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This portable and versatile charger comes at an affordable price point and earns our DIY expert's top recommendation.
Charges via solar panel, AC adapter, or 12V port. Useful for powering various low-wattage items, and is effective at charging smartphones and tablets. Great for CPAP machines, too. Decent price. Weighs less than 6 pounds, making it easy to carry.
Solar panel that pairs with it must be purchased separately. Some longevity concerns.
This airline-approved charger will let you keep your Apple and Android devices charged.
You'll be impressed by how much power is packed into this Jackery power station's compact size. When connected to a SolarSaga 100W solar panel (sold separately), it can charge completely in 2 hours. Equipped with two USB-C and one USB-A output port, you can charge up to three devices at once.
Some buyers find it is a bit heavy for everyday use.
When you want to be prepared on the go, this power station is good to have along with you as it can charge multiple devices at the same time.
You'll appreciate this solar power station's quick charge capabilities as it can charge to full in an hour via an AC outlet and as fast as 2.3 hours with 110W solar input. Charge up to six devices simultaneously with USB-C, USB-A, and AC ports available. It weighs in at 7.7 pounds and has a handle for easy portability.
Some buyers report issues with the display being inaccurate.
The variety of ports and ability to charge via the included solar panel make this a camping must-have.
You'll have everything you need to be off-grid with this power station that includes a solar panel. Use the solar panel to charge devices and the power station during the day, and then utilize the saved power overnight. It weighs in at 2.3 pounds and has an 88Wh capacity.
Some users felt the battery should have lasted longer on one charge than it did.
You can trust Anker to provide a solid power station that can charge multiple devices at the same time.
This portable charging station will keep you charged and ready to go, no matter the emergency. With the Anker app, you can customize charging speeds and track power statistics in real-time. Despite its power, this charging station is 15% smaller than comparable 1kWh devices.
More expensive than other models.
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Our high-tech society relies on electricity to power so many things, from lights and computers to air conditioners, refrigerators, and even some cars. When we go without power voluntarily, such as on camping trips, we still want access to many of those electrical conveniences. And in an emergency situation when the power goes out, we still need a reliable source of electricity for essential devices. A solar generator is a pollution-free alternative to a regular generator that runs on gas or other fuel.
Depending on the size of the solar generator, you can charge anything from smartphones to household appliances.
A solar generator is a bit like a power bank. It uses solar panels to gather energy from the sun, which is stored inside a battery. This power can then be used to run lights or appliances like a small refrigerator or charge portable devices like tablets and smartphones.
People have been using generators powered by gasoline or other liquid fuel for years, but solar generators have a few benefits over standard generators.
More environmentally friendly: Solar generators are much kinder to the environment than standard generators because they harness the power of the sun rather than use fossil fuels.
Cheaper to use: Since there are no fuel costs, solar generators are cheaper to run than traditional generators.
Better in an emergency: In situations where the power goes out, such as after an earthquake, you may not have access to fuel, making a solar generator an ideal alternative.
Quieter: Solar generators are completely silent, unlike gas-powered models, which can be extremely noisy.
Smaller and lighter: Most solar generators are small and easy to transport.
How long your solar generator will power your devices depends on the size of its battery (larger batteries can store more power) and how much power your devices require.
You'll need to know the watt-hours (Wh) of the generator, as well as the wattage of the appliance you want to run. For example, if you have a solar generator with 150Wh and a 100W appliance, the generator will only run for 1.5 hours before it needs to be recharged.
The power stored inside batteries is direct current (DC), but most appliances run off alternating current (AC). Many solar generators have a built-in inverter to convert DC to AC to make things simple, but if your chosen model doesn’t have one, you'll need to buy a separate inverter.
The power ratio between the generator and the inverter should be roughly 1.5 to 1. For example, if you have a 150-watt solar generator, look for a 100-watt inverter.
It's important to know how long it takes to charge your solar generator before it's ready to use. Charging time is hard to average because it can vary widely depending on the size of the solar panels and the size of the generator’s battery.
Check the product specifications of any models you're considering. If your chosen model can be charged via an AC power outlet, check how long that charge time is, too.
Solar chargers tend to be very reliable, though not all models are created equal. Because there is no motor, a solar generator doesn't need regular servicing. And because solar panels last for around 30 years, you won't need to worry that they'll stop working any time soon. Look for a solar generator with a metal or heavy-duty plastic case. Some models with flimsy plastic cases may not stand up to heavy use.
Because a solar generator doesn't have the fuel tank and moving parts of a standard gas-fueled generator, it tends to be much more compact, lightweight, and portable. That said, some high-output solar generators are quite large and wouldn't be suitable to take on a camping trip, for instance.
If portability is important to you, check the size and weight of any solar generators on your shortlist before buying.
The price of a solar generator is based primarily on its wattage or watt-hours. Don't forget to factor in the cost of the solar panels if they aren’t included. You can expect to pay between $100 and $2,000 for a solar generator.
Solar generators up to around 200Wh cost between $100 and $200, usually without solar panels included.
Solar generators up to around 600Wh cost roughly $200 to $500. Some include solar panels, but many do not.
Solar generators offering up to 1,250Wh and including solar panels cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000.
Check if solar panels are included with the generator. You don't want to unbox your solar generator only to realize you're missing a vital component.
Decide if you want an expandable solar generator. Some models allow you to add extra solar panels and batteries should you want to charge more quickly or store more power.
Know the wattage of the devices you’ll hook up to your solar generator. Without this information, you won't be able to tell if your chosen generator will power the devices for the length of time you need.
A. While it’s amazing to be able to charge your generator al fresco and without any source of power other than the sun, it's not always practical. If it's raining, snowing, very overcast, or you're pressed for time, it might be more practical to use a power socket. While not all models allow you to do this, most do. And you can even recharge some generators via the 12V charger port in your car.
A. Since solar generators are perfect for camping trips and other outdoor situations, most of them are designed for use on the go. This means they're made of durable materials that won't break if you chuck them in the trunk of your car or they suffer a few knocks and bumps. That said, the most basic models don't tend to be as durable as the more expensive options. Whether or not you want to pay extra for increased durability depends on how often you'll use your generator and how rough on it you're likely to be.
A. While most solar generators come with a range of ports for plugging in various appliances, you may find you need an adapter cable for some appliances, or you might need an adapter to charge the generator from a 12V socket or regular AC power outlet. Some solar generators come with all relevant adapter cables, but others don't. If you know you need a particular type of adapter, check whether or not it's included so you’ll know if you need to purchase it separately.
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