Top Solar Chargers
Solar chargers are essential equipment for those heading outdoors, whether camping, backpacking or just out exploring. Not only do they allow you to recharge your devices while in the wild, but some of these portable chargers come equipped with built-in battery packs that provide extra power during power outages.
The ideal solar chargers are economical and user-friendly, allowing you to take the energy of the sun with you wherever life takes you. These chargers range from small, lightweight units that can easily fit in your backpack to larger models with multiple ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously.
How to Select the Ideal Solar Charging System
When selecting a portable solar charging system, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration. Firstly, aim for panels with large surface areas as this will optimize their power output under all kinds of skies and low irradiance levels.
In general, larger panels perform better than their smaller counterparts. This is especially true of high-performance models which can deliver the most power with minimal space and weight.
For instance, our tests revealed that the Nekteck 21W solar charger, with its large surface area and flap with three embedded rings on one end, was the best performing of our tested panels. It consistently produced over 2A for most of its test runs and tracked changes in sunlight with near-perfect accuracy.
The Nekteck boasted a robust and reliable design, capable of withstanding drops, falls, scratches and more. While it cannot quite match the performance of Choetech or X-DRAGON in terms of price or size, the Nekteck is an excellent alternative at this price point.
Many of the top solar chargers are designed with outdoor activities in mind, featuring features like kickstands to ensure proper orientation when charging on rocks or tents. Some even attach to backpacks, making them convenient to set up without tools on ground or tent surfaces – perfect for backpacking adventures!