I'm planning to travel for a while and need a small solar panel that I can easily take with me. It would be awesome if it had a built-in battery and USB ports so I can charge my phone and other devices while on the go. Any suggestions? Thanks!
3 Answers
It's super important to position the solar panel correctly. If you're on a canoe trip, it’s easier, but if you're hiking, keeping it facing the sun while walking is tough. I usually just take enough power banks to last a few days instead of relying on solar. It's lighter and less of a hassle in my experience!
I’ve been using the FlexSolar 40W charger for about a year now. It’s a bit heavier, but it gets the job done! I bought it on Amazon. It has both USB-C and USB-A outputs and is waterproof, which is perfect for camping or hiking.
For traveling and charging via USB, I recommend keeping things separate. Grab a battery bank that holds around 10,000 to 20,000 mAh and pair it with a folding solar panel in the 20-30W range. A 30W panel can realistically output about 15W, which means you’re looking at around 6 hours of sun for a 20,000 mAh battery. Brands like Renogy and BigBlue are excellent choices! Just keep in mind that 10W or 15W panels might not cut it for most trips. Go for the 20/30W models!
Thanks for the tips! I'll check those brands out.
I feel you! I like the idea of solar, but packing power banks sounds smarter for shorter trips.