Solar Chargers

[CarlaH]

I was thinking with all the uncertainty that I would like a solar charger so that if we have power cuts I would still be able to charge my tablet on which I have downloaded lots of TV programmes.

I have no idea which one to buy and most of the reviews just talk about charging mobile phones not tablets.

Does anybody have any idea how to find one which would have the capacity to charge tablets not just phones.

Thank you.

I totally understand that having the option of watching a film on a tablet can be a useful comfort. But I'd be inclined to rely on a regularly charged (from the mains) portable charger. If a situation arises that the power is out for a significant length of time, it might be better to ensure you have non-digital entertainment options that are genuinely enjoyable . Heavy duty solar chargers - like for camping etc are pretty expensive.
In the alternative, and on the principle of you get what you pay for, I'd look for something over £100 on Amazon.

you one with a big solar panel about £100 ish...not the cheap small things as hopeless.

We bought a few powerbanks from Amazon early last year, one ruggedised and 2 regular. I checked and the ones we bought aren't on there now but lots of similar ones are, but i was shocked as they're all about twice the price we paid.

We love ours. All work equally well so I don't think the brand made a difference. Get about 4 full phone charges out of one but also used to charge tablets and sons laptop when in college.
Need a full charge from the mains when they arrive but other than that they just sit in the window sill or school bag. Drops about 1% over a week in a bag when not used. All have several USB type connections for various use.
Also found excellent when camping (live in car window during the day) and at festivals.

The ones we used are all about the size of a big phone, but much heavier. All are solar charger on one side. None cost more than £25 back then.
Honestly think they're brilliant things. Way better than the old powerbanks we had.

I've got a fold up Anker solar panel, which is about the size of a magazine, but a bit narrower. It's brilliant and works really well for camping and charging my phone in the garden. Don't recall if I've ever plugged my ipad directly into it, but you can use it to charge up a powerbank. Think it's about £60. It won't be nearly as much use going into the autumn and winter months though, what with overcast days and low solar elevation... needs fairly strong sun to work effectively.

Thanks for the replies.

I suppose that now we are approaching winter it does seem a bit silly but on the other hand I don't trust our government not to let us down and there are bright sunny days.

I won't get one of the cheap ones though. I have seen this one on Amazon but can't decide which one to get the 30W or the 60W

www.amazon.co.uk/ELECAENTA-Generator-Smartphones-Waterproof-Dustproof-Black/dp/B08THQ4GLG?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I think I'd still go for the power bank solar chargers over a pure solar charger if you only want it to charge something via a USB. That way they're charged already when you want to use them rather than hoping there's sun when you need it.

This holds even more charge than the ones we have.
www.amazon.co.uk/DJROLL-36000mAh-Wireless-Flashlights-Activities/dp/B08P428WK5/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&s=electronics&keywords=solar+power+bank&srpt=CHARGING_ADAPTER&qsid=259-9861482-8158529&sres=B07VSPSYG6%2CB08P428WK5%2CB08P1NHJB3%2CB08X4LM7GJ%2CB08YN8G3PK%2CB0876XS19C%2CB07VCHZTZF%2CB07V7XSVBJ%2CB07GB4H8FB%2CB08925YBKM%2CB088WC7PMT%2CB08BRC7SCY%2CB099S5JGTB%2CB088FHKC18%2CB08D7FFLWV%2CB08P1K8VHT%2CB08DTR3N3K%2CB097SZ8KD9%2CB08P1KCW77%2CB092QH11G3&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1632669894&sr=1-5

The complaints on most of these seem to be that the solar charge is a trickle charge, so takes ages. It will and we knew that but as an emergency charge for a phone when out only takes about 15-20% of the charge capacity, it lives in the window for a week, recharges and we don't mind. If it's lower than about 50% we would put it on the mains for a charge anyway.