Solar Panel and Charger
Solar Panel and Charger
An USB solar charger is tiny power source that generates energy for your phone as well as other small electronic devices. It can also be used to charge a power bank or conserve energy.
We spent more than 60 hours trying out 12 models and came to the conclusion that a Match USB Solar Charger is the most reliable portable solar charger. It can charge your devices and ensure they are connected in an emergency or when there’s no electricity.
We discovered the BigBlue USB Solar Charger to be the strongest and best portable solar charger we tested. It also comes with three outlets (as opposed to the two that are on some chargers) and a weatherproof port rescuer, as well as a vast, soft variety of photos to capture each ray of sunlight.
The BigBlue’s power output is similar to other models, but it’s much lighter and smaller than other models. This makes it simpler to pack into the backpack, daypack or emergency kit.
We also recommend the X-Dragon SunPower Solar Charger 20W If the BigBlue is not in stock. It came in second place to our top choice in regards to power output throughout the daytime. It did better when the sun started peeking out in the middle of the day.
While this model is capable of charging multiple devices as fast as our top choice the X-Dragon isn’t equipped with the useful extras like the additional charging port as well as the protector for ports, which makes the BigBlue distinguish itself.
Solar Charger
If you’re thinking of going on a camping trip for a long time or traveling to an area without reliable power, make use of the USB solar power source. They are ideal for keeping on hand in the emergency bag. In such a situation, the best solar chargers can start charging a phone as large as an iPhone X. A couple of hours of sunshine is enough to charge the battery. An USB charging station might not be the best option in every situation. Instead, you might look into the use of a USB portable powerbank, USB-C notebooks or AC-powered laptops. They are small enough to fit inside a paperback book and don’t depend on weather conditions.
However the battery pack or solar charger is only compatible only with USB as well as USBC devices. This restricts the use of these devices for people who require power to go off-grid for long durations. You’ll be using larger equipment or stationary charging, like laptops and TVs. Also, we have a guide on the best portable power sources.
How do you choose the right solar panel charger?
We began by selecting only the best-selling and most highly reviewed products on Amazon along with recommendations from review sites and sites that focus on tech and outdoor gear. We didn’t consider poor general ratings or scores as an issue However, we removed those with a pattern or high number of reviews that were negative. These included those that mentioned problems like inconsistent or slow performance, warping, bowing as well as power-related issues and other flaws. These important features were taken into consideration prior to sending models to be tested:
Charging and power output
Because you may not be able charge more than one phone at a time using the USB solar charger with under 10W. We only looked at models with at or near 10 watts. We favored models that had more power , but didn’t want the charger to be heavy.
We avoided chargers that have only one USB charger port. 2 output ports have been the most preferred by us. This allows the charging of another device or share energy with others. Additional ports are an advantage. Each port should draw at minimum one amp in order to charge the iPhone X in just three to four hours.
Size
The ideal portable chargers should be compact enough to fold solar panels in half and store in a daypack. It isn’t heavier than the weight of an iPad. We also discovered that having more areas of surface were better at capturing sun’s mysterious rays during daytime clouds, so we excluded models with smaller than 2 panels. We’ve seen bad results from smaller brick-style models with a built in battery. We wanted a solar charger to be too heavy for hikers and backpackers. We didn’t weigh more than a pound in every model we tested.
Warranty and reliability
We scoured the websites of the company and then contacted customer service to confirm that the model we reviewed was made and sold by a reputable brand. They were also offered for sale, which is likely to sell quickly and covered under warranty for at most one year.
Extras
We also considered other characteristics that a charger may come with. Solar chargers can be made simpler by a magnetic closure and the built-in kickstand, if it is capable of producing energy and charging up three devices.
The majority of the chargers we tested had the USB-to-Micro USB cable. However certain chargers (like Anker’s 3 foot cable) were more durable or more durable than others. Some chargers had carabiners. While the carabiners weren’t heavy and bulky, they loved the possibility of hanging them from tents and backpacks.
Price
The solar chargers costing more than $100 do not have significant advantages over the sub-$100 models or they’re too heavy and bulky for the casual camper or emergency kits. On the other hand, solar chargers priced at a low price typically don’t have enough power or charge quickly enough to be worthwhile.
