What Are Some Good Solar-Powered Gifts to Give?
Quick answer: Good solar-powered gifts include folding solar phone chargers, solar lanterns, portable solar cookers, solar showers, solar path lights, solar chargers for video doorbells and cameras, and solar science kits for kids. The best ones solve a real problem rather than just having a tiny panel attached.
Solar-powered gadgets have gotten cheaper and more useful over the years, and a few of them make genuinely good gifts. The best ones solve a real problem, like charging a phone at a campsite or lighting a path without running wires. Here are ideas for different kinds of people, with an honest note on what each is good for.
For campers and hikers
A folding solar charger
A 20 to 30 watt folding panel can charge a phone or a power bank in a few hours of good sun. Look for USB-C output and a kickstand or hanging loops. Our guide to solar phone chargers explains what to look for.
A solar lantern
Many camping lanterns now include a small solar panel, and some can also charge by USB. They’re useful at the campsite and in a home emergency kit.
A portable solar cooker
Solar cookers concentrate sunlight to cook food without fuel. GoSun’s vacuum-tube cookers, for example, are rated to reach up to 550°F in full sun. They’re a fun, practical gift for someone who camps in sunny places, though they need clear skies and some patience.
A solar shower
A dark bag, usually around 5 gallons, that warms water in the sun for a camp shower. Simple, cheap and surprisingly effective on a sunny afternoon.
For homeowners
Solar path and garden lights
Solar lights need no wiring, so they’re easy to add along walkways, steps and garden beds. Output and run time vary a lot by model and season. Expect shorter run times in winter and on cloudy days, and look for models with replaceable batteries.
A solar charger for a video doorbell or camera
Ring sells a solar charger for its battery-powered doorbells and solar panels for several of its battery cameras, and other brands offer similar accessories. They cut down on how often the batteries need recharging. Check compatibility with the exact model before buying.
A small portable power station with a solar panel
A bigger-ticket gift, but a practical one for outages and camping. The power station stores energy, and a folding panel recharges it during the day.
For students and commuters
A solar backpack
Backpacks with a built-in solar panel and battery, such as Voltaic Systems’ Converter pack, can top up a phone during a day outdoors. A thin panel on a backpack produces only a few watts, so think of it as a trickle charge, not a replacement for a wall charger.
A solar power bank
A power bank with a small built-in solar panel is mainly useful as a regular power bank you charge from the wall. The panel adds a little charge over a long sunny day. Most phones now have 3,700 to 5,200 mAh batteries, so a 10,000 mAh power bank gives roughly one and a half to two full charges once you account for conversion losses.
For kids
Solar science kits
Kits that build small solar-powered cars, robots or fans are a hands-on way to learn how solar panels turn light into motion. Check the age rating, since some include small parts.
A note on “solar” gadgets
Some products advertise solar charging with a panel too small to make much difference. Before buying, check whether the item can also charge by USB, how big the panel is, and what reviewers say about real-world charging. For holiday decorations, see whether solar Christmas lights are worth it.
