- Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Charger Maintainer
- Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Chargers
- Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Charger 48v
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by ClareCamping kit used to comprise of little more than your tent and your Swiss Army knife. Today’s modern backpacker tends to pack more computing power than they used to land a man on the moon. (Or did they?)
Phones, cameras, and even handheldGPS devices are all very helpful, but they all have one problem. They run on batteries that will need recharging.
And in the woods or on the mountain you would have noticed there is an absence of wall chargers.
If you’re heading outdoors with your electronic gadgets then you’re either going to need a really long extension cord or a portable way to charge those batteries.
We’ve put together some reviews of the best portable chargers for camping and backpacking so you can keep your gear charged up and alive.
At a Glance: Our Top 2 Picks :
- Dark Energy Poseidon – rugged and indestructible
- Anker Power Core – charges even your laptop!
Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon
What You'll LearnBest Portable Battery Chargers Reviews- Dark Energy Poseidon IP68 Portable Charger
- Anker PowerCore+ 26800PD 30W
- Goal Zero Venture 70
- OUTXE 20000mAh Waterproof Power Bank with Flashlight
- Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Recharging Kit with Nomad 13 Solar Panel
- Solar Power Bank 10,000 mAh Qi Portable Charger
- BioLite Wood Burning CampStove Charger 2nd Generation
- Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio, NOAA Weather Radio for Emergency – AM/FM, LED Flashlight, 2000mAh Power Bank USB Charger and SOS Alarm
- Solar Charger RAVPower 24W Folding Solar Panel
- PowerGreen Solar Charger
- Our Favorite
- Best for Budget
- Solar panel – Power Source
- Portable battery, power bank or battery recharger – Power Storage
- Others
- Power Output
- Solar Considerations
- Capacity
- Interfaces/Connectors
- Physical Size
- Weight
- Conclusion
Best Portable Battery Chargers Reviews
Dark Energy Poseidon IP68 Portable Charger
If you tend to be tough on your gear then you’ll like this portable charger.
Dark Energy claim it’s virtually indestructible, with it exceeding the Military 810-G drop test. It has a capacity of 10,000mAh which is enough to provide 3-6 charges for your smart phone.
It has two output ports so you can charge two devices simultaneously. It puts out enough current to charge just about every device short of a laptop and the current output is enough to quick charge an iPhone 7.
In spite of the high capacity and tough construction, the device is pretty thin. We really liked the 20-foot usb cable it comes with as they’ve protected the cable in paracord.
If you have a tendency to drop stuff on rocks or in water then this is the best portable charger for the money.
Check out this video:
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Anker PowerCore+ 26800PD 30W
If you need some serious charging power for your laptop or later generation, power-hungry smartphone, then you can’t get better than the Anker PowerCore.
Packing in 26800mAh, this is the most powerful model on our list.
With 30W of power to charge your laptop, and a full-charge-from-zero of around 4 hours using the (included) wall charger – this is probably the highest-spec battery pack you’ll find.
This whopper of a battery is hefty, but it’s sleek aluminum housing packs a major power punch.
This is for those of us who travel with all the electronics and aren’t prepared to suffer a day without a quick charge.
Who might want something else? If you tend to drop things, or you don’t need quite so much fast charging capacity and want to pay a bit less.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Goal Zero Venture 70
Goal Zero make great folding solar panels that are super-portable and perfect for camping.
They also make some great power accessories to go with these panels like the Goal Zero 70 power bank.
This charger is built for the outdoors. It’s encased in a rugged IP68 rated housing making it completely waterproof.
It delivers high-speed charging via dual 2.4A USB ports so you can charge two devices at the same time. It has an integrated micro-USB cable for cameras, and other devices that use these connectors.
The battery packs in a hefty 66.9Wh delivering a 3.7V output with a 17,700mAh capacity. When the charger is flat you connect it to the solar panel or a USB port.
Using the Nomad 7, or better still the Nomad 14 solar panel, (sold separately) it’s a 9 hour charging speed in full sun to fully charge and about 4 hours from a 2A USB source.
