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Best solar backpack 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]
Last Updated October 1, 2023
HELLO! I’m Roger Barnett. I spent 31 hours researching and testing 14 different types of solar backpack and found that material, variety of sizes, and style were most important.
I will go through the main features and what you should consider when deciding which one to pick over the other. What I would like you to remember as you browse my website is that I don’t work in the industry so the reviews I have are based on good old fashioned honesty.
Best solar backpack of 2018
There is a wide range of products available on the market today, and below I have reviewed 3 of the very best options. You can make a choice based on the my list as you shop. Before you spend your money on solar backpack, start by familiarizing yourself with the various types. Here are my top picks with detailed reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you purchase the perfect item for your needs.
Test Results and Ratings
| Rank | №1 | №2 | №3 |
| Product |  |
 |
 |
| Total | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Ease of use |
4 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Versatility |
5 points
|
5 points
|
5 points
|
| Durability |
5 points
|
5 points
|
4 points
|
| Value |
5 points
|
4 points
|
4 points
|
| Awards |  |
||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
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How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the solar backpack by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
№1 – Voltaic Systems – Converter 5 Watt Solar Panel Backpack with Backup Battery Pack | Powers Phones
| Total: |
4.8
|
Why did this solar backpack win the first place?
I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product. The rear part fits perfectly! It is mounted really tight and reliable. I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! The product is very strong. Its material is stable and doesn’t crack.
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
№2 – ECEEN Hydration Solar Backpack 7 Watts Solar Panel Charger with 2L Bladder Bag For Biking Charging Mobile Phones
| Total: |
4.5
|
Why did this solar backpack come in second place?
The design quality is top notch and the color is nice. The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. I recommend you to consider buying this model, it definitely worth its money. I really liked it. It is amazing in every aspect. It did even exceed my expectations for a bit, considering the affordable price.
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
№3 – The original Bobby Anti-theft backpack by XD Design
| Total: |
4.3
|
Why did this solar backpack take third place?
I liked the design. We’ve been using it for 2 months and it still looks like brand new. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. The material is incredibly nice to the touch. It has a great color, which will suit any wallpapers. It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time.
4
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
solar backpack Buyer’s Guide
The sun has got its pack on
Smartphones are essential tools for modern life, but they all suffer from one big problem: every so often you have to plug them in and charge them up.
And it seems like keeping our phones powered up is becoming increasingly challenging, with handsets demanding more and more precious battery life for their increasingly sophisticated features and whizzy graphics.
The good news is that there’s an alternative source of energy available wherever you are: the sun. And technology is starting to harness its power, with solar-powered bags becoming increasingly common.
Yes, the idea of lugging a solar-powered bag around with you might seem a little lame – but you’ll be the one laughing when you’re able to Periscope your friends’ misery at not being able to check Facebook.
SunnyBAG
If you’re looking for the sort of solar bag that you can take into a business meeting, SunnyBAG’s Business Class Collection is stylish, genuine leather option.
The solar panels are built into the satchel’s flap, and are used to charge up a power bar within – you can then plug whatever USB device you like into this.
The panel is also flexible, so if your bag twists a little nothing will break, and it’s resistant to water and dust. Best of all, it weighs less than 2kg. There are a number of subtly different models available in both black and brandy colours.
The Bugout Solar Backpack
If you’re planning on embarking on some paramilitary misadventures, yet still want to be able to reliably check in on Foursquare when you reach the enemy base, then Escape Solar Gear has you covered.
Its Bugout Solar Packpack contains a 4W solar panel that can output to either a USB port or a 12V auto socket, into which you plug in your gear. There are concealed pockets, and quick-release shoulder straps, should you find yourself in what the official description calls ‘tight situations’.
Lifepack
The Lifepack is much more than just a solar-charging bag. Sure, there’s a solar cell built in that can recharge an iPhone up to 1times, but there’s also an integrated lock that be extended on a cord, so you can clip your bag to a table or similar to prevent thefts.
The focus on security is also evident in the four concealed pockets for storing important documents such as your passport, and the laptop sleeve is reinforced with air cells, so if you drop your bag your computer won’t take much of a hit.
There’s even a built-in bluetooth speaker, so you can be the life and soul of the party wherever you go – or you can just annoy the hell out of everyone on the top deck of the bus if you want to.
Custom Solar Powered Duffel Bag
One type of bag we haven’t shown you yet in this round-up is a gym bag – so here you go. This bag, designed by one Etsy user, can charge your phone while you work out.
The Adidas bag has been modified to take a 6W solar panel, which can be clipped on or off as needed. There’s also a built-in 2600mAh battery, to hold the charge for when you’re out of the sun.
GoPlug’s bag appears similar to others on our list, comprising solar panels and power bank – but this power bank is significantly more advanced.
