{"id":845,"date":"2019-11-21T15:54:30","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T23:54:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/?p=845"},"modified":"2023-02-13T20:18:04","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T04:18:04","slug":"are-solar-power-banks-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Solar Power Banks Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>As we continue to move forward digitally, we\nfind ourselves with more and more portable electronics. Some items like a phone\nor a laptop seem necessary these days, and oftentimes, when you are traveling\nor even just moving about day-to-day, we need a way to charge it all. Solar\npower banks and solar chargers have become increasingly popular with business\nprofessionals and outdoor adventurers alike. So, it begs the question&hellip;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are solar power banks worth it? <strong>In short,\nsolar power banks and portable solar chargers offer convenience for the\nconsumer. While they are energy-efficient, they may not always be a\nmoney-saving option. So, their worth will largely depend on their application\nand consumer preference.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024.jpg\" alt=\"Are Solar Power Banks Worth it?\" class=\"wp-image-861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024.jpg 924w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"616\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20924%20616'%3E%3Crect%20width='924'%20height='616'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Are Solar Power Banks Worth it?\" class=\"wp-image-861 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024.jpg.webp 924w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024-300x200.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it-1024-768x512.jpg.webp 768w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Solar power as a whole has been growing in\npopularity, and the applications of solar power systems seem somewhat endless.\nBetween convenient portable and fully off-grid household systems, there are a\nnumber of considerations to take into account when deciding if a solar power\nbank is an appropriate purchase for you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are Solar Power Banks Worth It?&nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Deciding if a solar power bank is worth it for\nyou with will depend on a few relatively minor things. You will need to\nunderstand the energy efficiency, overall cost, and lifespan of the battery.\nThen, you should move forward to consider when and why you will be using a\npower bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The efficiency of your solar power bank will\ndepend on the overall quality of the device you purchase. The two primary\nfactors that will influence the efficiency of your solar power bank are the\nbattery capacity and the correct solar panel specs. These will also help you to\ndetermine which power system fits your needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be mentions of larger solar power\nbanks throughout this article; however, the focus will be on portable systems.\nIf you are looking to invest in a system large enough to power a house or to go\noff-grid, much of the information here is applicable, just not specific to that\nlarge of a system.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost of an Energy Bank<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As with most electronic items on the market, it\nseems as if the more money you spend upfront, the longer the item will last.\nNow, this isn&rsquo;t always the case, but when it comes to investing in a solar\npower bank, you need to look for overall product quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The larger the battery capacity and the more\noptimized solar panel output, the more expensive the system will be. Beyond the\nbattery capacity, the brand name and solar panel technology will factor into\nthe cost as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the range of 10000-20000mAh for bank battery\ncapacity, your price will be between $20-40 USD. If you are looking for\ncapacity larger than 20000mAh, then you will be looking at a higher cost\naltogether. As far as compact travel solar power banks go, you should be able\nto get a good quality product for $60 USD or less.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, if you are looking for a larger solar\n&ldquo;generator&rdquo; type bank or portable power station, then you will likely be\nspending between $200-3000 USD. Certain brands, like GoalZero, carry power\nstation products that are designed to run with the power of a gasoline style\ngenerator but are charged by solar instead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All in all, the cost of your solar power bank\nwill be up to you. If you are just looking for a simple, convenient travel\noption, you will not be spending over $60 USD. However, if you are looking for\na back-up power source or something to bring on long car camping trips, then a\nlarger portable power station may be a better investment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Can I Charge With A Solar Power Bank?<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the primary purpose of solar power is having\na power source anywhere that you happen to be, the battery has to be small\nenough to easily transport. With that in mind, the smaller the battery, the\nless energy storage it will have.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of the portable solar system models are a\nlittle bit different in size and power capacity, but for the most part, a\nportable solar power bank will be able to charge<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Tablets<\/li><li>Smartphones<\/li><li>Laptops<\/li><li>Cameras<\/li><li>GPS Systems<\/li><li>Headphones<\/li><li>Portable Radio and\/or Speaker<\/li><li>Other Battery Packs<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the larger solar &ldquo;generator&rdquo; systems\nwill have the capability to run small appliances, and can also be used as a\nback-up for household items. What you can charge off of your power bank will be\ndetermined by how much energy it can store at any given time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much Energy Will Be Saved?