![]() ![]() If you were to leave your phone and solar charger out all afternoon to absorb some juice while you’re off hiking, you’d be pretty disappointed to find your phone had charged for only 15 minutes before a cloud passed by. All the models in our latest round of testing passed this test, but in past tests some solar chargers (especially the cheapest ones) couldn’t bounce back-which is a dealbreaker for us. Once the device readings hit zero, we opened them up again and waited for them to return to full power. Using the same setup, we waited for the power meters to reach at least a few watts, and then folded the chargers shut. Consistent power: On a different sunny day, we tested whether each solar charger could return to full power after being shaded-imitating, say, a cloud passing overhead.Best Efficiency: Ryno Tuff Portable Solar Charger. Its durable design will ensure it gets it done for a long time, making it perfect for emergency use and one of the best portable solar chargers out there. Nekteck’s solar charger does nothing too fancy but gets the job done. Those numbers helped us understand just how charged a standard phone or tablet would be when left out for the same amount of time. Best Overall: Nekteck Portable Solar Panel. When the test was complete, we also drained each power bank using four Drok load testers to double check that our results were accurate. We monitored the cumulative power production with a PortaPow power monitor attached between each solar charger and power bank. Total power: We also set all of our candidates up for a four-hour period in the middle of the day so that each could charge a fully drained Anker PowerCore 20100 power bank.Making sure the panels were facing the same direction and set up at the same angle, we plugged each one into a PortaPow 3-20V Dual USB Power Monitor and a Drok DC 3-21V Load Tester to find out just how much power they could produce during the sunniest part of the day. Maximum output/fastest charge: We set out the panels just before solar noon, which is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at a given location. ![]() The faster the input, the faster your battery pack rechargers, the faster you’re ready to hit the road. Look at the specs of the battery, and ensure that its input isn’t limited to slow charging such as 5V/1A.Read this Macworld report on USB-C packs to learn more about batteries and capacity. Battery capacity and efficiency varies based on a number of factors. Don’t put 100 percent confidence in a company’s claims of a pack being able to charge, say, a Galaxy S8 or iPhone X six times over.If you own a QC 2.0 device, however, ask yourself if paying extra for a QC 3.0 capable pack is worth it. Depending on your smartphone, this can make a big difference in performance. For those with a compatible device, make sure the battery pack is Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0, or PD certified. ![]() Here are a few tips to help you make a decision: Vendors, especially in Amazon listings, like to throw around a lot of terms and certifications. Without fancy testing equipment, you never truly know if you’re getting what you paid for with a battery pack. What to look for in a portable power bank This was done to eliminate any discrepancies with wall adapters and cable throughput. All of our tests were conducted using the same wall adapter and, when possible, USB-C or Micro-USB cable. ![]()
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