As you can tell by reading the iPhone solar charger reviews here or the on device or cable charger post all solar chargers aren’t created equal. Some have additional features, battery sizes and even charge time vary greatly. So instead of reviewing a particular solar charger today, I wanted to put together a post of the best portable solar chargers for the iPhone. The post includes smaller portable iPhone chargers along with a number of larger (but still portable) options. Enjoy!
7 Best Portable Solar Chargers
7. ReVive ReStore Portable Solar Charger
The ReStore is different from most solar chargers because the solar panels can only be used to charge 50% of the battery. Though this is a bit of an inconvenience, this will still provide a wireless charging option for the iPhone. It has a 1500 mAh battery which can also be charged via usb/wall outlet. The ReStore is small enough to fit in your pocket and because it is a cabled solar charger it is capable of charging a number of devices.
- Price: $27.99
- Amazon User Reviews
6. sCharger-5 Portable Solar Charger
The sCharger-5 is one of the larger protable solar chargers I’ve featured here. It is made of two lightweight 11.5 by 11.5 inch solar panels which have a hinge in the middle. The panels easily fold out to collect solar power or fold up for storage. This charger does not have an internal battery so it has to be in the sun to charge your device, but it can charge a smart phone in as little as 2 hours. This is one of the fastest portable solar chargers I’ve found available.
5. Pico FreeLoader Solar iPhone Charger
The Pico Feeloader is another pocket sized cabled solar charger like the ReStore. The Pico can charge fully via solar power or from a usb/wall outlet. This solar charger is smaller than the iPhone and has a sleek design. My biggest concern with the Pico is it’s small battery (800 mAh) when compared to other pocket size portable iPhone chargers. It’s still a great charger that is fairly inexpensive.
Price: $29.99
Pico Portable iPhone Charger Reviews
4. Voltaic Off Grid Solar Backpack
Solar backpacks combine the best of both worlds- a large [usable] surface for solar panels and a place to store what you need to take with you on the go. The Off Grid by Voltaic has 3 solar panels and plenty of storage space. It’s 2000 mAh internal battery can be charged in about 7 hours of sunlight, which is about half the time of pocket sized solar chargers.
3. Sol Solar iPhone Charger
I got the SoL about a month ago. I’ve been testing it for a review (sorry for the delay). I really like the solar charger from what I’ve seen. It is a little heavy for the size but it fits the iPhone like a case and has little impact on pocket space. The best part is it has a huge internal battery (2400 mAh). Now this will only work with the iPhone/iPod Touch and there is a version for the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4/4S.
- iPhone 4 Solar Charger Price: $89.99
- iPhone 3G Solar Charger Price: $89.99
- Sol Solar iPhone Charger Review
2. P-Flip iPhone Solar Charger
The P-Flip is the first portable iPhone charger I received. It isn’t as compact as the SoL, but I like the included functionality of a built in iPhone dock. It has 2 solar panels which fold out when you are in the sun. The P-Flip has a 2000 mAh battery which in my testing was able to charge 75 percent in about 7 hours of average sunlight. Sine it isn’t as form fitting as the SoL, one model is capable of charging the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 3G/3GS.
1. Voltaic Fuse Portable Solar Charger
Topping off the list is another portable charger from Voltaic. This time instead of the backpack, it’s their portable solar charger. The Fuse is 11.5 by 7 inches and houses two small solar panels and a 3000 mAh battery. It’s about .5 inches thick and has enough internal storage space to store wires, charging tips, etc. I love the Fuse because it can turn just about any surface into a solar charger. Attach it to a backpack, bike basket or even just lay it in your vehicle’s dashboard.
I hope you found this list of the 4 best portable solar chargers helpful. If you are still on the hunt for a solar iPhone charger after reading this, I’d suggest checking out the free Solar iPhone Charger Guide.
