Are Portable Solar Chargers Worth It?

Harnessing solar energy is a great way to charge your gadget or smartphone for free when camping, off-grid, or in an emergency. However, portable solar panels aren't free, and they don't always work. So, is a portable solar charger worth buying?

Portable solar panels are exactly what they sound like. You can carry a small set of panels anywhere, point it at the sun, and use that energy to charge your phone or portable battery.

If you're doing long-distance camping or other activities, a USB solar charger is a great option. While I recommend portable batteries first, these inevitably drain, not to mention they can be heavy if you're going hiking. Portable power stations are great too, but they're bigger and too heavy for most adventures. Also, once you use it enough, the battery will drain.

That brings us to the portable solar panel charger, which gives you free on-demand power no matter the sun is shining.

How Solar Panel Chargers Work

Before we dive into where portable solar panels are used, how fast they charge, and what to buy, we want to quickly mention how they work.

Portable solar panels work in much the same way as regular rooftop solar panels. That said, they are smaller, may not be as efficient, and if power goes directly to the device, it will be a bit slower.

When sunlight hits a solar panel, the cells in the panel absorb energy from the sunlight. This energy quickly creates a charge that travels around positive and negative electric fields within the panel's cells, allowing the energy to flow into the storage device or battery.

Think of it as a magnetic field, just electricity. In the panel, the sun is absorbed, the charge moves, and then flows through the electric field and into your smartphone.

Portable Solar Panel Use Cases

By now, you probably have a good idea of when and where to use portable solar panels. Those small enough to pack or rucksack are great for night hikes, camping, or other outdoor adventures. Even a relatively small 24W solar panel is enough for a weekend as long as you don't try to power large appliances.

Depending on what you're trying to power and how much space you have, portable solar panels are great for camping, backpacking, RV, van living, off-grid, adding to an emergency kit, and more. Again, RVs have room on the roof for a more permanent setup, so keep that in mind.

Are Portable Solar Chargers Worth It?

So, is a portable solar charger worth buying? Which should you buy? Again, it all depends on your needs, requirements, situation or budget. That said, I think the portable solar charger is definitely worth it for a quick weekend camping trip or off-grid trip, and it's a smart investment in an emergency.

If you're caught in a power outage for a few days during a natural disaster, having a solar charger is essential for charging your phone to communicate with loved ones or charging your battery to light up your LED lights at night.

People looking to power their everyday essentials from an RV or campground might want a large panel, while backpackers want something lightweight and portable.