It also has a proximity sensor, and will tell you if your phone moves a certain distance from you, alerting you to theft or misplacement. And it can push alerts to your phone in the form of notifications.
Eceen 7Watts Messenger Bag
If you prefer a messenger-style bag rather than a backpack, Eceen’s solar bag packs a 22%-efficient solar panel, 10,000mAh battery and 40cm USB cable into its stylish design.
This is one of the lightest bags in our round-up, weighing in at just 708g, and handily the USB battery has two ports, so you can charge two devices simultaneously.
Output power
When looking at the output power, make sure you figure out how it is being reported. If you have multiple ports, is the output measured for both (or all) ports combined, or is it the amperage per port? If it is the latter, you need to add them together to figure out the total amperage for the entire unit.
Connections
Several connection options may be available for solar chargers, but most will provide you with several USB ports, often including one high amperage port for particularly thirsty devices. For some devices, you may need an adapter. Many older cameras for example cannot hook up using a USB connection.
Accessories
Some chargers come with a range of accessories—these may include extension cables, adapters, charging indicators, carabiners, and other items. Make sure you know what accessories you need and which are included with your purchase. That way you know what you will have to purchase separately and how much it will add to the cost.
Things You Can Do With Your Old Electronic Devices
Read More you own, along with your pens, pencils, vape rig (or whatever else you kids carry around nowadays), and even a water bottle (or, um, another kind of bottle).
Of course, we’re here to talk about techie backpacks, and the rechargeable 10,400mAh battery scratches that itch. It possesses two Amp USB ports for charging phones and one 2.Amp USB port for charging tablets and other larger devices. Where things get smart is the pack’s wire organizing feature. All USB charging cables snake through the pack to wherever you want them to go. Whether you want to charge something in the hard compartment on the top, or you want to get a cable to the tablet compartment, it’s easy to do without the wires getting in the way.
MOS Pack
This bag forgoes backup batteries and instead opts to include a cable that you plug into the wall. This way, you can leave all your devices plugged in and inside the bag and charge when an outlet is nearby. It’s a kind of cool idea, but it does lack some of the flexibility of the bags with batteries inside. For students, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, as most campuses have an abundance of outlets (though you may need to sneak it). The positive for doing it this way is that you can also charge your laptop, something you won’t find in many backup batteries (unless they’re expensive).
OffGrid Solar Backpack
PANELS – rugged monocrystalline solar panel with 6.15W total peak output at 6V. The panel is waterproof, lightweight, and coated in self-healing urethane to withstand abuse and resist scratches.
Solar power is becoming increasingly common among middle class consumers, with more and more people realizing the advantages of solar panels.
Read More, still?), and how everyone fawns over him or her. Well, if you have an OffGrid Solar Backpack, that’ll be you.
Jokes aside, the bag comes with a 4,000mAh battery to charge your devices. The solar panel isn’t just for show: it charges the backpack’s battery, which then charges your phone, tablet, or camera. Sadly, the sun isn’t always available, and the backup battery can also be charged with a power outlet so that you can stay juiced (hey, gym rat, I mean the battery!) regardless of where you are.
Clearly, the tech stuff is undebatably cool. But the bag itself is pretty solid too. It’s 18-inches high, 12-inches wide, and 8-inches thick. It has a dedicated laptop sleeve and a large compartment that’ll fit all the rest of your stuff (like books).
Gaming Backpacks
Today, we are going to look at two high-end gaming mice and keyboards: Corsair’s Vengeance K9Mechanical Gaming Keyboard and M9Performance MMO and RTS Laser Gaming Mouse.
Read More (though books fit too). There’s no better time in your life to find other people to game with than college, and these backpacks should make getting to where you want to play easier.
Powerful design
The original design of the solar backpack is known as the REPPS (Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System) and was intended for the use of the United States Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center. The system featured a 62-watt solar panel blanket for use by the US Army stationed in Afghanistan. This however was not the first implementation of this system.
Previously the US Air Force and the Marines used almost the same type of system for their operation. The REPPS has proven valuable in the field that it has remained in use by the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based in Logar, Afghanistan. When buying this type of device, make user that it has the same powerful design to get the most out of your money and remain functional with every use.
Length of exposure
Essentially, when buying this type of device, you want to take into consideration the charging factor. Models can have significantly different charging time requirements, which mean that the length of exposure to the sun to achieve a full charge can be different. Basically, you would want to consider a solar backpack that is capable of powering emergency lights for approximately 1hours after just six hours of exposure to the sun.
This is extremely advantageous especially for those who are living off the grid as well as those in jurisdictions where sunlight is extremely limited. The longer the exposure time, the more waiting time required before this device becomes fully functional. If you are continuously on the move, you may not have the luxury of waiting. You also have to consider that not just because you are outdoors, you automatically have complete access to sunlight.
Capable of higher power outputs
The flexibility of these types of solar power devices is normally measured by the type of devices they can power up. One of the more challenging equipment that you need to take into consideration, especially when in humanitarian relief missions is the ability to deliver power to medical equipment. It is safe to say that not all portable solar power sources are capable of delivering this kind of functionality.
To get optimum value for your money, you must realize that an important factor to consider is the ability of solar backpacks to store excess power, which you currently do not need, but can be readily called upon later on. This will allow you to absorb as much of the free solar energy that you can and have the peace of mind that you can use it immediately in cases of emergency.
When considering solar backpacks, you must be very keen on the factor that your location should never pose a hindrance on the manner of charging. For this, you would need to inquire from the manufacturer the flexibility of using the solar backpack charger. Essentially, there would be no problem with charging if you are at home or in the campsite, but, when on the move, there may be some issues you will be forced to contend with.
There is a solar backpack review that suggests that it would be ideal to opt for a solar backpack charger that allows charging not only from sunlight, but also from conventional electric sources. This type of flexibility allows you to take advantage of the device even when stationed in localities where the sun never shines for months for example. This also gives you the convenience of charging the unit at home at night to be ready for use in the morning.
Lightweight and easy to carry
The common driving motivation to buy this device is convenience and flexibility. This purpose would be negated if it is extremely difficult to carry because of its weight. Essentially, you would want to gain access to a simple device that will make your life easier as well as cut down your bills while limiting carbon footprint. It the unit is not lightweight and not designed adequately for on the go activities, then it is not worth your money.
It is equally important to consider a solar backpack that is waterproof. Keep in mind that majority of the uses of this device would be outdoors and in remote areas. This means that it needs to be functional regardless of the weather. It is therefore an important factor to consider the capability of the device to charge and deliver power regardless if it is raining, snowing, or cloudy.
Do not get the wrong notion that all of these factors can only be satisfied by high-end solar backpacks. There are a number of affordable devices in the market that will give you the best value for your money. Keep all these factors in mind to have the best solar backpack for you.
You are going to want to pair the 10000mAh power pack with at least a 7W solar panel. 7W is enough to fully charge the battery pack with a full day of sun (7-hours). The more wattages you have, the quicker you can recharge and the more items you can charge. Once you go over 15W though, the price and size start getting past what you can comfortably fit on your back (though the technology is getting better each year and the size for the same wattages is getting smaller and smaller).
You are also going to want to make sure everything is, at least, water resistant if not waterproof since this is designed to be outdoors and nobody wants to have to go find shelter every time there is a light rain. Protection from dirt and shock is also another good thing to look for.
Features
The shoulder straps on this are not nearly as adjustable as a backpack designed for hiking or biking, but you will also not have it on your shoulders all day, so it is a fair tradeoff.
This bag is perfect for business commuters that get a fair bit of sun on their commute and are not always near a power outlet.
Solar Backpacks with Hydration Packs
Solar backpacks that include hydration packs are the ultimate inconvenience. These include everything you want for a day trip, slack hiking or just walking around in the city. CamelBak, solar charging, battery pack and a comfortable backpack. A lot of these you can purchase at a cost cheaper than just getting a normal CamelBak. Solar + Hydration for cheaper than a CamelBak? Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
For most of these backpacks, I would suggest you wash out your hydration bladder several times before using it. Completely fill it with water and let it drain through the tubing to times at least. If not, the water will have a plasticy taste to it. After this you should clean your bladders with a Camelbak Antidote Cleaning Kit once a month or after several uses. If not, your tubing and bladder can get grungy and disgusting. Make sure to store the bladders completely dry as well, if not you can get mold in the tubing that can get hard to clean out.
I really the features to price for this backpack. You can usually find this cheaper than just getting a similar quality CamelBak, so the addition of the solar charging is almost just a bonus. The bladder has a wide cap and makes it really easy to fill up. 1.8L is plenty of water to carry around without having to worry about running out and also not worry about too much water weight on your back. Tubing and bite valves are pretty similar to what you would get with a CamelBack hydration pack, so no worries on that end.
The 7-watt solar panel clips onto the backpack in a point attachment that makes it easy to detach if you do not need solar charging that day. The shoulder harness is lightweight mesh and does not chaff. It has several adjustment points and nice airflow, so this should be comfortable on your back all day. The solar panels are sturdy and the included battery pack is waterproof, allowing you to not worry even if you get caught in the rain. Stitching is solid and includes access holes for your hydration tubes as well as cables to your battery pack so you do not have to take out the battery while you keep your phone charged.
This is not a full sized backpack so its best if you only have a couple of things you need to carry or need a lightweight backpack for daily use. The included 10000mAh power pack is the perfect size for keeping multiple devices charged throughout the day. The zippered pockets on the side are perfect for storing your cords and other small items.
