Have you ever been out in the wilderness on a camping trip when suddenly you realize your phone is running low on battery? Well, fret no more!
If you’re sick of being without power in the great outdoors, you need a solar charger for camping. This life-changing accessory keeps you connected to the world and helps you stay prepared for emergencies.
So keep reading to learn about our picks for the best solar charger for camping. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix to charge your phone on a weekend getaway or a powerful setup to energize a week-long camping trip, you’ll find the right option here!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank
Budget Option:
BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank
Best for Emergencies:
GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger
Best Overall
Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank
Are you searching for the ultimate outdoor companion that ensures you’re always powered up? Check out the Hiluckey Solar Charger Power Bank, one of the best solar chargers for camping.
After absorbing all the sun’s rays, you can expect to get a whopping nine days out of this impressive power bank! The 4 high-performance solar panels harness the sun’s power to reach a 6W in direct sunlight, keeping your devices alive even in remote locations.
Boasting an incredible 25000mAh high capacity, this solar-powered wonder charges your phone up to 8-10 times and your tablet 3-4 times. Experience lightning-fast charging with its upgraded 15W outputs, capable of juicing up an iPhone to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Plus, with one USB C port and dual USB A ports, you can simultaneously charge three devices with ease. So gear up for your next adventure and stay connected with this impressive camping solar charger.
Pros
- Boasts a high-speed charge to juice up your devices faster
- Foldable for excellent portability
- Harnesses enough power for multiple charges without depleting the power bank
- Includes emergency LED flashlight
Cons
- Pricier than other options on this list
Best Budget
BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank
The BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank is perfect for anyone looking to make a low-budget addition to their camping setup.
Despite the minimal price tag, this powerful charger is built to last! Not only is it waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, but it’s also crafted from flame-retardant ABS+PC materials, so it can withstand the roughest outdoor conditions.
Plus, this is one of the smallest, most lightweight solar-charged power banks on the market, making it perfect for backpacking trips. The tiny frame easily fastens to the outside of a backpack so you can charge it as your hike.
You’ll find an impressive 10,000mAh capacity on this little guy, and it’s capable of charging three devices simultaneously. You can also get multiple charges out of this power bank for a standard iPhone.
You’ll find ports supporting micro USB, USB Type A, and USB Type C, meaning you can charge an iPhone, iPad, Airpods, and all Android phones.
The BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank is an affordable, lightweight addition that makes your outdoor expedition much more enjoyable and safe, so why not try this small-but-mighty solar charger for camping?
Pros
- Includes features like a bright LED flashlight, carabiner, and compass
- One of the smallest solar chargers on the market, great for low-gear camping trips
- You can get multiple charges out of the power supply
Cons
- Takes a while to charge via solar alone, but you can charge it ahead of time and use it as a power bank
Best for Emergencies
GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger
The GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger can be a literal lifesaver when you’re out in the wilderness.
This smart power bank is not just any ordinary solar charger for camping; it ingeniously combines solar power and a hand crank generator for those moments when you need power the most. If you’re caught in an emergency scenario, just rotate the handle on top to stay connected to an energy supply.
It also includes a built-in LED flashlight with 3 flashing modes (SOS/Strobe/Steady) for power outages, along with a compass to help you on your way.
Boasting a colossal 45800mAh capacity, this portable charger is your powerhouse on-the-go. With five inputs and seven outputs, it caters to all devices- iOS, USB C, and Micro USB. And guess what- you can use all seven outputs at the same time!
If that’s not impressive enough, it also includes a wireless charging area for extra accessibility.
The GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger is a robust camping solar charger that will hold up in any emergency scenario. If you prioritize safety while camping in the great outdoors, it will make a welcome addition to your kit.
Pros
- Powerful charge that lasts a long time
- Includes many emergency features like a strobe light and compass
- You can charge this power bank through a hand crank, solar, or via USB
- Accommodates 7 devices at a time
Cons
- Bulkier than other chargers
LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 Camping Lantern and Phone Charger
If you’re looking for a camping solar charger that accomplishes more than just powering your devices, check out the LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 Camping Lantern and Phone Charger.
Equipped with a powerful 2000mAh battery, this extra-bright LED solar lantern illuminates your campsite with up to 150 lumens and doubles as a reliable phone charger.
That means you can keep your camping set up nice and lightweight by ditching the bulky camping lanterns and opting for this portable light that folds into a 1-inch thick square.
When fully charged, this weightless lantern/charger combo provides 50 hours of light. You can recharge back to full it in the sun in 12-14 hours or via USB in 1-2 hours.
If you’re looking for a reliable outdoor companion to accomplish the double duty of shedding light on your campsite and charging your phone, this solar charger for camping will make a great investment.
