Science
Energy
Power up your laptop anywhere that life takes you.
By
Amber Nolan
Amber Nolan
- College at Brockport, State University of New York
Amber Nolan is a freelance writer for Treehugger who is passionate about sustainable living, nature, and outdoor adventure.
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Updated June 17, 2021
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Working remotely using a laptop is becoming more and more common, and with it comes the challenge of keeping a computer powered up when electric outlets are scarce. Whether at an outdoor café, camping in the wilderness, on a road trip, living off-grid, or in a sudden power-outage situation, a portable solar laptop charger is a handy device to have. Most portable solar laptop chargers function as mini power stations capable of charging other electronics like cell phones, cameras, drones, and tablets – to name a few. Now, with more options than ever to choose from, we’ve sorted through the latest solar devices to find our favorites. Here are the six best portable solar laptop chargers. The Rundown Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator and Panel at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: Jump to Review Jump to Review Best for RVing: Jump to Review Best Backpack Charger: Voltaic Systems Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger at Amazon Jump to Review Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 400 watts | Battery Capacity: 290 watt hours | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Output Ports: AC Output, Car Port Output, USB Outputs Founded by a former Apple battery engineer in Silicon Valley, Jackery Power Outdoors is one of the most well-recognized names in off-grid power supplies. The Solar Generator SG290 comes with a whopping 90-watt panel that folds shut and can easily be toted away using the carry handle. The 400-watt output can charge a Macbook four times before the power station requires a recharge. Another stand-out feature is the built in MPPT module that monitors voltage and output of the solar panel, adding up to 23% more solar recharging efficiency. There’s also an automatic power-saving setting to power down when not in use. The Jackery can charge up to four devices at one time. Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 400 watts | Battery Capacity: 193 watt hours | Weight: Power bank 4.4 pounds, panel 2.4 pounds | Output Ports: Three USB ports, two AC outlets, two DC outputs ExpertPower Station’s S200 is an affordable starter kit for charging laptops on the go, as well as phones, tablets, drones, and other devices (up to 200watts). The kit includes a 50-watt, weather-resistant solar panel that’s built on a copper foundation, and it can provide up to 22% to 25% energy efficiency (depending on cloud coverage). The panel has a flexible design and weighs just 2.4 pounds, while the portable lithium generator weighs 4.4 pounds, making this an extremely lightweight option. The generator can be charged using a car outlet, wall outlet, or using the solar panel (mount holes are pre-drilled for easy installation). Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 20 watts | Battery Capacity: 94.7 watt hours | Weight: Power bank 2pounds, solar panel 2.28 pounds | Output Ports: Wireless Qi, USB-C PD ports, USB-A, AC inverter For an ultraportable laptop charger than can easily pack up and fit into luggage or a hiking pack, the Sherpa 100AC by Goal Zero weighs just over four pounds – for both the charger and the 20-watt solar panel. The Sherpa is ideal for charging laptops, cameras, tablets, and phones, plus it even has a wireless charging option. The Nomad 20 panel can fold shut and comes with a kickstand to get the proper angle in the sun. It takes about 7.5 to 15 hours to recharge (so a full day in the sun), however, it can also recharge from another USB source (in eight to 10 hours) or from the car adapter or wall charger in about three hours. The 6 Best Solar-Powered Phone Chargers of 2022 Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 110 watts | Battery Capacity: 576 watt hours | Weight: Battery 11pounds, panel 8.8 pounds, expansion battery 5.5 pounds | Output Ports: Three AC outputs, two USB-A outputs, USB-A fast charge, USB-C output, car power output, DC5521 output If you’re shopping for a laptop charger but are considering a versatile option, the River Max (R600) includes an expansion battery for added power without having to purchase a second device. The River Max can also handle a roster of electronics ranging from laptops, coffee makers, hotplate burners, televisions, hair dryers, and almost any gadget that draws less than 600 watts. The kit includes a foldable, 110 watt solar panel, allowing the battery to recharge faster than most other options. The R600 weighs 11 pounds, can fully charge within 1.6 hours on a wall charger, and can also be paired with a mobile app to set recharge alerts and monitor output. Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 40 watts | Battery Capacity: 300 watt hours | Weight: 8 pounds | Output Ports: two USB, USB Type C, two pure sine wave AC output Specializing in emergency equipment such as water filters and ready-to-eat survival meals, the outdoor company 4 Patriots also makes must-have solar devices. The Power Sidekick is a reliable and efficient solar charger that’s designed for sudden power-outages, and is also a good addition to camping or RV gear. Although it's lightweight, the Sidekick can charge phones, laptops, medical devices, WiFi routers, radios, and more with a capacity of 300 watts. The four foldable solar panels (connected) provide total 40 watts of power to recharge the Sidekick and can also directly charge any device that has a USB port. There’s a light on the back that’s useful in a tent or on the picnic table, and the clear digital display shows the charging levels and how many watts the laptop being charged is using. The company supports active-duty military and veterans’ charities. Key Specs Solar Panel Capacity: 9 watts | Battery Capacity: 88.8 watt hours | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Output Ports: USB, USB Type C, and Hi-Voltage Laptop Output A solar-charging backpack allows you to charge a laptop on the go, and the redesigned Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger by Voltaic Systems is lightweight (5.4 pounds), durable, and powerful. UV and water resistant, the backpack is made from 33 recycled plastic soda bottles (recycled PET fabric). Inside is 25 liters of storage, a dedicated padded 15-inch laptop sleeve for added protection, and plenty of interior pockets. The new larger capacity, 88-watt hour battery comes with USB-C to charge the latest devices. The battery can be recharged with the AC adapter or with the 10-watt solar panel that’s built into the rear of the backpack. It takes about six hours to fully charge a laptop. Final Verdict Our top pick for a portable solar laptop charger is the Jackery Power Outdoors (view at Home Depot) unit for its reasonable price and high functionality, but if you’re looking for a cost-friendly option, the Expert Power Station’s S200 (view at Amazon) is an affordable, lightweight choice for charging laptops and cell phones on the go. If you’d like to splurge on something more powerful to charge laptops as well as larger electronics, the River Max Solar Generator Kit (view at Earth Products) is a worthwhile investment. While some portable solar panel manufacturers claim they can charge laptops by connecting directly to the panel, it’s not a good idea. Voltage fluctuations can potentially damage devices, and portable solar panels are slower to charge devices than battery power packs. Not to mention, solar panels can only be utilized during daylight hours, while a combination of both (battery and panel) allows you to maximize power generation by using the battery in the evenings and recharging it on the panel during the day. The author, Amber Nolan, lives off-grid (most of the year) on a houseboat using almost entirely solar power, but she also relies on the Jackery portable solar generator when she’s traveling. The 7 Best Solar Power Banks of 2022Best Overall:Jackery 1000W Peak Solar Generator SG550 with 100W Solar Panel
Best for RVing:Patriot Power Sidekick
Best Backpack Charger:Voltaic Systems Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger for Laptops
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FAQs
Is there a solar charger that actually works? ›
The compact and foldable BigBlue 28W Solar Charger is one of the best solar-powered phone chargers that can also charge larger devices. This mid-priced charger boasts 21.5 to 23.5 percent conversion efficiency and is compatible with most compact Android devices and Apple devices.
What is the best portable laptop charger? ›- Omnicharge Omni 20 Plus. ...
- Baseus Blade 100W Battery. ...
- Anker 737 Power Bank. ...
- Maxoak 185Wh Laptop Battery Pack. ...
- HALO Bolt 58830. ...
- HALO Bolt 44000. ...
- Einova Laptop Power Bank. ...
- Krisdonia 60000mAh AC Laptop Power Bank.
The Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 is our top pick. You get both a USB-A and USB-C port, and with a 20,000mAh capacity battery, you'll have plenty of onboard juice to keep your devices topped up. (That's enough charge up an iPhone 12 around 4.7 times, a Galaxy S20 3.4 times, and an iPad mini 2.7 times.)
How many watts of solar do I need for a laptop? ›For instance, to power a laptop, you will require relatively less energy than its desktop counterpart. We calculated how many solar panels you will need to run a computer using only the sun's energy below. To use a standard business PC, you will need around 300 Watts every hour.