Charge it up before leaving home and you’ll have enough power for a few phone and camera charges.
It costs more than other similar capacity chargers but its rugged build, waterproofing and integrated cables make it worth it.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
OUTXE 20000mAh Waterproof Power Bank with Flashlight
If you need to charge more than just your phone and you want a few charging cycles then this is a good choice.
With a capacity of 20,000mAh it will provide a lot more charging cycles than other similarly priced models.
It’s IP67 rated so it will survive pretty much any conditions you experience on your trip, including being submerged in water.
Dual USB ports with the higher current output delivering up to 2.4A and the other getting up to 1.5A. It has a built-in integrated flashlight that is bright enough that you can leave your regular flashlight at home.
Not solar compatible though so you’ll have to charge it before leaving home. This is a solidly built device with plenty of capacity and it comes with an 18 month warranty.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Charger Maintainer
Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Solar Recharging Kit with Nomad 13 Solar Panel
If you’re hiking with a serious camera, tablet or laptop then the normal chargers aren’t going to be up to your requirements.
With this bundle Goal Zero combine a 50W solar panel with the Sherpa 50 recharger that will charge pretty much any electronic device you would normally take hiking or camping.
The included inverter will output 120V AC via a standard outlet so you can plug your laptop charger straight into it.
It also has a 12V DC output for charging your phone, GPS or camera. The recharger has a 50Wh capacity so you’ll get plenty of charges from it.
The 50W solar panel allows you to top up that capacity every time you setup camp.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Solar Power Bank 10,000 mAh Qi Portable Charger
This is a solidly built battery pack with a small high-efficiency solar panel on one side. Qi wireless charging means you don’t need to be forever fiddling with cables.
This model has a capacity of 10,000mAh which is good for a couple of phone charging cycles.
It has a two-in-one charging cable with lightning and micro USB connectors.
Charge it fully at home and you’ve got a recharging source when you’re outdoors. The solar panel is pretty small so it charges the internal battery really slowly but it’s better than nothing when you’re all out of power and miles from a wall charger.
Hang it on the outside of your backpack and it’ll trickle charge that battery all day to extend the amount of devices you can charge during your trip.
It’s built really tough and will take a beating. If you want a well priced recharging solution for your camera, phone or GPS then this is a solid choice.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
BioLite Wood Burning CampStove Charger 2nd Generation
This great looking camp stove uses the excess heat generated from the burning twigs and wood to generate electricity.
We were really impressed with the first generation of the CampStove charger and now it’s even better. It now outputs 50% more power, and comes with an integrated 2600mAh battery and LED flexlite so you can keep an eye on your cooking.
While you’re boiling some water for your camp coffee or heating up some food you can plug your phone into the USB charging port.
If you don’t plug anything into the port, it charges the internal battery so you can use that power later – even when the stove isn’t burning.
It’ll put out up to 3W which is fine for charging a smartphone if you’re patient.
You’re basically charging your phone battery with twigs while you roast marshmallows. It doesn’t get cooler than that.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio, NOAA Weather Radio for Emergency – AM/FM, LED Flashlight, 2000mAh Power Bank USB Charger and SOS Alarm
A bit of a gimmick… or for backcountry emergency use.
This is more of an emergency power source than the kind of thing you’d pack as a power source if you’re going to be away for a day or two. It’s a flashlight, reading lamp, radio and power bank all rolled into one.
Turning the handle drives a generator inside the device to power the radio, flashlight and power bank. This is something you’d take as a back up, not to rely on it to charge your energy-hungry smartphone.
It’s a great option if you’re going to be away for a while and don’t want to have to rely on good sun for the tiny built-in solar panel to do the job.
You’ll have to wind the crank in 3 minute shifts and then give your hands a break or maybe get the kids involved.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Solar Charger RAVPower 24W Folding Solar Panel
If you’re expecting plenty of sun and will be stopping for a few hours during daylight hours then this is a great portable charging option.
