Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim
It’s a hot day in the summer, and you’re cruising right below the speed limit. You have your windows rolled down with the wind beating and cooling your face. Nothing seems to be going wrong…until you come to a sudden halt.
You step out and check under the hood. What’s up? Your 12V battery is powerless. It seems you’ll have to wait for someone to jumpstart it. All the while, you’re feeling the sun baking your back, and you wish it powered up your battery. Are there any solar chargers out there? You look it up, and you find this post.
Problem almost solved.
Batteries thrust our car systems, and so, we need them always to be alive. When they’re down, rays of sunshine can come in handy. In this article, we bring you the best solar chargers. That way, you’ll drive with a trusted partner who will power up your battery. Here are our candidates:
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How To Pick The Best Solar Charger
While choosing your product, check its:
1. Charging Efficiency. Look for a charger that doesn’t need direct sunlight to harness energy for the battery. Also, get one that can operate optimally during times of low sunlight.
2. Weight And Size. This factor is crucial when it comes to storage. You wouldn’t want a panel that takes too much space during charging, and neither would you want one that’s too heavy.
3. Wattage. Wattage translates to electrical power. If the panel has energy intake, it will charge faster. However, it could spoil your battery if it lacks overcharge protection.
If you don’t want to go all the way down, this table tells you the important specs of our candidates:
| Product (Brand) | Product Size (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Wattage (Power) | Voltage |
| Sunway | 13.9 x 5 x 0.5 | 1.23 lbs. | 1.5W to 8 W | 12V |
| Upgraded | 17.44 x 9.88 x 1.85 | 3.27 lbs. | 5W to 12W | 13V |
| ECO-WORTHY | 1.4 x 9.6 x 15.3 | 1.45 lbs. | 5W to 10W | 12V |
| MOOLSUN | 15.59 x 6.96 x 0.19 | 1.45 lbs. | 10W | 12V |
| TOPSOLAR | 13.5 x 13 x 1.2 | 1.04 lbs. | 10W | 14.4V |
| SUNAPEX | 14.4 x 13.4 x 0.39 | 2.2 lbs. | 5W to 20W | 18V |
| ALLPOWERS | 13.46 x 5.59 x 1.54 | 0.8 lbs. | 5W to 10W | 18V |
Now, let’s take each product down!
1. Sunway Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger & Maintainer (12V): Best Quality for Money
No products found.
Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 13.9 by 5 by 0.5 inches
2. Weight: 1.23 pounds
3. Wattage: 1.5 W
4. Voltage: 12V
5. Folding: No
What You’ll Like
1. Easy to mount and use
2. Up to 1.8W of power
3. Durable and strong
4. Prevents reverse charging
5. It has an LED indicator light
What You Won’t Like
1. The plastic case may melt in the sun
This bestselling product charges all 12V batteries. It prevents energy drain and thus delaying the death of your little powerhouse. The solar panel is amorphous, meaning that it works even if the weather is dull or overcast.
It sells in these four variations:
1. 1.5 W for $25.99
2. 4W for $35.99
3. 5W for $39.99
4. 8W for $54.98
Buyers say that it works great, thanks to the blue light indicator. They highly recommend it, but they say that it doesn’t offer enough wattage. Still, you will like its compactness and its energy-saving properties.
2. UPGRADED Waterproof 12W Solar Panel Charging Kit: Best for Multiple Protection
No products found.
Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 17.44 by 9.88 by 1.85 inches
2. Weight: 3.27 pounds
3. Wattage: 12W
4. Voltage: 13V
What You’ll Like
1. Generates more power than traditional controllers
2. It prevents your battery from overcharging
3. It has an LED indicator for status monitoring
4. The manufacturer gives you a 12-month warranty
5. Has many forms of protection
What You Won’t Like
1. You may need a fuse box connection to use it
SUNER POWER Store brings you this highly rated and well-priced product. It absorbs a broader spectrum of sunlight and thus has the best charging efficiency. The charger has a special chip that powers your battery intelligently. As a reliable product, it has the following safety features:
1. Reversed polarity protection
2. Spark-proof abilities
3. Waterproofness
4. And short circuit prevention
This solar panel comes in three different sizes:
1. BC-12W Pro for $59.95
2. BC-10W Pro for $55.95
3. BC-5W Pro for $49.95
Successful buyers say that it is easy to use. Also, it doesn’t need direct sunlight for better results and performs optimally for an extended period. Still, you’ll need to check and reset it from time to time to get the best charging experience.