<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you plan on installing a solar energy\nsystem for your entire house, then you will not be saving an exponential amount\nof energy by using a portable solar power bank. While all electrical devices\nuse up some amount of energy, smaller devices like phones and tablets use less\nthan powering all of the energy eating appliances in our homes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Portable solar power systems and storage were\ninitially designed for emergency purposes and for backcountry or off-grid\napplications. These systems were not designed to power large power grids or\neven to be used that often in general.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Average Solar Bank Lifespan&nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we are not talking about how long the\ncharge lasts here. We are talking about how long the battery itself holds up\nover time. Once again there are a lot of variables to consider when answering\nthis question, and how long your solar bank lasts will largely be determined by\nhow often you use it, how well you care for it, the type of battery it is, and\nthe initial quality of the equipment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also important to note that portable power systems will more than likely last longer than solar batteries used to power a home. In a solar system designed to power the average household in the United States, you will have to replace the battery storage system within 5-15 years. This is somewhat troubling due to the fact that the photovoltaic system (PV system) usually lasts at least 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have to replace a power bank that is\nbeing used daily, then once could assume that it would take a number of years\nbeyond that estimated amount to require a portable power bank replacement. If\nyou do use your solar power bank every day, then you will be looking at\nreplacing it within 5-15 years&rsquo; time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some companies will have specifics in regards to\nreplacing batteries in the solar system. Always follow closely to the\nmanufacturer&rsquo;s guidelines in regards to battery care and lifespan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Solar Banks Work<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A power bank of any kind can be defined as a\nportable storage device that can supply power from its built-in USB port. Now,\na solar power bank isn&rsquo;t much different than that, the primary differentiation\nthat must be made is a solar storage unit produces its energy from the sunlight\nit collects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most solar power banks are designed to be a\nportable source of energy. While there are larger generator style power storage\nsolutions powered by the sun, the most commonly used ones are small and compact\nrenewable energy sources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They store the energy from the sun using small\nsolar panels then convert their solar power into stored energy in the battery\npack. This battery can then be used to charge other devices such as a mobile\nphone or tablet. Usually, the connection point will be via a USB cable, but on\nlarger generator style power banks, it will include multiple outlet\noptions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Charging&nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>How long your solar power bank takes to charge\nand how long it lasts while it is charging one of your devices will vary by\nmodel depending on the battery capacity and method used to charge the power\nbank. One general observation that can be made is the larger the battery\ncapacity, the longer it will take to reach a full charge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, manufacturers have come up with\na simple equation to allow for estimated ranges of charge time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Time to Charge = (Battery Capacity) \/ (Solar Panel Power)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you are looking to purchase a solar power\nbank, the manufacturer should have already done this leg work for you. Within\nthe packaging or on the company website, all of their solar power packages\nshould estimate the time it takes to charge via solar panel and power\noutlet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So depending on the solar panel used to charge a\n20000mAh power bank, manufacturers generally put out the required time range of\n60-70 hours of charge time vs. 5-6 hours charging on a power outlet. Now, we\nalso have to remember that the intensity of the charge will be determined by\nclimate and weather conditions. So, if it isn&rsquo;t a sunny day, you will be\nhard-pressed to get much of a charge, if any at all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since predicting that actual amount of time it\nwill take to charge via a solar panel is so subjective if you have a larger\nsolar power bank that you will rely on for a number of days or for a trip\nyou&rsquo;re taking, it is recommended that you charge the power bank via power\noutlet before you leave. This will ensure that your power bank has a full\ncharge from the start, and then you can leave it plugged into your solar power\nsource when you are off-grid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Holding a Charge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>How long your power bank lasts off of a full\ncharge will depend on the battery capacity and how much it is being used. If\nyou are strictly using it to charge a smartphone once a day, then the battery\nwill last much longer than if it is being used to charge multiple devices at\nthe same time throughout the day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on using the power bank for multiple\ndays, you should be charging it via solar panel the entire time. This will\nallow it to continue to hold a charge throughout the entirety of your\ntrip.