The Best Solar Backpack Reviewed For 2021

Solar backpacks can keep you connected and charged while on the go. But with all of the options out there, what is the best solar backpack?

Here’s a quick summary of the best solar backpacks we tried and reviewed:

To go a bit deeper on each backpack, keep reading our field tested guide.

Why Get A Solar Backpack?

One of the newest innovations that are supposed to make our lives easier is a solar backpack. Have you ever found yourself somewhere and the battery in one of your devices is dying? You have the charger but nowhere to plug it in. A solar backpack is supposed to prevent this from happening, as it charges your devices as you go about your day.

The solar backpacks are designed to look like a standard backpack, but they have solar panels attached to them. These solar panels collect the sunlight and convert it into electricity. This electricity is then stored in the batteries which are built into the backpack. You can use this power to charge your devices.

Solar Backpack Features

Solar backpacks are able to produce up to 120 watts of power a day, which will be enough to keep all your basic devices charged. 

Most solar backpacks cost around $100 and they last for a very long time. That being said, depending on the size and how much power they produce, they can cost much more or much less than $100.

In the last few years, the usage of solar energy has increased more than six times, and the reason why is because people are trying to be more environmentally friendly. When you use a solar backpack, you reduce the amount of electricity you use. This is great not only because the electricity is bad for the environment, but also because it saves you money. 

Solar Backpack Benefits

Having a solar backpack will make you feel freer than ever before. You won’t have to constantly think about whether you’ll have a place to charge your devices. The solar backpack will give you the ability to go hiking even for a week without running out of power to charge your phone. You might be thinking that you can just bring a power generator with you, but solar backpacks are much more lightweight and portable than a generator. 

Another great benefit of having a solar backpack is that you won’t have to worry about whether you’ll be able to use your electronic devices or safety lights. If you get lost, it will be a big relief to know that you won’t run out of power. 

Many people can benefit from having a solar backpack. They are great for students and people who travel to work every day. Taking a long ride means that you will use your phone longer, and your battery will be half empty by the time you reach your destination. Now, if you have a solar backpack, you are able to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop whenever you want.

Who should use solar backpacks?

People who love hiking or camping, spend a lot of time outdoors, sometimes even days. When you have a self-sufficient backpack that produces power, you don’t have to worry about whether you’ll run out of power if there’s an emergency. Add this to a solar camping lantern and you’ll be all set for your next camping adventure.

This backpack could save your life someday. You won’t have to be tied to a coffee shop or someplace where you’ll be charging your device. This backpack will allow you to charge your phone as you climb the mountains or enjoy walks. 

Solar backpacks are great for field workers, emergency staff, and anyone else who is supposed to be reachable at all times. It is very important that those people have their devices charged all the time, and with a solar backpack, they don’t have to worry about missing a call.

Solar Backpack Design

You might be worried about taking this backpack when it rains, but you shouldn’t be. Manufacturers have designed this backpack so that it resists any type of weather. Solar backpacks are made out of high-quality, durable, waterproof materials. They are double-stitched and have reinforcement structures that allow you to use your backpack for a very long time without damaging it. 

Before you buy a solar backpack, check its capacity. The capacity of most backpacks is given in liters, so you have 15 liter, 20 liters, and higher. If you’re someone who travels a lot, getting a solar backpack with a capacity of 40 liters seems like the best option.

You also have to keep in mind that not all solar panels are the same when it comes to how much power they can produce. You can check how efficient your solar backpack will be when you look at its wattage ratings. The higher the wattage, the faster it will charge your devices. It would be a good idea to get a backpack with a warranty. This way you can make sure that the solar backpack you get is high-quality and durable. 

Drawbacks To Solar Backpacks

However, using solar backpacks also has some downsides, and the biggest one is that some models don’t adapt to your back and they don’t provide the anatomical adjustment to the shape of your back. The cheaper models of solar backpack might not be very suitable for older people as they can lead to injury from overuse.

You can avoid this if you buy a more expensive model, but make sure you find out whether it adapts to your back or not before you buy it. 

The price of the solar backpack can also be pretty high. These backpacks can be considered tools and really high-quality ones. They are made with expensive materials to keep all your devices safe. 

Another drawback is that sometimes batteries or the solar panel just won’t work. In most cases, solar backpacks are very long-lasting, but it can happen that they stop working sooner than you thought they would.

How We Reviewed The Best Solar Backpacks

As a person who is constantly on her phone or laptop, I was very interested when I first found out about this backpack. I’ve decided to see for myself if these backpacks are as good as they sound. I was very happy about the fact that I wouldn’t have to look for an electric outlet wherever I went, and that I would do some good for the environment. 

I’ve decided to get 5 solar backpacks and try each one of them to see which one is best and give the rest to my family as presents. Here’s what I found out about each of the backpacks I bought, so you can see and decide which one is best for you. 

ECEEN Solar Power Backpack – Best Overall

This is one of the first solar backpacks I’ve tried and it stayed my favorite one. It costs $90 which is a great price considering what you get for it. The solar panel that is built into the backpack is 10 Watts. You can charge many different devices.

