External solar battery: How to choose, which one to buy?

Are you looking to buy a good solar external battery to travel, without really knowing which one to buy, or how to choose it? Would you like to find the best in 2024 and get good value for money, without spending hours searching, testing and comparing? Then my article should please you!

After talking to you about portable solar panel chargers, it’s time for me to do a complete article about the solar travel external battery! You will find here, on the one hand, my ranking and top 10 of the best in 2024, and on the other hand, all my advice to be sure to make the right choice before purchasing.

Ranking & Comparison

Below, the summary table of the 10 solar external battery models which are the best for me in 2024.

What is a solar power bank?

You are undoubtedly familiar with the external travel battery, which once charged allows you to recharge your electronic equipment, without necessarily needing a socket or connecting to electricity. Indeed, it has the particularity of operating thanks to the sun’s rays, in other words, of charging itself by taking advantage of solar energy. It is an essential accessory when traveling, which you absolutely must put in your backpack before leaving.

Top 10 Best Solar Power Banks to Buy in 2024

Below, a presentation in more detail of each of the solar external batteries which for me are the best.

Purchase: Why buy a solar external battery?

If the backup battery classic does the job very well, a solar model is still a much better option. Not necessarily heavier or more bulky, it can also be used during the day. When traveling, you don’t necessarily always have the opportunity or time to recharge your battery, which once during the day can be tricky and prevent you from recharging your equipment. With a solar model, no more worries, since you just need to expose it to the sun for it to recharge and therefore no need for electricity.

When and how to use it?

Obviously it’s an accessory that I recommend for travel! It will be very useful especially if you are going bivouac or camping, you need a battery and you don’t have enough to power it! It will also be very useful during long hikes and other treks, where once again, we don’t necessarily have what we need. In terms of use, it’s quite simple, since you just have to put it in the sun so that it recharges. So, when traveling, camping or hiking, all you need to do is hang it on your backpack, for example, or place it outside your tent or other and let it charge by itself! Some smaller models, which are considered a pocket external battery, can also be hung on the belt of your pants for example.

Test & Review: My recommendation in 2024

Among all the models, it is the Photo solar external battery from the Sunslice brand that I recommend! Ultra compact and very light, it takes the form of a small wallet, offering fast charging capacity and fairly decent storage. We are on 5w, and 4000mAh!

I invite you to also read my opinion on the Sunslice brand in a complete article where I present to you one of the products I purchased, the Fusion Flex 12.

Choice: How to choose the best in this top?

In order to choose the best solar external battery, whether in this top 10 for an online purchase, or in a store, you must take into account several criteria before making your choice. Of course, we will look at the price, customer reviews and delivery, but we must also, and above all, focus on elements specific to this type of equipment.

Starting with the storage capacity of the said battery. It’s a solar model so you don’t necessarily need a large capacity since you can charge it at any time! 4000mAh seems very good to me, below that is not enough for a smartphone, and above that, it becomes bulky. In the case of a non-solar model, I recommend a battery of at least 10000mAh!

Next, you will have to look at the power, in particular to ensure that it charges quickly. So, a 12w model is the best in my opinion. But between 5 and 6w, it is more than sufficient, since here we are not necessarily on direct charging, as with the solar panel. Note in passing, that some models can be used in cloudy weather, and the best models, through the window!!

Finally, you will also need to check its dimensions and weight. It is a travel, camping and hiking accessory, which means that it must be as light, compact and therefore space-saving as possible! We can also look at the aesthetics, the shape, and check that it has the right ports (USB, Micro USB, USB 3.0), or even its robustness (waterproof, shockproof, unbreakable external battery etc) !

Conclusion & Opinion

In my opinion, even if I prefer the solar panel to the battery and the combination of the two is not impossible, even if it means taking an external battery, as long as it is solar. We kill two birds with one stone, and therefore some savings on purchase, and it will be more practical. However, the disadvantage of solar batteries is that to have a good charging speed (sun rays) it must be large! And who says big, generally says heavy. This is why I recommend Sunslice and the Photo model, which in my opinion offers the best compromise between dimensions, weight, power and load capacity!

And you, do you travel with an external solar battery? In your opinion, which is the best to buy and choose in 2024?

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