Nowadays there are more gadgets and tools that we need to charge than just our phones. Let’s face it, our one phone charger is not enough to keep all of our favorite electronics charged up and ready for use when we need them! It’s important to have many different ways to keep everything charged while keeping it cost efficient. The best way to accomplish this goal is by way of solar powered chargers. Some of these provide more uses than just keeping phones charged as well! Let’s start off the list with some ways to stay charged and save money!

#1 – 25000mAh Solar Charger ADDTOP Portable Solar Power Bank

Being able to charge your phone is important, otherwise you have a very smart and powerful device that’s good for about a day, after that you have a paperweight. You don’t need to waste your van’s gas for the car battery to charge a phone, nor do you need to have a big generator. ADDTOP has made a solar powered phone and tablet charger that has the ability to charge up some phones about 7 times off of one charge! The device has 4 solar panels that can be folded up when not in use to save space, making it a very compact option. It also requires no battery or charging by any means other than that of the sun, so you can rest easy knowing that you can always have your phone charged up and ready to go. The solar charger comes with a fast charging dual USB output, meaning it has two slots to charge two devices at once. On top of that, it also has a flashlight feature, so you can use it in an emergency as a flashlight without needing batteries to power it! It’s good to note though, that it only comes with one micro USB cable, so you’ll need to have your own that is compatible with your device in order to use it! This device is a perfect way to keep your handheld devices fully charged at all times without needing to worry about your energy reserves or about where to find a wall outlet!

#2 – Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240, 240Wh Backup Lithium Battery

Having a way to store up battery power and take it with you on the road is a great idea for van living. The Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer is a great way to have emergency or secondary power for all your electronic devices. This battery pack comes in 3 different sizes and has the option to add on solar panels to help charge! If you opt to go with this battery, getting one of the solar panels would benefit you in the long run because you’ll need to worry less about how and where you’ll recharge your battery pack after each use. The smaller model can charge up a phone about 24 times on one charge, or a laptop three to four times. It’s really not something you would want to try to power your whole van with, especially without solar panels to help support it. If you opt to get the larger model, you’ll be able to charge your phone 100 times and even your mini cooler for up to 66 hours. These batteries are excellent ways to get the most out of your electrical devices while being able to still remain off the grid and mobile, making the most of your van life!

#3 – SUNER POWER 12V Waterproof Solar Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer

If you’re looking for more ways to make the most out of all the time your van spends out in the sun, then you should look into all the different solar panel options available to you. Of course, you don’t want to get full sized panels, as there would be no way to attach them to your van in any sort of practical manner. Instead, it could be more beneficial to you to get some smaller options that, over time, can build up some nice energy reserves for you! The Suner Power 12V Solar Battery Maintainer is a good way to help keep your batteries charged up and to even slowly build them up over time! The compact design means you can find a nice spot for this mountable panel, as well as fold it up when it’s time to hit the road again. This panel is always waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about any rain ruining it while in use. On top of that, it comes with over charge protection, short circuit protection, full battery protection and over voltage protection, making it a safe option for your van and your batteries. Just be sure to have a way to make use of the energy by hooking it up to a battery and using it from time to time. If you let it sit for too long with a full battery then you’re not getting anything out of it!

#4 – 200W Portable Power Station, FlashFish 40800mAh Solar Generator

There are more than just a few options for batteries for your van life. In fact, with the vast amount of batteries to choose from, it can become kind of a n overwhelming task to find the one that best suits your needs or will fit into your van the best. The FlashFish Portable Power Station Solar Generator makes for a great secondary option for all your handheld devices. If you want to power your laptop and phone without taking too much from your primary source of power, then this is a great option for you. There are several different ways to charge up this battery for later use. It can be charged with solar panels, from a wall socket or even from your van! The power station can’t be charged at the same time that it’s in use, so make sure to keep that in mind and plan ahead for when you want to use it. It’s a pretty compact device, weighing just over 5lbs. The sleek design is stylish and the screen display gives you everything you need to know about the device’s run time and battery life. It’s important to mention, however, that the battery does not actually come with its own solar panel, so you’ll need to buy or have your own already that can be used to charge it up before use. The best part about buying an electric battery such as this is that it requires gas to power, makes no noise and emits no toxic fumes, making it safe to use indoors at all times.

#5 – Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase

Solar panels are such a great way to live off the grid and provide yourself with so much extra power for luxuries and hand held devices. What’s better, is that if you are willing to spend a bit extra on a good pair of panels, you can power a lot more in your van! The Renogy 100-Watt Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Panel is such a great investment if you’re willing to put down the money for it. You’ll also need to have some batteries already to hold the power that is captured from the sun. If you don’t already have batteries, then that will be another added cost to buying this option, as it’s a necessity to buy some to really make use of these. This panel can output up to 500 watt hours per day and is able to be folded up again after use and stored away! They’re such a great movable option for solar energy, perfect for taking on the go and laying out when it’s sunny, then packing away during storms or if it’s time to move on from that area. It also works on a low voltage system, so there’s little to no risk of electrical shocks from using these panels. You can also control the charge and view the settings from the waterproof charge controller on the back of the panels. It comes with a nice protective case that it can be folded into and sealed away as well, so you won’t have to worry much about finding somewhere to keep it from getting damaged inside your van.

#6 – Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger for Suaoki Portable Generator

When it comes to living your best van life, you can never have too many solar panel options. Everyone has different needs when it comes to power supplies and off grid consumption of electrical power. If you think you’ll only need a small amount of energy to get you by, then it may be a good idea to buy something super portable and lightweight. Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger is another great choice for one the go solar power! This panel is compatible with many different generators that you can find on the market, making it super versatile and easy to use with whatever system you already have in place. It even comes with a cord that can directly charge up 5V devices such as your phone or tablet, if that’s all the energy you think you’ll need it for then you won’t even need to worry about buying an additional battery. Although it may be beneficial to buy one regardless, as you’ll have extra energy that you won’t be able to use unless you have some way to store it! This panel comes with smart technology that prevents overloading and over charging in your devices. It’s weather resistant, meaning you can leave it outside in the sun without worrying about it being worn out by changing weather. When you’re done using it, it folds up easily and can be stored away for your next adventure!

#7 – Brightech Ambience Pro – Waterproof, Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights – 27 Ft Vintage Edison Bulbs

Maybe you’re only looking to light up the area around your van without breaking the bank spending so much money on big expensive solar panels. If this is the case, then you may like the idea of solar powered hanging lights! These lights are powered by a small solar panel that you leave out during the day to charge, then at night you turn on the switch and you’re able to keep your area well-lit for 5 to 6 hours. The solar charger can be spiked into the ground or clipped onto something higher up to gain more sunlight. It’s easy to pack up and take with you and set up once again when you’ve decided on a new spot to unpack for a while. They aren’t too bright as to be disruptive, but they are great for ambient lighting and making an outside area feel nice and cozy. You could hang them up inside your van as well, but be sure to have the solar charger in the sun during the day so they’re ready for use later on. On top of that, it’s good to note that they’ll only be good for part of the night, so once they go out at night you’ll need to rely on other sources of light. They’re also weather proof, so it’s okay if they get left outside in the rain or wind. You’ll get about 27 feet of lights, totally 12 bulbs which are replaceable if burnt out or broken. Overall, these lights are great for keeping your area lit up at night without worrying about spending extra precious energy to power big expensive lights.

#8 – Solar Charger, 25000mAh Battery Solar Power Bank Portable Panel Charger with 36 LEDs

Having more ways to charge your phone and tablets is a good idea, regardless of how prepared you may be. You never know when you’ll need your phone the most, it could come at a time when you have no way to keep it charged. With that being said, having a small charger that can be powered by solar means that you’ll never have to worry about how and where to charge your phone next. The GoerTek Solar Charger Power Bank comes with a built in flashlight, meaning it can double as a phone charger and emergency light source. It has 3 USB port slots that allow you to charge up to three devices at once! However, be aware that it only comes with one charger cord, so you’ll need to have your own already. Additionally, if you want to power 3 devices at once, you’ll need to have 3 cords, so just keep that in mind when planning on using this device.

Wrapping it up…

There are a lot of options online for keeping your gadgets ready for use! You no longer have to settle for the basic battery chargers that last for only a few hours. What’s important to remember too, however, is that you don’t need to stick to just one of these devices. If you are willing to invest in a few options of batteries, you can keep yourself from ever having to worry about a low or dead battery on your phone or other electronics again! Be sure to remain safe when handling any kind of electronics, regardless of whether or not it is a low voltage system, treat every electrical device as if it can hurt you. It’s better to be too careful with your lighting and batteries than to be careless and cause yourself harm or damage your van!

JUSTVANLIFE