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solar Power Bank vs. Solar Charger<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When searching for a solar power bank online,\nyou will likely also come across solar chargers. While their function is\nsomewhat similar, they serve different purposes overall. A solar charger is\nsimply that, a charger. When you plug your device into a solar charger, it must\nbe in direct sunlight in order to charge the device&rsquo;s battery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A solar power bank, on the other hand, is able\nto store the energy collected in its personal battery. This allows you to\ncharge the power bank in the sun and have a fully charged power source no\nmatter the time of day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most solar power banks do not strictly accept\nsolar power either. You are usually able to charge them with an alternative\nform of energy. The solar charging system that connects to the solar power bank\nis usually a convenience or emergency option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing the Right Power Bank for your Device<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a number of factors that need to be\nconsidered when deciding which purchase option to choose from. First, you must\ndetermine what you will be using it to charge and how you plan on charging the\npower bank as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tips for choosing the right solar power bank for\nyour needs:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Battery Capacity<\/li><li>Solar Panel Specs<\/li><li>Portability<\/li><li>Charging Ports<\/li><li>Battery Type<\/li><li>Additional Features<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Capacity<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This was discussed very briefly when we talked\nabout charging the power bank and holding a charge. However, in order to\ndetermine what battery capacity is right for your needs, you will need to know\nwhat you will be using the power bank for.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When discussing the battery capacity in the\ncontext of a solar power bank, we are talking about the amount of energy that\ncan be stored. When referring to the battery capacity, the energy stored in the\nbank is usually referred to in mAh (Ampere-Hour) or Wh (Watt-Hour) units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One problem with measuring the battery capacity\nin mAh is that this unit of measurement is designed to tell us how much power\nthe battery can put out at a given time. This is an issue because we are\nusually in search of the amount of power the device we are charging is\ndraining. Overall, the higher the mAh number on the power bank, the more you\nwill be able to charge on a full battery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The table below gives a brief overview of mAh\nbattery capacity and charging capabilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>mAh<\/strong>   <\/td><td><strong>What   It Can Charge<\/strong>   <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&lt; 3000 mAh   <\/td><td>One Smartphone   <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3000 &ndash; 10,000 mAh   <\/td><td>Phones and Tablets&nbsp;   <\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&gt; 10,000 mAh   <\/td><td>Phone, Tablet, Laptop, and other small   electronics   <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see from the table above, battery\ncapacity lower than 3000 mAh will only be enough to charge your phone one time,\nand sometimes it may not even charge your phone completely. Knowing what you\nwant to use your power bank will help you determine which one to get and also\nif it will be a worthwhile investment at all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Solar Panel Specs<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While virtually all of the solar power bank\nsystems can be charged with a standard power outlet, the main draw is that you\ndo not have to depend on the power grid completely. You can store power using\nthe sun!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When determining the quality of your solar\npanels, you will want to examine both the panel cells along with the panel\nsize. It should seem like the size of the panel would be the only concern, as a\nlarger panel should mean it can collect more sun, but that&rsquo;s not always the\ncase.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look at the specs of all the solar panels you\nare considering. Find out what the power output is as well as the general\nefficiency in collecting and converting solar energy. As with the power bank,\nsometimes you will need to pay just a little bit more in order to achieve the\nhighest efficiency.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also important to consider how large of a\npower bank you are charging via solar panels. If it is simply a source of power\nfor your phone on weekend trips, your solar panels will be small and compact.\nWhereas panels that are intended to power a battery that can run a blender or a\nsmall fridge will need a larger panel to collect more sunlight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">System Portability<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you know what you want to use your solar\npower bank for, you will need to consider how portable it is. If you want it\nstrictly for backpacking trips where you need to charge your GPS, then you will\nbe looking for something lightweight and panels you can strap to your pack\nwhile you&rsquo;re hiking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for a car camping power source\nor even a power source for a campervan, then you will be looking at something\nthat you can move around, but aren&rsquo;t expected to carry. Many of the higher\ncapacity power banks will be the size of or just slightly larger than a car\nbattery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also important to remember that we are\ntalking about the entire solar system here, not just the battery. Some solar\npanels are foldable, or some of the smaller banks have the panels built onto\nthe battery. As mentioned before, this will be up to the consumer&rsquo;s needs, but\nkeep in mind what you will be doing and if that power bank system as a whole is\nconducive to your needs.