Portable solar power banks are technically the smallest solar generators on the market that combine an integrated solar panel and rechargeable battery, all in a titchy tiny enclosure. Miniature nature-powered technology at it’s finest. These no-fuss devices require minimal setup and no external accessories to recharge. They are small, but are they worth it?
Any Point Investing in some solar power banks?
The answer is most definitely yes. Ever get stuck on a job or on-the-run when you just need a bit of extra power to boost your phone or a cordless drill? If this happens on location and it’s too cumbersome or out of the question to hook up to AC or auto power, a handy little power bank can pull you out of a stick.
When you’re out camping or touring the Midwest and everyone else is plugging into a larger portable power generator, having access to your own little bank of power can provide a quick and easy hit. Power banks charge up in lightning time if they run flat and having a few packed with you can be enough to give you the extra power you need for your phones, iPads and small tools and appliances
Situations Where Portable Power Banks Excel
- Run-and-gun Situations: Have to fly off in a hurry and don’t have time to pack? A pre-charged solar power bank can come to the rescue and if you are going to be outside in daylight, you can recharge it with clean energy to get you by on short trips.
- Wilderness Functionality: Going off the beaten track and don’t want to be lumbered down with heavy gear? Their lightweight design allows you to move freely and repower naturally when traditional power is out of reach. Achieve energy independence for your essential low-powered items.
- On-location Power: Grab some extra lightweight power to keep your lights, cameras, and devices charged when you are working off-grid.
- Power Cut Protection: When the grid goes down, these convenient, lightweight power banks can deliver the extra power you need to keep your phone working in emergency situations.
- Ultra Lightweight & Compact: If you are a frequent traveller, work outdoors quite a lot, or don’t trust the kids with electronic chargers or larger power stations when on-the-move, these ever-so-light, safe devices can be an indispensable friend.
- Seamlessly connect with nature: Have it power your electric-lifestyle with eco-friendly portable power.
- Where space is a premium: If you are going sailing and you need your devices charged, solar power banks are ideal due to their compact size
In summary, the portability, convenience, and uncomplicated nature of solar power banks make them shine in emergency and low-power situations. You don’t need to lug any extra pieces of gear to make them work; just the brick and the sun, and you are all set.
Environmental Impact
This is a no-brainer, and we won’t get to deep into it here. While there is a lot of debate about exactly how much carbon emissions impact the environment, the good thing is power banks don’t emit any. While the debate still rages on about carbon’s effect on the atmosphere (carbon dioxide only makes up 0.04% of Earth’s atmosphere – see here), at least will be no toxic fumes emitted by these little devices.
The only environmental drawback is can the solar cells and batteries be safely disposed of and recycled? And are they ethically sourced?
Zero Running Costs
Sun energy is free, and thankfully there is no tax (yet!) on it’s use. Now you aren’t exactly going to save a fortune by using a boatload of power banks, but at least they are free to power up.
What to Look for in a Portable Solar Power Bank
There are a few things to look at: brand name, battery capacity, solar panel efficiency, charging speed, AC power options, and outdoor protection. Let’s break these down into bite size chunks.
Battery Size
The battery is the storage powerhouse that is going to run your phone, games controllers, and maybe even run your laptop, if it’s capable. So it’s like choosing a car based on its performance stats – the bigger the engine capacity, the faster it’s going to go. Power banks are measured in mAh (milliampere-hour), and the higher this is, the longer you can go between recharges, and the bigger it is, the more length of time you can run your devices from it.
Solar banks can range from 5,000mAh to 50,000mAh. At the top end of the scale, a 30,000mAh power bank like this will charge:
- iPhone 14 up to 5 times
- laptop up to 1.5 times
A 46,800 mAh solar power bank like this will run:
- iPhone 15 up to 8 times
- Galaxy S22 up to 7 times
- AirPods Pro 50 times
- iPad Mini 6 up to 5 times
Bear in mind that a 25,00mAh battery can take 1-2 days to fully charge in sunlight.
Battery Safety
According to Jackery – “LiFePO4 is less prone to exploding and overheating, making them highly safe. By contrast, lithium-ion batteries without BMS or protective algorithms can catch fire or overheat when not used properly. However, lithium-ion batteries with battery system management are highly safe for solar power systems”
Well, I know which type of battery I would prefer. As they entire unit is all in one box, I don’t like the idea of a lithium-ion battery and overheating solar panel melting. Apart from the fire and explosion risk, the battery life cycle will get a kicking, and not only that it won’t be able to take a full charge, resulting in a underpowered solar charger. But if it has a battery management system, it should be able to counteract this.