This high-efficiency solar panel outputs up to 24W, weighs just over 26 ounces and folds up into a thin, compact form factor that fits easily into your pack.
It doesn’t have a built-in battery so you’re going to need sun to get your charging done. It has 3 smart-charging USB ports that allow you to charge up to 3 devices simultaneously.
The output current is high enough to charge most devices and the stainless hooks make it easy to hang from your tent, a tree or even your backpack while walking.
Combine this folding solar panel with a good battery pack and you’ll have plenty of power.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
VIEW ON AMAZONPowerGreen Solar Charger
At 21W this folding solar panel puts out enough power for most smartphones and cameras and folds into a very compact and lightweight size.
The two outputs can be used simultaneously but will only output a maximum of 2A each. That’s plenty for most devices and it’s fast charging.
It’s really light and the small form factor and mounting rings make it ideal for hanging off the back of your backpack.
The panels are waterproof but the USB charging connectors aren’t. If you’re going to use it on your backpack then make sure the connectors are safely inside.
Just remember that it has no power storage so you’re going to need a power bank or hope for sun when charging your devices directly.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Our Favorite
We love the Dark Energy Poseidon. We can be pretty tough on our gear sometimes but this device is just about indestructible.
It doesn’t have the highest battery capacity – for that you’ll need the Anker Powercore– we’ve seen but it’s plenty enough for 3-6 phone charging cycles while not taking up too much space in your pack.
Since the military uses these then we were pretty confident it might just survive one of our camping trips.
Best for Budget
If you’re just looking to keep your phone battery topped up then the OUTXE Phone Charger / Battery Bank is a good budget option.
The solar panel is too small to be fast charging, but hey, every bit helps. It’s not exactly small or pretty but it’ll charge just about any phone and is well priced.
Portable Battery Charging Guide
The portable options that you have for recharging your devices come in these two main categories:
Solar panel – Power Source
Solar panels for camping and hiking will normally make use of thin film solar cells which contain no glass. This allows them to be flexible, light and easily incorporated into a folding form.
They generally have no battery storage incorporated into them which means they’re only going to charge your device when there’s decent sun.
The output can vary as clouds move across the sun. Because of this, they work better as a charger for your battery bank than charging your phone or camera directly.
You may have seen small solar panels attached to a battery pack – these are mostly far too weak to charge anything but an old Nokia from 1998.
Portable battery, power bank or battery recharger – Power Storage
It’s referred to by any one of these terms and is essentially a high capacity battery with outputs that allow you to connect a device so that you can charge it.
You would charge it fully from a power outlet at home and that way you’ve got power when you’re outdoors. Once the battery in the power bank is depleted you’ll need another source to recharge it.
Often this can be a solar panel.
If you do plan to charge it from a solar panel then make sure the battery bank supports this. Not all are solar chargeable.
Others
Besides the two categories above you then also get hand crank type chargers and heat converters like the ones we reviewed above.
I’d put these into more of a “fun bit of kit” than a real source of power for modern equipment!
Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Chargers
These are fine at a pinch and are novel ideas but for fast charging of more than just a old phone you’re better off with a decent solar panel and external battery.
Important Considerations
Power Output
The power output of a charger is measured in volts. The voltage of the charger must equal the voltage requirement of the device.
If the charger only puts out 5V and your device needs 12V to charge then you’re out of luck.
Do a “power budget” and make sure that the power you’ll be getting from your recharger is sufficient to charge your device/s. Decide which of these devices are absolutely necessary and which are just “nice to have”.
If you’ll be bringing multiple i-Devices that are notorious for being energy-greedy, then you’ll need something with a robust output. If you’ve got an old Nokia from 2005 then you might be OK with something fairly small.
Also, some devices like tablets and higher capacity camera batteries have higher voltage and current requirements than smaller smartphones and GPS devices.
This means understanding the voltage that your recharger outputs as well as the maximum current it can output.
Solar Considerations
When it comes to solar panels, the important number is the Watts.
A note about Watts
Watt?Larger the watts, the faster things charge.
An iPhone likes about 7W.
