Are Solar Phone Chargers Worth the Investment?

Imagine having the power of the sun in your hand. As technology continues to move toward sustainable energy, this is becoming more and more possible. While it may not be the same as directly harnessing the sun's rays, power banks with built-in solar panels can get you pretty close.

We already know that solar panels are beneficial for the environment. They also have the potential to increase a home's value. There are even cool cars with built-in solar panel roofs. But can solar panels work on a small scale, like charging a smartphone? Will you get results similar to those from a traditional solar charger power bank?

Rooftop solar panels generate significantly more energy due to their larger size, but it's still worth exploring these handheld solar chargers. To determine whether they're a worthwhile accessory for charging your phone, we looked into how they function and sought professional reviews for a hands-on opinion on their effectiveness.

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How Does a Solar Panel Phone Charger Work?

To understand how a solar panel phone charger works, it's helpful to know what a solar panel and a power bank are. A solar panel is a technology that allows us to harness the power of the sun and convert it into usable energy.

There are different types of solar panels, but they all follow the same basic principle: sunlight strikes the panel, which converts the light absorbed by its cells into energy. This energy can then be directed to charge an internal battery.

When shopping for a power bank charger for your phone, you'll often see a number rated as "mAh," or milliampere-hour. This measures how much energy a battery can store. A higher mAh means you'll have more power to charge your devices. For example, the average smartphone battery has around 5,000 mAh. In optimal conditions, a solar panel phone charger rated at 5,000 mAh should be able to fully charge most phones.

You typically want your power bank to have a higher mAh than the device you're charging, although smaller mAh batteries tend to be physically smaller and easier to carry around.

Are Solar Panel Phone Chargers Worth It?

A key factor in determining whether solar panel battery banks are worth it is to ask yourself how much time you'll spend outdoors. As the name suggests, the primary purpose of a solar panel phone charger is to convert sunlight into energy for your phone and other small electronics. While most solar panel power banks for your phone can also be charged via a wall outlet, a standard power bank phone charger is less bulky if you don't plan on using the solar panel.

Another factor to consider is cost. Batteries with solar panels attached aren't much more expensive than standard battery banks.

For instance, a 36,800mAh 15W solar power phone charger sells for about $30 on Amazon—about the same price as a standard power bank without a solar charger. Even if you choose a solar version with 42,800mAh, the price remains reasonable at $60. Additionally, batteries with solar panels are typically designed for outdoor use and often include built-in flashlights.

If the charger is high-quality and you'll be spending a lot of time in the sun, there's no real reason not to consider the solar option.

Some of the Best Solar Power Chargers Available

When shopping for a charger, keep in mind that there is a difference between portable solar panels and solar panel phone chargers. The former are not as compact and are usually made up of multiple panels that unfold into a larger setup. Most solar panel phone chargers are pocket-sized and have one primary panel.

If you're considering purchasing a solar panel phone charger, here are a few options that could serve you well on your outdoor adventures. One of the best options we've found is the Blavor 10,000mAh Wireless Charger for $40. It has over 43,000 reviews and a 4.2-star rating on Amazon, making it one of the top power banks and wireless chargers for camping trips.

Shoppers also seem to like Mregb's 42,800mAh Solar Charger. This fast charger has a 4-star rating at the time of writing, with just under 10,000 reviews, 81% of which were at least four stars. Lifewire gave a favorable review to the X-Dragon 10,000mAh solar charger. If that model is sold out, there's a 24,000mAh charger with 4 stars on Amazon that serves as a higher-capacity alternative.

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