Complete Guide to the Best Solar Battery Charger of 2024

Over the years, our cars have gained in safety and reliability; however, they still have one weakness – their battery.

If you don’t use your car regularly (every two weeks), you might have already experienced low battery voltage preventing your car from starting. This situation generates a lot of stress as it is, most of the time, unexpected, and we are often left with no other solutions than using a regular wall plug battery charger.

Don’t worry, this stressful experience won’t happen again if you get a solar car battery charger. They are user-friendly devices that will help you to maintain a charged battery at all times.

In our Buyer’s Guide, I will discuss the benefits of having a solar car battery charger compared to a regular charger. I will show you how to wisely choose your solar battery charger and how to use it properly.

Next, you will find the eight best products of 2024 in our review.

We completed our article by an FAQ in which we will be answering all your most common questions about solar car battery chargers.

For a quick overlook at the best products, let’s start with our editor’s pick

Best Solar Car Battery Charger: Editor’s Top 3 Picks

We are featuring the best solar car battery chargers of their category, from solar battery maintainers to solar chargers, to fully charge your car battery.

• Best Solar Car Battery Maintainer – SUNER POWER 12V Solar Car Battery Charger and Maintainer
• Best All-Around Solar Car Battery Charger – ECO-WORTHY 25 Watts 12V
• Best Solar Car Battery Charger for Full Charge – DOKIO 220 Watts Foldable Solar Panel with Charge Controller

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Solar Car Battery Charger

You might not be familiar with solar car battery chargers. Don’t worry, we have summarized in our buyer’s guide the most useful information to wisely pick a charger according to your needs.

How Does a Solar Car Battery Charger Work?

If you get a solar car battery charger, here are the three components you will mostly find out of the box:

• Solar panel
• Solar charge controller
• Battery clips

The main component of the system is the solar panel. Solar panels convert energy from the sunlight into electricity. 

Car batteries need at least 12V to be charged, and the solar charge controller helps to get the highest output of the solar panel at all times. As our sun is a natural source of energy, it doesn’t shine the same all day long, and its power output needs to be regulated for smooth charging.

Finally, the battery clips connect your solar charger to your car battery.

In the end, a solar car battery charger produces 12V of electricity to charge your battery from the sun.

Don’t forget that solar panels give their best output under full sunlight. If you want to get the most of your solar car battery charger, expose them to full sun, and try to avoid local shade.

What Are the Two Types of Solar Car Battery Chargers?

There are two categories of solar car battery chargers:

• The solar car battery trickle charger or battery maintainer 
• The solar car battery charger

Solar trickle chargers help to maintain your battery at a steady state of charge. It prevents your battery from being drained when it is not used, as 12V batteries naturally lose energy over time.

A solar car battery trickle charger will never charge your battery to its full state.

Solar battery chargers in the range of 5W to 20W are all trickle chargers.

Above 25W, they are considered as battery chargers that can fully charge your dead battery.

In our review, we are featuring both solar battery maintainers and solar battery chargers.

What Is the Difference Between a Solar Car Battery Charger and a Regular Car Charger?

The main difference is that a solar car battery charger uses solar energy, a widely available renewable source of energy, to charge your car battery. Solar car battery chargers operate as stand-alone systems.

On the other hand, a regular car charger will need a wall plug connected to a grid electricity to charge your car battery.

The other difference is the charging type – a regular car charger will charge your battery to its full state in a few hours with a current of 16–32 Amps and can then be unplugged.

A solar car battery charger is made to be connected over a long period of time or even permanently as the current provided could be less than 1 Amps.

Their main function is to maintain the battery level to a fully charged state, preventing your battery from being drained even after a long period without use.

Some more powerful solar battery chargers will be able to fully charge your car battery in less than a day.

What Are the Benefits of Solar Car Battery Chargers?

Car batteries naturally discharge over time when not in use – this is called the self-discharge. In addition, modern cars have many built-in electronic systems (alarms, control modules, sensors, etc.) that are permanently getting electricity from the battery.

The main function of a solar car battery charger is to cover the self-discharge and the constant small electricity drain from car electronics.

The main benefits of a solar car battery chargers are:

• Prevent self-discharge of your battery – no more low battery.
• Increase overall battery life duration.
• Limit battery sulfation (main cause of battery degradation).
• User-friendly, plug and play.
• Small and lightweight.
• Extremely durable.
• Will save you money (no need to buy a regular car battery charger).

