Solar Panel and Charger
Solar Panel and Charger
An USB solar charger is tiny battery that provides energy for your phone as well as other small electronic devices. It can also be used to charge a power bank or save energy.
We spent more than 60 hours testing 12 models before coming with the opinion that the Match USB Solar Charger is the most dependable portable solar charger. It can charge your devices and keep them connected in an emergency or when there is no power.
We discovered BigBlue’s BigBlue USB Solar Charger to be the strongest and most portable solar charger we tested. It also has three outlets (as as opposed to the two ports on some chargers) and an weatherproof port rescuer and a wide, soft variety of photos to capture every sun ray.
This model’s energy output may be comparable to other models, however, it’s lighter and smaller than other options. This makes it easier to carry in the backpack, daypack or emergency kit.
We also recommend the X-Dragon SunPower Solar Charger 20W if the BigBlue is not available. It came in second place to our top pick in regards to power output throughout the daytime. It also performed a bit better when the sun was peeking into the midday sun.
Although this model will be charging multiple devices as fast as our top choice, the X-Dragon does not have the useful extras like the charging port that is an additional feature and the protective port that make the BigBlue stand apart.
Solar Charger
If you’re planning on making a long-distance camping trip or traveling to an area without reliable power, use a USB solar power source. They are ideal for keeping on hand in the emergency bag. In this situation the top solar chargers can begin charging phones as big as an iPhone X. A few hours of sunshine is all that is required for the battery to be recharged. The USB charging station might not be the ideal choice under all conditions. Instead, you might think about a USB portable powerbank, USB-C notebooks, or AC-powered laptops. They are small enough to fit inside a paperback book and don’t be dependent on the weather.
However the battery pack or solar charger will only work with USB and USBC devices. This limits the appeal of these options for those who require power to go off grid for extended time. The equipment you’ll use will be larger or stationary charging devices such as laptops and televisions. We also have a guide to the top portable power sources.
What is the best way to select the right solar panel charger?
We started by selecting the most popular and well reviewed listings on Amazon and also reviews from review websites and websites that concentrate on tech and outdoor gear. We didn’t take poor overall ratings or low scores as a dealbreaker However, we removed any models that had patterns or a large number of negative reviews. This included models that had issues like slow or inconsistent performance, bowing, warping as well as power-related issues and other issues. These key features were considered prior to sending any model to test:
Power output and charging
Because you may not be able to charge a single phone at a time using an USB solar charger that is rated at lower than 10 watts. We only looked at models with at or above 10 watts. We favored models that had greater power, but we didn’t want the charger to be heavy.
We eschew chargers with only the one USB charge port. The two output ports are preferred by us, which allow the charging of another device, or share the power with other devices. Extra ports are a plus. Each port should draw at least one amp for a full charge of an iPhone X in just three to four hours.
Size
The ideal portable chargers should be small enough to fold away solar panels and put them in a daypack. It should not weigh more than an iPad. We also discovered that having more surface area was more effective at capturing sun’s elusive rays on daytime clouds, so we removed models with more than two screens. We’ve seen disappointing results using small brick-style models that include an integrated battery. We did not want a solar-powered charger to be too heavy for backpackers and hike-in campers. We did not weigh more than a pound in each model we tried.
Warranty and reliability
We looked over the website of the company and contacted customer service to confirm that each model was manufactured and distributed by a trusted brand. They were also offered for sale, which is likely to sell quickly, and covered by warranty for up to one year.
Extras
We also considered any extra characteristics that a charger may come with. Solar chargers can be made more user-friendly by using a magnetic closure, as well as the built-in kickstand, if it’s capable of generating energy and charging up three devices.
The majority of chargers we tested had the USB-to-Micro USB cable. However, some chargers (like Anker’s 3-foot cable) were more durable and more robust than other. Some chargers had carabiners. While the carabiners weren’t heavy and bulky, they liked the ability to hang them from tents or backpacks.
Price
The solar chargers priced over $100 don’t have any significant advantages over models priced under $100 or are too bulky and heavy for casual campers or emergency kits. On the other hand, solar chargers that are priced low generally do not have enough power or charge fast enough to make them worth the cost.