Solar Backpacks to Avoid
3W is not a lot of solar charging. This would take you a full day of sun to give your phone a noticeable charge. The included 2200 mAh power bank is not enough to even give your phone a full charge. This bag is also cheaply made and most reviews show that it falls apart almost immediately. Save your money and buy something better.
Related posts
Joos claims the Orange can be charged in the lowest light and even in light rain. That’s an impressive claim. It can be charged from your computer’s USB or wall charger and the company says that the battery is rated to hold that charge in standby for years. Another bold claim from the maker – Joos says that the Orange can be shot and submerged, and yet still charge. This may be some of the boldest claims for any device I have ever heard.
How we picked
When it comes to anything to do with solar power, even the basics can get complicated quickly. For those who want to really understand how these chargers work and what makes one solar charger or battery different from another, read The amps and volts of electricity at the bottom of this guide. Otherwise, read on—if you get confused, you can always scroll to the end to read the explanation.
How we tested
The build of the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite felt similar to the rest of the chargers we’ve assessed and followed the same design philosophy. Most solar chargers are just two to four solar panels are sewn to a woven-nylon backing with any wires hidden between the layers and charging connections in a pocket at the end. You’ll find various riveted holes or loops around the edges to help you hang or mount the unit when deployed. All the models we examined had roughly the same quality of stitching and nylon, and all of them lacked any noticeable weatherproofing at the charging ports. Since the panels themselves are weatherproof, they’re just sewn in at the edges without any additional covering. The size and weight varied a little between the models, but once we had them all in hand, the basic designs didn’t vary enough that we could rule out any or pick a favorite. For solar chargers, it really comes down to performance.
Pull Quote
The Anker and runner up RAVPower both returned to full-speed charging immediately after being shaded.
Beyond power output, the Anker solves an irritating problem common to other chargers. If they get shaded for a moment—from a passing cloud or pedestrian—they can get stuck in a slow-charging state or shut off completely. The Anker and runner up RAVPower both returned to full-speed charging immediately after being shaded. But two of the panels we tested, including the otherwise-excellent Poweradd, got stuck in a slow-charging state after just a few seconds in the shade.
The Anker measures about 1inches long when fully deployed—about half as long as the 31-inch RAVPower. This makes it much easier to orient towards the sun. And it has nylon loops in all four corners to hang or mount it. Folded up and ready for travel, it measures 1by 6.inches and weighs just 12.ounces—that’s just an ounce more than an iPad mini Any larger doesn’t get you enough performance to justify the size, and any smaller won’t be able to keep up with modern, power-hungry gadgets.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Most solar products don’t output as much power as their marketing materials claim, and the Anker and our former runner-up pick from RAVPower are no different. Because of that, the two output ports are really aspirational more than practical. You should plan to support only one device at a useful charging speed. In fact, if you try to use both ports without direct summer sun, some newer, fast-charging hardware won’t take a charge at all.
Because the Anker has such a small surface area, it’s particularly susceptible to slower charging if it’s not aimed directly at the sun. This means that while it’s possible to charge your smartphone by leaving the panels in one spot all day, you’ll get a measurable boost if you re-aim the panels every two hours or so.
How to get the most from your solar charger
One of the wonderful things about solar power is how simple it can be. The only care and maintenance most panels require is making sure they’re relatively clean and dust free. A damp cloth should do the trick most of the time.
The competition
The RAVPower sitting in the sun, with an iPad for size comparison.
The RAVPower 15W Solar Charger used to be our runner-up pick, and a great option if the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite was unavailable, but RAVPower has now discontinued this model. Although it had a three-panel design, making it twice as heavy as the Anker and more cumbersome to angle toward the sun, the larger surface area was more forgiving of less-than-ideal placement, and it caught more power in the mornings and late afternoons than our top pick. We didn’t think that the 1percent gain was worth the extra 1ounces in your pack, though.
Before the RAVPower 15W, the Anker 14W Dual Port Solar Charger was our runner-up. With the release of two- and three-paneled chargers, this discontinued four-panel model wasn’t much competition, even though it produced a similar amount of power in our original testing.
The Poweradd 14W (High-Efficiency) Foldable Solar Charger provided the most power in our original head-to-head testing and did so with an impressively compact and lightweight two-panel array. But after being shaded for seconds and then exposed again to the sun, the unit wouldn’t bounce back to charging at its original rate. That’s a dealbreaker for anyone who’ll need to use the charger in unpredictable weather or the occasional cloud. It’s not too much to ask to simply be able to plug it in and know it’ll keep working.
While compact, Instapark’s Mercury came in fourth in our power production tests and, like the Poweradd, couldn’t bounce back to full charging after being shaded.
