Best Solar Battery Chargers

When you think about solar power, you probably think of large-scale solar farms or houses with small banks of solar panels on their roofs. However, solar technology can also be small. For instance, there are a number of solar-powered chargers on the market that are suitable for phones, MP3 players, computers, and other electronic devices. A solar charger can be a great option if you take your devices with you to places without convenient charging locations, like taking your phone on a hike. Although they aren’t large enough to power every tool you might own, solar chargers can do an excellent job of keeping your phone or other small device powered and running. Here are some ways to find a good one.

Single-panel: Since they only have one panel to capture solar energy, single-panel chargers are best for phones and other small devices.

Multi-panel: As the name suggests, multi-panel chargers have a number of solar panels, which means that they can provide a greater amount of energy to your devices, and are also better-equipped to work with larger devices that require more energy.

Here are a few things reviewers write about when giving feedback on the solar chargers they have purchased:

• Speed: It’s understood that a solar charger won’t work quite as quickly as one that is plugged into a power outlet, but with great chargers, there isn’t too much of a trade-off in charging speed.

• Performance in different light levels: Just about all of the higher-rated chargers work well in bright, direct sunlight (after all, that’s what they’re designed to do), but the best models also work well when things get a bit cloudy or when the sun starts to set.

• Full charging: With solar chargers, it’s generally understood that their function is to keep the phone or other device running, although in many cases, they don’t generate enough power to fully charge the device (especially when it is about to run out of energy altogether). Still, the better the charger, the closer it will get a device to a full charge.

• Portability: Since they are meant to be portable devices, the best models are ones that are lightweight, compact, and easy to carry.

• Wattage: The specifications for each charger include a description of the power (in watts) that the charger can produce. Be sure to pick a charger that will give you all the power you need.

• Device compatibility: When selecting a charger, be sure to pick one that will work with as many devices as you will likely need to charge; if you can’t find one that works with all of your devices, pick one that will work with your most essential tools.

• Power bank: Look for a model that features a power bank, which is an energy storage device. That way, if there is insufficient sunlight for the charger to work at full capacity, you’ll still have some energy left over to charge your phone.

ALLPOWERS: ALLPOWERS is a producer of chargers, cables, and other power equipment for a variety of electronic devices.

Anker: Anker produces chargers for computers, phones, and other electronic devices, as well as a variety of other aftermarket accessories.

Levin: Levin makes a number of chargers, cases, and other accessories for electronic equipment.

Poweradd: Poweradd produces batteries, chargers, and other equipment for computers and other electronic devices.

Goal Zero: Goal Zero is a company that manufactures a number of solar-powered chargers and other devices.