• USB Solar Power Banks Tested

    Posted in: Consumer Reviews

    Review and tests of USB power banks that use solar charging

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  • In this video I review 9 solar powered USB power banks and 7 “wildcards”; a hybrid solution using a normal USB power bank and an external portable / folding solar panel.

    1. 1. Overall Rankings

    Click the image to buy from Amazon and support MJLorton.comMake and ModelQuoted Capacity (Ah)Actual Capacity 500 mA load (Ah / Wh) / % of claimed CapacityQuoted Capacity Cost ($/Ah)Actual Capacity Cost ($/Ah)Number of iPhone / iPod charges

    		Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)103.99 Ah / 20.44 Wh / 39.9%1.74.260.78

    		Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)52.17 Ah / 11.37 Wh / 43.4%511.522.2

    		Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)31.74 Ah / 9.28 Wh / 58%1017.21.8

    		EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)1510.4 Ah / 52.42 Wh / 69.3 %3.334.810.28

    		Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh104.59 Ah / 23.12 Wh / 45.9 %3.88.284.53

    		PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)85.62 Ah / 28.83 Wh / 70.3 %3.755.345.65

    		Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)63.99 Ah / 20.62 Wh / 66.5 %4.04

    		Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)64.11 Ah / 20.9 wh / 68.5 %8.339.734.1

    		ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)63.5 Ah / 18.08 Wh / 58.3 %68.573.55

    		Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case42.18 Ah / 11.63 Wh / 54.5%2545.412.3



    		Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar53.43 Ah / 17.47 Wh / 68.6 %68.753.42
    EasyAcc 2nd Gen. Classic 15600mAh

    		EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W15.610.3 Ah / 53.5 Wh / 66 %3.24.9510.5
    Intocircuit 13000 mAhIntocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel137.7 Ah / 39.68 Wh / 59.2 %4.237.147.78



    		Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt1422.71 Ah / 115.76 Wh / 77.1 % of Wh21.2113.0822.7




    		Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P585.45 Ah / 28.11 Wh / 68.1 %??5.51


    		EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V107.2 Ah / 37.59 Wh / 72 %4.56.257.4

    2. Specs

    Click the image to buy from Amazon and support MJLorton.comMake and ModelQuoted Capacity (Ah)Unit CostNumber of USB Charge portsOther features - Flash light, Solar charging, etcUnit weightTotal system Cost

    		Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)1016.9921.5 Watt Solar, Flash light265 g / 9.3 oz16.99

    		Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)524.9921 Watt Solar Charging136 g / 4.7 oz24.99

    		Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)329.991Waterproof Shockproof 3W Solar Panel236 g / 8.3 oz29.99

    		EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)1549.992Flash light, 1 Watt Solar Charger351 g / 12.3 oz49.99

    		Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh1037.9823 Watt Solar Charger258 g / 9.1 oz37.98

    		PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)829.9920.75 Watt Solar Charger215 g / 7.5 oz29.99

    		Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)6?21 Watt Solar Charger, Flash Light175 g / 6.1 oz?

    		Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)649.9523.41 Watt Solar Charger284 g / 10 oz49.95

    		ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)629.9920.5 Watt Solar Charger186 g / 6.5 oz29.99

    		Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case49914 Watt Solar Charger pouch511 g / 18 oz99



    		Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar517.99 + 1210.6 Watt204g / 7.1 oz29.99
    EasyAcc 2nd Gen. Classic 15600mAh

    		EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W15.627.99 + 22.9927 Watt646 g / 22.7 oz50.98
    Intocircuit 13000 mAhIntocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel1329.99 + 2522 Watt410 g / 14.4 oz55



    		Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt14164 (196) + 133 (146)239 Watt5595 g / 249.6 oz297




    		Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P5899 + ?15 Watt456 g / 16 oz?