We tested the Goal Zero Nomad 7, even though it was slightly underpowered for this guide, because Goal Zero has one of the best reputations for product quality and service in this category. The unit is well-made, features USB and DC charging options, and even has niceties like magnetic closure instead of the Velcro used on cheaper units. But at a price that’s nearly 50 percent higher for 50 percent less power, it just isn’t the best option for most people who need occasional off-grid power. For larger or more-stationary power needs, such as a research or wilderness camp, Goal Zero is one of the few companies offering quality portable solar power and AC charging for devices like laptops.
Our Nomad kit came with the company’s new Venture 30 battery, so we tested that component separately against our current travel battery pick, the Anker 2nd Gen Astro E13,000-mAh, to see if it offered any gains during solar charging. The Venture 30 gathered 8percent of the power that the Astro did during our side-by-side solar charging, and we experienced some problems getting the manually activated smart charging to send the maximum current to our iPad. We contacted Goal Zero, and representatives told us that newer versions of the firmware should handle such scenarios better than our early production unit. Since the Venture 30 is part of a small class of rugged batteries, with a heavy-duty rubberized and IPXweatherproof housing, we’re getting a more recent build and planning to test it when we update our guide to USB batteries. In the meantime, you don’t need the Venture 30 to complete your solar-charging setup.
The Creative Edge Solar-all-in-one battery and solar charger tested at 2,84mAh, which is 56.percent of its advertised rating. Between that and a small, slow-charging panel, it couldn’t compete with our pick.
The ZeroLemon SolarJuice 10,000-mAh all-in-one measured at 6percent of its advertised capacity and charged as slowly as expected for a small panel. Build quality seems okay, but the casing materials are smooth plastics, slick to the point that I’d be worried about it slipping out of my hands. For some reason, the unit’s 2-A USB port was marked with one lightning bolt, while the 1-A USB port was marked with two lightning bolts.
The Poweradd Apollo all-in-one tested at 6percent of its 8,000-mAh advertised capacity but gained only 26mAh of juice after eight hours in the sun. It also felt like it was made of cheap plastic, despite its rugged appearance.
Wrapping it up
If you’ll be off the grid for more than a couple of days and a USB battery pack won’t keep your gadgets charged, the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite is the way to go for easy and reliable power at a good price. Pair it with our travel battery pack pick, and you’ll be set for all of your off-grid USB charging needs indefinitely.
Jump back.
There’s an energy loss at every stage of conversion, and going from solar charger over USB to a battery pack and later from the pack to a device you’re charging does consume somewhat more energy than plugging in directly. But the convenience of this combination outweighs the loss.
Dual Front facing speakers with Dual amplifiers
23MP camera with triple image sensors (Predictive Hybrid Autofocus, Laser Autofocus, and RGBC IR) captures your moments in motion and in true-to-life color in any condition.
SteadyShot video with 5-axis video stabilization for smoother action videos and steadier close-ups and selfie videos.
Chargers and other mobile accessories
Did you know cases of Stroke spike right after Thanksgiving? The average Thanksgiving meal is roughly 3,000 calories containing 230g of fat, according to the American Council on Exercise. Pair that with alcohol, and your body is under a whole lot of stress.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is called the “silent killer” because there are usually no symptoms to show the underlying problems. Hypertension can be avoided and treated rather easily these days, so take control of your health. Don’t wait to end up in the hospital or worse on your death bed. Grab a Qardio Arm to monitor your blood pressure through the connected Android and iOS apps, and even share the data with your medical professionals.
2.0-inch HD Display: Built-in 2.0 inches high-definition screen, 170 degrees super wide-angle fisheye, layers of glass lens, make your photos sharper, clearer and less distorted.
High Definition Recording: With the ability to shoot high definition video in 1080p/30fps, 720p/30fps, WVGA and VGA, the camera is ready to capture your life in vivid detail. You can set up, preview and playback video on the built-in, full-color display. It’s always on the screen! Support Micro SD card up to 32GB(Micro SD card not included).
Chargers To Go
If your New Year’s resolution is to never see your smartphone run out of battery life, it’s time to buy a portable charger. No matter if you buy a smaller charger to fit your pocket or purse, or a larger brick that can power even more devices, you’ll always be thankful that you planned ahead.
Not only do we have Qi-based wireless chargers that will support devices such as the iPhone and Plus and the iPhone X, one charger can even deliver enough energy to satisfy the power-hungry Nintendo Switch, which charges over USB Type-C, while another — that resembles a golf club — doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. bigger is better.
RAVPower 10000mAh Power Bank
The RAVPower Power Bank can charge an iPhone Plus twice, and still have juice leftover. The 10000-mAh power source weighs a mere 8.ounces, so it won’t drag you or our bag down. Plus, its dual 2A inputs means you can charge two devices at once, as well as fill a device in as short as hours (twice as fast as 1A chargers).
