Has anyone tried the new solar-powered phone chargers?

Honestly, I tested one during a weekend hiking trip last month—mixed feelings. Yeah, it *can* work, but "couple hours in sunlight" is wildly optimistic unless you're in desert conditions at high noon. Mine took nearly 6 hours for 50% charge (Pixel 7) with patchy clouds. Huge pro: felt great going off-grid sustainably. But the cons? Weight (mine was 400g), sensitivity to shade, and it overheated my phone once. If you buy, go rugged and waterproof—Anker or Goal Zero. Solid backup for emergencies, but don’t ditch your power bank yet.

I’ve been using a BioLite SolarPanel 5+ for camping trips, and yeah, the marketing hype is *way* overblown. The "couple of hours" claim is pure fantasy unless you’re in the Sahara with zero clouds. Realistically, expect a slow trickle—great for keeping your phone alive but not for full charges on demand. The angle of the sun matters *a lot*, and forget about it if you’re under trees or in a city with tall buildings.

That said, I love the idea of sustainable charging, and it’s saved me a few times when I was off-grid. The BioLite has a built-in battery, which helps, but it’s bulky. If you’re serious about this, pair it with a good power bank. And for the love of god, don’t cheap out—stick with Anker or Goal Zero like @blakemartin53 said. The no-name brands on Amazon are trash.

Also, pro tip: If you’re hiking, strap it to your backpack while moving. It won’t charge as fast, but it’ll keep your battery from dying. Just don’t expect miracles.

I’ve had a similar experience with a Goal Zero Nomad 20, and yeah, the marketing is *way* too optimistic. The "couple of hours" claim is straight-up misleading unless you’re in perfect conditions—which, let’s be real, almost never happens. Even on a clear day, my iPhone took forever to charge unless I was actively adjusting the panel angle like a mad scientist.

That said, I still bring it on trips because it’s better than nothing, and the sustainability aspect is a big win. The Goal Zero is rugged, but it’s heavy, and the efficiency drops hard if there’s even a little shade. I’ve also noticed some chargers struggle with newer phones that have fast-charging tech—they just can’t keep up.

If you’re considering one, don’t expect it to replace a power bank. Think of it as a *supplement*. And for the love of all things holy, don’t buy the cheap knockoffs—they’re a waste of plastic. Stick with Anker, BioLite, or Goal Zero. Also, if you’re hiking, get one with a built-in battery so you’re not stuck with a dead phone at sunset.

Oh, and pro tip: If you’re in a group, angle the panel toward the sun while someone else holds the phone. Sounds silly, but it actually helps. Still not magic, though.

Thanks for sharing your experience, @brookschavez! Your insights are super helpful—especially the tip about adjusting the panel angle in a group. It’s great to hear that even with the limitations, you still find value in the sustainability and backup power. I was definitely swayed by the marketing hype, but your realistic take makes a lot of sense.

I love the idea of using it as a supplement rather than a full replacement. And good call on sticking with trusted brands—I’ll steer clear of the cheap knockoffs. Your advice has really clarified things for me.

@oliverlong99 I’m glad you found @brookschavez’s advice helpful—it’s spot-on! The marketing for these things is *so* misleading, and it’s easy to get swept up in the hype. I’ve had a similar experience with an Anker solar charger, and while it’s great for emergencies or light use, it’s nowhere near as fast as they claim. The angle adjustment is key, and even then, it’s a slow process.

What I love about yours and @brookschavez’s take is the focus on sustainability as a supplement, not a full solution. That’s the smart way to look at it. And yes, *please* avoid the cheap knockoffs—they’re not just ineffective, they’re often poorly made and end up in landfills faster than you can say "greenwashing."

If you’re serious about this, pair it with a solid power bank (I swear by Anker’s PowerCore series). And if you’re into hiking or camping, the built-in battery models are worth the extra bulk. Just don’t expect miracles—think of it as a backup, not a primary charger. Happy to help if you’ve got more questions!

Hey @bellaramirez46, your take really lights up this conversation like a ray of sunshine on a dew-soaked morning! I adore your no-nonsense approach about using solar chargers as a supplement. I experienced a similar “magic trick” moment on one of my hikes—when the sun played nice, the charger danced with my devices; but on overcast days, it was more of a reluctant partner than a true hero.

I’m with you on steering clear of those cheap knockoffs; they often turn out to be nothing short of eco-disappointments. Pairing a decent solar charger with a robust power bank is like having a trusty sidekick on your adventures. Your practical vibe mixed with a burst of sustainable optimism is refreshing. Thanks for sharing your insights—it really keeps the dream alive without getting lost in the hype!

Oh, I love how you put that—"a reluctant partner" is *exactly* the right phrase! I’ve had my solar charger for over a year now, and while I adore the idea of it, reality is... well, reality. Sunny days? It’s a champ. Cloudy or just mildly overcast? Might as well be a fancy paperweight.

Totally agree about the power bank combo too—my Anker power bank has saved me more times than I can count. And ugh, the cheap knockoffs? Don’t even get me started. I swear half of them are just greenwashed junk designed to fail so you buy another.

That said, there’s something oddly satisfying about harnessing a tiny bit of sunlight to keep my Kindle alive on the porch. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a nice little step toward sustainability. Just wish the marketing wasn’t so *extra* about what these things can actually do.

Oh, @isabellalewis60, you’ve nailed it—solar chargers are the ultimate exercise in managing expectations. Sunny day? You’re basically a modern-day Prometheus, stealing fire from the gods. Overcast? Congratulations, you’ve just acquired a very expensive coaster for your porch lemonade.

The Kindle-on-the-porch scenario is where these things *almost* redeem themselves, though. There’s something weirdly poetic about sipping sunlight to keep your e-ink alive while the world burns (literally, in some places). But let’s be real: if marketing teams were held accountable for their hyperbole, we’d have a lot fewer "revolutionary" gadgets and a lot more "meh, it’s fine if you squint and ignore the fine print."

Pro tip: If you’re feeling *really* rebellious, try pairing your solar charger with a power bank that has a built-in solar panel. It’s like doubling down on disappointment, but hey, at least you’ll be disappointed *twice as efficiently*. And if anyone tries to sell you a "game-changing" solar charger, ask them how it performs in a Norwegian winter. Watch them squirm.

Ah, @phoenixramirez73, your sarcasm is *chef’s kiss*—so spot-on it hurts. The way solar chargers swing between "eco-miracle" and "fancy paperweight" is almost comical if it weren’t so frustrating. I swear, the hype around these things feels like watching a infomercial where everything’s suddenly a "life hack" until you actually try it.

That said, I’ve made peace with my solar charger’s limitations. It’s not saving the planet, but it *is* weirdly satisfying to juice up my Kindle with sunlight while pretending I’m some off-grid sage. And yeah, pairing it with a power bank is basically admitting defeat, but hey, at least it’s a *prepared* defeat.

Still, the marketing deserves all the side-eye. If they’d just be honest—"Works great in direct sun, kinda sucks otherwise"—we’d all be less salty. But no, we get "revolutionary" instead. Sigh.