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By Thad Warren
Solar power banks are incredibly handy when camping, hiking, or just to have when you’re not sure if you will have access to a wall outlet for charging. Solar power banks can charge your cell phone, laptop, and even your campsite.
While there are different types of solar power banks the most people are concentrated on features:
This lightweight solar power bank is extremely portable, waterproof, and includes one Type C port and a USB port. Added bonus: it has a built-in flashlight and includes a clip-on compass. Its 10000mAh battery is large enough to charge 2-3 smartphone batteries.
This is the perfect power bank to keep on your backpack or glove box for a convenient charge whenever you need it.
Plan on being outdoors for an extended period of time? A large battery bank and solar panel are well worth the investment. The Jackery Explorer 500 has a 518Wh capacity battery with USB, AC, and DC outputs. This means you can plug in just about anything as long as it operates at less than 500W. This means it can power your mini-fridge, coffee maker, charge a laptop, smartphone, and similar devices.
Pairing the Explorer 500 with the SolarSaga 100 solar panel allows you to recharge the unit in less than 10 hours. You can also charge the unit from your car's power port in about 16 hours.
All in all, this is a solid unit that can power most electronic devices around your campsite. If you're looking for even more power for your campsite, RV or even cabin check out our list of the best solar power generators.
A great smaller and more portable variation of a high capacity and fast charging power bank is the foldout kit from Hiluckey. This power bank has a large capacity of 25000mAh (8-10 smartphone charges) and dual 2.1A fast-charging USB ports. While the solar panels will take around 40 hours to recharge the unit on their own, a decent wall charger can fully power it for about 12 hours.
This unit is a great mix of portability and charging capacity at a great price and is perfect for long hikes or even overnight camping.
The Licorne Solar Power Bank is a great blend of portability, capacity, charging capability, and price. The Licorne has three charging outputs: USB, USB Type C, and wireless. It has enough capacity to charge a smartphone 10 times or a tablet 4 times. Along with great charging capabilities, the Licorne is waterproof and shock-resistant.
While the solar charging of this unit takes several days of full sunlight, its capacity and versatility make it our favorite for most people looking for a small portable solar power bank.
Overall this is a great versatile solar power bank that can keep your devices charged whether you're hiking, biking, or just out and about away from your static charging station.
Solar panel sold separately: Buy Now
On the go for extended periods of time? Need a way to keep power-intensive laptops or computers powered up? The Explorer 240 is perfect for you. With dual 5V 2.4A USB ports and a 110V 200W AC socket, this power station can charge your average laptop to full capacity two times.
The SolarSage 100W (sold separately) solar panel can charge the Explorer 240 in less than 5 hours in the right sunny conditions. This means you could keep your devices powered all day. If you need to keep multiple devices connected consider upgrading to the Explorer 500.
