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      Best Hiking Solar Chargers of 2022

      Updated on May 25, 2022

      You’re about to take the perfect nature pic with your cell phone. Right when you need it most, your phone dies. You’re nowhere near an outlet so how will you recharge? The best hiking solar chargers will help you power your electronics even when you’re out in the wild.

      Taking a few extra pairs of AA batteries on your hike won’t do the trick. Today, most electronics rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. You’ll need an external charger to keep your electronic devices running on your hike. Luckily, there are reliable, lightweight solar chargers that can recharge your devices.

      One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to help you when it comes to gearing up for the outdoors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to consider when buying a hiking solar charger and show you our selection of the best models available.

      For more of our top hiking gear recommendations, check out the Best Hiking Headlamps. 

       

      Quick Answer The Best Hiking Solar Chargers

      Anker Port 21View at AmazonBioLite 10+View at REIBig Blue 28WView at AmazonECEEN 13WView at AmazonGoal Zero Torch 250 FlashlightView at AmazonGoal Zero Venture 30 Solar KitView at BackcountryNekteck Solar ChargerView at AmazonX-Dragon Solar ChargerView at Amazon

       

      Comparison Table Best Hiking Solar Chargers

      For the best experience turn your device horizontally

      Name Battery Weight Output Capacity Price Rating Review
      Anker Port 21 No 14.7 oz 21 Watts $$ 4.8 Read Review
      BioLite 10+ Yes 1 lb. 3.4 oz. 10 Watts $$$ 4.7 Read Review
      Big Blue 28W No 20.6 oz 28 Watts $$ 4.4 Read Review
      ECEEN 13W No 0.85 lbs 13 Watts $ 4.3 Read Review
      Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight Yes 14.4 oz 1 Watt $ 4.4 Read Review
      Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Kit Yes 1.5 lbs 7 Watts $$ 4.1 Read Review
      Nekteck Solar Charger No 1.4 lbs 20 Watts $ 4.6 Read Review
      X-Dragon Solar Charger No 1.34 lbs 20 Watts $ 4.4 Read Review
      Name Battery Weight Output Capacity Price Rating Review

      Reviews The Best Solar Chargers for Hiking

      Anker Port 21

      Specs

      Weight: 14.7 ozOutput Capacity: 21 WattsBattery: No

      Features

      Charging speed up to 2.4 amps per port or 3 amps overall under direct sunlightEnough power to charge two devices simultaneouslyCompact size

      BEST OVERALL SOLAR CHARGER

      PROS: Ability to charge multiple devices, performs well in cloudy conditions.

      CONS: The small, built-in pocket that barely serves to hold even the shortest of cords and small accessories.

      View at Amazon

      BioLite 10+

      Specs

      Weight: 1 lb. 3.4 oz.Output Capacity: 10 WattsBattery: Yes

      Features

      360° kickstand with integrated sundial to optimize solar chargingUltraslimIPX4 rating means this can withstand splashing water from any angle

      BEST FOR: LONG TERM DURABILITY

      PROS: The combined durability of the panel and built-in battery pack, integrated battery pack.

      CONS: Only equipped with one USB port.

      View at REI

      Big Blue 28W

      Specs

      Weight: 20.6 ozOutput Capacity: 28 WattsBattery: No

      Features

      3 USB charging portsHigh Energy ConversionAttached Micro USB cable

      BEST IN CLASS FOR FAST CHARGING

      PROS: Reasonably priced for something so efficient.

      CONS: Heavy and bulky.

      View at Amazon

      ECEEN 13W

      Specs

      Weight: 0.85 lbsOutput Capacity: 13 WattsBattery: No

      Features

      EfficientUSB smart outputCompact sizeZipper pack design

      BEST FOR: LIGHTWEIGHT GEAR LOVERS

      PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, comes with micro USB cable, attachments and carabiners to hang solar panels, built-in stand to adjust panel direction, does well in less sunny conditions

      CONS: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, built-in stand isn’t flexible

      View at Amazon

      Goal Zero Torch 250 Flashlight

      Specs

      Weight: 14.4 ozOutput Capacity: 1 WattBattery: Yes

      Features

      Flashlight, floodlight, and emergency light all-in-oneTwo power modesIntegrated USB portsLong-lasting, rechargeable 4400mAh battery lithium battery7-48 hours run timeIncludes solar panel, USB charger, and hand crank

      BEST FOR: MULTI-USE

      PROS: Solar panel + internal battery; battery is rechargeable via solar, USB, or hand crank,can be used as a flashlight, integrated charging cable, rugged

      CONS: Bulky, battery is slow to recharge, crank is inefficient, solar panel is small and can be inefficient in areas with less sunlight