How many watt solar panel do I need for laptop? ›Running the laptop on its own on a large house inverter may not be very efficient. To conclude, we'd suggest that a laptop computer would use around 30W off the DC power supply, and say 40-50W after inverter losses. An 80 watt solar panel should easily run a laptop computer all day in say the Brisbane area.
How long do solar portable chargers last? ›Solar batteries can last between three and ten years depending on the type of battery. A good quality lithium-ion battery can last for more than 4,000 cycles (the number of times a battery is drawn down and then recharged). That's a life span of about 10 years under typical use.
How long does a solar charger last? ›How Long Does a Solar Battery Last? Home solar battery units last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. If you decide to install a solar battery today, it's almost certain you'll need a replacement in the future to match the 20- to 30-year lifespan of your solar power system.
Are solar battery chargers worth it? ›Yes! Solar battery chargers can fully charge your devices. The only thing is, if the battery has reached the end of its lifetime and needs to be replaced, a simple recharge won't cut it. They do take a longer time than gas powered or wall powered chargers but they are a great option for traveling or off-grid living.
How many watts is a good portable charger? ›For a portable charger, 18 watts is considered a good charging speed. 27 watts is excellent. Sometimes companies will show a battery's voltage and amperage rather than a rate in Watts: In that case, multiply the two numbers to get the rate in watts.
Is there a portable power bank for laptop? ›Rugged, powerful, and versatile, the GoalZero Sherpa PD100 is the best laptop battery pack for most people. With its 25,000 mAh battery, a wide selection of ports, Qi wireless charging pad, and rugged build quality, the GoalZero Sherpa 100PD has a lot to offer.
Which portable charger is the fastest? ›
Best portable charger overall: Anker PowerCore 13000
Simply put, the Anker PowerCore 13000 packs a ton of value. You can charge a lot with this thing — and quickly. The PowerCore 13000 has enough capacity to bring an iPhone 11 to full charge two and a half times, or two Samsung Galaxy S20s from empty to more than 90%.
Divide your average hourly wattage requirement by the number of daily peak sunlight hours for your area. This gives you the amount of energy your panels need to produce every hour. So the average U.S. home (900 kWh/month) in an area that gets five peak sunlight hours per day would need 6,000 watts.
What is the difference between a solar charger and a solar power bank? ›Solar power banks store generated energy in built-in batteries, so you can charge devices even when there's no sun. Solar chargers are designed without batteries and do not store energy. They have to be exposed to sunlight when they're charging your devices.
Can a 100 watt solar panel run a laptop? ›A 100w solar panel can also be used to charge a laptop for between two and ten hours each day, depending on the wattage of the laptop in question and your overall power consumption. It can also power a lamp for up to 33 hours, and an LCD television for around five hours without any difficulty.
Can a 100w solar panel run a computer? ›On the other hand, a laptop consumes about 60 watts/hour. That means a 100 watt solar panel would be suitable to meet those needs.
How many watts do most laptops need? ›Laptop wattage typically ranges from 30W to 200W, however, gaming laptops can reach over 320W. The most common laptop wattage is 65W. The amount of watts that a laptop actually uses rarely reaches the wattage listed on the device.
Can I power my laptop with solar? ›Need a powerful solar laptop charger kit? The battery provides the laptop power and the panels recharge the battery. Combined, they will keep your laptop going for 3-4 hours (depending on conditions). Each laptop solar charger panel folds down into a handy size for your bag or rucksack.
What will a 400 watt solar system run? ›A 400W solar panel can run a number of solar pump systems including submersible pumps, booster pumps, surface pumps and sump pumps. Why 100 watt panels instead of 200+ watt panels? We supply the highest quality mono crystalline solar panels currently available on the market.
Is 400 watts of solar good? ›The higher the wattage, the more power the panel will produce. 400-watt solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners and businesses because they offer a good balance of both price and performance. Most 400-watt solar panels have an efficiency rating of approximately 20% – 21%.
