3 Best Solar Battery Chargers for Portable Use
- EcoFlow’s Best Solar Generators for Camping
- Best For Camping in Place: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W)
- Best For Car Camping: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (45W)
- Best for High-Power: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Solar Generator (45W)
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Solar Battery Charger
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Whether you're camping, road-tripping, or hiking off-grid, a reliable solar battery charger can keep your gear powered without a plug-in site. We’ve reviewed three top-performing options that balance power, portability, and efficiency. From compact car camping models to higher-output systems for extended off-grid use, we have the three best solar battery chargers for bringing on outdoor adventures wherever the trail takes you. Now, let’s get started so you can get out and begin your next adventure!
EcoFlow’s Best Solar Generators for Camping
Best For Camping in Place: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W)
Best For Car Camping: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (45W)
Best for High-Power: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Solar Generator (45W)
Best For Camping in Place: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W)
The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator has a generous capacity, yet it’s still compact and portable, making it the perfect camping companion. It’s lightweight enough that you can easily pack it in and out of your car, tent, or even put it in your backpack when you go out fishing for the day.
With 800W of standard output and 1600W of X-boost power, you will have plenty of power to charge devices, run camping lights, or play music. You can also run most portable appliances you might bring camping, like a portable blender, fan, or a small coffee maker, so that you can camp in comfort and style. The best part is that no matter how long you stay out camping, you won’t run out of power since you can also produce up to 1.8kWh daily with its super-efficient 220W bifacial solar panel (also called photovoltaics), which collects sunlight on both sides.
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Specifications
Storage Capacity: 768Wh
AC Output: 800W total (surge 1600W)
Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 11-50V 13A, 220W Max
Weight: 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg )
Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (270 x 260 x 226 mm)
Operating Noise Level: ~60 decibels
Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
Depth of Discharge: 100%
Warranty: 5 years
App Monitoring and Control?: Yes
EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel Specifications
Rated Power: 220W Front Side/155W Rear Side
Efficiency: 22%-23%
Solar Cell Type: Monocrystalline
Weight: 20.9 lbs (9.5 KG)
Folded Dimensions: 32.3×19.7×1.3 in (82.0×50.0×3.2 cm)
Unfolded Dimensions: 32.3×72.2×1.0 in (82.0×183.5×2.5 cm)
Waterproof/Dustproof Rating: IP68
Open Circuit Voltage: 21.8V (Vmp 18.4V)
Short Circuit Current : 13A (lmp 12.0A) Front Side / 8.8 A (lmp 8.4A) Rear Side
Recommended Portable Power Station: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro/EcoFlow DELTA 2
Pros
Large capacity yet still highly portable
Compact for use in the car, tent, or even backpacking
Can run most small portable appliances
Excellent solar charging capacity to keep your devices powered up all day
Cons
A bit heavy for multi-day backpacking adventures
Best For Car Camping: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (45W)
When camping in your car, you need power, but you don’t need as much as if you’re camping in one place, since you are likely on the move and can recharge using the DC port in your car. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator has 300W of rated output, perfect for recharging all your electronic devices, including your laptop, and its X-boost with short bursts of 600W means you can even power certain small appliances.
It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, making it convenient when your space is limited, and its ultra-quiet operation makes it perfect for use in the car at night to watch shows on your tablet. It’s also plenty light enough to toss in a daypack for hiking if you need more power for phones, cameras, music, etc. Even the super-efficient 45W solar panel folds up to about the size of a standard laptop, making it easy to stow away almost anywhere in your car or backpack, and you can even recharge USB devices directly with your photovoltaic panel.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Specifications
Storage Capacity: 245Wh
Expandability EB300 (286Wh), EB600Wh (572Wh)
AC Output: 2 outlets, 300W total (Surge 600W, X-Boost 600W)
Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 110W
Weight: 7.8 lb
Dimensions: 10×8.3×4.4 in
UPS Auto-Switchover Time: ~20ms
Operating Noise Level: <30 dB
Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
Depth of Discharge: 100%
Warranty: 5 years
App Monitoring and Control?: Yes
EcoFlow 45W Solar Panel Specifications
Rated Power: 45W
Efficiency: 25%
Solar Cell Type: N-Type TOPCon Monocrystalline Silicon
Weight: 3 lbs (0.45kg)
Folded Dimensions: 8.7×12.2×1.6 in
Unfolded Dimensions: 38.6×12.2×0.6 in
Waterproof/Dustproof Rating: IP68
Open Circuit Voltage: 25.6V
Short Circuit Current: 2.06A
Recommended Portable Power Station: EcoFlow RIVER 3
Pros
Compact and lightweight, it takes up very little space in your car
Light enough to fit in a backpack for hiking trips
Ultra-quiet operation won’t disturb you when used inside
The solar panel is about the size of a laptop for easy storage
Cons
Not powerful enough to run most portable kitchen appliances
Best for High-Power: EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Solar Generator (45W)
If you still need something compact and lightweight but just need more power than the EcoFlow RIVER 3 offers, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Solar Generator is the perfect compromise between power and portability. It has a bit more storage capacity but offers twice as much output (600W) and surge power (1200W), allowing you to run more small portable appliances.