&nbsp;<\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 21, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Charging Ports<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As with the battery capacity and portability,\nhow many charging ports you need will be up to you. If you want to be able to\ncharge multiple phones or tablets at a time, look for power banks that have\nmultiple USB portals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some larger power banks will allow for a variety\nof plug-in options ranging from USB, standard outlet prongs, or even an\nauxiliary option. These banks are more suitable for people looking for back-up\nat home for emergencies or families looking for an off-grid car camping\nsolution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Battery Type<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of the solar power bank batteries\non the market today are lithium-ion polymer. There are variations, such as a\nlead-acid or saltwater battery. Major factors to consider when you are deciding\non the battery type of your solar power system is the depth of discharge and\nthe overall lifespan of the battery itself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The depth of discharge is referring to the\namount of the battery&rsquo;s full storage capacity that can be utilized or\ndischarged. It is an alternative method used to indicate the battery&rsquo;s state of\ncharge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lead-acid batteries are a more traditional\noff-grid solar solution. The main draw that they hold is that they will\ngenerally have a lower depth of discharge and a shorter lifespan than other\nbattery options. A lead-acid battery will usually only be an option when you\nare looking at converting your entire household energy system to solar, and it\ncan be a good option for homeowners on a budget when going solar as they are\nthe least expensive storage solution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saltwater batteries are most often a homemade\nDIY solar solution. It is considered a newcomer in the solar energy storage\nindustry, only because they have just started to hit the market. Since they\nrely strictly on saltwater electrolytes, there are no heavy metals, which makes\nit a more eco-friendly option. The lack of heavy metals makes it easy to\nrecycle, unlike lead-acid and lithium-ion. The major downfall is that since\nthey&rsquo;re a newer technology, there is not as much data available on their\neffectiveness and longevity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lithium-Ion Polymer batteries will be the most\ncommon battery you will come across when researching portable solar power bank\nsystems. If it isn&rsquo;t a lithium polymer battery, then it will be some sort of\nlithium-ion chemical composition. A lithium-ion polymer battery will have a\nlonger lifespan and a higher depth of discharge in comparison with other\nbattery types. Their effectiveness makes them a more expensive battery option,\nbut you will be paying for quality.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional Features<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Other features that are often worth considering\nwhen shopping for a solar power bank include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Durability<\/li><li>LED Light<\/li><li>Aesthetic Design<\/li><li>Clips, hooks, and hoops for\n     hanging<\/li><li>Foldable panel options<\/li><li>Waterproof or Water REsistant<\/li><li>Cables and Adaptors\n     Included&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When shopping for a new gadget, it can come down\nto the little things when making your decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top Rated Solar Power Banks 2019<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;ve made it this far in your research, you\nmight as well look into a few of your options. We&rsquo;ve picked out five of our\nfavorite solar power banks on the market today. It is hard to choose just four\nwith so many options today, but this can be a good place for you to jumpstart\nyour digging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The four best solar power banks ranging from\nsmall compact batteries to portable power stations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/BEARTWO-Ultra-Compact-batteries-Flashlight-Activities\/dp\/B07DW5LK2Z\/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BEARTWO+10000mAh&amp;qid=1573961137&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">BEARTWO 10000mAh<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ZEROLEMON-26800mAh-Solarjuice-Waterproof-Shockproof\/dp\/B00NIOGKL8\/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ZeroLemon+26800mAh&amp;qid=1573961172&amp;sr=8-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">ZeroLemon 26800mAh<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/25000mAh-Portable-Waterproof-Flashlight-Smartphones\/dp\/B07FPB1WJR\/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=FEELE+Solar+Power+Bank&amp;qid=1573961204&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">FEELE 25000mAh Solar Power Bank<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Goal-Zero-Portable-Generator-Alternative\/dp\/B00D5RVMAM\/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=GoalZero+Yeti+1400+Lithium+Portable+Power+Station&amp;qid=1573961309&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">GoalZero Yeti 400 Lithium Portable Power Station<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/BEARTWO-Ultra-Compact-batteries-Flashlight-Activities\/dp\/B07DW5LK2Z\/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BEARTWO+10000mAh&amp;qid=1573961137&amp;sr=8-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">BEARTWO 10000mAh<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This power bank is for those strictly looking\nfor an economical option for charging their phone. With the small, compact\ndesign, it makes this a perfect option for a traveler or backpacker looking for\na lightweight option to clip on and go.