What happens when solar battery is fully charged? ›Should the battery bank become full, it will stop absorbing power from the solar system. The solar panels will continue to generate voltage, but that voltage will not be used or stored until there is available energy demand, or battery space.
Is Portable solar worth it? ›
Are portable solar panels effective? Yes, they are. The same technology that allows homes to run on 100% solar energy is used, albeit in a much more compact design. Because of this, they can't provide as much energy as full size solar panels, but they are effective.
Can solar chargers overheat? ›Although its true that an abundance of sunshine is ideal for generating a lot of power using photovoltaic panels, too much heat can be a bad thing. If solar panels get too hot, they can in fact overheat.
Do solar chargers work on cloudy days? ›Photovoltaic panels can use direct or indirect sunlight to generate power, though they are most effective in direct sunlight. Solar panels will still work even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds.
Which is best solar battery? ›- SunPower SunVault: Our pick for highest capacity.
- Tesla Powerwall 2: Our pick for best warranty.
- Sonnen Eco: Our pick for best variety.
- Enphase IQ : Our pick for best technology.
- Generac PWRcell: Our pick for best efficiency.
- LG Chem RESU: Our pick for brand reputation.
Many homeowners contemplating upgrading to solar energy wonder whether solar panels will even work in winter or on cloudy days. The good news is that they absolutely do. Solar panels draw energy from the sun, but that doesn't mean solar panels only work on sunny afternoons or long summer days.
What should I look for when buying a solar battery charger? ›- Keep the lights on ysing the power of the sun. ...
- Types of solar chargers. ...
- Panel-only chargers. ...
- Panels with integrated battery chargers. ...
- Panels with detached battery chargers. ...
- Gadgets to power using the solar charger. ...
- Length of use or trip duration. ...
- Climate and weather.
Charging your battery at 12 volts and 20 amps will take five hours to charge a 100 amp hour battery. By multiplying 20 amps by 12 volts, 240 watts is how big of a panel you would need, so we'd recommend using a 300w solar panel or 3 100 watt solar panels.
Can you leave a solar battery charger on all the time? ›In general, a solar trickle charger can be left connected to a battery all the time. Most commercial chargers are designed to either generate very low power or incorporate over-charge protection. It's always preferable to use a simple solar charge controller with any solar charging application.
What is the highest portable charger capacity? ›mophie - Powerstation XXL PD (Fast Charge) 20,000 mAh Portable Charger for Most USB-Enabled Devices - Black.
How many volts is a good portable charger? ›1) The industry standard cell(s) used within the Power Bank commonly output 3.7 Volts. This voltage has to be boosted up to 5 Volts via the Power Bank's internal circuitry as this is the standard voltage of a USB interface.
How do I choose a portable power bank charger? ›
Start by choosing the size of your battery (aka power bank).
Common sizes range from 2000mAh up to 10,000 or even 12,000 mAh. Bigger numbers mean more power, which means more recharges for your smartphone, or charging for bigger devices that need more power, like a tablet.
There is no difference between a power bank and a portable charger. Both names can be used to refer to the exact same battery pack you use to charge a device. A power bank has several nicknames including: Battery pack.
What is the smallest most powerful power bank? ›T-Core Ultra-Compact High-Speed Power Bank, $38.99
The best-selling T-Core Ultra-Compact High-Speed Power Bank describes itself as the world's smallest and lightest ultra-compact portable charger and power bank. It perfectly fits in the palm of your hand and is half the size of a bank card.
- Comparison Table Of The Best Power Bank.
- #1) Mi Power Bank 3i 20000mAh.
- #2) URBN 10000 mAh Li-Polymer.
- #3) Ambrane 15000mAh Li-Polymer Powerbank.
- #4) Syska 20000 mAh Li-Polymer.
- #5) OnePlus 10000mAh Power Bank.
- #6) pTron Dynamo Pro 10000mAh.
- #7) Realme 20000mAh Power Bank.
500 watts (or 500 W) is a very high level of output for a single solar panel. By comparison, between 350 W and 400 W is standard for residential panels in 2022.