An energy-sucking iPad, or when the whole family needs to charge at once, you’ll need 15W.
Basically, the higher the watts, the faster the charge. A rule of thumb is that 4-5Watts is OK for small devices that don’t need quick charge.
If you’ve got anything with an “i” in front of it’s name, I’d go for a minimum of 7W, if you are charging one at a time. If you’ve got the whole family plugged in, then you’ll need something bigger than that for fast charging.
And bigger, mostly means heavier and more expensive too.
If you absolutely must have your smartphone to answer emails – as your boss thinks you are at a conference – you’ll need:
Capacity
So your charger has enough voltage and current to charge your other devices but how long can it do this for?
Will it be able to charge your phone once, twice or three times? The capacity of an external battery is given either in Wh (Watt hours) or in mAh (milli amp hours).
A Note on Amps
The ports on the external battery pack will show the amperage.Note that an iPhone needs 2 Amps to charge.
If one of your ports is 2.1 Amps, and the second one is 1 Amp then you can’t plug two iPhones in at the same time.
Well you can, but the charge speed will be the sort that only a geologist finds acceptable!Without getting too technical, this just tells you how much current it can supply for how long. As with a lot of things, more is better.
If you’re comparing similar devices, then use this figure to get an idea of which one will give you more charging cycles.
The specs on the battery that your phone or device uses will normally quote a battery capacity in mAh.
If you divide this figure into the quoted capacity of the storage bank then you get a rough idea of how many charging cycles you can expect. This is “rough” though – if you’ve got a device that uses 1000mAh, don’t expect a 2000mAh power storage bank to charge it twice.
As a rule of thumb, anything from 6-15,000mAH should be enough to keep you sufficiently plugged-in.
Don’t expect a battery pack of this size to charge a laptop, as they need more voltage output than most external batteries are capable of. For laptops, the 30W Anker PowerCore is the only one we’d recommend.
Interfaces/Connectors
Most rechargeable electronic devices these days use either USB or miniUSB interfaces to charge. Some later-generation smartphones use USB-C
When purchasing a charger make sure that the connectors it uses match the connectors that your device uses.
Some chargers will have integrated cables and others will require that you use the charging cable your device came with. Check your hiking headlamp, and your camping flashlight and make sure they are compatible.
Don’t make the mistake that I made when taking a nice heavy duty external battery into the bush expecting it to charge my camera batteries.
On day two I discovered that – doh – the camera batteries don’t charge by USB, only by being plugged into the wall. Oops. No photos to show nana on that trip.
Physical Size
The words “portable” or “compact” are very subjective terms.
Just because a device is described as portable doesn’t mean that it’s going to fit into that last spot you’ve got left in your lightweight backpack.
Check the physical dimensions of the device and don’t just rely on how big it looks in the pictures.
Generally speaking, the bigger the capacity for batteries and charging output for solar panels, the bigger they will be. If you’re off car camping, then you won’t really care if the solar panel is the size of a small football field and the external battery rivals the one in your car.
For backpacking, the lighter the better, obviously. In terms of solar panels, you can get away with one with slightly less Wattage if you know that where you are going has a lot of sunlight hours.
Weight
Higher battery capacity and power output come at a cost: increased weight.
Check the weight of the device and add this to your weight budget. If you’re going to be away for a longer time then the added weight may be justified.
If you’re only going to be out for a day or two then buy a smaller capacity device to save a few ounces and dollars.
Conclusion
With our inability to completely unplug, our power requirements, even when out in the wilderness have grown. Hiking and backpacking has become far more convenient, safer and rewarding thanks to the electronic devices available to us.
Being able to navigate easily or make an emergency call could be the difference between life and death. Because of this, buying the best portable battery charger for camping or hiking is more than just a novelty.
It’s worth investing in something rugged, waterproof and that has a capacity sufficient to keep your batteries topped up for the duration of your trip. The good ones cost a few bucks more but it’s an investment worth making.
Banzai Submersible Cruiser Battery Charger 48v
Product image credits: © Amazon.com