It's still lightweight and compact enough to easily fit in a backpack if you want to go on a single or multi-day hike, and its ultra-quiet operation also lets you use it inside your tent or car without disturbing you. It comes with a compact, lightweight, and highly portable 45W photovoltaic panel that conveniently folds up to the size of a laptop for fast recharging. However, you can also add additional panels up to 220W for higher energy needs.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Specifications
Storage Capacity: 256Wh
Expandability EB300 (286Wh), EB600Wh (572Wh)
AC Output: 600W (1200W Surge)
Solar Charge Capacity (Maximum): 220W
Weight: 10.4 lbs (4.7kg)
Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.1 x 5.8 in (234 x 231 x 146 mm)
UPS Auto-Switchover Time: >10ms (True UPS for Computers/Hard Drives)
Operating Noise Level: <30 dB
Charging Options: Solar/AC/Car/USB-C Charging
Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4)
Depth of Discharge: 100%
Warranty: 5 years
App Monitoring and Control?: Yes
EcoFlow 45W Solar Panel Specifications
Rated Power: 45W
Efficiency: 25%
Solar Cell Type: N-Type TOPCon Monocrystalline Silicon
Weight: 3 lbs (0.45kg)
Folded Dimensions: 8.7×12.2×1.6 in
Unfolded Dimensions: 38.6×12.2×0.6 in
Waterproof/Dustproof Rating: IP68
Open Circuit Voltage: 25.6V
Short Circuit Current: 2.06A
Recommended Portable Power Station: EcoFlow RIVER 3
Pros
Compact and lightweight enough to bring on a day or multi-day hike
Higher output and surge power allow you to run more small appliances
Solar input can be expanded for extra power when camping in place
Ultra-quiet operation makes it perfect for use inside a car or tent
Cons
Limited capacity will only run small appliances for a short period of time
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Solar Battery Charger
There are several things you should consider before choosing a portable solar charger. Let’s take a look at the most important ones.
Energy Needs
First, you must decide how much energy you need to run your devices. For instance, a phone charger typically needs between 5W and 20W, while a laptop may need up to 300W. If you want to run small portable appliances, you’ll need anywhere from 200W to 1200W. Work out how many devices you want to run, and then look for a capacity that suits your needs. Remember, capacity is how much the battery can store, but output is a different value, and it determines what devices it can run. Also, the higher the wattage of your appliances, the less running time you will have. Still, with solar charging, you can always recharge your battery.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to get a slightly larger model than what you need. If you think your energy needs will increase, look for ones with expandable capacity.
Portability
If you’re shopping for a power device to take on your travels, you already know portability is key. Just remember that capacity and portability are typically a trade-off. The higher the capacity, the heavier and less portable it is. So, you must choose the right capacity for your needs that still works within the logistical parameters of your trip. Look for compact and lightweight devices, but also durable builds and carrying handles to make them easier to pack without damaging them.
Solar Input
Solar input is another essential feature since it determines the wattage of panels you can connect to it. The more input watts it offers, the more quickly you can recharge it with additional photovoltaics. This is especially important for people who need a compact device but have relatively high energy requirements, since it allows you to keep recharging anytime the sun shines.
Conversion Efficiency
You also want to look for high-quality monocrystalline photovoltaic panels with the industry-best conversion efficiencies, or see how much incoming solar energy they can convert to usable electricity. Industry-best standards, like those used in EcoFlow Solar Generators, are between 22% and 25% efficiency, allowing you to produce more energy in less space.
Type of Battery
Not all batteries are created equal, and different solar generators may not have the best batteries. Older lead-acid models are heavy, have a poor depth of discharge (50% capacity), and can only be recharged 300-500 times before they decline noticeably in capacity. Older lithium-ion models offered a better depth of discharge but were prone to thermal runaway, damaging the battery, and potentially causing safety issues. Newer LiFePO4 batteries are the superior choice and are used in all EcoFlow Solar Generators. They offer a depth of discharge of 100%, can be recharged at least 3000 times, and are the superior choice in safety.
Warranties
Always look for products with good warranties. Avoid those with short warranties or charging cycle limits. Instead, look for quality products with 5-year warranties without charging cycle limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Portable Solar-Powered Charger?
The best portable solar-powered chargers strike a balance between power and portability. Choose a portable power station with a 300 to 800W capacity that is still light enough to be portable. Also, skip the ultra-tiny solar panels with low output. Instead, look for 45W+ panels that fold to make them more portable.
Do Solar Portable Chargers Actually Work?
Yes, solar portable chargers work using solar panels to recharge a battery, which you can then use to recharge your devices. However, their efficiency can vary significantly depending on the quality and wattage of the photovoltaic panels and battery, so choose quality products with enough output to meet your needs.
What To Look for in a Portable Solar Charger?
Before buying a portable solar charger, consider your energy needs and then look at battery capacity, solar panel wattage, and maximum solar input to ensure it meets your needs. Also, look for durable products, LiFePO4 batteries, good warranties, and monocrystalline panels with at least a 22% conversion efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right solar battery charger depends on how much power you need and how mobile you want to be, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For instance, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro Solar Generator (PV220W) is best for camping in place with its high capacity and fast charging. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Solar Generator (45W) offers ultralight portability for car campers and hikers, while the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Solar Generator (45W) adds more power without much extra bulk. Whichever you choose, EcoFlow’s advanced solar products will ensure you're never left in the dark, even far from the grid.