Pros
- Multi-purpose lighting and charging features come in useful on backpacking expeditions
- Extremely portable and condenses down to a small size
- Versatility to solar charge or power via USB
Cons
- Not as powerful as other solar chargers on this list
- Could take up to 2 days to recharge in the sun
BioLight SolarPanel 10
Unleash the power of the sun with the incredible BioLite SolarPanel 10+! This high-efficiency solar charger for camping features an innovative 360-degree kickstand, allowing you to position it at any angle on even the roughest terrain.
The built-in sundial ensures you capture the most direct rays for maximum charging potential. Keep track of your 3200mAh battery’s charge with the strength indicator and status button.
The amazing 10W USB output lets you charge phones, cameras, tablets, and more! And you can even get a head start on energizing your supply since the micro USB charge-in lets you boost your battery at home.
The corner latches make it easy to attach to a backpack, perfect for external storage or when you want to catch some rays to charge your supply on a hike.
There’s a lot to love about the BioLite SolarPanel 10+, and while it doesn’t come cheap, you certainly can’t argue about the quality of this incredible solar charger for camping.
Pros
- Boasts a 10W charging power
- Built-in sundial helps you find the most direct rays
- 360-degree kickstand makes it great for rough terrain
- You can clip it on the outside of your bag to save room and charge while you’re on the go
Camping Solar Chargers: Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know our top picks for camping solar chargers, give our buyer’s guide a read to figure out which is best for you.
Power Output
When looking for the best camping solar charger, one of the most important factors to mull over is power output.
But first, a crash course in electricity terms: mAh (milliamp hour) refers to the storage and charge capacity, whereas W (watts) indicates how much energy a device consumes. In the case of camping solar chargers, the wattage refers to the amount of energy it can produce.
So, if you’re looking for a powerful camping solar charger, look for one with the highest mAh and watts. In this case, our Best Overall choice, the Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank, would be your best bet.
If you’re looking for a solar charger for emergencies only, you can get away with a cheaper option like the Best Budget selection, the BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank.
It’s also important to consider the type of devices you’ll be charging and how much power they require. To make the most out of a “glamping” trip, try the GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger, which can power 7 devices at once. Not bad for being in the middle of the wilderness!
Portability
Next, you gotta factor in the portability of your camping solar charger.
The BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank takes the lead in this category for its tiny size and minimal weight, which you can easily tuck away in a backpack without noticing it’s there. The Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank is not much larger and packs more power.
Another option that boasts incredible portability is the LuminAID Charger, which also gives you a bright camping lantern in addition to a power supply, further helping you cut down on your gear list.
Even the largest option (the BioLight SolarPanel 10) comes with clips, so you can carry it externally and take up less room in your backpack.
So it all depends on personal preference here. If you plan on doing most of your camping via car, then choosing a larger, more powerful option might make the most sense.
But if you plan on going on a canoe trip or backpacking adventure, choosing a small, compact charger will save a lot of hassle in the long run.
Ease of Use
The ease of use is an important category here. The last thing you wanna do in an emergency scenario is fumble with buttons and how-to guides on how to work a solar power charger.
We have to hand it to the BioLight SolarPanel 10 for providing excellent accessibility, whether through the built-in sundial to find the brightest rays or the strength indicator and status button to see how much juice it’s got.
All the options on this list are pretty simple to use, but be sure to test them all out before embarking on your adventure. Especially the GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger with its extensive features.
Waterproof
Since you’re taking your solar charger on an outdoor adventure, it’s important to know how each option stands up to water.
The Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank is water-resistant but not completely waterproof, whereas the BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank advertises the latter.
The GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charger is also waterproof and arguably the most durable out of the list, making it suitable for harsh environments.
So if you’re hoping to take your solar charger on a portaging trip or any adventure near water, you may want to prioritize a waterproof option.
Solar Chargers: Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about the best solar chargers for camping, don’t stress! Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions from fellow solar enthusiasts.
Do solar charges work on a cloudy day?
Is your camping trip plagued by overcast days? Not to fear, because your solar charger will still operate in cloudy conditions. That being said, it will definitely absorb less light, so it may take longer to recharge, but it’s still worth leaving outside to soak up the reduced rays.
What’s the difference between a solar charger and a solar bank?
In your search for the best solar charger for camping, you probably discovered these two options. While solar chargers and solar banks both have a similar function, there’s one key difference. Solar banks have the versatility to absorb power from the sun or through an outlet.
This feature comes in handy if you’re going on a camping trip because you can charge it up to full capacity before you leave and then top it up via the sun during your trip.
Wrapping Up the Best Solar Charger for Camping
Whether you’re looking for a lightweight charger in case of emergency or a high-octane setup to power your devices, we hope you found the right option in our guide to the best solar chargers for camping. Our favorite is the Hiluckey Solar Charger Portable Power Bank, but you won’t go wrong with any of the picks on our list!
Looking to invest in your camping setup? Check out our Camping Gear page for more product reviews.
