Solar battery chargers are a low-maintenance solution to our modern on-the-go electricity needs. The best solar battery chargers are highly efficient at collecting the sun’s energy and transforming it into a useful electric current that can power our devices. Compact power banks utilize solar charging for hassle-free energy gains that can be used to recharge the batteries in smartphones and tablets, while solar trickle chargers are the perfect solution for maintaining 12V batteries in cars, boats, and, RVs.
We reviewed a plethora of different solar battery chargers and have identified the best available today. Considering factors such as photovoltaic efficiency, versatility, and reliability we have chosen our top picks and listed the best of the rest to give you a detailed rundown of the finest solar battery chargers around.
We’ve chosen the AMZGO Portable Solar Power Bank as our overall top pick. This solar battery charger has excellent charging and energy output speeds, a huge battery capacity, and a wealth of features the likes of which are unseen on other comparable devices.
The 5 Top-Rated Solar Battery Chargers
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Solar Battery Charger Overall | AMZGO Portable Solar Power Bank | 4.9 |
| Best Foldable Solar Battery Charger | Zonhood Foldable Solar Power Bank | 4.7 |
| Best Budget Solar Battery Charger | GRDE Solar Power Bank | 5.0 |
| Best Solar Battery Charger for RVs | TP-solar Portable Battery Charger Kit | 4.9 |
| Best Solar Battery Charger for Boats | DuraVolt Marine Solar Battery Charger | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Solar Battery Charger Overall: AMZGO Portable Solar Power Bank
The AMZGO Portable Solar Power Bank is an absolute powerhouse of a solar battery charger. Energy is supplied to the 26800mAh power bank via a 1.5W solar panel and fast-charging USB C input where it can then be stored and released through the same USB C port and an additional two USB A ports for a total output of 18W. Internal programming regulates the output current to match each individual device’s unique specifications.
On top of the incredible power delivery, this device was built to be your traveling companion no matter where you choose to roam. The exterior is covered in a layer of durable ABS plastic to protect the solar battery charger from the elements and from fall damage. This device is rainproof, dustproof, and shock-proof.
You can hang this power bank on your backpack with the included lanyard so that the solar panel will soak up the sun while you walk. Keep the device within arms reach at night so that you can utilize the brilliant 60 LED backlight as a flashlight, camp light, and mosquito repellent. Yes, the orange color of the LED works as a mosquito repellent! This is the ultimate personal solar battery charger.
AMZGO Portable Solar Power Bank Key Features:
- 26800mAh battery capacity
- Three output ports and one USB C input port
- 60 LED mosquito repellent light
- 1.5W solar panel
Best Foldable Solar Battery Charger: Zonhood Foldable Solar Power Bank
Compact and convenient, the Zonhood Foldable Solar Power Bank neatly tucks away its three powerful solar panels into a tight and attractive bundle when packed into a bag or pocket. When unleashed, the three solar panels work to charge a 20000mAh lithium-polymer battery that can charge up to three devices simultaneously.
The two USB A ports and the Qi wireless charging pad can charge devices at a speedy 2.1A rate. A USB C input port enables high-speed computer or wall charging to supply the power bank with electricity when the solar panels are unnecessary or inefficient due to bad weather.
This solar power bank is made of durable, fireproof plastic that is also waterproof, dustproof, and shock-absorbing. Each solar panel is edged with stitched leather for a high-quality aesthetic that doubles as a protective barrier against the elements.
Zonhood Foldable Solar Power Bank Key Features:
- 20000mAh battery capacity
- Two output ports and one USB C input port
- Qi wireless charging
- Three 1.5W solar panels
Best Budget Solar Battery Charger: GRDE Solar Power Bank
The GRDE Solar Power Bank is as capable, durable, and powerful as many of its competitors, and its priced at an incredible value compared to similar models. A USB C input port is the primary power supplier of this device, but the 1.5W solar panel is capable of fully charging the 10000mAh power bank after basking in the sunlight for 60 hours.