What to Remember When Choosing a Solar Car Battery Charger

When it comes to choosing a battery charger, it’s essential to operate with a safety-first mindset. We asked lawyers who deal with many car accidents arising from simple vehicle problems like poor battery quality if they can offer any advise. Experts from Dennis Hernandez & Associates told us that car battery issues is something that can be easily remedied with some of the following practices:

• Check the battery size, so it can accommodate your car’s battery size.
• Make sure it is compatible with your car’s make and model.
• Check the charger output so it can provide the right amount of power for the battery, especially as a poorly charged battery could result in a car accident.
• Check the weatherproofing, making sure it is water and corrosion-resistant, which could be detrimental on a busy road.
• Read the instructions before installing the solar charger and make sure you understand how it works.
• Keep the solar panel free of debris, like dust.

5 Tips to Choose the Best Solar Car Battery Charger

Now that you know why solar car batteries are the best partners of your car battery. Let’s have a closer look at how to choose them wisely.

As a solar and battery expert, I have selected the most important criteria to consider when choosing a solar car battery charger:

1. Solar Panel Power

As the most important criteria, it will determine your type of solar car battery charger. Below 25W, the power output is not enough to fully charge a battery. On the other hand, it is sufficient to compensate for self-discharge.

Below 25W, you will only find solar car battery trickle chargers, also called battery maintainers. The higher the power of the solar panel, the faster your battery will be charged.

2. Ease of Use

Manipulating car batteries could cause safety problems for nonprofessionals. Luckily, we have selected plug-and-play solar battery chargers that offer both the regular crocodile clips for direct battery connection and the car cigarette socket that allows current to flow in the car battery without opening the car hood.

3. Durability

All the products selected are strongly built and rain-resistant. Their solar panels can last at least 15 years.

4. Compactness

In a car, size and weight matter. We made sure that the selected solar chargers are compact and easy to handle.

5. Blocking Diode

It is not the most known feature, but this one is quite important. A blocking diode will prevent reverse discharge during nighttime when your solar charger is not producing electricity.

Review of the 8 Best Solar Car Battery Chargers Of 2024

Our review features both solar car battery maintainers and solar car battery chargers. If you want to know the difference between a maintainer and a charger, have a look here.

1. SUNER POWER 12V Solar Car Battery Charger and Maintainer

SUNER POWER is a young brand specialized in domestic solar power. They are a team of passionate technicians committed to deliver the most advanced and durable solar products.

Features

The SUNER POWER 12V features a 12W solar panel delivering up to 1 Amp under full sun. It will have no problem keeping your battery at its highest state of charge.

It has a built-in blocking diode to prevent reverse charging. It is truly plug and play – just mount it on your front window with its four suction cups, and plug it into your cigarette socket. Your battery is now in charge.

It also gives you the option to use the classical battery clamps for direct battery connection.

Reliable, it is built with high-quality ABS material. Finally, it is compact and will fit in a pouch.

Final Thoughts

Highly recommended, it is compact yet powerful enough to maintain any 12V batteries to a full state of charge. As it is plug and play, you don’t need to be a specialist to use it. This product is also a good value for money.

2. ALLPOWERS 18V 12V 5W Portable Solar Battery Charger

ALLPOWERS is a brand dedicated to solar power for the outdoors. Their products range from foldable solar panels to solar power stations. Therefore, when it comes to solar chargers, you can trust them. Let’s have a closer look at their solar car battery charger.

Features

The ALLPOWERS portable solar battery charger features one of the smallest solar panels of our review. With 5W and 18 volts output (max. 0.28 Amps), it is still capable of compensating the natural loss of your battery.

It is easy to handle – just mount it on your side windows with the two suction cups, or fix it to the sun visor with the included back strips.

This product is a plug and play. Connect it to the cigarette socket of your car, and it will provide top-up power to your car battery. It also features a blocking diode to avoid reverse charging.

One of the most unique features is that it is extremely compact (half of an A4-sized paper, 12.6 x 5.0 x 0.12 inches) and weighs only 11.4oz. It will fit in your car storage compartment when not in use.

Final Thoughts

A great entry-level product by ALLPOWERS, it is super affordable and will maintain any 12V batteries to a high state of charge. You might want to consider a more powerful model in case of cloudy days.

