As a society, we tend to rely on our devices for a lot of uses: capturing photos of scenic locations, communicating with others, gaining insightful information, and even for navigation in the backcountry. With some activities disconnecting us from power outlets for days, such as going on a backpacking trip or traveling by boat, it’s useful to have a power source you can take with you wherever you go.
Portable solar chargers can charge devices multiple times through—including your smartphone, tablet, and GPS—so you’ll always have battery life for your essential electronics. What makes these compact chargers so special is that they can be charged with the sun. This is not only useful in an emergency situation; it’s also an eco-friendly way to collect energy.
Whether you’re skiing in the cold, going on long day hikes, traveling across Europe, or backpacking the Appalachian Trail, you’ll want a reliable portable solar charger for your journey. To help you find the right charger, we dug through thousands of reviews for a variety of options available online. Based on our research, these are some of the best portable solar chargers you can get right now.