Many smartphones have enough power to last you a day or two. And if you're going to be off-grid for a couple more days, a typical power bank can provide enough juice for two or three recharges.

But what if you're going to the mountains for a week? Here's one solution: a solar-powered power bank. As long as you have access to sunlight, a power bank can keep you powered for days on end.

Here are the best affordable solar power banks available to purchase.

Smartphones and other electronic devices are essential survival tools. They're useful for navigation, location, and even emergency contacts. So if you're spending a week camping or exploring the wild, it's good to have backup power with you. The Hiluckey Solar Power Bank is the perfect exploration battery to bring around.

It has a 25,000mAh capacity, allowing you to recharge one phone up to eight times. And if you don't have access to an outlet when you're outside, you can use its four-panel high-efficiency array to top up the battery bank.

This four-panel setup allows up to five times faster solar charging than other single solar cell power banks, which can take days to recharge fully. It also has an integrated strap for hanging on your bag, so you could power it up while you're walking under the sun. And last but not least, it has a three-mode LED light for lighting and emergencies.

Key Features
  • Four-panel array for faster charging
  • Built-in nine-bulb LED flashlight with three modes for lighting and emergencies
  • Dual 2.1A USB Type-A ports for charging two devices at the same time
Specifications
  • Brand: Hiluckey
  • Battery Capacity: 25,000mAh
  • Ports: 2x USB Type-A
  • Weight: 17.6oz
Pros
  • Built-in microUSB port for wired charging
  • Integrated hook for easy hanging
  • Tough build with a thick case for shock, water, and dust protection
Cons
  • No IP-rating
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Hiluckey Solar Power Bank

Anker, one of the more popular smartphone power accessory brands, makes the PowerCore line of power banks. These battery backup devices are known for their reliability and longevity. The company dives into the adventure and camping market with the PowerCore Solar Power Bank.

It's a 10,000mAh battery backup that can slowly recharge under the sun. Before you take a trip, you can fully recharge it via an outlet in a little over five and a half hours. Once you're outdoors, you can use the solar cell to top it up while you're outdoors.

Its solar panel has a high-efficiency rating of up to 23.5%, ensuring that you can make the most of sunny days. An IP64 rating also protects it from dust and water spray, making it suitable for outdoor use.

Key Features
  • Uses a high-efficiency solar panel with up to 23.5% rating
  • Dual USB ports allow simultaneous charging
  • Built-in LED light with three modes—low, high, and SOS
Specifications
  • Brand: Anker
  • Battery Capacity: 10,000mAh
  • Ports: 2x USB Type-A
  • Weight: 9.5oz
  • Dimensions: 6.47 x 3.08 x 0.78 inches
  • Battery Technology: Lithium Ion
Pros
  • Full-recharge in 5.6 hours via wall outlet
  • IP64 dustproof and splash proof rating
  • Equipped with a heat-resistant Li-Po battery
Cons
  • Uses microUSB for outlet recharging
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Anker PowerCore Solar Power Bank

When you're out in the open, it's good to have a reliable power bank. But it's going to be even better if it comes with a powerful LED light and a built-in magnetic compass. So even if you're not using it to recharge your devices, it still makes sense to bring it around. Luckily, the Errbbic Waterproof Solar Power Bank has both, making it a practical outdoor tool.

The dual-bulb LED light has three modes for both regular and emergency use. It also comes with a carabiner clip, so you can leave it hanging on your bag, thus saving interior space while simultaneously recharging it. And if you have two devices, you can charge both simultaneously with its dual USB port setup.

The 20,000mAh power capacity should be more than enough for five charges, allowing one fully charged device to last a week without access to the power grid.

Key Features
  • IPX4 splash proof rated
  • Built-in compass for navigation assistance
  • High-capacity 20,000mAh for multiple charges
Specifications
  • Brand: ERRBBIC
  • Battery Capacity: 20,000mAh
  • Ports: 2x USB Type-A
  • Weight: 10.8oz
Pros
  • With dual LED lights
  • Tough and rugged case for protection
  • Comes with a hook for hanging on to your bag while travelling
Cons
  • Not rated for dust protection
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Errbbic Waterproof Solar Power Bank

Qi wireless charging is a convenient way to top up your devices—you don't have to deal with pesky cables that tangle up inside your bag. So if you have a Qi wireless charging compatible device, then you'll appreciate the Sozo Rugged Solar Power Bank.

This charging device has a 10,000mAh capacity, comes equipped with three fast-charging USB ports, a three-brightness-level LED light array that lasts up to 72 hours, and a wireless charging pad.

Although it's not IP-rated, it's still built tough and rugged, with water resistance. Best of all, this power bank is rated at just under 100Wh, making it safe and approved for airline travel. So whether you're camping locally or abroad, you can bring this power bank around with you.

Key Features
  • Rated at just under 100Wh, approved for airline travel
  • Can charge up to four devices simultaneously
  • One full charge can give up to 72-hour of continuous light
Specifications
  • Brand: SOZO
  • Battery Capacity: 10,000mAh
  • Ports: 3x USB Type-A, Wireless Charging Pad
  • Weight: 19.04oz
Pros
  • With a built-in wireless charging pad
  • Tough, rugged, and water resistant
  • Three brightness settings for the LED light
Cons
  • No emergency SOS mode for the LED lights
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Sozo Rugger Solar Power Bank

If you spend a lot of time outdoors and in the wilderness, then you would appreciate a solar power bank that can quickly recharge. For this reason, you'll find the four-panel solar array of the QiSa solar power bank more than enough to charge up your devices.

This solar cell setup produced 12W of power at 1.5A, allowing the power bank to juice up faster from the sun. It also has a massive 35,800mAh capacity, letting you power multiple devices for a couple of days.