3. ECO-WORTHY 12V 10W Solar Portable Power Kit: Best for Maintaining a Less-Utilized Battery
No products found.
Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 1.4 by 9.6 by 15.3 inches
2. Weight:1.45 pounds
3. Wattage: 10W
4. Voltage: 12V
What You’ll Like
1. Completely maintenance-free and easy to use
2. Prevents reverse discharge
3. Works to extend the life usage of your battery
4. Has high-quality clips that prevent short circuit
What You Won’t Like
1. It may need a charge regulator before you connect it to your battery
Like the previous solar charger, this is one of Amazon’s Choice products. It is the perfect trickle charger and maintainer for all types of 12V batteries. That includes many cars, boats, tractors, and motorcycles. One of its unique features is the built-in blocking diode that helps reverse discharge.
CarsAmazing 101
Reverse discharge happens when a solar panel takes power from the battery instead of giving it. To solve this issue, charger companies use diodes.
ECO-WORTHY sells this panel in these two sizes:
1. 10W for $39.99
2. 5W for $23.99
Most customers are happy about their purchases. One reviewer says that the solar panel saved his car battery in the worst conditions, thus sparing him the need to buy another. Others recommend it for tractors, lawnmowers, or vehicles that don’t drive frequently. So, expect it to do what it’s supposed to do.
4. MOOLSUN 12V Solar Trickle Charger: Best For Comfort And Portability
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Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 15.59 by 6.96 by 0.19 inches
2. Weight: 1.45 pounds
3. Wattage: 10W
4. Voltage: 12V
What You’ll Like
1. Portable and highly efficient
2. Comfortable, thus easy to walk around with
3. Has the best power resolution for all battery types
4. Its surface is scratchproof and waterproof
What You Won’t Like
1. It may not work best in a marine environment
The MOOLSUN brand is all about using wisdom to control the sunlight. This solar panel converts solar energy with a cell efficiency of 23.5%. Even without testing the voltage output, you’ll know that this perfectly works when it powers up your battery. It is suitable for motorbikes, caddy carts, tractors, and snowmobiles, among other vehicles.
MOOLSUN only sells a single variation of this product at $32.99, which is relatively fair. For that price, the solar panel is a quality item.
If you have a passive car battery, this charger will help you maintain it. Leaving batteries can render them dead, but that won’t happen if you buy this MOOLSUN powerhouse.
The only concern comes with the power output on a hot sunny day. You’ll need a charge controller because the voltage may go up to 22.5 V, which is overwhelming for the battery and the car. To pen off, this solar panel is a lifesaver.
5. TOPSOLAR 20W 12V Battery Maintainer: Best For Humanized Indicators
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Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 13.5 by 13 by 1.2 inches
2. Weight: 1.04 pounds
3. Wattage: 10 W
4. Voltage: 14.4 V
What You’ll Like
1. It’s durable, light, and simple to carry around
2. Built to prevent reverse circuit connection
3. It has a plug-and-play extension cord
4. The manufacturer gives you a 12-month free warranty
5. It’s easy to install
What You Won’t Like
1. It may corrode if you use it near the ocean
If your car has many systems that consume battery power, you need to drive around with a backup. What better way to do so than to own the TOP SOLAR trickle charger? Your battery needs to remain above a particular charging level, and this solar panel will help with that. If you charge your powerhouse regularly, it will have a longer life.
