Solar Camping Light and Charging Devices

One of the best feelings in the world is lying down under the stars with the cold breeze of the night and the calming smell of leaves. This is why camping is an experience one should never miss.It is even better if you don’t have to crawl in the dark, and you have a light source during the late hours of the night. This will provide you a safer environment while relaxing with nature. However, rechargeable batteries don’t often last long. Since most camping sights will not have grid electricity accessible, losing power in the middle of nowhere can be troublesome. 

This is when solar camping lights can come in handy. These devices trump regular lanterns in terms of design, portability, and functionality. This article will explain what these lights are, how they work, what characteristics to look for when selecting a type or brand to buy, and what its pros and cons are. It will also list down five of the best brands out there, so you won’t have to spend hours browsing the web to find the one that will suit your needs.

What exactly are camping solar lights and what is their use? As you may have guessed, they are lights that are powered (or recharged) through solar power. The sun’s photons (or light particles) provide energy that is converted to light, which then allows the camping device to illuminate the area it’s placed in. This is just one of the many ways that solar power helps the planet preserve its non-renewable resources. This sustainable solution makes it easy for campers to go as deep in the forest (or as high in the mountain) and still be confident that they’ll have light during nighttime. This means that they can camp for longer without worrying about being in the dark as they can easily charge their lamp through the ever-present sun during the daytime.

This type of light can also be an alternative or a supplement to flashlights. Flashlights may be used if directional illumination is needed. Solar lanterns like this can be used if more steady light is required. If you’re not camping, you can also use it as a light source for your garden or a yard light for barbecues. Some camping lights can also be used as charging devices, for they have USB ports that use the direct current from the sun to juice up your battery.

Now that you know what they are, let’s, next, talk about how they work? The mechanism is quite simple. The device has installed solar panels. Solar panels or photovoltaic cells absorb the light energy from the sun and that energy becomes the electricity that charges the installed battery. This means that no plugs or sockets are required. This, therefore, eliminates the hassle of finding a nearby outlet to charge your device. However, it is important that it is charged whenever possible as sun-charging can take longer than socket-charging. 

Depending on the installed panel, charging may vary in terms of duration. It can take up to 16 hours, depending on the brand and product specifications to fully charge the device. If the device has a built-in sensor, it can also automatically charge when exposed to sunlight and light up when the night falls. This makes solar camping lights even more convenient. This is besides the fact that it is not just useful for camping, but for other outdoor activities as well, such as mountain climbing or late-night fishing. With its installed LED bulb, it won’t consume much energy either, so it can last overnight when you need it the most. For kids, it can be safe as it doesn’t require wires or any external electrical connection, so parents can have their kids use it without woes.

So, you’re convinced that you’d need solar lights for camping. What are the characteristics that you should look for when buying your first one, then? We’ve listed them down for you, so you can get the best one for your needs. Brands - Good brands are not necessarily better. However, it is safer to check out known brands and well-reviewed brands when cutting down your list to the best ones. Unbranded solar lights may not have earned a good reputation yet and quality and longevity are important with this device.

Lighting Mode - What lighting modes are available? Some brands offer various lighting modes for different purposes. There are those that have a reserve mode, so you can use minimal power while charging or until the next charge. There’s candle-light which mimics the candle’s flickering light. Some even have a party mode for more colorful lights.

Lumens - Lumen is a measure to determine the extent of light that the solar powered camping lights can provide. The higher the lumens, the brighter you can expect the device to be. However, since color can also impact one’s perception of brightness, you may combine this parameter with lumens in deciding which one’s brighter for you. Some solar lights can have lumens of up to 150. In low-light modes, they produce less and, therefore, preserve the battery mode.

Charging time - The main advantage of this device is that you can charge it under the sun, and you won’t need a power socket nearby. However, sun-charging can be longer than wall-charging. You want to look for ones with faster charging time even. 8 hours of charging time can provide you a nightlong light source with some brands. You also want to check out other charging modes, such as car or crank charging, so you have alternatives in case sunlight is not available.

Durability - Since your device will be exposed to the sun and maybe carried around during unpleasant weather, you want to look for lanterns made of durable materials. Waterproof ones are great for outdoor use and can be more preferred for fishing trips. Many brands are weatherproof and offer warranties, so watch out for these features when looking for your first solar light.

Design - This may seem unimportant, but it can influence the usability of your device. Aside from color and aesthetic quality, you want to check out the device’s functionality. Does it include hooks or stands for positioning? These features are useful for hanging the lantern over your tent or placing it on an uneven surface. Is it portable and light? Can it be folded for easy carrying? Many brands are collapsible, so you can easily carry them around your pocket.

Outdoor activities are indeed fun and exciting. What makes them even more special is the fact that you can be closer to nature and lie under the stars with such calm and contentment. However, outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, or hiking can be dangerous once the night falls. You have to have a light source to see your path well or to be able to cook. During bedtime, you need a light source to easily see approaching animals. Solar lanterns are cool in that they solve these challenges in an eco-friendly manner. 

With these devices, you have a light source that can be charged using the unlimited sun, so you won’t have to worry about finding power sockets in the middle of nowhere or using up your power bank’s juice for light. In fact, some solar lights can even be used to charge other mobile devices, making them truly useful when in remote locations. When looking for solar lanterns, check out the charging time, lumens, functional features, design, and lighting modes. The more charging modes and the longer the battery life, the better. Also, make sure that your device is weatherproof and is made of durable materials, so you can use it for more outdoor trips. Truly, light sources do not have to be expensive with solar camping lights.