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only that, but even with its waterproof\ntechnology, you will only be paying around $25 USD for a portable solar power\nbank.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specs: 10,000mAh battery capacity, 4-5 hours to\ncharge via solar, weight of 7.4 oz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/ZEROLEMON-26800mAh-Solarjuice-Waterproof-Shockproof\/dp\/B00NIOGKL8\/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ZeroLemon+26800mAh&amp;qid=1573961172&amp;sr=8-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">ZeroLemon 26800mAh<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to the last option, the ZeroLemon is a\ncompact easy to travel with a power bank. It does, however, have a much larger\nbattery capacity allowing you to charge multiple devices or one device multiple\ntimes.&nbsp;<\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 21, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Designed to be clipped to the exterior of a\nbackpack, the ZeroLemon design has an adventure in mind. Beyond the awesome LED\nlight built-in for convenience, the case is designed to protect the bank from\nshocks and damages, making it the perfect outdoor companion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the added battery capacity and additional\nfeatures, this brings the price up a bit more, but still affordable at around\n$60 USD&gt;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specs: 26,800 mAh battery capacity, weight of\n19.86 oz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/25000mAh-Portable-Waterproof-Flashlight-Smartphones\/dp\/B07FPB1WJR\/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=FEELE+Solar+Power+Bank&amp;qid=1573961204&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">FEELE 25000mAh Solar Power Bank<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving into larger options, this FEELE Solar\nPower Bank will be larger due to the foldable solar panels. This is to match\nthe larger battery capacity and to allow for a more efficient solar collection\nand conversion when charging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the high battery capacity, it will be\nheavier than the earlier options but has the ability to charge most devices up\nto 12+ times on a full battery. Keep in mind that in order to reach a full\ncharge, it can take up 25-30 hours using strictly solar to charge the power\nbank. While that may seem like a long time, this is actually one of the most\nefficient power banks in its solar charging abilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will run around $40 USD making it a\nmid-range purchase option for travelers that aren&rsquo;t worried about weight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specs: Waterproof, 25,000mAh battery capacity, 4\nsolar panels 5W 1A current, weight of 1.18 lbs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Goal-Zero-Portable-Generator-Alternative\/dp\/B00D5RVMAM\/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=GoalZero+Yeti+1400+Lithium+Portable+Power+Station&amp;qid=1573961309&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">GoalZero Yeti 400 Lithium Portable Power Station<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving onto the big guns, GoalZero has a lot to\noffer in the form of solar power systems, and their portable power stations are\nsome of the best on the market today. With a range of sizes and abilities, you\ncan mix and match to find the perfect combination for your power needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Yeti 400 comes with a replaceable lithium\nbattery and versatile powering options, including three USB ports, two AC\noutlets, and 12V output. If you&rsquo;re looking for an emergency backup power for a\nfew hours or something to bring car-camping. You will be able to charge\nanything from your phone, laptop, camera, or table multiple times and can run\nsmall appliances off of it as needed. This is a great option running at about\n$600 USD, but keep in mind that price is only for the power bank, it does not\ninclude solar panels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it has a high battery capacity, it only\ntakes about 7 hours to charge via wall charger and between 4-32 hours,\ndepending on the capabilities of your solar panels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Specs: 428 Wh battery capacity, weight of 16.3\nlbs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/can-led-light-charge-a-solar-watch\/\">Can LED Light Charge a Solar Watch?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/the-5-reasons-we-dont-have-solar-powered-phones-yet\/\">The 5 Reasons We Don&rsquo;t Have Solar Powered Phones, Yet!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/do-solar-powered-phone-chargers-work\/\">Do Solar Powered Phone Chargers Work?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/are-solar-powered-watches-reliable\/\">Are Solar Powered Watches Reliable?<\/a><\/p><p>This article is owned by SolarPowerGenie.com and was first published on November 21, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/the-12-best-solar-powered-car-fans-on-the-market\/\">The 12 Best Solar Powered Car Fans on the Market<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we continue to move forward digitally, we find ourselves with more and more portable electronics. Some items like a phone or a laptop seem necessary these days, and oftentimes, when you are traveling or even just moving about day-to-day, we need a way to charge it all. Solar power banks and solar chargers have &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Are Solar Power Banks Worth It? - SolarPowerGenie.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/solarpowergenie.com\/are-solar-power-banks-worth-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are Solar Power Banks Worth It? - SolarPowerGenie.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As we continue to move forward digitally, we find ourselves with more and more portable electronics. 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