For weekend trips, a portable power bank is the simpler and more reliable choice: charge it at home and it’ll keep a phone and headlamp going for a few days. A solar panel makes sense for longer trips, sunny regions, and remote camps where you can’t recharge any other way. For trips longer than a few days, the best setup is usually both, with the panel charging the power bank during the day.
Quick answer: who should pick which
- Power bank: weekend campers, backpackers on short trips, anyone camping in shade or cloudy weather, and people who want power that works at night.
- Solar panel: long trips, sunny desert and mountain regions, base camps, and off grid setups where you’ll stay put for days.
- Both: thru hikers, weeklong car campers, and anyone running cameras, GPS units, or several devices.
Solar panels vs power banks at a glance
| Attribute | Solar panel | Power bank |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Sunlight, renewable on the trip | Stored charge from home or car |
| Weight class | Light to moderate, grows with panel size | Light to moderate, grows with capacity |
| Works at night | No | Yes |
| Reliability | Depends on sun, clouds, shade, and angle | Predictable until the charge runs out |
| Trip length | Best for long trips | Best for short trips |
| Durability | Good, but panels and cables can be damaged | Good, sensitive to heat, cold, and drops |
| Cost level | Moderate to high | Low to moderate |
| Best use | Extended, sunny, off grid camping | Weekends, backups, any weather |
Portable solar panels
Folding solar panels turn sunlight into electricity you can use to charge devices or a battery. Output depends heavily on conditions. A panel’s rated wattage is measured in ideal lab conditions, so expect less in the real world.
Pros
- Unlimited recharging as long as the sun cooperates.
- No need to carry days of stored power.
- Quiet and simple, with no fuel.
- Great for base camps where you can leave the panel in the sun all day.
Cons
- Clouds, tree cover, and short winter days cut output sharply.
- Output fluctuates, and some devices stop charging when a cloud passes.
- Needs to be aimed at the sun and moved as the sun shifts.
- Useless at night unless paired with a battery.
Who it suits
Campers staying several days in sunny areas, like the deserts and canyons in our Arizona and Utah camping guides. It’s less useful under the thick forest canopy common in western Washington.
Portable power banks
A power bank is a rechargeable lithium battery with USB ports. Capacity is usually listed in milliamp hours (mAh), and watt hours (Wh) is a better number for comparing across models.
Pros
- Works any time, in any weather, day or night.
- Delivers steady, fast charging.
- Small and easy to pack.
- Affordable for the power it holds.
Cons
- Once it’s empty, it’s done until you can recharge it.
- More capacity means more weight.
- Lithium batteries lose performance in the cold.
Who it suits
Almost every camper. For a two or three night trip with a phone and a rechargeable headlamp, a modest power bank usually covers it. See headlamps vs handheld flashlights for choosing a light that charges over USB.
How to choose
By trip type
For weekend car camping, you can also recharge from your car while driving. For backpacking, a power bank sized for your trip is usually lighter than a panel on short trips. On long or remote trips like dispersed camping, a panel plus a power bank keeps you going without a trip to town.
By season
Summer brings long days and strong sun, the best time for solar. Winter means short days, low sun angle, and cold that drains batteries. Keep power banks warm in an inside pocket or your sleeping bag at night. Most lithium batteries should not be charged below freezing, so let a cold bank warm up before charging it.
By budget
A power bank is the cheapest way to add power. Solar panels cost more, and larger panels cost more still. Start with a power bank and add a panel later if your trips get longer.
Figure out your power needs
List what you’ll charge: phone, headlamp, GPS, camera, satellite messenger. Check each device’s battery size and add it up for the number of days, with some extra for cold and for using your phone as a map. If you run a lot of gear, a larger portable power station may make sense for car camping.
Tips for charging with solar
- Charge a power bank with the panel during the day, then charge your phone from the bank. It’s steadier.
- Angle the panel toward the sun and adjust it every hour or two.
- Keep the panel out of shade; even partial shade cuts output a lot.
- Keep batteries and phones out of direct sun so they don’t overheat. Tuck the power bank under the panel or in a shaded pocket.
- Strap the panel to the top of your pack while hiking on open trails, but expect only modest output while moving through changing shade.
Care and maintenance
- Store power banks partly charged in a cool, dry place and top them off every few months.
- Don’t leave batteries in a hot car or in direct sun.
- Stop using any power bank that swells, gets very hot, or is damaged.
- Wipe solar panels with a soft damp cloth and keep ports dry.
- Fold panels along their designed seams and protect cables from sharp bends.
Power checklist
- Power bank fully charged the night before
- Right cables for every device, plus a spare
- Solar panel for long or sunny trips
- Waterproof bag or pouch
- Offline maps downloaded before leaving signal
- Paper map and compass as a backup
Planning a longer trip? Keeping food cold is the other big challenge; see hard coolers vs soft coolers.
FAQ
Can a solar panel charge my phone directly?
Often, yes, in full sun. But output drops when clouds pass, and some phones stop charging. Charging a power bank first is more reliable.
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes, in carry on bags only. The FAA generally allows lithium batteries up to 100 Wh without airline approval. Check current FAA and airline rules before you fly.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
They produce some power, but much less than in full sun. Don’t count on solar alone in cloudy or shaded areas.
How big a power bank do I need?
Add up the battery sizes of what you’ll charge, multiply by the days, and add a margin for cold and heavy phone use.
Shop the gear
Find power banks, solar panels, and rechargeable lights in our lighting and power section. For maps, compasses, and GPS backups, browse navigation and safety gear.