So look either for a unit with LiFeP04 batteries or for a lithium powered unit, make sure it has intelligent monitoring via some snazzy battery protection circuitry.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar panel measures how much of the sun’s rays are captured by the solar panel and converted into electricity. It does this by a percentage score.
There are 2 main types of panels: monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Monocrystalline have a higher efficiency rating, and you usually find these in the leading power banks on the market replete with advanced photovoltaic technology (like Passivated Emitter Rear Cell- PERC), which is a fancy way of saying they have high performance and efficiency ratings (usually 20+%) and are ideal for converting the sun’s Rays To Watts. These types of panels are better for low-light and cloudy coverage days.
Weather Resistant
Look for a chunky, shockproof power bank that will handle a fall or bump. A temperature-regulated device will perform better in cold situations or when the weather dips. Water resistance is also an absolute must for outdoor use.
AC Power
Why would you need AC power in a solar bank? For quick recharge times and to pre-charge your unit when you are going away during winter or dull days and charging via solar is not going to work. AC power is also a great option for electrical outlets on campsites.
Charge Times & Device Compatibility
This is key. Make sure the power bank you choose works with your essential devices and has the outlet ports you need for your phone, cameras, and laptop. Compare recharge times (look for things like Qualcomm fast charge technology) between brands and look into wireless charging options if you want the option to not use cables.
Real-World Portable Solar Power Banks Use
Ever want to enjoy an escape to the unplugged outback? You’ve picked the most empty, barren wilderness, so you’ve packed up the RV and are heading to the Texas-Mexico border. But what’s that sound you hear spoiling the wild landscape? Huh, it’s just the sound of bored yappin’ kids who’ve run out of iPhone juice. First world problems.
Sure, you just want ’em to drink in the landscape, but at least until you get there, you don’t want your driving routine to be constantly interrupted. Hand them a couple of precharged solar banks from the glove box, and at least you can recharge them back up when you get to your rest stop.
Camping & Traveling Companions
So yes, power banks make great commute, camping, and backpacking companions. They can provide that extra bit of power to keep your phone, GoPro, and headlamps alive as you go off-road.
Emergency Preparedness and Power Outages
Don’t be left out on a limb if a monsoon, tornado, or other extreme weather event hits, or when an overloaded power grid snaps under pressure. Gas generators are good for powering households during such events, but they are big, can’t always hook up to your electric supply, and, in many ways, can get damaged in a large storm. They are good to have, but also having large and small solar charging devices is a fail-proof way to pull you out of a jam in an emergency situation.
With solar charging capabilities, they are a great asset when you don’t have fuel or can’t bring a gas generator inside your home. Solar power banks are also safe to travel with you if you have to be mobile during blackouts and travel to help other people who have no way to help themselves.
Think of your elderly friends, family, and neighbors, or when someone gets stranded out of town and needs you to charge their tire inflator to get them back on the road.
Solar Power Bank Negatives
Battery Size/Power Output
Lack of outlets
Lithium-ion batteries can get extremely hot in direct sunlight
Integrated Batteries can overheat and cut out when hot
Short Battery cycle life (300-500 charge cycles)
Battery Life Cycle can decrease if exposed to constant high temperatures
Solar Power Bank Positives
Small form factor
Multiple USB ports
Fast Recharging (potentially)
Practically Zero Set Up Time
Don’t need a separate solar panel
Versatility – some can have integrated lights and up to 3 collapsible solar panels built in, which can charge 5 devices – like this from JinePin which has a massive 46800mAh battery
USB-C 20W outputs can quickly recharge your devices
Final Word – The Limits Of Portable Solar Power Banks
Its not all sunny though, when it comes to portable solar power banks. It’s ok to top up on free power from the sun, but what do you do when the sun isn’t shining? And what do you do when you need more power or want to run your devices, or heaven forbid, appliances for longer.
Yes, that is the crux of the matter, portable power banks are limited by their physical size, power output, battery capacity, and connection outlets. But that’s a fair trade-off as they are extremely small and contain an integrated solar panel. It’s the form factor that limits their potential, but they excel in portability and ease of set up.
Solar power banks use lithium-ion batteries, and these can get extremely hot once you are charging your power bank up in sunlight. Not only is this a fire risk, but the charge controller will cut the power to the battery to protect it from overcharging, so you effectively won’t be limiting the battery’s charging ability.
For more power, you really have to start looking at portable power stations with a separate solar panel.
Start small with the EB3A, Jackery 200 or see these posts: Best Portable Power Stations Under $1000