This item comes with a safe junction box to help you know if the panel has sunned enough. Also, it has a unique indicator to help you avoid discharging your battery. Those two features set this product apart. TOP SOLAR sells it in two colors:
1. Black1 at $37.99
2. Black2 at $36.99
Buyers say that this panel keeps your battery from dying. Also, they appreciate its lightness and the much power it gives. It is well-made, effective, convenient, and it works as expected. One interesting reviewer says that she tried it during a snowstorm, and it did the job. So, it’s an excellent panel that’s highly recommended.
6. SUNAPEX Solar Panel Built-in Intelligent Charger: Best For Small Current Charging
No products found.
Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 14.4 by 13.4 by 0.39 inches
2. Weight: 2.2 pounds
3. Wattage: Between 5 and 20W
4. Voltage: 18V
What You’ll Like
1. The panel has special silicon with improved charging efficiency
2. It has a honeycomb structure to increase power generation
3. Easy to monitor, thanks to the LED indicators
4. Bears a solid design that makes it durable
5. Provides multiple protection to your battery
What You Won’t Like
1. It’s a slow charger
If you’re looking for a charger that generates a small current, this is your deal-breaker. It’s widely compatible with many batteries and works well as a maintenance tool. The unique thing about it is the algorithm that automatically sets and stops charging. When the day comes, it starts taking in the sun, and when dusk sets in, it turns off to prevent discharging the battery.
It comes in the following voltage sizes:
1. 5W at $23.99
2. 10W at $37.99
3. 20W at $48.99
Customers like that everything advertised about the product is accurate. Also, they appreciate its simplicity and functionality and how it keeps stored batteries alive. The only catch is its slow charging which makes it unsuitable for already-dead batteries.
7. ALLPOWERS 18V 12V 5W Charger Maintainer for Automotive: Best For Trickle Charging
No products found.
Specs
1. Item Dimensions: 13.46 by 5.59 by 1.54 inches
2. Weight: 13.7 ounces
3. Wattage: Between 5W and 10W
4. Voltage: 18V
What You’ll Like
1. Easy to use
2. Weatherproof but not waterproof
3. Maintains and extends battery life
4. It has an 18-month warranty
What You Won’t Like
1. The cords provided are considerably short
This charger and maintainer works for most cars. It’s the perfect solution for battery’s that are losing power or have experienced a shortage. And as long as it’s daylight, this panel will take in even the littlest rays. It has a built-in diode that prevents reverse discharge and thus improves your battery’s condition.
ALLPOWERS sell this solar panel in these three sizes:
1. 18V5W for $21.99
2. 18V7.5W for $22.99
3. 18V10W for $30.99
One customer declares that you can charge this solar panel under the moonlight! Another says that if your battery is dead, this item will power it up in under 5 minutes with optimal sunlight. Also, it keeps your battery alive whenever you’re repairing your car. Among all other solar chargers, this panel wins in terms of longevity. Read this review:
That customer bought and used it for four years. I’m sure you’ll like the sound of that.
Final Verdict [Editor’s Pick]
Now, you can make use of that sun whenever your battery runs out of power. These solar chargers are the best in the market, so throw yourself at them and get one. When you do, you won’t have to visit an auto expert for battery checkups. That’s because some of the chargers also double up as maintainers.
Among the seven picks, we recommend the No products found.. It serves well as a trickle charger and has a unique junction box. Also, it has an attractive price which is a steal, considering the quality it offers. It’s also designed for long-term use, so you won’t be buying a solar panel soon.
Now, shall we go shopping?
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Don’t forget to leave a comment and share this article. See you in the next one!
References:
https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/30106/best-solar-car-battery-chargers
Hi, I’m Leepu Da Maxim, a dedicated car enthusiast with over 10 years of experience in this field, and I’m thrilled to share my passion and expertise with fellow car enthusiasts like you. My journey began in my hometown West Jordan, Utah, where my fascination with the mechanics and design of cars sparked at a young age. Over the years, this passion has evolved into a commitment to providing accurate, insightful, and engaging information about all things automotive through CarsAmazing.