This solar charger’s two USB A output ports are rated at different charging speeds. The primary USB A port has a 2.1A fast-charge rating that is equal to many of the pricier power banks on the market, but the secondary 1A USB A port is a bit slower.
Built of rugged silicone, this power bank can take a beating. The unit is waterproof and dustproof, and its compact size means it can fit anywhere that your smartphone can. Dual LED flashlights combine to create a bright emergency light, and they’re programmed to function in three different operating modes: bright, flash, and SOS. It even has a carabiner clip and built-in magnetic compass to aid in your outdoor adventures.
GRDE Solar Power Bank Key Features:
- 10000mAh battery capacity
- Two output ports and one USB C input port
- Built-in magnetic compass
Best Solar Battery Charger for RVs: TP-solar Portable Battery Charger Kit
Whether you need to charge a cellphone or power a 12V vehicle battery, the TP-solar Portable Battery Charger Kit has you covered. Equipped with dual 3A USB A output ports, a 12V cigarette lighter adapter, and alligator clips, this unit is ready to power any device you can throw its way. Its unique multifunctional capabilities make it the ideal solar battery charger for RV goers who need a Swiss Army Knife-like versatility.
The powerful 30W foldable monocrystalline silicon solar panel has an impressive solar conversion rate of up to 25%, and it is covered in a completely waterproof Oxford Fabric. When folded, the entire unit is thin like a modern tablet and its length and width dimensions are less than that of a sheet of paper. It weighs about a pound and can be easily stored in a backpack or RV cubby.
Leave the solar panel in the sun to charge up your vehicle or boat batteries while you grab lunch, or hang it from your daypack during a hike to charge your smartphone and GPS devices while you trek. This solar battery charger’s versatility is what makes it an excellent choice for RV enthusiasts.
TP-solar Portable Battery Charger Kit Key Features:
- 30W solar panel
- Two USB output ports, 12V DC adapter, and alligator clips
- PC terminal AC adapter compatible
Best Solar Battery Charger for Boats: DuraVolt Marine Solar Battery Charger
The DuraVolt Marine Solar Battery Charger has a flexible aluminum backing and is covered in an unbreakable plastic film, making it a bendable solar panel that will mount well onto flat or curved surfaces. Its ingenious design is completely weatherproof and easily installs onto a watercraft’s exterior.
Inside, the crystalline cells within the solar panel have the industry’s highest conversion efficiency. The 11.8″ x 10″ panel converts the sun’s rays into 8.3W of electricity that is then sent through a regulator to trickle charge an attached 12V battery. This solar battery charger is meant to maintain the charge of a battery, not to fully charge it from zero charge. It is ideally used when your boat is sitting for long periods of time in storage, or in such recreational situations as when you’re camping for several days and need to ensure the battery remains at full charge.
The solar battery charger is equipped with a fused SAE output plug, and it comes packaged with a lighter plug adapter, battery terminal adapter, and alligator battery clips. Reviews celebrate this solar charger’s ability to maintain year-round battery health. Users appreciate that it extends the life of their 12V batteries and can be used to tend a marine battery during a multi-day outing at the lake.
DuraVolt Marine Solar Battery Charger Key Features:
- 8.3W solar panel
- 90W power delivery
- Flexible, weatherproof panel design
Who Should Buy a Solar Battery Charger
Solar battery chargers with power banks are ideal for on-the-go people who frequently find themselves with low batteries in their cellphones, tablets, and e-readers. Modern solar power banks make for excellent travel companions as they can keep your favorite devices charged for extended periods of time. Whether you’re spending long days hustling between classes on a college campus, taking a well-deserved international vacation, or backpacking through the backcountry, solar battery chargers with power banks will help you stay connected to your devices for days on end.
