Solar Gadgets For Camping: Best Solar Powered Camping Gear
The best camping gear works whenever and wherever you want to camp. Harness the free, clean and never-ending power of the sun to operate these awesome solar gadgets for camping.
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Where Solar Powered Camping Gear Is Needed
Many of our camping trips are temporary escapes from our crazy-paced modern society. They often consist of an off-grid adventure in the great outdoors in remote locations.
You may also be “dry camping” in a campground with no power outlet, or, backpacking in the backcountry.
When RVing, some call it dispersed camping, others call it boondocking. Whatever you call it, it is off-the-grid and you need to bring your own water and power, and that’s where solar equipment for camping comes in to play.
Camping Solar Panel Kits
Converting daytime solar power into nighttime amps! If you need to recharge your batteries including your car, RV or a 12-volt powerpack, a camping solar panel kit will do the trick.
We like kits that are portable, easy to pack and reposition in order to track the sun as it moves throughout the day.
Camping solar panel kits range in size, cost and energy producing capability; your energy needs will determine the kit that is right for your family. Before you purchase any panels, you need to calculate the amount of power you want them to produce. We have a wattage calculator in our post to help answer the question: How much solar do I need for my RV?
We decided the Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Portable Panel was the best option for us.
If you want a portable solar panel that has a significant power output yet offers compactness for the average RV trip, you may like this one too.
The durability, ease of use and packing convenience of the folding suitcase style was important to us. It is actually waterproof (not just water-resistant) so you can just leave it set up on its kickstand in the rain.
Check out our VIDEO on portable solar panels for RV camping, where we discuss the Renogy system in more details.
You’ll Probably Want An Inverter Too
Remember, your RV’s battery system only provides 12-volt DC power (direct current).
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It is perfect for operating the items that are protected by fuses located in your RV’s fuse box, like:
- house lights
- cigarette lighter outlets
- USB ports
- cooling fans
- water pumps
- stereo systems
- circuit boards for your propane refrigerator and hot water heater
If you plug anything into an RV 110 wall outlet, it won’t work because those outlets need AC power (alternating current).
If you want to operate AC appliances or electronics, you’ll need to install an inverter to run off of your rig’s batteries.
The inverter will allow you to operate home-comfort items like:
- coffee pots
- blenders
- standard electric blankets
- televisions
- personal electronic devices, smartphones, laptops, cameras etc.
You can have an inverter professionally installed or you can do an easy, no-frills, DIY job. See how to install an inverter in an RV.
Even if your system is large enough, short days during winter trips or extended cloudy days may not be sufficient to meet your needs. We carry external pocket battery packs to help fill the gap. But, in some instances, our solar-powered camping gear falls short. During those infrequent events, we power our rig and recharge our batteries with our small generator. Here’s our top picks of the best quiet generators for camping.
Solar Generators
This Yeti Solar Generator’s name is a little misleading, it’s not really a “solar generator”, it’s a battery power pack with a built-in inverter that can be charged by solar panels (or AC outlet).
In other words, you have to charge the internal battery with an external source.
It has USB outlets and AC wall-type plugs. In spite of the slightly confusing name, it’s a great backup power source.
This Goal Zero Yeti 6000X Portable Power Station includes 400 Watt or 600 Watt solar panels.
Portable Solar Phone Charger & Solar Panel Backpacks
We encourage “unplugging” but it’s still a good idea to keep your smartphones fully charged in case you need them.
This Solar Charger Backpack allows you to charge your devices while you hike.
If you are going to be hanging out at the campsite, this Foldable Solar Panel Charger can be placed on a table and can charge two devices at the same time.
If you need power after the sun goes down, this Solar Charger Power Bank is great because it stores power in its internal battery; that means you can charge it during sunlight hours and the battery stores it until you are ready to use it.
There are so many cool ways to keep your phone charged when you are camping which includes more than just solar options!
Check out these CRAZY COOL gadgets in our How To Charge Your Phone Without Electricity While Camping post!
Lanterns, Flashlights & String Lights
We love gadgets that have multiple uses like this Solar Lantern which can also charge personal electronic devices through a USB port.
We have two of these LuminAID PackLite Hero 2-In-1 Supercharger Portable Solar Phone Charger And Lanterns. We love that they can charge our phones while hanging on our backpacks during hikes. You can get them in 150 or 300 lumens. The built-in snap strap makes them easy to hang on almost anything!