Is 300 watts of solar enough? ›Three hundred watts is a typical size for the solar panels that make up the solar array for powering a home or business. You'll require multiple panels to generate enough power, and the actual number you need can vary widely based on the size of your home and your individual energy consumption.
What will a 500 watt solar system power? ›A 500 watt solar panel system will typically have an inverter that is at least 400 watts or bigger so that you can charge basic appliances and electronics such as laptops, lights and a small fridge.
What is the disadvantage of solar power bank? ›High initial costs for material and installation and long ROI (however, with the reduction in the cost of solar over the last 10 years, solar is becoming more cost feasible every day) Needs lots of space as efficiency is not 100% yet. No solar power at night so there is a need for a large battery bank.
What are the two types of solar chargers? ›There are two main types of solar charge controllers: PWM and MPPT charge controllers. PWM stands for pulse-width modulation, and MPPT stands for maximum power point tracking.
Can a 100w solar panel charge a laptop? ›Practically: Yes, but you shouldn't do it. Would you like me to explain ? It can but make sure u connect a solar charge controller in between. Or u can simply just secure a solar generator which u can use to charge ur laptop safely and watch tv, use ur fan, and power lights.
Can charging laptop in solar panel? ›
The power station can be charged using a DC14~40V/120W solar panel or AC charger or car charger. The USB output port can be used to connect with smartphone, MP3 player, digital camera, electronic reader, tablet, laptop, etc. It is also very easy to use and maintain. Just fully charge the machine before storage.
How many watts does a laptop use? ›Laptop wattage typically ranges from 30W to 200W, however, gaming laptops can reach over 320W. The most common laptop wattage is 65W. The amount of watts that a laptop actually uses rarely reaches the wattage listed on the device.
How many watt inverter does it take to run a laptop? ›Device | Watts |
---|---|
Laptop | 90 Watts |
Light bulb | 100 Watts |
LCD television | 250 Watts |
Printer | 50 Watts |
A pure sine wave inverter works just fine with laptops, but even so, inverters aren't very efficient for charging laptops. An inverter steps up your 12V to 220V (or 110V), and then the laptop charger will step the power back down to 18.5V, 19V, 20V etc. depending on your laptop.
How many watts solar do I need? ›Divide your average hourly wattage requirement by the number of daily peak sunlight hours for your area. This gives you the amount of energy your panels need to produce every hour. So the average U.S. home (900 kWh/month) in an area that gets five peak sunlight hours per day would need 6,000 watts.
How much does a 100 watt solar panel cost? ›100-watt solar panels at a glance:
A 100 W panel provides enough power to run or charge a few small electronic devices, like WiFi routers and cell phone chargers. Expect to pay $100 to $200 for a standalone 100 W panel, and $150 to $300 for a 100 W solar panel kit (without a battery).
Higher charging voltage from the solar panels leads to higher Ah being delivered to the battery and ultimately leading to overcharging. The easiest way to control over charging of the batteries is to control the output voltage of the solar panel.
Is 100w enough to charge laptop? ›No, the laptop will not charge using a 100w USB-C charger, it can only be charged using the supplied charger or AC adapter. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port will support charging. It will drain the battery, while charging, if the laptop is not connected to the AC adapter.
How many amps is 100w solar? ›How many amps does a 100w 12v solar panel produce? To calculate amps, remember the equation amps x volts = watts. In this example, amps x 12 volts = 100 watts. Using this, we learn that a 100 watt panel will produce 8 amps.
How do solar laptop chargers work? ›Solar chargers work by taking energy absorbed through solar panels and using it to charge solar batteries. Multiple solar cells make up the solar panels and work to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. The solar batteries then store the energy produced by your solar panels for later use.
How can I use laptop without battery? ›
You can Use a Laptop without the Battery
First of all, make sure you're using the original power adapter that came with the laptop. Power variations could cause components on the laptop's motherboard to fail, which is something that the battery can prevent by acting the way a UPS would.
The quick answer to this is yes. Solar panels can indeed work through glass windows or windshields. However, is it enough for your solar panel to work? While you can utilize Solar panels through glass windows, their effectiveness will be far lower than when installed outside.