Solar chargers can help those with bigger 12V batteries in their big toys to maintain the charge in their batteries even when they’re not using them. Boats, RVs, lawnmowers, and other infrequently used equipment with large 12V batteries need tenders with a trickle charge to maintain optimal battery health. Solar battery chargers are ideal for long term, low maintenance battery tending, and they can be used on-the-go during road trips and boating excursions to keep your batteries fully charged at all times.
Solar battery chargers make great gifts. You can find more great electronic gadget gift ideas in our guides to the best electronic gifts for men and the best wearable tech devices.
Important Features to Consider
Before purchasing a solar battery charger make sure to think about these important considerations.
- Power bank vs trickle charger. These are the two primary types of solar battery chargers featured in this article. Power banks store the collected solar energy in a battery to be utilized in the future when it is needed and are most often used to charge small devices such as cell phones and tablets. Trickle chargers are for tending larger 12V batteries used in vehicles and watercraft and they are designed to slowly charge or maintain the charge of said batteries.
- Portability. For either style of solar battery charger, you must consider how and where it will be used most often. Large fold-out solar panels are best kept at home or transported for use in an RV, while smaller chargers can be great tools for daily use, light travel, or even extended backpacking trips.
- Ports and plugs. USB A and USB C are common ports on power banks that have universal application, but some power banks also feature less common AC and DC ports as well. Trickle chargers usually come packaged with alligator clips and 12V cigarette-lighter style battery connections while some also featured USB ports.
- Weatherproof. There are varying degrees of “weatherproof” in the world of solar battery chargers. While many products may be rainproof, not many are fully waterproof. You’ll have to decide just how weatherproof you need your solar battery charger to be before you make a purchasing decision. Backpackers looking for power banks or watersport enthusiasts with marine batteries will want to make sure that the products they consider are completely waterproof. Dust, fall, and shockproof features are also something to look out for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solar battery charger and how does it work?
Solar battery chargers utilize photovoltaic solar panels to convert the sun’s energy into electricity which is then transferred to a battery.
Solar power battery chargers with power banks store this electricity for later use, often through USB ports and DC outlets. These power banks are available in different storage capacities that are measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) where the higher the number means more electricity can be stored.
Trickle chargers are used for larger 12V batteries such as those in boats, cars, and RVs to tend or maintain the battery’s charge levels when not in use. These solar battery trickle chargers turn the sun’s energy into a weak electrical current that provides enough energy to keep a 12V battery charged without overloading the battery.
How many solar panels does it take to charge a 12-volt battery?
Solar panels come in a wide array of sizes and power outputs, so rather than asking how many solar panels, we should be asking how much solar panel power is required to charge a 12V battery. Each 12V battery is also different and may require a specific amount of volts and amp-hours to charge. Typically, a 100W or greater solar panel system will adequately charge a 12V battery. Maintaining a battery’s charge requires much less power and can be done by as small as a 5W solar panel.
Do solar battery chargers work on cloudy days?
In most cases, yes, though the solar panels won’t be as efficient as they would be in full sunshine. Trickle chargers usually have no issue maintaining their weak electrical current on cloudy days. Power banks with small solar panels may not perform so well on cloudy days, but most are equipped with USB charging ports so that you can alternatively charge the power bank via a computer, 12V outlet, or wall outlet.
Can a solar charger overcharge a battery?
Finding the right solar charger for your needs is essential to your battery’s health. The correct equipment in any given situation will not overcharge a battery. Power banks that are equipped with their own fixed solar panels will never have this issue, and modern trickle chargers are designed with built-in overcharge protection. The best way to avoid overcharging a battery is to never use a solar charger outside of its intended purpose.
Other Solar Battery Chargers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other solar battery chargers. Even though they didn’t make our five best solar battery charger list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for on-the-go battery charging needs. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Foldable Solar Battery Chargers
- Solar Battery Charger Power Banks
- Solar Battery Chargers for Boats and RVs
- Budget Solar Battery Chargers
Foldable Solar Battery Chargers
Surprisingly lightweight and packable, the Aeisuny Foldable Solar Panel is a high-powered portable solar charger that can charge up to three devices at once. Three fast-charging USB ports are powered by an efficient set of solar panels that reviews say work as well on cloudy days as they do in the full sun. A more powerful 40W version is also available.