      View at AmazonView at Backcountry

      Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Kit

      Specs

      Weight: 1.5 lbsOutput Capacity: 7 WattsBattery: Yes

      Features

      Built-in micro USBCharges in 4 hours via USBCharges in 9 hours via sunlight7,800mAh power packWaterproof2 high-speed USB ports

      BEST FOR: HIKING, CAMPING, AND BACKPACKING

      PROS: Solar panel + rechargeable battery pack, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, battery pack can recharge via solar or USB, built-in micro USB cable, two USB ports to power two devices at once, attachments to hang solar panels

      CONS: Expensive, can be sensitive to salt water, charges best when facing the sun, battery pack is slow to recharge

      View at Backcountry

      Nekteck Solar Charger

      Specs

      Weight: 1.4 lbsOutput Capacity: 20 WattsBattery: No

      Features

      Three solar Monocrystalline panelsEfficientUSB ports for charging two devices simultaneouslyIncluded attachment hook

      BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND USE

      PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, weather-resistant, two USB ports to power two devices at once, comes with micro USB cable, does well in less sunny conditions

      CON: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, heavy, panels become very hot in sunlight, can warp in heat

      View at Amazon

      X-Dragon Solar Charger

      Specs

      Weight: 1.34 lbsOutput Capacity: 20 WattsBattery: No

      Features

      Built-in smart IC chipDual-USB powerHigh efficiencyWater resistant

      BEST FOR: VALUE

      PROS: Inexpensive, charges electronics quickly, foldable, two USB ports to power two devices at once, comes with micro USB cable, attachments to hang solar panels

      CONS: Doesn’t include external/internal battery, not weather-resistant, not durable

      View at Amazon

       

       

      HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HIKING SOLAR CHARGERS

      AMPERAGE, WATTAGE, AND VOLTAGE

      Look at the packaging for solar chargers, and you’ll see a lot of language about amps, watts, and volts. To understand what you’re getting, you need to know what these words mean.

       

      WATTAGE

      Wattage (watts) is a measure of power. As Goal Zero explains it, a watt-hour measures the power flow that occurs over one hour. Wattage is the measure of the solar panel’s power output capacity.

       

      AMPERAGE

      Amperage (amps) measures electrical current. The amp-hour is the amount of time a battery can supply that current.

       

      VOLTAGE

      Voltage (volts) is defined by About.com as the “electric potential energy per unit charge.” If you aren’t science minded that definition probably sounds abstract. Essentially, it’s the charge stored in a battery.

      What does this mean? You want to know if your solar charger can supply the power you need. To get there, you can use a simple equation: watt – hours = amp – hours x volts

      If there are devices you want to keep charged, find out their amp-hour and volt information. Plug those numbers into the formula. The answer will help you find what kind of wattage you need your solar charger to supply.

       

      EXTERNAL BATTERY

      Some solar panels include an external or internal battery. A traditional solar panel only works when the sun is out. Daylight may not be the best time for you to repower your electronics. This additional battery charges from the solar panels during the day. This lets you harness the energy from your solar panels at night.

      For external batteries, there’s one more confusing abbreviation you need to learn: mAh. A mAh is a milliamp-hour, which measures battery capacity. This is the current that’s discharged by your charger over the course of an hour.

      According to Ubergizmo, the bigger the number, the more energy your unit can store. If you’re going to use charger paired with an external or internal battery, select one with a large mAh number.

       

      CHARGING EFFICIENCY

      Some solar panels can take 18 hours or more to power an external charger or electronic device. That amount of time exceeds daylight hours in most places. If you need to recharge your electronics a lot, choose a solar panel that can charge faster.

      You should also consider the weather in your region when you select a solar charger. Most solar panels struggle to charge in cloudy weather. However, some fare worse than others. If you’re hiking in the rainy season, solar panel efficiency can make all the difference.

       

      OUTPUT CONNECTIONS

      How many devices will you be charging? What kind of cords will you need to plug into your charger?

      Most solar chargers have at least one USB port to connect your electronics. Some even have multiple connection points to charge several devices at once. Before you choose your solar charge, think about what you’ll need to charge while on the trail.

       

      SIZE AND WEIGHT

      Anytime you’re hiking or backpacking, size and weight is an important factor. The larger your solar panels, the more efficient they will be at charging. However, they’ll also take up more space in your backpack. Some solar chargers fold and take up very little space. Others are larger and bulkier.

      You’ll also need to consider the weight of your solar charger. There are some devices that are less than a pound. Others are between one to two pounds. You’ll have to choose whether the benefits of the larger devices are worth the tradeoff of extra weight.

      Need even more power while you hike? Check out our guide to the best solar backpacks.

       

      READ MORE

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