We’re all permanently connected to our mobile phones, and for good reason. Smartphones are amazing technology that we use to run everything, from our social lives to our businesses. The only downside is the battery life; things can start to get a little difficult when you’re away from a charger.
Thankfully, being outside and enjoying nature doesn’t mean you have to worry about your battery life. A good solar phone charger case keeps your battery full and your phone protected from accidental knocks and spills.
They also come with a range of additional features, so it’s a good idea to do your research on what’s out there, rather than simply buying the first one you find.
The good news is, we’ve done the legwork for you and brought together some of the best solar phone cases on the market, with the Blavor Qi Portable Solar Power Charger coming in top of the class. We’ve also taken a look at some strong contenders, to provide all the information you need to choose the right one for you.
The best solar phone cases on the market right now
To help you make an educated decision, we’ve reviewed some of the best solar phone charger cases on the market:
1. Blavor Qi Portable Solar Power Charger and 10,000mAh External Battery Pack
The Blavor Qi-enabled power bank is the best solar phone case on our list. It is compatible with the iPhone XR/ XR MAX/ XS/ X/ 8/ 8plus, Samsung Galaxy S9/S9 Plus S8/S8 Plus, and all Qi-enabled mobile devices, giving it great utility.
Being Qi-enabled means that the power bank can charge any phone with a wireless charging option.
The 10,000mAh wireless power bank is enough to charge most modern smartphones between 2.5 and 3 times, but this case also comes with a solar panel built into the back that allows the powerbank to be recharged using the sun.
The case also comes with a handy flashlight that runs off the power bank and will last for over 100 hours on a full charge. The case comes with two USB type-C ports for charging.
Made from premium ABS materials, the case is durable, waterproof, and, and comes with a built-in compass.
What we like:
- Durability – The case is rugged and waterproof, making it ideal for taking your phone outside.
- The power bank – With a 10,000mAh wireless power bank that charges in about 6 hours, this case, even without solar charging, will provide charging for most long weekends.
- The extras – The added extras like the flashlight and the compass add more utility to this case.
What we don’t like:
- The solar charging – Even the manufacturers themselves state that solar charging is “a backup solution while other sources of power are unavailable” due to the small solar panel.
Tough, waterproof, usable with most phones, and with some handy extras, the Blavor phone case is an excellent choice for keeping your phone protected and charged.
2. 2BConnect Solar Charger Power Bank
Another solar charging case with Qi wireless technology, the 2BConnect Solar Charger Power Bank can charge any Qi-compatible device.
With its 36000mAh power bank and two USB output ports, a Type-C input/output and a Micro USB input, this case can charge up to four devices simultaneously.
Built for the outdoors, this solar battery charger is IP66 rated. That means It’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.
Solar charging is done by placing the panel in direct sunlight and takes 6 to 8 hours to charge. The panel itself is made of long-lasting and reliable ABS+PC+Silicone material that protects against water, dust, and accidental drops.
The case also comes with an LED flashlight with a Steady-SOS-Strobe mode for emergencies.
What we like:
- The IP rating – Having an IP rating on the water/dust proofing of anything electrical that you need to use outside is always a good sign.
- Multiple device charging – The ability to charge more than your phone adds greater utility.
- The emergency mode – We hope you’ll never need it, but having an SOS light is always a good thing.
What we don’t like:
- The battery size – At 36000mAh, this power bank is a little smaller than some of the other on the market.
This power bank case is an excellent backup for all your devices, supporting multiple devices and Qi-enabled wireless charging.
3. Kepswin Store 20000mAh Solar Power Bank
With a 20000mAh high capacity mobile battery and four 5V USB ports, the Kepswin solar phone case means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.
This power bank is compatible with iPhone, Samsung, HTC, Nexus, tablet, and other micro-USB devices.
Made of durable and reliable ABS/PC/Silicone material, the case is IPX4 waterproof and dustproof. The case is also equipped with a carabiner, which you can use to hang it on your bag.
The front of the case has a charging indication panel which shows a green light when charging by solar, and blue light when USB charging. It also has a built-in flashlight and a Steady-SOS-Strobe mode.
The case comes with a 6-month warranty and lifetime technical support.
What we like:
- The indication panel – Having a visible sign that the solar panel is charging your phone is a nice touch.
- IPX4 waterproof and dustproof – For some additional durability when you’re out and about.
- The warranty – This case comes with a 6-month warranty.
What we don’t like:
- Micro USB only – This case only has micro-USB ports and isn’t capable of Qi-enabled wireless charging, reducing its utility.
Durable and waterproof, this case is a solid choice for using the sun to charge your phone.
4. AMAES 24000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank
The built-in 24000mAh Li-Polymer battery in the Ames Power Bank is enough to charge iPhone 11 Pro Max up to 4.8 times, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ up to 4.46 times, and the Huawei Mate 30 Pro up to 4.26 times.
The case is equipped with a 1.2W solar panel, with up to 240ma/h input current under direct sunlight. It can also be charged in around 7-8 hours with its Micro USB input port.
The three 5V/2.1A USB ports means you can fast-charge up to three devices, including most modern tablets. The outer case is made from high quality ABS, making it highly durable and IPX5 rainproof, dustproof, and shockproof.
As with nearly all the cases on this list, it’s equipped with a dual LED flashlight.
