[amazon_link asins=’9846061056′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’store-1′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’1af052da-c709-11e7-9722-b9139c96677f’]Nowadays few of us would consider “roughing it” in the wilds without taking along at least a smartphone, and perhaps even a tablet or laptop. The problem with that is, when we get too far away from civilization — or our cars, at least — for more than a day or so, there’s no way to keep our mobile devices charged. You can take along a portable battery pack, but if you’re off the grid for very long at all, then the issue becomes keeping it charged. The answer, of course, is a solar power charger, such as the Aukey 20-watt Portable Foldable Solar Charger ($50) [amazon_link asins=’9846061056′ template=’CopyOf-PriceLink’ store=’store-1′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’23db0ab5-c709-11e7-a19b-57bb556b632d’] we’re reviewing here today.
There are scores of portable solar power sources available, ranging from $30 to $300 and beyond. Some, such as the Kogalla Solar Storage Bank ($200) [amazon_link asins=’B01N5Q4995′ template=’CopyOf-PriceLink’ store=’store-1′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’33049272-c709-11e7-9d73-6be077e00a96′], come with rechargeable batteries that allow you to store power for when the sun is not shining. Others, including the ECEEN Foldable Solar Charger [amazon_textlink asin=’B01BBCVIAQ’ text=’ECEEN Foldable Solar Charger ‘ template=’CopyOf-PriceLink’ store=’store-1′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4998c0f8-c709-11e7-9f4a-3bf5a9da184c’] ($34) and today’s review unit, the Aukey 20W solar charger, do not. Many come with only one USB port, though, whereas the Aukey model comes with two. Designed with the backpacker in mind, it’s the only $50 solar charger we know of that generates enough juice to allow you to charge two mobile devices at full power at the same time.