perform wireless charging to Qi-enabled devices such as the Samsung galaxy S10/S10+ or the iPhone XS Max.

Designed for the outdoors, the case is strong and includes a small cover to protect outputs and inputs from dust. Besides, you can count on a bright flashlight with SOS, strobe and steady operation modes. Furthermore, a unique built-in compass kit is also included for emergency situations where you need orientation and lost your GPS. A handy tool for outdoor adventurers.

9. ZeroLemon 26800mAh Solarjuice USB C Solar Battery Charger Power Bank

The ZeroLemon solar power bank is another popular and quite requested product in the market. With up to 26800mAh of energy capacity, this product has one of the highest capacities among solar power banks.

Designed for those who enjoy a rustic lifestyle, the power bank is rain resistant, shockproof and dustproof as well. Moreover, despite having a compact structure, it has been designed with multiple options for charging devices such as Type-C, USB-C, and Quick Charging 3.0 outputs. The power bank also has a wide compatibility with multiple electronic products such as iPhone XS, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Nintendo Switch, Macbooks 2018/2017, and many more. The power bank can either be charged by a micro-USB input, the Type-C input or through solar power.

This power bank also features a unique LED flashlight that can switch between 4 light modes with a single click: Maximum brightness, low brightness, strobe, and SOS. All of these options and an aluminum hook that you can use for hanging on a backpack making it perfect for the people who enjoy going camping, trekking, or hiking.

10. Hiluckey Portable Solar Charger 24000mAh Solar Power Bank

The Hiluckey portable solar power bank is the final product of our list but not less valuable or important than the other models.

Suitable not only for emergency situations but also for daily life performance. Designed with a lithium-polymer battery pack that has up to 24,000mAh of capacity that can charge up to 10 times a Samsung or iPhone, while at the same time charge an iPad or Kindle between 3-4 times, long enough for a week of performance.

Its portable and lightweight design similar to another smartphone allows you to carry it everywhere you go, to the school, work or even just to the park.

The power bank is equipped with 3 foldable solar panels that make the charging process between 3 to 5 times faster when compared to other solar power banks. Moreover, the dual USB output located on the lower side of this power bank offers high-speed charging and also allows you to charge two devices at the same time.

Finally, featuring 9 bright LED lights, the power bank also acts as an emergency flashlight with normal, SOS and strobe modes of operation. Despite that it has been mainly intended for daily use, it can also be taken to camping trips thanks to its waterproof, dust and shockproof design.

Solar Power Bank’s Buyer Guide

Which Factors Should I Consider When Selecting Solar Power Banks?

Battery Capacity

The first detail that you should be looking at when selecting a solar power bank is related to the capacity of the battery. Most solar power banks will have installed a lithium or lithium-polymer battery with capacities ranging from 10,000mAh to 30,000mAh. Despite that you may find some with even higher capacities, their reliability and performance are not as ensured as it is with products in this capacity range.

The capacity provides a reference for how long a solar power bank would last charging electronic devices (mainly smartphones and tablets). The higher capacity means a longer performance on a single charge but also means a longer time to fully charge the power bank.

It is important to know that solar power banks are not intended to get charged by solar energy as a primary source of energy when they are fully discharged since it would take too much time to reach a full charge. Maybe those power banks with capacities at 10,000mAh could take between 4-5 days of full sunlight to completely charge the bank, but those with capacities at 20,000mAh could take as much as 10-12 days.

Choose the battery capacity that better adjusts to your needs. If it’s for personal daily use then maybe with power banks between 10,000mAh-15,000mAh may be enough, but if it´s intended for more people or many days, then it is better to choose capacities between 20,000mAh and 25,000mAh.

Charging Options

The charging options are also an essential factor to consider. A good solar power bank should have as many USB ports as possible to increase the number of devices that can get charged simultaneously. Typically, you will find solar power banks with at least two USB ports, however, some will have also have Type-C ports or even Qi Wireless technology. Depending on whether you have Type-C input or Qi-enabled devices, you will realize if the power bank is useful for you or not. If you don’t have devices with these features, then you should select a power bank with three or more conventional USB/Quick Charge USB ports.

Additional Features

Many solar power banks will have similar charging options or capacities, therefore, additional features will make the difference between one and the other.

The main feature that makes a difference between one and the other is the flashlight. The number of flashlight settings available, the intensity of light and also the number of LEDs can be very different from each other.

Other features such as steel loops, the cover case, aesthetic designs, dust, and waterproof ratings can also influence your decision. Finally, costs and warranties can never be forgotten.

How Long Will the Power Bank Take To Get Fully Charged By Solar Energy?

The time for the power bank to get fully charged is extremely dependent on the battery capacity, the solar panel power rating, and the solar energy losses.

To give an example, we can take the Tranmix 25,000mAh solar power bank. In this case, the product has integrated foldable solar panels that add up to 6W in nominal power capacity. We can estimate what is the time that will be required to fully charge this battery pack only with solar by using the following expression:

As you can see, it would take nearly 30 hours to completely charge the Tranmix solar power bank using solar energy alone. Meaning that assuming 8 hours of sunlight per day, the power bank would take almost 4 days to get fully charged. As you can see, that is considerably more than the 12-15 h required to charge the power bank using the micro-USB port input.

Conclusions

We have evaluated some of the top solar power banks available in the market addressing their features, specs, and particular advantages. As we have discussed previously, power banks are extremely useful for day-to-day situations, for camping or any outdoor experience and especially for emergency situations.

Among other things, you must also be aware of the compatible gadgets or electronics with each power bank. Despite that we mainly focused on charging tablets and smartphones, the truth is that other gadgets such as GPS, portable speakers, radios, GoPros, and laptops can also get charged with these devices, all you need to do is to check for compatibility. Keep in mind that solar power is used as alternative charging source and only for maintaining or recovering the state of charge in large solar power banks.

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