Outdoor power solar charger

We tested 34 solar chargers to power our adventures, including brands like Jackery, GoalZero, Renogy, and more. A good solar charger lets you power your essential communication and outdoor electronics, no matter how far off the grid you go. Over the last decade, we have tested almost 100 different solar panels of varying sizes.

100 watts or more: These are the largest solar chargers that you can still pack away to move. They're the best energy-intensive devices and have fast charging speeds to keep your large battery banks or power stations full. A 110-watt panel is best for charging a large power station when off-grid camping.

There's a lot to understand about solar power chargers, but at their heart, a small solar panel consists of several photovoltaic cells grouped together to absorb some of the sun's energy and convert it into an electric charge that you can use to charge electronics.

Solar chargers can translate the sun's energy directly into power for small electronics. Whereas larger solar panels require a power station to play intermediary (lest you burn up your electronics), these smaller panels have just the right amount of kick for the likes of a smartphone or satellite messenger.

Thanks to efficiency advances and cost decreases in solar cells, portable solar chargers are finally proving to be a viable means of providing electricity outdoors. A backcountry user might carry a smartphone, GoPros, headlamp, tablet, camera, headphones, and PLB or GPS devices.

Solar chargers can be a nice complement to an emergency blackout kit or a backpacking trip, but if you have to choose one, go with one of the best power banks. The best solar charger for your needs depends on a number of factors, including your budget, your power needs, and the available sunlight in the region.