Key Features:
- Three 3.8A USB charging ports
- 20W solar panel
- One-year warranty
Cost: $70
Benfiss Portable Solar Charger
Built for outdoor enthusiasts, the rugged Benfiss Portable Solar Charger is padded with shock-absorbing silicone to protect it against sudden falls. Its compact, foldable design packs away easily, and when unfolded it can be conveniently hung on a backpack while hiking to charge while you trek.
Key Features:
- Two 2.1A USB charging ports
- 25000mAh battery capacity
- Rugged silicon cover
Cost: $40
ENKEEO 50W Foldable Solar Panel
Large and sun-charged, the ENKEEO 50W Foldable Solar Panel pumps out watts like it’s no big deal. A bracket stand helps position the panels at just the right angle so that you can charge all of your devices with the utmost efficiency.
Key Features:
- One 3A USB 2.0 port, one QC USB 3.0 port, and one 18V DC port
- 50W solar panels
- Bracket stand
Cost: $120
Enther Portable Solar Power Bank
As compact as your favorite tablet, the Enther Portable Solar Power Bank is an efficient solar charger that converts up to 23.5% of solar energy it receives into stored power. You can easily slide it into your purse or laptop bag and take it out to soak in the sun at a moment’s notice.
Key Features:
- Two 2.1A USB ports
- 10000mAh battery capacity
- One-year warranty
Cost: $40
The F.DORLA Solar Charger is as small as your smartphone and unfolds into a stream of four solar panels. The power bank can alternatively be charged directly through the USB C port. An exterior LED light, carabiner, and durable silicone shell make this an excellent outdoor option.
Key Features:
- Two 2.1A USB ports
- 25000mAh battery capacity
- LED light with multiple modes
Cost: $34
Built to survive in the elements, the ORITO Foldable Power Bank is covered in a shock-absorbing silicone shell. The entire unit is dustproof and waterproof. A carabiner and multifunctional LED light add to the rugged aesthetic, and Qi wireless charging on the back panel is enabled for compatible devices.
Key Features:
- Two 2.1A USB ports
- 20000mAh battery capacity
- Waterproof and dustproof
Cost: $39
Solar Battery Charger Power Banks
Loaded with three output ports, two input ports, LED charge indicator lights, an LED flashlight, and a solar charge indicator light, the full-featured Aonidi Solar Charger is among the best solar power banks on the market.
Key Features:
- Two 3.1A USB A ports and one USB C port
- USB C and Micro USB input ports
- 26800mAh battery capacity
Cost: $47
Charge up to four devices at once with the FKANT Solar Charger. Two 3.1A USB ports, a USB C port, and a Qi wireless charging pad dish out the 26800mAh quick when you need it. Solar charging panels, a micro USB port, and a USB C port all can be used to charge the power bank.
Key Features:
- Three output ports and two input ports
- 26800mAh battery capacity
- Qi wireless charger
Cost: $46
Equipped with its very own magnetic compass and LED flashlight, the LEO WAY Solar Charger is both a survival tool and a power bank in one. This product would be a great addition to a vehicle or camping emergency kit.
Key Features:
- Three output ports and one input port
- 20000mAh battery capacity
- One-year warranty
Cost: $45
ORYTO Qi Wireless Solar Power Bank
Well-received by users for its quality construction, reliable i26 wireless charger, and high-capacity 26800mAh battery, the ORYTO Qi Wireless Solar Power Bank is a truly great buy. It’s a stout product that’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.
Key Features:
- Three output ports and two input ports
- 26800mAh battery capacity
- i26 wireless charger
Cost: $47
If you want a battery that can light up the night, the Sethruki Solar Power Bank is for you. 29 bright LEDs grace the back panel of this power bank, combining to produce a blindingly brilliant night light.