3. Sunway Solar Car Battery Trickle Charger, 4W, 12V

Sunway Solar only offers a handful of products, all dedicated to solar car battery chargers. Their 4W model is an Amazon best seller. Let’s see why we like it.

Features

Don’t be fooled by its tiny size. The Sunway Solar car battery trickle charger is able to maintain your car battery’s state of charge at all times by compensating its natural loss. It features a 4W, 15 volts solar panel, capable of producing 0.27 Amps.

Plug and play, install it on your windshield or side windows with the suction cups. Plug it to your cigarette socket, and it will start charging. It has a built-in blocking diode to prevent reverse charging and protection against overcharge.

Strongly built, you can even bring it outdoors (splashproof) to charge any types of 12V batteries thanks to the crocodile clips. It comes with a 12-month warranty.

It will easily fit in a pouch or car storage compartments, as it is only 13.9 x 5 x 0.5 in and 22.4 oz.

Finally it is affordable to all.

Final Thoughts

This model is tiny and reliable. The Sunway Solar battery charger will maintain your battery. It is one of the best entry models, and it offers the most common features for years of good services.

4. MOOLSUN 12V, 10W, Solar Battery Charger

MOOLSUN has more than 10 years of expertise in manufacturing portable solar panels. Their team of solar engineers is committed to develop the most advanced solar products. Let’s see below why their solar car battery charger is one of our favorites.

Features

MOOLSUN solar battery charger features a 10 W, 18 V (0.5 Amps) solar panel protected by a splashproof robust canvas.

It is slim and lightweight (15.6 x 6.9 in, 0.86 Lbs). You can fix it to your front or side windows, thanks to the suction cups, or at the back of the rear view mirror with the built-in straps.

It is powerful enough to maintain your battery even during cloudy days. Furthermore, it is user-friendly, and you don’t need to be a battery specialist to use it. Just plug it to your cigarette socket, and it will charge your battery.

You can also bring it outdoors and use the crocodile clips to charge any 12V batteries. It is safe with protection against overcharging and a blocking diode to avoid reverse charging at night.

Final Thoughts

This product has the best quality/price ratio of all our solar battery maintainers. It is strongly built and will do a great job to compensate for your car battery’s natural loss.

5. SUAOKI 12V Solar Car Battery Charger 18W

SUAOKI is a brand specialized in power stations and portable solar panels. They also have a range of products dedicated to cars. Let’s have a look at their 18W solar car battery charger.

Features

This 12V solar car battery charger is one of the most powerful of the trickle charger category. It features an 18W solar panel (18V, 1Amp) that will have no problem compensating for your battery loss when your car is stored for a long period of time.

Unlike other models, SUAOKI features a flexible rainproof solar panel; therefore, it is super slim and can fit on non-flat surfaces. It can also be attached anywhere thanks to the four eyelets. It is roughly the size of two A4 pages and weighs only 0.76 lbs.

Thanks to its cigarette socket connector, it is plug and play. You can also connect it to any 12V battery with its crocodile clips.

It is safe to use with the blocking diode that prevents reverse charging overnight.

Final Thoughts

This is a great innovative solar car battery maintainer, with a super slim, flexible solar panel. Thanks to 18W of power, your 12V battery will never be drained even after months of storage.

6. ECO-WORTHY 25 Watts 12V solar battery charger

ECO-WORTHY is a small company specialized in solar power both for portable and domestic use. We are featuring their 25W model, with the promise of charging dead batteries. Let’s have a look at its main features.

Features

The solar car battery charger from ECO-WORTHY is a kit including a 25W (18V, 1.2A) solar panel, a 3A solar charge controller with a USB output, and two connectors – battery crocodile clips and O-ring terminal cables.

Thanks to its 25W solar panel, this model is able to not only maintain the state of charge of your battery but also charge it. Of course, with only 1.2A maximum output, full charge will take a day for a 10 Ah car battery, but this is an entry model.

It can only charge your car battery when directly connected with the crocodile clips or the O rings. The solar panel is waterproof and could be mounted on top of your RV, for example.

Thanks to the charge controller, you are protected against overcharge, and you can charge your phone through the USB output.

Its size is reasonable, but it will not fit in a backpack with 17 x 13.8 x 1.4 in and 4.38 lbs. It is IP65-certified and suited to stay outdoors permanently.