We’ve had to deal with chargers that are too weak or do not charge fast enough. We were left with four chargers that satisfied our requirements for the highest output, weight, size, availability, nice-to-have and price. The first top choice was the Anker fast charging support PowerPort solar lite, was pitted against other three charging options.
- Solar Charger with 28W USB Ports BigBlue
- The solar charger ECC-626 from Eceen 13W
- SunPower 20W X-Dragon solar charger
What Solar Panels and Charger we have tested?
Some of the most reliable models have been tested in [region] during a humid July week. You’ll be able to get more power if you go closer to the equator or in clearer weather. We have tested chargers in ideal conditions before, in the sun-filled region. We wanted to see how they perform for urban dwellers further north. To ensure that each charger worked in the same weather conditions, we conducted head-to head tests. We measured the maximum power output and total power produced by each charger during the course of the day. In addition, we assessed how constant power output was even when the charger was confronted with passing clouds.
Maximum output/fastest charging The panels were erected at noon. This is when the sun is at its highest point within the night sky. A weatherproof port rescuer as well as a wide, soft variety of photos to capture each sun’s ray.
Then, we connected each panel to the PortaPow 3-20V, a double Standard Usb Sensor, and a load tester to see how much power they could produce during the hottest part of the day.
Power total: All candidates were also set up for four hours in the middle of the day to recharge each of their Anker PowerCore 20100 batteries. The cumulative power produced was monitored using an PortaPow power monitoring device that was attached on each battery, as well as a solar charger.
To ensure that the results were correct, we used four Drok load testers and then drained each battery using the PortaPow power monitor. These numbers let us see how much a tablet or phone would cost when left in a dark room for the same time.
Consistent power: we tested the ability of each solar charger to return to full power after being shadowed, mimicking the effects of a passing cloud overhead. We utilized the same set-up and waiting until the meters hit at least a few Watts before shutting the chargers. We then opened the chargers after they had reached zero.
Then we waited for their full power to turn on. The test was successful for all models. However, in previous tests, certain solar chargers, especially those with the highest price, couldn’t bounce back. This is a big issue for us. You’d be very disappointed in the event that your phone or solar charger was left outside for a whole afternoon in order to get some juice while you go hiking.
We compared the size of each model, fit, and quality in person. To determine the exact weight of each model we measured its measurements as they were folded and unfolded. Solar chargers typically consist from two to four panels joined to a woven nylon backing.
Wires are hidden within layers of nylon and the charging element is hidden in a pouch at the end. Most solar chargers have a Velcro closure or magnet closure. They typically have riveted loops or holes along the edges, allowing you to hang the charger from your camping tent or backpack.
The nylon’s quality and stitching was comparable in all models that we tested. The panels are weatherproof so they can be sewn in the edges without any additional cover. While the weights and sizes of the models varied when we got all models on hand it was evident that the basic designs were similar enough to allow us to exclude any variations or pick our favorite.
How can you get the most possible value from your solar-powered charger
Simple solar energy is among of its most valuable assets. Solar panels only require little maintenance. Most solar power can be cleaned using the help of a moist cloth.
To get the most power from your panels Make sure that the panels are angled correctly. Its angle panel relative to the ground must be approximately equal to the latitude you are in. There may be seasonal variations.
The angle will be steeper when you are further away in the direction of the poles (and the summer) than you are. The average angle in Winnipeg is approximately 41.1 degrees. For Key West, it’s around 22.1 degrees. Even if the angle isn’t perfect, it can increase your power production substantially. The Shneyder Solar Calculator will assist you in finding the most optimal angle. Before leaving, take a picture of your setup using your phone, and attempt to recreate it in the wilderness. Pro tip: To help support the panels, you can use the hiking boot.
Its BigBlue solar charger comes with a pocket at the top flap which can be utilized to store your phone while it charges. The black pocket on the flap’s top can be utilized to store your phone in direct sunlight, if it’s extremely hot. It is better to put your phone underneath the panels, inside the triangular space that is between the floor and the prop, or shading it with something else to keep the phone from getting too hot.
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