When it comes to choosing the best solar-powered chargers, there are many to choose from. Some solar chargers are small units that only provide a few Watts of power. Other camping solar panel units can provide as much as 40 Watts.
Choosing the best solar panel charger for camping can help keep all your digital products powered up even in the most remote areas imaginable. Lightweight, compact and small charging panels harness the sun’s energy to keep your phone charging.
The Best Solar Power Chargers for Camping
1. BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Camping Solar Charger
The camping solar power charger by BigBlue is one of the best off-grid charging solutions you can buy. The high-quality solar cells operate at 21% efficiency and provide 28 Watts of charging power at 2.4A. This folding solar-powered cell phone unit comes with 3 USB ports and a handy pocket for charging 2 devices simultaneously.
Another advantage of this top buy is the fact that it automatically resumes charging if it becomes cloudy. One thing to consider is that the unit is slightly heavier than others on this list.
Pros:
- Inexpensive compared to other solar power cell chargers and works impressively in cloudy conditions.
- Good durability and fast charging while off-grid
Specs:
- 28 Watts, 5 Volts, 2.4 Amps
2. Instapark Mercury 27Watt Portable Solar Power Charger for Camping
Another good quality solar panel for charging while camping is this 27W unit from Instapark. Its reasonable cost and good charging capabilities make this a contender for top buy. In addition to the 5V USB charging ports, you also get a 12V DC charging port. This means that you can use this to charge 12V battery packs on your camping trip.
The lightweight folding portable cell phone charger also has a built-in pocket to protect the charge controller and charging device.
Pros:
- Lightweight and a good cost-effective charging solution
- Can charge multiple devices at the same time thanks to 2 USB ports
Specs:
- 27 Watts, 12 Volts, 2.4 Amps
3. Nekteck 21W Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
The Nekteck is a good, cost-effective backpacking solar charger for keeping your devices charged on the move. This lightweight portable unit provides 21 watts of solar energy and each of the 2 ports is 2.0A. Like most other models on this list, this cell phone solar charger is, on average, 23% efficient. The high-speed charging can power all types of smartphones. This model is easy to take with you on any type of camping trip.
Pros:
- Latest technology ensures fast charging and the unit comes complete with charging cables
- Lightweight compared to other models on this list and has a convenient storage pocket
Specs:
- 21 Watts, 2.0 Amps
4. Ryno Tuff Solar Charger Dual USB Solar Panel Charger
This solar-powered cell phone charger by Ryno Tuff is one of the most efficient camping power solutions here. The portable, lightweight unit is waterproof and the USB ports are well protected. The charging panels work at 25% efficiency to provide 21 Watts of off-grid power in full sunshine. You can easily attach this to your backpack or hang at your camping area to harness the sun’s energy.
Pros:
- This compact lightweight is unit made from durable materials and comes with a lifetime warranty
- Charges any USB device in super fast time
Specs:
- 21 Watts, 5 Volts, 2.4 Amps
5. Foxelli Dual USB Solar Charger 21 Watts for Camping and Outdoors
The Foxelli solar charging unit is a good choice for getting power when you are on any outdoor adventure. The 21W unit is 24% efficient and has 2 USB charging ports that provide up to 3.5A in total. This means that you can quickly charge your Android smartphone or iPhone even when it’s cloudy. This is a quality durable solar charging unit that comes with built-in pockets and hanging loops for ease of use.
Pros:
- Good robust solar-power unit that charges even on cloudy days
- Many reviewers describe this unit as a solid camping charger for a reasonable price
Specs:
- 21 Watts, 5 Volts, 3.5 Amps
How to Choose the Best Solar Panels Chargers for Camping
Before you buy a highly-recommended charging solar panel, you should know what your off-grid power needs are. If you need to charge multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, or even a laptop, you will need the appropriate charging device.
For example, smaller 5W or 7W units are cheaper but may only charge one device at a time. More powerful units will collect and convert the sun’s energy quicker. These types of portable chargers are also better if you need to charge a few devices while camping.
Other factors to consider are the number of USB charging ports and the length of time it takes to charge your cell phone using solar power. Some other good devices for charging your phone while camping also include a battery for continuous charging.
Also, look for products that are weatherproof and have a built-in pocket to safely store your smartphone while it is charging.
Camping Solar Panel Kits: What you need to know
To make the best choice when deciding on the best type of camping solar panel, it’s important to know the terminology. Here are some important terms about charging solar panels for camping:
- Efficiency. The efficiency rating is the percentage of the sun’s power that gets converted. The best solar charging panels for camping are between 16 and 25% efficiency.
- Monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panel cells. Both of these technologies are highly efficient and good quality solar power charging cells.
- Electrical specs. Solar panel chargers for camping should be between 5 and 12 volts for good charging kits. If you plan to charge multiple devices at the same time, you should look for chargers that are at least 20 Watts. You will also need at least 2.4 amperes for good and efficient solar charging.
In Summary
This concludes our review of 5 of the best solar panel chargers for camping. We sincerely hope the review has cleared up some of the confusion that comes with deciding just what your very own personal requirements are when it comes to camping with solar. Happy camping!