Letv Super Power Bank
For those who opt for metallic tones across their accessories, the pint-sized Letv Super Powerbank may the best bet, as it fits right into your look. Available in gold, silver and black, this 13,400 mAh charger offers two USB ports so you can charge two devices at once, saving your device and a friend’s from a power outage at the same time.
Belkin MIXIT Power RockStar 6600
Portable power sources are supposed to reduce your number of nuisances, but traveling with one often requires you to keep a charging cable with you, adding clutter to your bag. The 6,600-mAh Mixit Power RockStar helpfully stows its micro USB charging cable internally. It features two USB ports that can be used to simultaneously charge two smartphones.
Who should get this
Honestly, a lot of people looking for a portable power solution are going to be better off starting with a USB battery pack. Our large battery pick will keep a smartphone charged every night for a week and is no bigger than a paperback novel. But if you can’t be sure of your power needs, a solar charger could refill a small battery pack in a day or directly charge a smartphone in two to three hours.
The catch is that these chargers work only with USB devices, which limits their appeal for those who need them for long-term, off-grid setups. If that’s you, you’ll probably be more interested in the larger setups from companies like Goal Zero or Suntactics. In the future, we may review these units, but for now, they’re outside the scope of this guide.
How we picked and tested
With cloudless, blue Southern California skies and an expected high in the 70s, we set out the panels we chose for testing at roughly a 25-degree angle at a.m. and connected them to a PortaPow VPremium USB Power Monitor and an external USB battery. We disqualified any chargers unable to get back to their maximum output on their own once shaded. If you decide to leave your phone and solar charger out all afternoon to absorb some juice while you’re off hiking, you’d be pretty disappointed to find your phone charged for only a total of 1minutes before a cloud passed by. That’s a dealbreaker.
Because we had a few models that didn’t carry this quirk, we tested them against one another to gauge power production. When they performed similarly, we chose the lighter, more compact of the three competitors as our winner.
Our pick
If you need power for small devices when you’re away from electrical outlets for more than a couple of days, the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite has the best combination of charging speed, size, and price. Used alone, the Anker can fully recharge small tablets or one or two smartphones in one sunny day. If you pair the Anker with one of our favorite USB battery packs, the combination will have enough juice to keep your USB-powered gadgets fully charged every day for as long as needed. And although half of the chargers we tested slowed to a crawl when a cloud passed overhead, the Anker resumed full-speed charging almost immediately after the cloud was gone.
In direct winter sun, our peak measurement was 8.4watts/1.6amps, which may seem low compared with the 1watts/2.amps production advertised in the specs. But after an entire day charging our test battery, the average watts/1.1amps got us 8percent of the way to the total produced by the much larger and heavier RAVPower charger.
The Anker measures about 1inches long when fully deployed—about half as long as the 31-inch RAVPower, making it much easier to orient toward the sun. Folded up and ready for travel, it measures 1by 6.inches and weighs just 12.ounces. Models any larger don’t get you enough performance boost to justify the size, and any smaller won’t be able to keep up with modern, power-hungry gadgets. If anything goes wrong, Anker offers solid customer support, an 18-month warranty, and a track record of quality power accessories.
The Anker PowerPort Solar Lite is the best portable solar charger because it has the best combination of charging speed, size, and price. Its two-panel design generated almost as much power as our previous three-panel pick (the RAVPower 15-W Solar Charger) and is twice as powerful as the much more expensive Goal Zero Nomad 7.
As a result, you get virtually just as much charging capability in a package that is about half the size and weight of our previous pick: The Anker is 46cm long unfolded and weighs 354.37g compared with the 79cm long, 677.55g RAVPower. Used alone, the Anker can fully recharge small tablets or one or two smartphones in one sunny day. If you pair the Anker with one of our favourite USB battery packs, the combination will have enough juice to keep your USB-powered gadgets fully charged every day for as long as needed.
Though the Anker PowerPort Solar Lite’s measured average (watts/1.1amps) was less than the 1watts/2.amps advertised in the specs, it peaked at 8.4watts/1.6amps in direct winter sun, and that real-world performance was in line with the best of the competition. After filling up from the PowerPort all day, our test battery discharged only 1per cent less power than the battery powered by the much larger and heavier RAVPower charger.
Beyond power output, the Anker solves an irritating problem common to other chargers. If they get shaded for a moment — from a passing cloud or pedestrian — they can get stuck in a slow-charging state or shut off completely. The Anker and runner-up RAVPower both returned to full-speed charging immediately after being shaded. But two of the panels we tested, including the otherwise-excellent Poweradd, got stuck in a slow-charging state after just a few seconds in the shade.
