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

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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

For more of our top hiking & backpacking gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:

Best Hiking Backpacks

Best Backpacking Tents

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Best Backpacking Stoves

Best Hiking Boots For Men (and Women)

Best Hiking Shoes For Men (and Women)

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