Now, it might not charge your devices as fast as some other solar backpacks, but keep reading to find out why I’ve decided to put this one as the best. It has a USB port which means that your hands will be free. This is another benefit of all solar backpacks, you don’t have to hold a power bank in your hands.

Charging devices from this backpack is easy

Charging your devices is very simple, just put the power bank inside it and connect it with the data line. If there it’s sunny outside, connect the solar USB port. I loved this backpack because it is anti-theft.

It’s just much easier to move around town without worrying about anyone stealing anything from my backpack. I love this feature because even when I don’t have my laptop with me, I know that my wallet, keys, and other valuable things are safe.

Anti-theft feature secures your belongings

If you’re wondering how a backpack can be anti-theft, here’s your answer. The zipper of the main pocket of the backpack is completely hidden in the back of the bag, which means that a thief won’t be able to find it.

Even if they try to steal something, you will catch them even before they manage to open the bag. This is great for anyone who carries valuable things like laptops, or even college books.

This solar backpack is super lightweight

Another reason why I love this backpack is that it’s super lightweight. As someone with back problems, it’s great to have a big backpack that weighs almost nothing. This backpack is 19.5in*14.5in*5.6in and it weighs only 1.65lb. It is quite big, it has one big compartment and 7 small ones. I loved this because I can keep everything organized. 

Beautiful slender design

When I first heard about the solar backpack, I imagined it as something very big and not very pretty. This backpack is far from that. Its design is great, it almost looks like a regular backpack, and it fits in with almost every outfit. 

I bought this backpack from this link here, and I did not only get a backpack but I also got a USB charging cable as a gift. 

Remember what I said about warranties? Well, this backpack offers you a lifelong guarantee warranty and you can return it without any questions asked. Well, I’m definitely not returning mine!

ECEEN Foldable Solar Backpack – Budget Pick

This backpack is made by the same manufacturer as the first one, but there are some key differences that set them apart. First of all, this backpack costs $50, which makes it the best choice for when you have a limited budget. I have to admit, I didn’t expect this backpack to be this amazing considering that it’s almost half the price of the first one.

What I liked the most about this backpack is that it’s completely foldable and you can detach the solar panel when you’re not using it. If you won’t need the solar panel when you’re going out, just leave it at home and you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing your backpack because of it. It comes in three colors, grey, red, and blue. 

The charger is compatible with any USB powered 5V input voltage devices, which are most phones nowadays. 

Quality materials for rugged wear

Now, this backpack is for people who like camping, hiking, or spending a lot of time in nature. It was designed to withstand a lot of use, as well as all kinds of weather. This solar backpack is made out of tear and water-resistant nylon and polyester. It has a heavy-duty metal zipper.

Since the stress points are enhanced with bar-tacks, you can be sure that this solar backpack is very durable and long-lasting. The bottom has 2 layers, so you can carry more things without worrying about the backpack breaking. 

Light weight for easy hiking

I also loved how lightweight this backpack was, it was only 1.19 pounds, and you can even fold it and put it in your suitcase when you’re traveling somewhere. Unlike some backpacks, this one won’t leave any marks on your shoulders.

The shoulder straps are made out of breathable mesh and a lot of shoulder padding, which will take all the stress off your shoulders. Another great thing is that it has a chest clip with a whistle buckle which distributes the weight of your backpack and keeps it centered on your back. 

Lot of storage room

This solar backpack is also very big, it has 30 L of storage space. It allows you to organize your things because it has many compartments. There are one main zipped pocket, a front zipped pocket, and two side pockets. 

The manufacturer offers a one year warranty, and you can return your backpack within 30 days and get your money back.

This backpack might not be the best one to bring to work with you because of its design, but it’s amazing for hiking, traveling, and camping. I ended up giving this backpack to my brother because he travels on his bike a lot, and he absolutely loves it. Get this solar backpack here and let the traveling adventures begin!

FlexSolar Solar Backpack

When I was first getting these backpacks, I was a bit worried that someone would steal them, because of the solar panel which makes them more expensive.

Elegant design that blends the solar panel

I ordered this one because you actually can’t even tell that there’s a solar panel on your backpack, it just looks like it’s a part of the design. It comes in 2 colors, black and gray, and the solar panel is even less noticeable on the gray one. 

This backpack comes with an integrated 3500mAh battery on the backside of the 5.3W solar panel. I did, however, find out that it doesn’t always charge my devices at the same speed, it depends on the angle at which the sunlight hits the solar panels. 

Protects your devices from theft

FlexSolar Solar backpack is also anti-theft, but it doesn’t work the same way as the first one does. This backpack has a lock like the one you can find on suitcases. I absolutely love these anti-theft backpacks because they make me worry less about getting anything stolen, especially when traveling. 

It is made out of double water-resistant material, so you don’t have to worry about your devices getting wet when it’s raining. 