What we like:
- Rainproof, dustproof, and shockproof – The IPX5 rating means this case will keep your phone safe from all but the most strenuous conditions.
- The 5V/2.1A USB ports – Powered ports mean you can charge larger devices, like tablets.
What we don’t like:
- Micro USB only – As with the Kepswin case, this case lacks USB-C ports for charging.
A good solid case with powered ports, you’ll need to make sure in advance that your phone isn’t USB-C before buying.
5. ERRBBIC 20000mAh Waterproof Battery Backup Solar Panel Charger
The ERRBBIC solar phone case features a built-in 20000mAh high capacity polymer battery equipped with a compact solar panel as a backup charger.
The battery pack is compatible with iPhone 6 Plus, 6, 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, iPad, iPod, Samsung Galaxy S6, Edge, S5, S4, S3, Note 5, 4, 3, LG, G4, G3, Nexus, HTC, Gopro cameras, and most GPS handheld devices.
It has dual USB ports on the base and a dual LED flashlight and Steady-SOS-Strobe mode for emergencies. The carabiner attachment means it can hang from your bag for a little extra solar charging on the move.
What we like:
- The Light – Having a powerful dual LED light to hand when exploring outdoors is always a good thing.
- Multiple device support – This case is compatible with a huge range of devices, like phones, tablets, Gopro cameras, and GPS handheld devices.
What we don’t like:
- The battery – At only 20000mAh, this is the smallest battery size on our list.
Study and well built, this ERRBBIC solar phone case has many of the same features as other cases on this list, but is a little hamstrung by its smaller battery size.
What to look for in a solar phone case
Now that you’ve got a better idea of the best solar phone cases out there on the market, here are some factors to take into consideration when choosing your own:
Durability
There’s a good chance that your phone is going to be both expensive and precious to you, so you’ll want to keep it well protected. The right solar phone case will be durable and offer protection from the elements.
When it comes to choosing a phone case for its durability, the first thing to consider is its material. A good solar phone case should be made from strong yet flexible plastic, such as ABS, that offers shock absorption and abrasion resistance while also protecting your device from oil, grease, dirt, dust, and other elements.
Some manufacturers add rubberized sides or bumpers to their cases for added protection against falls.
The IP rating of your case is also important. The first number of the rating stands for its ability to protect against solid objects, while the second refers to liquid protection.
A good solar phone case should have an IP67 or higher rating that resists dust and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for thirty minutes without damage.
You should also read reviews of your prospective cases before buying them to see if there are any common problems or inconveniences reported by other customers who actually have been able to test them out in the field.
One last thing to check is if the USB ports have rubber covers on them, the worst case scenario is that you get water or mud in those ports as it can short out your power bank.
Solar/charging capacity
Another important factor to consider when buying a solar phone case is the charging capacity of the power bank.
You want to make sure that the power bank is large enough for your needs. This means taking into account what you usually use your phone for and how much battery life it drains.
The last thing you want is a solar phone case with limited charging capacity because then it won’t be useful when you need an emergency charge most.
Most manufacturers will list the battery capacity of their power bank, so you can compare it with the battery capacity of your phone.
It’s important to note that manufacturers typically list their power banks in milliamps, whereas phones are listed in amperes. For example, most smartphones have a battery around 3000mAh or 3030mAh. This means that it will take about three hours for this type of battery to reach a full charge.
A solar phone case with only 1500mAh will not be able to charge your 3030mAh smartphone in full. It’s important that the power bank you choose is at least twice as powerful as your smartphone battery, or it won’t be much use when needed most.
It’s also a good idea to look for charging cases with multiple USB ports, so you can charge multiple devices at once.
This is especially useful if you’re traveling with a group of people, or spending the day outdoors and letting your friends use it to keep their phones charged as well.
Certain phone cases will only charge certain phones, so make sure you’re not trying to buy a micro USB case to charge a USB-C phone.
Source: Wikimedia
When it comes to the solar capacity of these cases, remember that it’s basically an emergency backup. The primary power comes from the battery, and the solar panel acts as a trickle charger to keep that battery as full as possible.
Accessories
When it comes to the flash extras that your solar phone case has, it is important that you find something that has options. While the main purpose of the case will be to give your phone an extra power boost, there are other features that can help out as well.
For example, look for a solar phone case with LED lights or Steady-SOS-Strobe mode that you can use in an emergency.
Another important feature to consider is a solar phone case with a built-in stand. This will provide extra convenience for watching videos, reading eBooks, and typing out messages on your smartphone screen. It can also help to angle the case to get the best solar charge.
Finally, you’ll want to make sure your solar phone case comes with all the required cables needed to both charge it and allow it to charge your devices.
Design
The actual design aesthetics of your case probably aren’t as important as the technical aspects, but you may as well find one you like the look of. After all, you’ll be holding it up to your own face a lot.
The best solar phone cases
Solar phone cases are a great option for people who want to harness the power of the sun. We think the Blavor Qi Portable Solar Power Charger is the best solar phone case for its price, but each one on our list is worth your consideration.
The solar panels in these devices can charge your device even when you’re not near an outlet, which makes them perfect for travelers or anyone with a busy lifestyle.
We hope that after reading this article you’ll have all the information necessary to choose the right solar charging case for you. If you like this post, make sure to check out our round-up review of the best solar phone chargers.