It's also Qi Wireless Charging compatible, so you could recharge your smartphone by putting it next to the power bank in your bag. And in case you have multiple devices, you can recharge up to three devices simultaneously—two via USB and one wirelessly.

Key Features
  • Uses a four-panel solar array with a 12W and 1.5A output
  • With a built-in Qi-compatible wireless charging pad
  • Internal smart chip automatically identifies appropriate charging output
Specifications
  • Brand: QiSa
  • Battery Capacity: 38800mAh
  • Ports: 1x Type-C output/input, 2x USB output
  • Weight: 0.79lbs
  • Dimensions: 6.57 x 3.35 x 0.87 inches
  • Battery Technology: Qi wireless charging
  • Maximum Charge: 100%
  • AC Charge Time: 12-13 hours
  • Solar Charge Time: 6-8 hours from 0 to 5%
  • Input : 5V/2A
  • Wireless Charging : Yes
Pros
  • Waterproof, dust proof, and drop proof
  • Can simultaneously charge three devices
  • Built-in multifunction LED lights with three modes
Cons
  • Thick and heavy
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QiSa Wireless Solar Power Bank

It's good to have a small and compact power bank wherever you go. Because at this age of connectivity, it can be challenging to go about your day if your phone runs empty. That's why this tiny battery pack is convenient—you can keep it in your bag and use it when needed.

The power bank itself has two USB charging ports and three built-in charging cables. So whether your device uses a USB-C, micro-USB, or Lightning port, or you brought your own cable, you can power it up. Should you have a friend or two who needs to recharge as well, you can accommodate up to five gadgets on this power bank.

When you need to recharge your power bank, you can do so via its USB-C or micro-USB port. You can even plug it directly into a charging brick with its built-in USB cable. And when you're outside, you can top it up by exposing it to the sun. That way, you have a fully-charged power bank with you all the time.

Key Features
  • Can charge up to five devices simultaneously
  • Comes with three built-in charging cables—USB-C, microUSB, and Lightning
  • With a USB-C port, microUSB port, and USB Type-A cable for recharging
Specifications
  • Brand: ummz
  • Battery Capacity: 12,000mAh
  • Ports: 2x USB Type-A, 1x micro-USB, 1x USB-C, 1x Lightning
  • Weight: 8.4oz
Pros
  • Light and portable
  • Included lanyard for hanging
Cons
  • LED lights aren't as powerful compared to other power banks
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Ummz Ultra-Compact Solar Power Bank

This 10,000mAh power bank can recharge phones via wired and wireless charging. But at the same time, it has a long-range dual LED light with a reach of up to 164 feet. It's also waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, so you can use it and abuse it in the field.

There are multiple ways to recharge this power bank—you can use its USB-C or micro-USB port for power. And if you're nowhere near the power grid, you can use the sun to top it up. Its 10,000mAh capacity can charge phones two to four times over, allowing your phone to last up to five days.

The Blavor power bank is also easy to carry around with the included clip with an integrated magnetic compass. You can easily clip it to your bag as you're walking around, letting the sun top it up so you can extend the battery life of all your gear.

Key Features
  • Compatible with Qi Wireless charging
  • Dual USB-C and USB-A output
  • Long-range dual LED lights with a reach of up to 164 feet
Specifications
  • Brand: BLAVOR
  • Battery Capacity: 10000mAh
  • Ports: 1x USB Type-A, 1x USB-C, 1x Qi Wireless Charging Pad
  • Weight: 10oz
  • Dimensions: 5.91 x 3.07 x 0.87 inches
  • Battery Technology: Lithium Metal
  • Solar Charge Time: 180 mA/hr
  • Wireless Charging : Yes
Pros
  • Includes a hook with compass
  • Waterproof, shock proof, and dustproof
  • Can recharge via solar power, USB Type-C or micro-USB
Cons
  • Requires airflow when charging under the hot sun
Buy This Product
Blavor Qi Wireless Solar Power Bank

FAQ

Q: Do Solar Power Banks Really Work?

Yes, they do. However, it may take longer to charge a power bank via solar power compared to wall charging. This happens because sunlight is not consistent. The solar panel can be affected by clouds, weather, and even the shade you pass by. There's also some system loss as the solar cells convert sunlight to electricity.

On the other hand, it will take less time to charge your power bank from the wall. This is because outlets provide consistent power and have little to no system losses. Nevertheless, solar power banks are a good alternative if you need to power up your devices and don't have access to a power grid.

Q: How Many Times Can I Charge My Phone With a 10,000 mAh Power Bank?

The number of times you can charge a phone will vary from model to model. However, you can use this simple formula: get the capacity of the power bank and multiply it by 2/3. Divide the answer by your phone's battery capacity, and that's the number of times you can charge it. For example, if you have a 15,000mAh power bank, it has an effective capacity of around 10,000mAh. If your phone has a 5,000mAh battery, use it to divide 10,000mAh. The answer you will get is two—which is the average number of times you can use the power bank to recharge your phone before it runs empty.

Q: Can I Bring a Power Bank on a Plane?

Yes, you can bring it in your carry-on luggage. However, power banks aren't allowed to be put in checked baggage. Since power banks are batteries, there is a minute chance that it might catch fire. If that happens in the cargo hold, there's no way for the flight crew to notice it until it's too late. Each power bank can have a maximum of less 100Wh to be brought on board. To compute your power bank's Watt-hour, divide its mAh capacity by 1,000, then multiply it by its voltage. So if you have a 30,000mAh power bank, divide that value by 1,000, then multiply it by 3.7, which is the average voltage of most power banks. Alternatively, you can check your power bank's fine print printed either on the body or in the manual—you should find its Wh rating in the specifications section.