Final Thoughts

This is a great entry-level car battery charger that will maintain your battery level at all times and can even achieve full battery charge. THis product is also perfect on the roof of your RV.

7. ACOPower 12V 50 Watt portable solar battery charger

ACOPower is a trusted brand, specialized in solar products for the outdoors, like foldable solar panels, solar refrigerators, batteries, and accessories. We are glad to feature one of their products in our review. Let’s have a look below at its main characteristics.

Features

ACOPower 12V 50W is a kit including a 50W foldable solar panel and a battery charge controller. It also comes with all the needed connectors, like crocodile clips.

The foldable design is really clever. It makes this solar car battery charger ultra portable. When folded, it is the size of a small briefcase. Unfold it, and you can attach it anywhere – thanks to the three loops.

It has great solar charging abilities, thanks to its 50W solar panel. The maximum output is 18V, 2.77A under full sun. Therefore, it can not only maintain your car battery but also charge it to its fullest capacity.

The PWM solar charge controller offers a high level of safety with overcharge protection and regulation. You can also plug in your USB device.

It is built with a strong canvas and comes with a 18 months warranty. The panel has a power output certified for 20 years.

Final Thoughts

A great product from ACOPower, we especially like the foldable design and its 50W power. It is able to maintain your car battery and also charge a dead battery under full sun.

8. DOKIO 220 Watts Foldable Solar Panel with Charge Controller

DOKIO is a solar panel brand specialized in outdoor products. We are featuring their most powerful model, which is also the most powerful solar car battery charger available on the market.

Features

Two features are making the DOKIO 220W a unique solar car battery charger – its design and its power output.

Indeed, DOKIO has chosen a foldable design with four 55W solar panels. The result is a super portable and easy-to-handle solar car battery charger. When folded, it is the size of a suitcase and only weighs 9 lbs. Given its power, this is quite impressive. Unfold it, and you can easily adjust the solar panel orientation to maximize power output.

It can produce up to 220W at 18V, 12 Amps. It is enough to charge a regular car battery from dead to full in less than a day. You might even be able to connect two car batteries during sunny days.

It comes with a solar charge controller to ensure smooth car battery charging and protection against overcharge. A complete set of connectors is included, with crocodile clips for battery charging.

Like all DOKIO’s products, it is built for the outdoors and will withstand the rain. Finally, it is well-priced given its power output.

Final Thoughts

If you want to truly charge a dead battery, this is your solution of choice. It is ultra compact, will fit in your car or RV, and powerful with 220W. It will charge anything in a few hours.

Solar Car Battery Charger: FAQ

Do Solar Car Battery Chargers Work Better Than Normal Chargers?

They don’t work better – they work differently. Solar battery chargers will only provide low-charge current, thus acting as a battery maintainer. Regular chargers provide higher current and can fully charge a battery in a few hours.

How Long Do I Need to Charge a Car Battery with a Solar Charger?

If you are looking to fully charge your battery, depending on the power of the solar charger, it could take as long as 2 days. With the most powerful solar battery charger (220W), it can take only 4–5 hours under full sun.

Do Solar Car Battery Chargers Charge Dead Car Batteries?

Only solar battery chargers with power above 25W are able to charge dead car batteries; however it will be very slow. For full charge, models above 60W are recommended.

How to Test a Solar Car Battery Charger

Lay your solar car battery in full sun, and connect it to an electric tester. The voltage should be higher than 12V.

Do I Have to Disconnect the Solar Charger When I Start the Car?

No. If you are using a solar battery maintainer, it can stay plugged all the time so that your battery will never be drained.

How Long Would It Take to Charge a Tesla Car Off a Solar Battery Charger?

Assuming that you use the most powerful model of solar car battery charger at 220W, charging the Tesla Model 3, will take between 60 and 90 days.

Final Tips

Our review is coming to an end, and we hope that you now have all the keys to wisely choose your solar car battery charger.

Don’t forget that models below 25W are battery maintainers and will only compensate for the natural loss of your car battery.

They should be connected at all times when your car is not in use. Models above 25W can charge a dead battery with solar energy, similar to a regular car charger.

Finally, solar car battery chargers will save you the stress of the dead battery, as they will keep your battery up, even if you don’t use your car for months.

Solar chargers are your car battery’s best companion!

If you are missing a point, we will be pleased to help you. Feel free to leave us a comment below.

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