Best solar charger for your smartphone or tablet

Solar chargers let you embrace the sun to power smartphones or tablets while preventing you from being tethered to an electrical outlet.

solar charger
(Image credit: Amazon)

When you’re often on the go, a solar charger for your smartphone or tablet will give you peace of mind when your battery is running low. You won’t have to wait to leave home until your battery is at its max, and you won’t need to make any detours to coffee shops to find an outlet. If sunlight is available, you can easily charge your devices. Read on to check out our favorite solar chargers for your smartphone or tablet.

Staff pick

solar charger

(Image credit: Amazon)

Huiluckey 25000mAh solar charger

Three color options

 This option features charging ports for two devices. 

Pros:

  • Unfolds to create a large solar panel 
  • Can be charged with an external power source

Cons:

  • Connector for hanging not included

Lay out these four 5W solar panels to accumulate charge from the sun for your phone or tablet. Once this power bank is charged, two devices can be powered with the 2.1A output USB ports. There's also a built-in flashlight to illuminate your path at night that can be switched to SOS mode if needed.

Clip it on

solar charger

(Image credit: Amazon)

YOESOID solar charger 20000mAh

Easily attaches to any bag or belt loop

With a bright orange accent, this charger is easy to spot in a bag.

Pros:

  • Included clip for travel 
  • Protective cover on USB ports

Cons:

  • Only one solar panel

Clip this solar charger to your backpack or briefcase, so you'll never be without power for your devices. There are two indicator lights on the front: the blue light lets you know the amount of charge and the green light lets you know the solar panel is functioning properly. Two devices can be charged at once from the 2.1A USB ports, and the flashlight on the other end offers steady light, SOS mode, and a strobe mode.

Biggest light

solar charger

(Image credit: Amazon)

aonidi solar charger 26800mAh

Fastest charging ports

This option has a large flashlight for the darkest spaces.

Pros:

  • Drop-resistant and waterproof 
  • Two color options 
  • Two USB and one Type-C port

Cons:

  • Takes a while to charge up

By combining 18 LED lights with 3-watts of power, this option has one of the brightest flashlights we've seen. The solar panel will help you accumulate up to 26800mAh worth of power, and you can check the level on the indicator lights. Depending on your device's battery needs, you can get anywhere between 3 and 10 charges from this power bank. 

Largest power bank

solar charger

(Image credit: Amazon)

QiSa 35800mAh solar charger

Wireless charging for Qi-enabled devices

This option holds enough charge for power-hungry phones or tablets.

Pros:

  • Huge battery
  • Charges three devices at the same time
  • 3.1A outputs

Cons:

  • Solar panel closing clasp is a bit small

To sustain the longevity of your charger, this model comes with built-in temperature and overcurrent protection mechanisms. This prevents you from having to worry about the battery getting too hot or having too much charge delivered to your mobile devices. Keep all of your mobile devices topped up at once by using the two USB outlets on the side and wireless charging capability on the top. 

Capture more light

solar charger

(Image credit: Amazon)

Foxelli 10W dual USB solar charger

Store a device in the pocket while charging

Generous solar panels you can securely attach to a bag.

Pros:

  • Includes 11 loops for fastening 
  • Comes with two carabiner clips 
  • Big solar panels

Cons:

  • Small onboard battery

Most battery packs exist as a separate unit that you need to carry next to your device. On this option, you’ll find a pocket with space for your device to carry them together and prevent accidental disconnections from the 1.85A charging ports while in motion. The solar charger on its own only weighs 1.1 pounds, so you won’t be adding much bulk to your bag.

The power of light

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Keeping your device batteries topped off is easy when you can harness the power of the sun. While any of these options can help you accomplish this task, we think the Huiluckey 25000mAh solar charger is the best pick for most people. It has four solar panels that can be rolled out to collect sunlight and then fastened securely when not in use to prevent damage. Additionally, there is room to charge two devices with 2.1A ports at the same time. 

If you’re traveling with your family or you have multiple devices you need to power, consider the QiSa 35800mAh solar charger. This model has the largest battery in our collection, so you’ll get several charges per device once you’ve collected enough rays. The addition of wireless charging capability is quite useful for devices at your home, office, or those with misplaced standard charging cables. 

Freelance Writer

Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills.