Why Portable Solar Powered Phone Chargers are a smart buy
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The biggest problem facing the average smart phone owner is rapid battery drainage. It’s inevitable.
Our phones are loaded with active apps that constantly sync with data, they’re constantly searching for WiFi signal, they’re receiving endless notifications, and people are just on them all the time—checking their emails, posting to Instagram and catching up on their Facebook newsfeed. So can you really blame it for wanting to shut down?
Then there’s the dilemma of being out and about—away from an electrical source, and all of a sudden your smartphone tells you that it’s hanging on by a thread. It has 10% of battery life left, and you need to connect it to a power supply. That’s when anxiety sets in.
So what do you to avoid panic in emergency situations? Invest in a solar phone charger, otherwise know as a portable power bank.
Just like solar grid panels that are installed on rooftops, solar chargers harness light energy from the sun, and turn it into electricity—providing power for your devices.
#1 Out And About
As mentioned earlier, you’ve probably found yourself in a situation where you’re out and about—perhaps running errands, or visiting the zoo. And all of a sudden you realize that your battery is incredibly low.
That’s when you can easily connect your phone to your portable solar device and let it slowly charge in your purse (or fanny pack) while you enjoy the rest of your outing.
#2 Outdoor Adventure
Mobile solar chargers are great for anyone to have on hand for emergency situations such as the ones mentioned above. But, they’re also a life saving power source for outdoor enthusiasts who love to camp, hike and generally go off grid.
And while you may not need internet connection while out and enjoying nature, you certainly need a way to connect with emergency services should you require medical attention. And because of that possibility, you need to make sure your phone is charged!
#3 Travel
Aside from outdoor recreation, a portable power bank is the perfect piece of equipment to have around for travel—especially at airports. Imagine being stuck at a terminal with no available outlets, and your phone is about to die, but you really want to stay connected with loved ones.
That’s when you conveniently charge it with your portable power bank; and the best part is that you can socially distance yourself from others while doing so.
#4 Seniors
Let’s not forget about our senior citizens and eldery loved ones. Solar chargers make excellent, caring gifts for those who tend to be forgetful to keep their phones charged, and find themselves in situations such as the ones above.
If a loved one is home and the power happens to go out, they can use this crucial power source to charge their phones and stay in touch with you and emergency services.
Tips
Always charge your solar charger ahead of time with traditional cable and outlet. There’s a good reason for it.
A solar charger is a back-up device ONLY. They are not intended as a major, everyday charging source like your traditional cable plug that connects to an electrical outlet. Though highly useful, the charging efficiency of a solar charger is lower than that of traditional electricity (it takes longer to charge a phone).
And never leave a solar charger in a hot car, especially by the window. It can cause your battery to fail and damage the device.
What To Look For When Shopping For A Solar Charger
One thing to look for when choosing a portable power bank is how much mAh it contains (mAh stands for Milliampere-Hour which is one thousand of ampere hour). This number basically tells you how much electrical charge a battery holds. Anything between 10000 mAh and 20000 mAh or more is ideal to get.
A second thing to look for (if you’re taking it outdoors) is a waterproof feature. Many solar chargers are built specifically to withstand outdoor elements, like water. So if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, look for chargers that are waterproof and have good shock absorption.
A third feature to look for is a built in flashlight. If you’re outdoors, or find yourself in a black out, a flashlight feature is incredibly handy.
Recommendations
Solar chargers vary by design and price, and some are better than others. Here are some top-notch chargers to consider when making a decision.
INIU
The INIU power bank doubles as a flashlight in the event of a black out. It also has dual outports, allowing you to charge multiple devices at the same time. It’s compatible with iPhone Xs, X8 7 iPad AirPods, Samsung S10, And Google LG etc.
F. Dorla
Another high quality solar charger is the F.Dorla Waterproof Solar Charger. It contains dual USB ports that can charge two devices at the same time, LED high illumination lights, a compass, and is compatible with all smartphones, tablets and usb devices. It’s dustproof, waterproof, shockproof, and made of flame retardant materials—ABS plastic and silicone.
AddTop
The Addtop Waterproof Solar Charger is yet another solid buy. It can charge two devices simultaneously and comes with a built in flashlight with sos mode. It’s windproof, shockproof and dustproof. The multiple solar cells cut down on charging time. It can charge the iphone8 about 9 times, the Galaxy S9 about 5 times, iPad Mini 4 over 3 times, and the MacBook pro about 3 times.
For more on solar energy and how you can power your entire home, check out my article on 4 Financial Benefits Of Residential Solar Power.
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