Slightly heavier design

It’s 19*11*5 inches, but it’s somewhat heavier than the first two backpacks. When you attach the solar panel to it, it weighs about 2.42 lbs. 

I found it very useful that you can detach the solar panel from the backpack and only take the solar panel with you when you need it and you don’t need your backpack.  

Longer lasting solar panels

The solar panel on this backpack is made out of ETFE coating instead of PET, which is very important because this means that the solar panel can last up to 25 years. 

I gave this backpack to my dad who always has to carry his laptop to work and gets worried that someone will steal it. 

You can take this backpack to school, work, and almost anywhere. Get this long-lasting, versatile backpack here. 

Voltaic Systems Array

You can be absolutely independent when you have this backpack, no matter where you are located. This backpack would be the best for people who carry a lot of devices with them, like photographers. If you’re looking for an everyday backpack to take to work, this one might not be the best one for you, since it’s really expensive. 

Charge many devices at once

What’s great about this backpack is that it can charge a lot of devices on one solar charge. You shouldn’t be worried about damaging it, because it’s durable regardless of your climate. 

Unlike most solar backpacks, this looks really fancy and professional, so it might not be the best idea to take it hiking or camping. 

Tons of storage and pockets

This backpack is really big and has a lot of pockets, so you can easily store everything you might need for a short trip, or when you have to travel with a lot of devices. 

What most people forget, and so did I, is that these backpacks don’t work when you’re in shade. This means that you will have to be in sunlight, even if it’s really hot outside if you want your backpack to charge your device. 

I had a few trips scheduled during the time I was testing out this backpack, and it worked great. I took it everywhere, and I didn’t have to worry about it breaking apart. Most times, when I was in sunlight, it took the backpack about 3.5 hours to fully charge my phone. 

Great warranty for this solar backpack

This backpack comes with a 2-year warranty, which shows that the manufacturer believes in the product and is certain that it will work for a very long time. 

The backpack comes with three 3.5W monocrystalline panels and a 19,8000 mAh battery pack. You also get a one year warranty on the battery pack. You can charge all kinds of devices with this backpack, but what sets it apart from all backpacks is that it can fully charge your laptop in one go using only solar energy. 

When your solar power bank is full, you can charge 7 phones, 3 tablets, or 1 laptop. The power bank comes with a USB and Hi-Voltage laptop outputs.

Water resistant solar backpack

Don’t worry about your expensive devices getting soaked, as the backpack is made out of water-resistant fabric and a waterproof solar panel. 

The design of the backpack is clamshell, and it can hold 25 L. It comes with a 15-inch laptop sleeve, a 10-inch tablet sleeve, and a pocket for your smartphone and battery packs. 

However, this backpack weighs 5 pounds when it’s empty, so it wasn’t the best pick for me. If you’re someone who doesn’t have any problems carrying a backpack, this backpack will probably meet all your needs. 

I ended up giving this backpack to my cousin who is a professional photographer because he lost his mind when he saw it. 

It might be expensive at first, but keep in mind that it will save you money. You can use it even when you’re at home and you don’t need your phone. Just put your solar backpack in your garden or on your balcony and charge your phone. Get this backpack on this link here and you will start saving money!

Sunnybag Explorer + Backpack with Solar Power

This backpack is really lightweight and versatile. It has a 6 W solar panel, which charged my phone in only two hours. It’s a great backpack when you know that you’ll need to be able to charge your devices quickly. The price is very reasonable and you get a great backpack for it. 

The wattage might be lower than some other backpacks, but it’s more than enough to charge smaller devices, such as your phone. If you know that you won’t be taking your laptop with you and charging it, this backpack is a great option for you.

Needs a battery to store energy

However, I did find out after I bought it that it doesn’t come with a battery, so you can only use it while you’re in sunlight. I did end up buying a battery so I can later use the power I gathered during the day. 

Solar panel is removable

This backpack also has a removable solar panel, which means that you can just take it off, put it in a sunny place when you’re home and still charge your phone. 

The efficiency rating is 22% and the manufacturer says that every solar panel is certified before it gets shipped, so you can be sure that it’s going to work for a very long time. 

Built in LED light on this solar backpack

A very handy feature is a LED light on your backpack that tells you that the backpack is fully charged. 

While it takes about 2 hours to charge a phone in direct sunlight, it will take you about 5 to 7 hours to charge bigger devices, like drones or tablets. I have noticed that it usually takes me 4 hours to charge my phone when it’s cloudy outside. 

This backpack is made out of weatherproof polyester fabric. It is also very durable and can carry a 15.6-inch laptop and some smaller devices. 

I ended up giving this backpack to my mom who doesn’t carry around any devices except her phone, but always forgets to charge it before she leaves.

The backpack comes in gray and black and you can get it on this link here. 

Conclusion

After trying out all these backpacks, I have come to the conclusion that most of these backpacks have the same features when it comes to the solar panels and charging, so whichever one you pick, you can’t go wrong. The biggest difference between these backpacks is the price and their design.