Key Features:
- Two output ports and one input port
- 10000mAh battery capacity
- Large LED flashlight
Cost: $27
tatida Wireless Portable Solar Battery
The tatida Wireless Portable Solar Battery is a well-rounded device in a stylish package. Dual 3.1a quick-charging USB ports and an in/out USB C port can all change devices at the same time as the Qi wireless charger, and they’ll all auto-detect your device’s current to pair for the optimal output.
Key Features:
- Three output ports and two input ports
- 26800mAh
- Qi wireless charger
Cost: $42
Solar Battery Chargers for Boats and RVs
Battery Tender Solar Battery Charger
Boat and RV batteries are susceptible to running low on juice because they often sit unused for long periods of time. The Battery Tender Solar Battery Charger has a three-step microcontroller attached to the solar panel that converts the solar energy into a smart-charge maintenance current that’ll never overcharge your battery.
Key Features:
- 12V DC 0.83A maintenance output
- 5W, 10W, and 15W solar panel options
- Overcharge protection
Cost: $90
ECO-WORTHY Portable Power Solar Panel
Set and forget the ECO-WORTHY Portable Power Solar Panel. This solar charger is available in various sizes, each with a built-in blocking diode which prevents your battery from draining. This trickle charge will keep your batteries topped off and it comes with suction cups so that you can easily attach it to the inside of a windshield.
Key Features:
- 12V DC 0.56A trickle output
- 5W, 7.5W, 10W, and 100W solar panel options
- Built-in blocking diode
Cost: $36
The flexible panels of the SUAOKI Solar Charger provide plenty of energy for battery tending. RVs, cars, boats, lawnmowers, and more will benefit from the ample 1A trickle charge of this device. A built-in blocking diode prevents reverse discharge.
Key Features:
- 18V DC 1A trickle output
- 18W solar panel
- 18-month warranty
Cost: $40
SUNER POWER Waterproof Solar Charger
The SUNER POWER Waterproof Solar Charger is an ideal solution for watercraft with its IP67 waterproof rating. An LED indicator light showcases the battery’s condition, and an interior Maximum Power Point Tracking chip manages charging levels while ensuring full overcharging and reverse discharge protection.
Key Features:
- 12V DC 1.5A trickle output
- 18W solar panel
- One-year warranty
Cost: $75
Budget Solar Battery Chargers
AMZGO Foldable Solar Power Bank
A slim piece of hardware at an affordable price, the AMZGO Foldable Solar Power Bank is like the little brother to our top overall pick. This is a great value option for a high-quality solar power bank for someone who doesn’t require huge battery storage or numerous output ports.
Key Features:
- Dual USB 2.1A outputs and a single Micro USB input
- 10000mAh battery capacity
- Qi wireless charging
Cost: $23
Certainly the brightest of the budget solar battery chargers, the Etxian Waterproof Power Bank utilized 15 LEDs for high-intensity lighting. This unit also features a substantial 15000mAh battery capacity and is both waterproof and shockproof.
Key Features:
- Dual USB 2.1A outputs and a single Micro USB input
- 15000mAh battery capacity
- 15 LED flashlight
Cost: $26
The Feelle Solar Power Bank is the most expensive of our budget-friendly recommendations because it packs in an incredible 24000mAh of battery capacity, enough to charge most smartphones over 10 times. This is the budget choice for those who need lots of juice.
Key Features:
- Dual USB 2.1A outputs and a single Micro USB input
- 24000mAh battery capacity
- Waterproof
Cost: $37
The Slos Portable Solar Charger utilizes two USB 3A high-speed ports, an in/out USB C port, and has a Qi wireless charging pad. This solar power bank has everything you want at an affordable price point. The LED flashlight isn’t the strongest among its peers, but its design makes it easier to use as a traditional flashlight.
Key Features:
- Three input ports and two output ports
- 20000mAh battery capacity
- Qi wireless charging
Cost: $36
