The 6 Best Solar Phone Chargers of 2024

Oct 30, 2024

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We have picks for charging one device or several, no outlet required.

Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer.

In This Article

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

Getting a solar phone charger is a no-brainer. While watching your devices cut off mid-flight or on an overnight train ride can be a real pain, not being able to communicate while far from home or during a power outage is a far more serious problem.

Some solar chargers only contain panels, and they need to be in direct sunlight to charge your phone. Others have built-in batteries that will enable you to store converted electricity to use later. You’ll want to consider weight, size, charging speeds, and device compatibility when sorting through your options.

Our picks for the best solar phone chargers take a variety of different situations, environments, and needs into account. Looking for something you can whip out in an emergency or something that can keep you reliably off-grid for your next outdoor trip? Read on.

It’s lightweight but packed full of handy features, like wireless charging, a battery, and dual LED lights — and it comes in a variety of colors.

Solar charging the battery is painfully slow, so make sure to power up through an outlet when possible.

The Blavor 10,000 mAh Solar Charger Power Bank ticks all of our boxes and even offers a few nice-to-haves on the side. The built-in battery will charge your phone and other 5-volt devices in a pinch. It's best to use the USB-C input to charge the battery to capacity and rely on the solar panels once that runs out. Charging the battery through the solar panels is reliable, but not efficient — you'll get the fastest charge when you're in strong direct sunlight on the beach or elsewhere.

A plus of the smaller battery capacity is that it keeps the power bank exceptionally lightweight — just under 0.75 pounds — making this solar charger a welcomed toss-in to your bag. It’s about the size of a smartphone outfitted in a chunky Otter case, and you can expect it to be IPX5 waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof (in other words, you don’t have to be gentle; it can take it). It’s also great for emergency situations thanks to the built-in dual LED lights that reach 100 feet, a carabiner clip, and a small compass. One of our favorite features is the wireless charging capability, which makes it a cinch to charge earbuds, smartwatches, and phones.

Details: 10,000mAh battery | USB, Micro-USB, and USB-C output; USB-C input | 0.73 pounds | 5.9 x 2.9 x .8 inches

Special ETFE panel material was built to last, and there’s a built-in kickstand for optimal UV absorption positioning.

This charger does not include a battery pack and needs to actively be in the sun to charge.

The 10W ETFE Solarpowa portable charger uses two full-bleed solar panels to convert sunlight to electricity. Although slim, this design does take up a bit of space with its square shape. This charger is best for when you’re breaking for a rest and other stationary situations as there’s no clip to hook it onto your backpack. We love that it has a built-in kickstand so you can get the perfect angle for maximum sunlight exposure. There’s also a waterproof-sealed two-port in/output that works with USB and USB-C connectors. This also works to regulate the electricity to prevent overcharging. Since there’s no internal battery, you can only use this charger while it’s actively in the sun. As soon as the sun disappears, the charger will shut off, though there is an automatic charging restart when there is enough sun. We like the simplicity of the two-panel design that closes like a book for storage when not in use.

The Details: No battery | 10-watt max | USB and USB-C ports | 1.1 pounds | 8.74 x 8.47 x 1.38 inches, folded; 8.74 x 17.7 inches, open

It’s a very portable and well-designed solar charger.

There’s no battery, so it doesn't hold a charge for later use — but it will automatically restart charging devices as soon as enough sun is available.

A great option for hiking trips, this four-panel folding solar charger has a good 14-watt output speed that can charge 5-volt devices at 2.4 amps. We love how stylish and organized it is and that you’ve got several options to find the best exposure — hanging on your backpack via the D-ring and carabiner clip, laid flat across the ground, or folded into a self-stand position. When not in use, it folds into a tidy square with a buckle closure.

Devices are charged through the attached smart charging port that prevents overcharging, and there’s even a small pocket for cradling your mobile phone to keep it off the ground. This charger comes with a USB-to-USB-C cable that can easily be switched out for any USB-to-whatever cable, though Apple products can be sticky. This solar charger is a direct charger, so you will only be able to charge your phone (or other devices) while the panels are actively absorbing the sun. Many solar panel chargers will stop charging with cloud cover, but this one will automatically restart charging when enough light is available.

The Details: No battery | USB output | 0.79 pounds | 6 x 5.8 x 2.2 inches, folded; 5.8 x 25.9 inches, opened

The battery can store eight to nine charges per smartphone.

It can only charge two devices simultaneously.

The Mregb Power Bank is built tough to be waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, making it a great option for backpackers, hikers, and boaters. Compared to a few other picks on the list, having only one USB-C input and two USB outputs feels a bit bare minimum, and you can only charge two devices at a time. Luckily, you’ll get QC3.0 fast charging with any compatible device, and the 42,800 mAh battery can hold an average of eight to nine charges for a smartphone. This means you don’t have to panic when it comes to saving your battery or worry a well-charged power bank will run out of power quickly. It’s worth mentioning that the power pack itself can be slow to charge, and we found the included cable offered slower device charging, so you may want to switch it up. That said, it claims that 18-watts is the maximum speed, not the standard.

The Details: 42,800mAh battery | 18-watt max | USB-C input; USB output | 1.34 pounds | 7.48 x 1.02 x 3.94 inches

In addition to being solar-powered, this power bank can be charged with a hand crank in case the sun goes down.

A high-capacity battery and ultra-durable materials make this a bulkier option.

