In addition to powering your home in 2022, photovoltaic solar panels will also be able to recharge your car’s battery and keep your electronics running. With the correct charger, solar power can be used almost anywhere to recharge practically any gadget.
We’ll make it simple for you to choose the best solar charger for your needs in this article. We lay down the top options for you, whether you need a solar charger kit to power your RV, charge your car, boat, or phone battery.
*Editorial note: This is an unbiased evaluation; we have no business relationships with any of the stated organizations, and we do not receive compensation from affiliate marketing. This blog’s material is based on research and data that were accessible at the time it was written.
Best solar batteries and solar panel kits to buy
These choices were made based on their effectiveness, usability, and usefulness. Others use an adaptor that can be used to charge anything from vehicle batteries to boat batteries. Some chargers are made just for one purpose, like charging a phone.
Best overall
SUNER POWER 12V Solar Panel Car Battery Charger & Maintainer
Price: $39.95
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Can be used for 12v batteries in cars and boats
- Does not include a solar charge controller, which acts as a regulator for potential overcharging
Best for RV/ATV use
Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar Premium Kit
Price: $799.99
- 400 Watts of power to keep your RV lights on and running
- Solar panel, charger, and brackets are all included in the kit
- Renogy is a well-known, trusted brand
Best for small appliances
BigBlue 3 Portable Charger
Price: $69.96
- Very reliable, works in cloudy conditions
- Charges electronics, like iphones and ipads, safely
- Lightweight, foldable and easily portable
Best for boats
Topsolar Flexible 100W Solar Panel
Price: $139.99
- Thin, flexible monocrystalline 100-watt solar panel
- Sealed to be waterproof, wear-resistant panel
- Includes connector cable to attach to a charge controller
Best for cars
Sunway Solar Car Battery Mppt and Trickle Charger and Maintainer
Price: $35.99
- Designed for daily use, diminishing risk of overcharging the battery
- Includes LED light to monitor charging
- Options available from 1.5kW – 8 kW, includes alligator clips
How do solar battery chargers work?
A solar battery charger charges a device’s battery in a manner similar to how solar panels power your home. Portable solar chargers use solar cells to collect solar energy, transmit it, and then provide electricity to devices or recharge lithium-ion batteries inside of devices.
Depending on the model you require, solar battery chargers varies in price, however many may be obtained for under $100.
Some people believe they are not as powerful as conventional chargers despite their relative simplicity of usage. But as technology advances, you won’t need to be as concerned about their strength—or lack thereof.
Do solar battery chargers really work? What type do you need?
Yes! Your electronics can be fully charged with solar battery chargers. The only catch is that a simple recharge won’t do if the battery needs to be replaced because it has run out of life.
However, they are an excellent option for off-the-grid living or touring even though they do take longer than gas-powered or wall-powered chargers.
Answer the following questions to determine which will suit your needs:
1. What do I want to charge, something as big as a car or as small as a phone?
You should only consider solar vehicle battery chargers if you’re seeking for a charger for a specific use, such as recharging your car battery. Typical 12 volt car batteries aren’t usually the most dependable, especially if a light in the car was accidentally left on over night or if the vehicle has been sitting idly for months.
You can choose from the available chargers after you know the category of chargers, such as automobile chargers, you are interested in. The size and amp power of the charger you require depends depend on the type and size of the battery you need to charge.
Your 12-volt battery can be charged with solar-powered battery chargers, which also maintain batteries to increase their lifespan and usefulness. Because they create a small amount of electricity to charge the power banks of other batteries, many of these batteries are referred to as “trickle charge batteries.”
2. How portable do I need the solar battery charger to be?
It’s crucial to have portability if you want to utilize your solar battery charger when traveling or camping.
However, if you need the charger as a backup for your car battery, it is not necessary for it to be portable; instead, it can be stored in a garage and used only when necessary. It can also be kept in your car for use in an emergency.
3. Do I want individual solar battery chargers for each prospective use or one that serves multiple purposes?
You can be telling yourself that you just need one solar battery charger and that you don’t need several different chargers for various devices.
Fortunately, there are charging alternatives that can be used for various things. So purchasing a generic charger makes sense if you are more concerned with practical usage than portability.
Making sure it is waterproof if it will be used on a boat or dust-proof if it will be used for camping and hiking are other factors to take into account. By being more specific about the function your solar battery charger will do, you can reduce the scope of your search.
Increase your solar savings with a solar powered home
Your life will be easier if you use solar energy because all you have to do is set up the solar panels and leave them alone.
You can enhance and maintain the charge for your car, boat, and RV battery packs wherever you are using portable solar battery chargers. A solar-powered home can also make sense if the idea of harnessing the sun’s energy to power your appliances appeals to you.
What solar battery chargers are the top ones available in 2022? Ratings