    		EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V1024.99 + 19.99 (42.96 Now)25 Watt358 g / 12.6 oz44.98

    3.1. USB Port Tests 1

    Make and ModelNumber of USB Charge portsRating of USB Charge Port 1Rating of USB Charge Port 2Input Charge Rating / Actual Charge rate
    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)25 V @ 2 A5 V @ 1 A5 V @ 1 A / 5 V 920 mA
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)25 V @ 1 A5 V @ 1 A5 V @ 1 A / 5 V @ 1 A
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)15 V @ 1 ANA? / 5 V @ 950 mA?
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)25 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 1 A5 V @ 2 A / 5 V @ 1.8 A
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh25 V @ 1 A5 V @ 2 A5 V @ 1.5 A / 5 V @ 1.5 A
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)25 V @ 1 A5 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 2 A / 5 V @ 833 mA
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)25.2 V @ 1.5 A5.2 V @ 1.5 A5 V @ 1.2 A / 5 V @ 650 mA
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)25 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 1 A5 V @ 1 A / 5 V @ 975 mA
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)25 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 1 A / 5 V @ 823 mA
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case15 V @ 1 A5 V-6 V @ 1 A / 5 V @ 500-800 mA
    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar15 V @ 2.1 ANA5 V @ 1.5 A / 5 V @ 1.8 A
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W25 V @ 1 A5 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 2 A / 5 V @ 1.85 A
    Intocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel25 V @ 1 A5 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 1.5 A / 5 V @ 1.5 A
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt25 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 2.1 A14 V - 29 V @ 5 A (60 W Max) / 13 V @ 3 A
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P515 V @ 2 A12 V @ 0.8 A5 V @ 2 A / 5 v @ 1.5 A
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V25 V @ 2.1 A5 V @ 1.5 A5 V @ 1.5 A / 5 V @ 1.1 A

    3.2. USB Port Tests 2

    Make and ModelVoltage at USB Charge Port - no loadVoltage at USB Charge Port - 500 mAVoltage at USB Charge Port - 2 A (or quoted max)Voltage at USB Charge Port - Max currentMaxium Power output (Watts) (note, voltage level may be too low for some devices)
    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)5.175.114.89 V4.88 V @ 2.2 A10.74
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)5.275.215.16 V @ 1 A5.1 V @ 1.5 A7.65
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)5.195.14.7 V @ 2 AUnit Failed under test / Faulty
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)5.15.034.79 V @ 2 A4.74 V @ 2.2 A10.43
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh5.115.074.9 V @ 2 A3.6 V @ 2.5 A9
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)5.235.134.94 V @ 2 A4.9 V @ 2.3 A11.27
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)5.35.185.14 V @ 1.5 A (5.0 V @ 2 A)3.6 V @ 3.3 A11.88
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)5.115.084.98 V @ 2 A4.9 V @ 3.3 A16.16
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)5.195.174.89 V @ 2 A3.3 V @ 3.3 A10.89
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case5.455.345.22 V @ 1 A3.3 V @ 1.5 A4.95
    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar5.125.094.9 V @ 2 A4.9 V @ 2.1 A10.29
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W5.215.235.05 V @ 2 A5.06 V @ 2.2 A11.13
    Intocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel5.325.164.98 V @ 2 A4.94 V @ 2.3 A11.27
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt5.115.095.01 V @ 2 A3.7 V @ 4.3 A15.91
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P55.195.164.95 V @ 2 A4.25 V @ 2.63 A11.18
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V5.115.084.97 V @ 2 A4.6 V @ 2.2 A10.12

    3.3. Fast Charge Tests

    Make and ModelFast Charge compatibility - iPadFast Charge compatibility - iPhone / iPodFast Charge compatibility - Android PhoneFast Charge compatibility - BlackBerryFast Charge compatibility - Android Tablet
    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)NoYesYesYesYes Port 1
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)NoYesYesYesNo
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)NANANANANa
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)Yes - Port 2YesYes - Port 1 OnlyYesYes @ 1.3 A
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAhNoYesYes - Port 1 OnlyYesYes - Port 2
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)Yes - Port 2YesYesYesYes
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)NoYes - Port 2YesYesYes
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)Yes - Port 1YesYesYesYes
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)NoYes - Port 1YesYesYes
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel CaseNoYesYesYesNo
    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series SolarYesYesYesYesYes
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7WYes - Port 2Yes - Port 2Yes - Port 1 OnlyYesYes
    Intocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar PanelYes - Port 2YesYesYesYes
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 WattYesYesYesYesYes
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P5NoYesYesYesYes
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5VYes - Port 1Yes - Port 1Yes - Port 1 OnlyYes - Port 2Yes

