If you’re an avid hiker, then you know how important it is to stay connected when you’re out in the wilderness. But when you’re miles away from civilization, plugging in your device isn’t always an option. That’s where solar chargers come in; they allow you to power up your devices wherever your journey takes you. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best solar chargers for backpacking and why they are so important.
Why Solar Chargers Are Essential for Backpacking
When hiking, it’s essential to have the right gear on hand. And one of the most important pieces of gear that every hiker should have a reliable solar charger. A good solar charger will keep your devices powered up even when there are no outlets or batteries around, which can be a lifesaver if you get lost or stranded in the wilderness. Plus, most solar chargers are lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for backpacking trips.
The Best Solar Chargers for Backpacking
This charger is lightweight and durable, making it perfect for backpacking. It has two ports and can charge two devices at the same time. It also has a folding design for easy storage.
- Ideal for any adventure: This solar charger is water, dust, and shock-resistant, making it perfect for use in any situation, whether you’re at the beach, in your backyard, or experiencing a blackout.
- Superior protection: With an IP64 rating, this charger is protected from dust and water splashes from any direction.
- High solar efficiency: The Power Core Solar Charger uses Sun Power monocrystalline panels, resulting in high solar efficiency ranging from 21.5-23.5%. However, keep in mind that solar recharging can take several days depending on weather conditions. For faster recharging, use the Micro USB input port.
- Full-day power: Equipped with a 10,000mAh battery and dual USB ports, this solar charger can provide multiple charges for a variety of devices. Charge an iPhone 13 twice, an iPhone XS more than 2.5 times, a Samsung Galaxy S10 more than twice, or an iPad Mini 5 once.
This charger is waterproof and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It has two USB ports and can charge multiple devices simultaneously. It also has a built-in LED light.
- Highly efficient solar cell: The Nekteck USB solar charger uses SunPower Maxeon solar cell, known for its better performance compared to conventional panels in the market. It can produce up to 28W, which is higher compared to other solar panel chargers.
- Durable and weather-resistant: This solar charger is reliable for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and long travels. It has an IPX4 waterproof technology, robust canvas surface, and stitching, making it able to withstand different weather conditions.
- Dual USB charging ports: The solar phone charger can charge two USB devices simultaneously up to 2.4A(5V) max per port or 4.0A (5V) as its maximum charging power. It is compatible with most mobile phones, iPad, Kindle Fire, Galaxy tablets, Galaxy S, GPS, Camera, tablets, and other USB devices (USB-A to Lightning Cable is NOT included).
- Portable and lightweight: The solar panels can be folded to a compact size (6.3x 11.1x 1.1 inch) and easily attached to your backpack or travel bags using its two metal hooks and five eyelets. It takes up the size of a notebook when folded, making it convenient to bring with you when travelling outdoors.
- Smart IC chip technology and safety features: The Nekteck solar charger has voltage stabilization and an innovative chip that detects the best or maximum charging requirement of your device, ensuring safe and fast charging for your devices.
This charger is also waterproof and has three USB ports, making it ideal for charging multiple devices. It has a high conversion rate and can charge your devices quickly.
- Versatile and robust: This portable charger is designed to withstand various situations and can charge two devices simultaneously using its dual 5V/2A USB output ports.
- Reliable charging capacity: The large, 20000mAh battery capacity can recharge an iPhone 12 up to 6 times, an iPhone 8 up to 7 times, and a Huawei Mate 30 up to 3 times. Its charging capability has been extensively tested.
- Solar panel for eco-friendly charging: You can recharge this power bank using sunlight through the 5V/300mA 7.64.01.0 inch solar panel for unlimited recharging.
- Built-in LED flashlight: The charger is built for outdoor exploration and doubles as a powerful torch with its super bright LED light.
- Comprehensive safety features: This power pack is CE, FCC, and RoHS certified, ensuring comprehensive safety features that prevent overcharge, overvoltage, and short-circuiting
BigBlue Portable Solar Charger
This charger is lightweight and compact, making it perfect for backpacking. It has three USB ports and can charge multiple devices at the same time. It also has a built-in LED light.
- Triple USB-A Ports: The BigBlue 28W solar charger features three USB ports with a total output of 5V/4.8A, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. Its smart charge technology detects your device and provides the optimal charging speed, while built-in protection against overcurrent, overheating, and short-circuiting ensures 100% safe charging.
- High Solar Conversion: The SunPower solar panel has a high conversion efficiency of up to 24%, making it one of the most durable panels available. Its PET polymer surface protects it from occasional rain or wet fog, and the three ports are covered with rubber to prevent dust or water damage.
- Portable Camping Solar Panel: The BigBlue solar charger is ideal for extended camping trips or when traveling to areas with an unreliable power grid. Its compact size (11.6 × 6.3× 1.3in folded) and lightweight design (20.5 oz) make it easy to carry in any camping or hiking backpack, and it’s also an essential item to include in an emergency kit.
- Wide Compatibility: The BigBlue USB solar charger is compatible with Android and Apple devices, as well as small electronics. Note that you’ll need an original cable for Apple devices. Please be aware that this solar phone charger can’t store electricity or charge laptops or iPad Pro.
- Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus: This charger is durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It has a USB port and a 12V port, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. It also has a built-in LED light.
The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240
is one of the most popular models on the market; it’s lightweight yet powerful enough to charge multiple devices at once. It also has two USB charging ports and one AC outlet, so it can charge laptops as well as phones and tablets.
- The Jackery Explorer 240 portable power station is highly recommended for outdoor use, and has been named the “Best Portable Power Station for use in the outdoors” by Digital Trends, giving you peace of mind when purchasing.
- With a 240Wh lithium-ion battery pack and weighing only 6.6 pounds, this entry-level portable power station is easy to carry around for outdoor activities such as tent camping, road trips, and backyard camping.
- The power station features a versatile power source with one pure sine wave AC outlet (110V 200W 400W Peak), two USB-A ports (5V, 2.4A), and one 12V DC car port that can be used to charge various devices including smartphones, laptops, cameras, fans, lights, etc. Pass-through charging is also supported.
- This power station is also an eco-friendly power source that can be recharged by the Jackery SolarSaga 60 or SolarSaga 100 solar panel. The built-in MPPT controller of the power station enables the solar panel to operate at maximum power, resulting in the power station being recharged at the highest possible efficiency. Additionally, the power station can also be recharged through a wall outlet or car outlet.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re taking a short day hike or embarking on a week-long trek through uncharted terrain, having a reliable power source on hand can make all the difference between success and disaster. With today’s technology advancing so quickly, having access to power during your hike just makes sense—and a good solar charger will help ensure that you can stay connected and safe while exploring nature’s wonders! If you are fairly new to backpacking or hiking, make sure to check out on The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking! We hope this blog post has been helpful in showing you some of the best solar chargers for backpacking out there—happy hiking!