Solar-powered phone chargers aren’t just for outdoor trips or to help you in a pinch while traveling — they are also a great buy in case of emergency, like natural disasters or power outages. The GOODaaa Power Bank Wireless Charge with Hand Crank Generator has outstanding 45,8000 mAh battery power that will work through several cycles of complete phone charges without needing to be recharged. Aside from the alternative power options you get from the built-in hand crank and solar paneled side, this solar charging pack stands out for being wireless-charging enabled. There are also emergency bonuses like a compass and a flashlight with three modes that illuminate 100 feet. The 15-watt charging is just shy of being fast-charging, though you will have the ability to charge up to seven items at once.

The Details: 45,800mAh battery | 15-watt output | USB-C and Lightning input; USB-C, Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB output | 1.3 pounds | 7 x 3 x 1.2 inches

You can fast charge multiple devices at the same time.

It does not store power so it can only be used on bright, sunny days.

This compact but somewhat heavy solar charger comes in clutch when you’re nowhere near a wall socket or are unable to use available plugs. We love that it folds up for easy storage and unfolds to capture the most amount of light possible when it's time to charge. The 20-watt output gets the job done quickly and can charge iPhones up to one full hour faster than other solar chargers. Charge two devices simultaneously and quickly by simply unfolding the charger and plugging your phone or tablet into the side. The X-Dragon is waterproof, dust-proof, and drop-proof, making this a perfect choice for campers or long-distance hikers or cyclists.

The Details: 20 watts | USB output | 1.34 pounds | 12.1 x 7.2 x 0.51 inches folded | 12.1 x 23.3 x 0.12 inches unfolded

Have a think about the scenarios where you’ll be packing, carrying, and using your solar charger. It’s almost always the case that the bigger the better; bigger solar panels, more solar panels, higher wattage, and higher battery capacity translate to easier, stronger, faster charging. But when you’re in the market for a portable solar phone charger to travel with, bigger and heavier is not the goal. To find your perfect portability and power level, consider the weight, overall dimensions, and power capabilities for absorbing sunlight and charging your devices.

Make sure your phone and other devices are compatible with the output ports on your solar charger. Most solar chargers come with USB input ports, though there are newer ones with USB-C ports. Other types of compatibility include the wattage — you’ll want to make sure you’re using a charger with at least as much wattage as your phone requires. More is fine, but less can damage your phone’s battery.

Climate and weather conditions will affect charging speeds, so another thing you’ll want to be sure to factor into your purchase considerations is how and when you’re planning on using the solar charger. If it’s just a backup, you’ll probably want to make sure it is smaller, more powerful, and can hold a charge. If you know you’ll want to hike with the solar charger hanging from your backpack, prioritize durability and multiple panels to catch more light. If you’re headed to the desert, you’ll want to prioritize dustproof chargers over the IP rating. Likewise, if you plan on using the charger every day, you may want to buy a solar charger that comes with a protective carrying case.

Solar chargers work by trapping photons from natural sunlight and converting them into a DC electric charge that you can then use to power up small electronics like earbuds, smartphones, and tablets. Some solar chargers are only a conduit for energy at the moment, while others can hold power and still be used later.

A solar phone charger's wattage should be at least 5W for charging a phone, though 10W is ideal. Price and weight also increase with an increase in wattage — something to keep in mind if you’re on a budget. If you’re planning to use the solar charger somewhere where the weather is cloudy or you won’t have access to hours of bright sunlight, opt for higher wattage as this will help power your charger to work harder with less. Since you’ll likely be using your solar charger to re-up the juice in your portable power bank, be sure the ports and voltage are compatible.

Yes, you can! If you’ve got a solar charger and battery combo, make sure it’s not a lithium-ion battery (most rechargeable batteries are lithium-ion). The FAA doesn’t allow chargers with lithium-ion to be put in checked luggage since they have been known to cause sparks and are a fire hazard. These can be packed in your carry-on luggage, though. You’ll also need to make sure the charger doesn’t exceed 100-watt power if you want to bring it on a plane.

There’s no straight answer for the time it takes for a solar charger to charge a device or power bank. It depends on the weather conditions, light conditions, the output speed, and your device's power requirements. You can, however, get a pretty good estimate of how many times you can charge your phone or other devices with your solar charger’s battery (if it has one). Divide the overall mAh of the charger’s battery by the mAh of the device or devices you want to charge — this is the number of times you’ll be able to charge that device off of the battery. Tip: we always like to add a few hundred mAh to the device number for extra leeway since the battery may not be operating 100 percent flawlessly at the time of charge.

Whether you're taking a remote camping trip or just want to be extra-prepared, here are a few other tech accessories that won't leave you high and dry.

BioLite SolarPanel 100: This solar panel can be folded for easy transportation and can be set up quickly once you reach your destination. It comes with stabilizing kickstands and an integrated analog sundial that helps you get the perfect sun alignment.

Simo Solis Lite: This portable wifi hotspot works in over 135 different countries, giving you 1GB of data each month for as long as your device functions. It's great for staying connected on the go.

Epicka Universal Travel Adapter: This universal travel adapter is able to charge six devices at once. It works with all USB-enabled devices including iPhones and Androids, and can charge laptops, cameras, tablets, and power banks.

For this story, travel expert K. Alex Beaven did hours of research comparing top solar phone chargers that will help keep your phone going, even if you’re not near an outlet.

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