LuminAID PackLite Hero 2-in-1 Supercharger | Portable Solar Phone Charger & Lantern
The Inflatable Solar Light is kinda like a mini beach ball, just blow it up, turn it on and it shines bright for hours; it only weighs 4.4 ounces! We have several of these inflatable solar lanterns because the built-in lithium-ion rechargeable 1000 mAh battery produces a whopping 75 lumens and deflates to a really compact size for storage.
This Solar Powered/Hand Crank Flashlight can be charged by the sun or by cranking for a few minutes; it also has a carabiner clip. It’s nice to have a hand crank option in case you have too many overcast days to fully charge a solar flashlight.
Solar string lights are a great way to gently light your campsite. This MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights + Charger has a 2000 mAh Lithium-ion battery that can fully recharge via solar with 16 hours of direct sunlight. If you want to quick charge, you can do that in 6-8 hours with USB. 100 lumens stretch across an 18 ft cord and will stay lit for up to 20 hours on a single charge. See our entire list of the best camping stringed lights.
MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights + Charger
Thinking you might want some lighting options that include battery-powered and rechargeable lights in addition to solar lights? You’ll love our Best Camping Lights For Lighting Your Campsite post!
Keeping your campsite well lit is just one way to keep your family safe on your outdoor adventures. Check out our Camping Safety Tips For Families post for more ways to easily protect kids and adults on camping trips!
Solar Powered Portable Radios
Emergency solar powered portable radios are great for AM/FM listening; many of them receive other frequency bands and even have the capability of charging mobile devices.
The iRonsnow Solar/Hand Crank is an inexpensive lightweight AM/FM/NOAA emergency radio that has the capability of charging from its small solar panel.
The Kaito is a little more sophisticated adding a shortwave band, tiltable solar panel and an LED light that can be used as a flashlight or red flashing emergency signal.
Staying in touch when camping in the wilderness is essential for keeping our family safe. Check out our Camping In National Forests post which includes Rules For Camping In National Forests and more tips!
Cool Solar Gadgets
Your needs for power change a bit if you are camping in an RV or a tent so we’ve included cool solar gadgets for both scenarios.
Solar Shower
A freezing cold shower in the wilderness is not necessary! This is one of the best solar powered camping gadgets so tent campers can take the chill out of their showers.
These camping solar shower bags heat the water surprisingly well, even in indirect sunlight.
The water temperature can actually get too hot if you leave the bags in direct sunlight for long periods of time (trust me on this, I’m speaking from experience … ouch!).
The size of your camping group and the length of their showers will determine the capacity you need for your camping solar shower.
They come in 5-Gallon and 10-Gallon sizes. Some styles come with a temperature gauge right on the bag which is very helpful so you don’t scald yourself.
Coolers
It doesn’t seem like the sun could help keep your food cool but this cooler actually has solar-powered capabilities!
The solar panels on the tabletop can also be used for food prep and other standard types of uses.
Solar Powered Ovens
Let’s eat! Using a solar oven is an easy way to avoid the need for charcoal or propane to cook your food while dispersed camping.
Solar ovens range in size, complexity and cost. The compact units are easier to fold, pack and carry but don’t cook as much food as the larger types.
Your camping style and size of crowd to feed will help you determine which solar power oven is right for you.
Sunflair Mini Portable Solar OvenAll American Sun Oven- The Ultimate Solar ApplianceSOL COOK All Season Solar Cooker
It’s a really good idea to have a backup plan for cooking your meals if you have cloudy weather. Our camping stove recipes are a great option.
Thinking you need some meal ideas for your next camping trip?
Check out our Camping Recipes List for FREE recipes that can be made in solar ovens, Dutch ovens, foil packets, grills and more!
There are lots of locations to do wilderness remote camping.
When asked where we like to go, our answer: Camping In National Forests!
We have more tips in our How To Camp When Camping Fire Restrictions Are Activated post if you are dispersed camping in super dry conditions.
You’ll also find more boondocking tips in our Boondocking: How And Where To Go Dispersed Camping post.
FREE Printable Trip Planner
Make your next trip stress-free with a little pre-planning. Get your copy of our FREE printable camping trip planner template!
If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment, question or suggestion below. I’d love to hear from you so let’s chat.