Solar phone chargers can be a lifesaver if you know what they are and how to use them. These devices aren’t by any means an ideal replacement for your charger that you use every day in an outlet, but they will definitely come in handy if you’re going to be off the radar for a while. On average, it will take about 10 hours to get a full charge. This may seem like a long time to charge your device- however, these gadgets are completely portable. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you don’t have access to electricity, you’ll be able to see the true value of one of these chargers. Instead of being stuck with no phone, you can plug in your cell and charge it up any time, anywhere. it’s always good to have a Plan B.

Here’s an important tip for buying a solar phone charger; make sure that you buy a charger with the right wattage to charge your phone. The smaller the device, the less wattage required, and vice versa. This means that if you plan on using your charger on electronics that require more electricity to charge as well, then you’ll want to look at solar chargers with higher wattage to meet your needs. On average, a 7 Watt charger will work perfectly fine for a smartphone. On the other hand, if you want to charge a tablet you’ll need to look for a charger of about 9 Watts, and a laptop will require at least 17 Watts.

Uses:

A solar phone charger is made for when you forget to pack a charger when you leave home or you’re going to be traveling without having constant access to electricity to keep your battery life full. Solar phone work by absorbing energy from the sun, then outputting that electricity into your phone to charge your battery without the need for an outlet. These devices are a very handy contraption to keep with you on the go, at school, or at work.

Cost:

The price of solar panel chargers can vary depending on where you shop and how much quality you require. If you’re working on a budget and don’t want to spend a fortune on one of these devices but you still want to invest in one for emergencies, you can pick one up at your local Walmart for as little as $15. However, the prices rise gradually and then skyrocket from there. If you’re a billionaire or someone without a real spending limit, though, then there are solar phone chargers out there that cost as much as $900 if you’re willing to spend that kind of money on them.

Solar Charging- The Time it Takes

On average it will take you approximately 25-30 hours to fully charge your power bank, and a full charge, on average, can typically charge a cell phone about 12 times before running out of juice.

However, you should also know that charging times vary depending on what type of charger you have and how many panels come with it. When it comes to panels, the more you have the merrier. Here are a few examples of about how long solar panel charger banks with different mAh (battery capacity) take to charge completely:

• 25000mAh With 4 Panels– The manufacturer suggests 25-50 hours; however, some said sometimes takes a few hours.
• 10,000-20,000mAh- 30-70 hours to completely charge.

When to Charge

Early in the day as the sun is rising, the sun is actually brighter despite how much cooler the air itself feels. Because of this, the preferable time to charge your solar charger is actually closer to the morning rather than when it is hotter outside in the middle of the day. The heat does not speak for the amount of actual sunlight that your power bank will receive, so don’t think that just because it’s hot means that you’ll get a full battery faster. In fact, trying to charge your device in the blazing heat can actually cause damage to it.

You can also get a charge in indirect sunlight as well. This won’t give you the same amount of power at the same speed as the direct sunlight will, obviously, but you will get there eventually.

What to Look Out For Before Completing Your Purchase

We all have different lifestyles and therefore different needs. There are a few things that you’ll want to check about the charger that you’re about to buy before finalizing your purchase. First off, make sure that you’re buying a charger that will hold the right amount of life before needing a new supply of sunlight. If you’re going to be using only your solar phone charger for long periods of time, you’ll need to have a bank with enough capacity to suit your needs.

Next, read reviews about it. You should always check star ratings and reviews before buying a product online, but especially with devices like this. Make sure you’re getting something that won’t break within a week. Finally, read the entire product description to make sure that you’re not buying a full-sized generated instead of a portable phone charger.

Overall Conclusion

Overall, a solar phone charger should by far be a wonderful investment for everybody. There are some inconveniences such as long charging times and the need for sunlight, but there are also so many great things about this technology that could benefit a number of people in various ways. If you forgot to plug up your phone the night before and don’t have time to charge it, just put your portable charger in your purse or backpack. Going camping for the weekend? Bring along your power bank and stay charged in case of emergency, if something happens and you need to contact the outside world but don’t have time to drive or walk there yourself. Learn more here about a review of solar phone chargers, including there applications.