RAVPower 15-W Solar Charger
The RAVPower 15-W Solar Charger was our top pick until the new Anker charger came out, and it’s still a good alternative, if a slightly bulkier one. In direct sun, they both produce about the same amount of power — in our tests we measured 1.7amps from the RAVPower vs. 1.6amps for the Anker. Under indirect sun — what you’ll likely get in the morning or late afternoon — the RAVPower actually does better, able to pump out amp in the late afternoon when the Anker had already effectively shut down for the night. Over the course of a whole day, though, the RAVPower netted us only 1per cent more energy in our external battery pack — about 500 mAh. That’s enough to provide only an extra 1to 2per cent for most smartphones — not enough to warrant the size or weight increase.
It should be spacious
You shall have lots of things to carry in the backpack, when on a trip. A backpack for travelling or camping should have adequate space inside along with multiple sockets and pockets.
With dimensions of 20 x 12x 5.inches accompanied by a dedicated laptop compartment, this is undoubtedly one of the best battery chargers that you can get on the market today. It has main backpack pockets with small inside pockets and waterproof pockets. Together they offer a separate space for your laptop, Phone, Pad, pen, keys, wallet, books, clothes, bottle and many more.
It also has an external USB with built-in charging cable to give you freedom of charging action. The bag includes anti-theft lock and durable metal zippers. It’s also made of durable nylon elastic fabric with two curved braces. The backpack provides lightweight transport and durability.
It is the backpack for sportsmen. Even if you think that your sporting activity is intense and the risks are extremely strong, the Trakk Shell backpack will help you practice the sport you want without any restrictions on your movements. This does not stop at this stage but apart from resistance to the various movements that an athlete can produce, it also resists the different weathers among others rain, moisture: We guarantee that your gadgets will remain in good state and untouchable.
We have equipped Trakk Shell backpack with high-quality headphones to offer you superb sound quality that is the best on the market. If you have problems with battery life, charge it with this backpack and you will benefit from 1hours of independence without resorting to a conventional charger.
If you like travelling or camping and you want to get away from urban life, the Eceen backpack will be your best companion. Not only is it very convenient for short term walks, but it also represents a reliable source of mobile phone charging no matter its brand. With a power of 2,000 mAh, you can enjoy a continuous load for your Smartphone in the middle of the rural environment. You can have the pleasure to memorize your pleasant moments in the mountains without worrying about the level of the battery or the remaining time before its exhaustion.
Another advantage of the ECEEN backpack is its equipment with LED chips representing a light source if you are in an obscure place. You can even control the desired brightness level as the bag has different levels: low, high or Save Our Souls mode.
Sometimes if you buy a backpack, you compromise at the design/features ratio. Generally, one rarely finds items that resemble both aspects at the same time. Fortunately for you, Coalition backpack has been able to overcome this challenge, and the result is a stylish backpack with modern features.
If you are a business man or you are simply a high school student, we strongly recommend the use of the Sasoon backpack. It is practical for those who find themselves obliged to wear a backpack for several hours each day. It is designed in such a way that its weight remains relatively bearable.
Another advantage for those who prefer this brand is to easily use USB ports installed outside the bag, no need to open the bag and attach your smartphone to an external charger. You do not have to worry about robberies or robberies because the manufacturers have thought about these cases and have purposely hidden the pockets and made them invisible. If you are hesitant to carry Sasoon USB-Charging Backpack on rainy days, we reassure you that it is an exceptional bag that resists the rain.
The kit solar charger photo bag is one of the most successful and most affordable solutions on the market. The solar bag incorporates a monocrystalline solar panel of high power (6.4W) which will recharge, in good brightness, a high capacity Li-Ion polymer battery (SOW / h).
This accumulated energy reserve will recharge at any time, when necessary, portable devices of any type, including tablets and laptops. This solar charger kit also comes with an adapter to recharge Aa or Aaa batteries as well as batteries of cameras and camcorders up to 8.4V with a system of jaw and adjustable pins to adapt to different dimensions. The solar backpack allows you to store the many accessories provided.
Simply because you charge your mobile terminal be it a phone or a tablet through the USB port and at the same time you are safe and some that you are far from being a victim of theft or robbery. We encourage you to opt for this backpack if you move at night because you can use its reflective strip on the front.
Lifepack backpack is designed in a very secure way: there are locks everywhere for most compartments where you can keep your official documents such as passport and your bank card securely. If you are looking for a gadget to charge your smartphone freely, you can use its solar charging system. Of course, all of these benefits can easily turn into disadvantages if you forget how to unlock your backpack. So remember passwords well or keep them in secure locations.
It is unique at the design level of USB ports. If you have a tablet or you want to charge a phone, TYLT Energi Backpack offers you either 21-A USB port or 1-A USB port respectively.
If the other backpack that we have quoted during this article offers various features, they can in no way be compared to Barracuda Konzu backpack because none of them works as reminder in case of forgetting open zippers or in case of a security alert. On the other hand, it is the only product capable of playing the role of indoor and outdoor charger and makes additional efforts to save energy in case of waste.