We’ve had to contend with chargers that are either too fragile or don’t charge at a sufficient speed. We were left with four chargers that satisfied our criteria for maximum output, weight, size accessibility, and price. The previous top pick is the Anker quick charging feature PowerPort solar light, was compared against other three charging options.
- Solar Charger with USB Ports that can hold 28W. BigBlue
- Electric solar charger Eceen ECC-626 13W
- SunPower 20W X-Dragon solar charger
Which Solar Panels and Charger have we tested?
Most promising designs were tested in the Nevada during a hot, humid week in July. You’ll get more power if you go nearer the equator, or in clearer weather. We’ve tested chargers in perfect conditions before, but in a sunshine regions. This time, we wanted to evaluate the results for those who live in cities further north. To make sure that all chargers performed under the same conditions, we ran head-to-head tests. We assessed the maximum power output as well as total power generated by each charger throughout the day. In addition, we examined how steady power output was when the charger was confronted with moving clouds.
Maximum output/fastest charging The panels were erected just before noon. This is the time of day when the sun is at its highest point within the night sky. A weatherproof port rescuer and a vast, soft array of images to record each ray of sunlight.
Then, we connected each panel to the PortaPow 3-20V and a double Usb Sensor, and a load tester to measure how much electricity they could produce during the hottest times of the day.
Power total The candidates were set up for four hours in the middle of each day to recharge their Anker PowerCore 20100 batteries. The cumulative power output was monitored using the PortaPow power monitoring device that was attached to each power bank, as well as a solar charger.
To confirm whether the results were true, we used to confirm the results, we used four Drok load testers, and then depleted each battery with an PortaPow power monitor. The numbers we obtained allowed us to determine how much a tablet and phone could be charged if left unattended for the same period of time.
Consistent power: We checked the ability of each solar charger to regain full power even when shaded, emulating, for example, the passing of a cloud over. We tested the same setup and waiting until the meters hit at minimum a couple of Watts before closing the chargers. We opened the chargers again once they have reached zero.
Then , we waited for their full power to come on. The test was successful for all models. However, in the past tests, certain solar chargers, particularly the most expensive ones, couldn’t bounce back. This is a huge issue for us. You’d be very disappointed if your phone and solar charger were left out all afternoon long to soak up some juice while you go hiking.
We compared each model’s size, fit, and quality in the real world. To accurately weigh each model we measured its measurements when it was folded, then unfolded. Solar chargers are usually made comprised of two or four panels joined to a nylon-woven backing.
Wires are hidden in the layers of nylon and the charging component is hidden inside a pocket on the end. The majority of solar chargers come with an Velcro closure , or magnet. They typically have holes or loops that are riveted around the edges, allowing you hanging the device from your camping tent or backpack.
The nylon’s performance and stitching was comparable across all models we evaluated. These panels can withstand weather, and they are able to be stitched in the edges without the need for a cover. Although the sizes and weights of the models were different when we got all of the models available it was apparent that the basic designs were the same enough for us to exclude any variations or choose our top pick.
How to get the best out of your solar charger
Simple solar energy is one of its greatest assets. Solar panels require only minimum maintenance. The majority of solar power can be cleaned using an aqueous cloth.
To get the most power from your panels to maximize your power output, angle the panels correctly. The angle of the panels with respect to the ground must be roughly equivalent to your latitude. There may be seasonal variations.
It will also be steeper when you are further away from the poles (and the summer) in comparison to. In Winnipeg is approximately 41.1 degrees. For Key West, it’s around 22.1 degrees. Even if the angle isn’t perfect it will increase the power output significantly. [ xfield_company] Calculator can help you find the optimal angle. Before leaving your home, take a snapshot of your set-up on your smartphone, and then attempt at replicating it wild. Pro tip: To support the panels, make use of an hiking boot.
BigBlue solar charger BigBlue solar charger features an opening on the top flap that can be utilized to store your phone while it is charging. The black pocket at the top flap could be used to keep your phone out of direct sunlight, if it’s extremely hot. It is better to put your phone on the bottom of the panels, inside the triangular space between the ground and the prop or cover it by a shade to prevent it from overheating.