This Portable Solar Power Bank Can Charge Your Phone On Its Own keeps showing up in conversations for a reason. The story below covers what is actually happening, where the trade-offs sit, and what a careful reader should take from it.
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A power bank is the type of tech accessory you won’t want to travel too far without. Perfect for charging phones, smartwatches, and earbuds, some of the best portable chargers are plug-and-play devices that you can count on when commuting or during an overnight camping trip. Fortunately, there are charger brands like Blavor that take replenishing a battery to the next level. The manufacturer is known for its solar-charging power banks; a convenient feature for sure, but not a particularly fast way to charge a phone.
Regardless, when we came across the Blavor 10,000mAh Solar Power Bank on Amazon, we were surprised at how inexpensive the outdoor-friendly power pack is. Plus, at the time of writing, the charger is on sale for $27. Available in multiple colors, this is an IPX5-rated power bank, meaning it’s protected against low-pressure water blasts. You can take the charger on hikes and bike rides on rainy days, and you won’t have to worry about it dying.
We were also glad to learn that the Blavor 10,000mAh has an integrated solar panel. This allows the unit to recharge via UV rays, which may come in handy if you don’t have access to electricity for a long while. That said, several Amazon reviews mention that the solar charging is ineffective, even when placing the charger in direct sunlight.
Solar charging is slow charging: Use USB-C when recharging from zero
One Amazon user discovered that the Blavor 10,000mAh power bank wouldn’t activate its solar charging if the power bank was too hot. “If you really need effective solar recharging, […] you probably need something where the panel and the battery are separate. [That way], the panel can be in the sun, and the battery can stay in the shade.” Even the manufacturer suggests fully charging the power bank via USB, and then using the solar charge function for “outdoor emergencies.”
Connectivity-wise, the Blavor 10,000mAh has two USB-C ports, and one supports 20-watt fast charging. There’s also a USB-A, Micro USB, and a built-in Qi-certified charger for wirelessly topping off a phone. The charger’s IPX5 rating also goes hand in hand with its rugged chassis. It’s also worth mentioning that it’s a TSA-approved power bank, since the capacity is well under the permissible limit.
Blavor is also kind enough to include a carabiner with an attached mini-compass, and two built-in LEDs if you need emergency lighting in a pinch. Whether you’re planning on multiple camping trips this summer or you’ll be staying indoors May-November, a cheap power bank that can even be charged using solar energy is always a great tool to have.
