The ability to free yourself from the wall socket is finally here, easier and more affordable than ever! Too often, we find ourselves with a dying phone, tablet, or smartwatch. Many typically free or low-cost businesses like libraries and coffee shops have begun marketing to the need for accessible power and charging a premium for it. But why pay for an outlet or electricity while you’re out and about when portable solar panels are available?
Charging your crucial devices can now be as easy as settling in a sunny spot and letting power accumulate for you! Here are five portable solar panels perfect for your everyday need.
Goertek 25,000 mAh powerbank – $25-50
One of the top-rated power banks on the market, this smartphone-sized device has a massive capacity and can charge several devices simultaneously. Universally compatible, the Goertek 25,000 can be used as it charges and is waterproofed against any untimely drops. This powerful little box includes 36 LEDs, excellent for emergencies with three different brightness settings, and a USB charging cord for topping up at home.
Anker powerport solar- $70-$90
Anker has developed a foldout solar panel charger, and as one of the most trusted brands in power banks and charging cables, this charger packs an excellent punch for its price! While this isn’t a battery, you can trust the Anker name and 2-year warranty to power your devices safely and quickly.
Goal Zero Nomad 10 – $100
You can use this lightweight, convenient, and durable solar panel to charge your phone, smartwatch, lanterns, and more! This portable, easy-to-use panel set can be perfectly positioned to get the maximum amount of direct sunlight via its built-in kickstand and Flip dock. Consider adding this to your hiking pack or work bag for everyday use, as it weighs just under two pounds.
BigBlue 3 solar charger – $70-$80
Recently redesigned and upgraded, the BigBlue 3 is barely larger than a sheet of printer paper but harnesses the power of solar energy to charge your vital devices. Its clever charge design ensures safe charging, preventing overcharging and overheating for both the panels and your devices. A bit bulkier than the other choices here, BigBlue makes up for it by offering some of the fastest charging times available.
X-Dragon Portable power station – $105-$120
Able to produce up to 40W of power from 8 optimized panels, the best bang for your buck in power stations comes from the X-Dragon. This panel set is perfect for charging larger devices, and while it doesn’t have any water resistance, its 18-month warranty can give you peace of mind while you take it on the road. The X-Dragon has two power output ports for maximum convenience, a USB-A port and an 18V DC port for charging your laptop or other power-hungry devices. This is an excellent choice to keep in your car for emergencies and can even be used to lend your vehicle’s battery a decent amount of power on a sunny day.
These portable solar panels are excellent emergency items to keep on hand, and a few of the smaller ones can easily fit in your purse or hiking pack. Solar is the future, so keep these panels in mind when you upgrade your emergency, car, or outdoors kit.