    3.4. Energy Density Comparisons

    Make and ModelUnit weightEnergy Density (Wh / kg)Physical Size L x W x H (mm)Volume (Litres)Energy Volume (Wh / L)
    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)265 g / 9.3 oz77.13123 x 78 x 230.2292.9
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)136 g / 4.7 oz83.6144 x 75 x 150.16270.18
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)236 g / 8.3 oz39.32193 x 148 x 160.234439.59
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)351 g / 12.3 oz149.3144 x 78 x 240.27194.1
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh258 g / 9.1 oz89.61150 x 84 x 170.214108.14
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)215 g / 7.5 oz134.09140 x 75 x 170.178161.96
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)175 g / 6.1 oz117.83120 x 77 x 170.157131.34
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)284 g / 10 oz73.59152 x 92 x 200.27974.91
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)186 g / 6.5 oz97.2130 x 75 x 170.165109.58
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case511 g / 18 oz22.76(170 x 155 x 50)1.3168.83
    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar204g / 7.1 oz115.7(118 x 63 x 11) + (102 x 74 x 7)0.135129.41
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W646 g / 22.7 oz155.98(158 x 62 x 23) + (198 x 192 x 10)0.60588.43
    Intocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel410 g / 14.4 oz129.25(128 x 70 x 22) + (136 x 112 x 4)0.258153.84
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt5595 g / 249.6 oz25.51(197 x 165 x 147) + (250 x 200 x 45)7.0316.47
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P5456 g / 16 oz143.42(129 x 69 x 17) + (254 x 158 x 10)0.55250.89
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V358 g / 12.6 oz157.94(133 x 72 x 17) + (228 x 196 x 3)0.297126.54

    3.5. Charge Time Comparisons

    Make and ModelTime to full charge (Hours:Mins)Time to full charge per actual capacity (Hours / 1 Ah)Number of iPhone / iPod charges
    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)08:0020.78
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)04:302.072.2
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)04:402.681.8
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)08:000.7710.28
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh05:001.174.53
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)11:1525.65
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)11:002.764.04
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)07:41.894.1
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)08:202.373.55
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case9:00 - 12:004.12 - 5.52.3
    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar03:000.873.42
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W13:171.2910.5
    Intocircuit 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel09:151.27.78
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt04:080.18 * External PSU22.7
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P504:200.795.51
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SunKingdom 5W 5V09:001.257.4

     

    Link to spreadsheet on Forum:
    http://mjlorton.com/forum/index.php?t…

    Devices reviewed:
    http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?_en…

    Universal Solar Power Bank (10 000 mAh)
    Nexcon (Solar) (5000 mAh)
    Levin Solpad Solar Charger (3000 mAh)
    EasyAcc Solar Power Bank (15 000 mAh / 55.5 Wh)
    Zebora Two Solar Panels 10 000mAh
    PowerAdd Apollo 3 (8000 mAh / 29.6 Wh)
    Smart Tech Apollon S6000 (6000 mAh)
    Opteka BP-SC8000 (6000 mAh)
    ZeroLemon SolarJuice SJ-600 (6000 mAh / 22.2 Wh)
    Voltaic (4000 mAh / 15 Wh) + Solar Panel Case

    USB Power banks:
    http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?_en…

    Portable / folding solar panels:
    http://astore.amazon.com/m0711-20?_en…

    Hybrid configurations:

    Poweradd Mini Portable (5000mAh) + ReVIVE Series Solar
    EasyAcc (15 600 mAh / 57.7 Wh) + AP Solar Foldable Charger 7W
    Intocircuit® 2nd Gen Power Castle (13 000mAh / 48.1 Wh) + Voltaic 2.0 Watt Solar Panel
    Goal Zero YETI150 (14 000 mAh / 150 Wh) + SunKingdom 39 Watt
    Smart Tech Apollon V8000 (8000 mAh) + Apollon P5
    EasyAcc (10 000 mAh / 37 Wh) + SUNKINGDOM™ 5W 5V

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