Did you ever imagine one day a so intelligent backpack that could even play the role of a camera with optimal resolution? Thanks to advanced wireless technologies such as RFID and wireless charging, we have achieved these results and marketed in international markets a product of which we are totally proud.
The above list comprises of the best backpack battery chargers that you can find on the market today. If you’re planning to buy a backpack battery charger, then don’t hesitate to choose any model above. They’ve proven to be durable and highly functional over the years.
Backpacks
Update: The Supak Solar Charger is now unavailable. Try these instead: Solar Charger or Nexcon Solar Panel.
Tip: To get the most efficient sun power, the face/panel of the solar charger should be as directly towards the sun as possible. So have the charger attached in a way that it can adjust angles.
Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger
This great looking camp stove uses the excess heat generated from the burning twigs and wood to generate electricity.
We were really impressed with the first generation of the CampStove charger and now it’s even better. It now outputs 50% more power and comes with an integrated 2600mAh battery and LED flexlite so you can keep an eye on your cooking.
While you’re boiling some water for coffee or heating up some food you can plug your phone into the USB charging port.
If you don’t plug anything into the port then it charges the internal battery so that you can use that power later even when the stove isn’t burning.
Solar Charger RAVPower 24W Folding Solar Panel
If you’re expecting plenty of sun and will be stopping for a few hours during daylight hours then this is a great portable charging option.
This high-efficiency solar panel outputs up to 24W, weighs just over 2ounces and folds up into a thin, compact form factor that fits easily into your pack.
It doesn’t have a built-in battery so you’re going to need sun to get your charging done. It has smart charging outputs that allow you to charge up to devices simultaneously.
The output current is high enough to charge most devices and the stainless hooks make it easy to hang from your tent, a tree or even your backpack while walking.
PowerGreen Solar Charger
At 21W this folding solar panel puts out enough power for most smartphones and cameras and folds into a very compact and lightweight size.
The two outputs can be used simultaneously but will only output a maximum of 2A each. That’s plenty for most devices and it charges really fast.
It’s really light and the small form factor and mounting rings make it ideal for hanging off the back of your backpack.
The panels are waterproof but the USB charging connectors aren’t. If you’re going to use it on your backpack then make sure the connectors are safely inside.
Solar panel
Solar panels for camping and hiking will normally make use of thin film solar cells which contain no glass. This allows them to be flexible, light and easily incorporated into a folding form factor.
They generally have no battery storage incorporated into them which means they’re only going to charge your device when there’s decent sun.
The output can also vary as clouds move across the sun. Because of this, they work better as a charger for your power bank than charging your phone or camera directly.
Besides the two categories above you then also get hand crank type chargers and heat converters like the ones we reviewed above.
These are fine in a pinch and are novel ideas but for reliable charging of more than just a smartphone you’re better off with a decent solar panel and power bank.
Power Output
Do a “power budget” and make sure that the power you’ll be getting from your recharger is sufficient to charge your device.
This means understanding the voltage that your recharger outputs as well as the maximum current it can output.
If it only puts out 5V and your device needs 12V to charge then you’re out of luck.
Also, some devices like tablets and higher capacity camera batteries have higher voltage and current requirements than smaller smartphones and GPS devices may have.
Physical Size
The words “portable” or “compact” are very subjective terms.
Just because a device is described as portable doesn’t mean that it’s going to fit into that last spot you’ve got left in your backpack.
Check the physical dimensions of the device and don’t just rely on how big it looks in the pictures.
Weight
Higher battery capacity and power output come at a cost. Increased weight.
Check the weight of the device and add this to your weight budget. If you’re going to be away for a longer time then the added weight may be justified.
If you’re only going to be out for a day or two then buy a smaller capacity device to save a few ounces and dollars.
Our Favorite
We love the Dark Energy Poseidon power bank. We can be pretty tough on our gear sometimes but this device is just about indestructible.
It doesn’t have the highest battery capacity we’ve seen but it’s plenty enough for 3-phone charging cycles while not taking up too much space in your pack.
How to save up to 86%? Here is little trick.
You must visit the page of sales. Here is the link. If you don’t care about which brand is better, then you can choose the solar backpack by the price and buy from the one who will offer the greatest discount.
Final Word
First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Most important, have fun and choose your solar backpack wisely! Good luck!
So, TOP3 of solar backpack
- №1 — Voltaic Systems – Converter 5 Watt Solar Panel Backpack with Backup Battery Pack | Powers Phones
- №2 — ECEEN Hydration Solar Backpack 7 Watts Solar Panel Charger with 2L Bladder Bag For Biking Charging Mobile Phones
- №3 — The original Bobby Anti-theft backpack by XD Design
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