Modified from product page This 14W charger with foldable, waterproof nylon solar panels can keep your iPad, iPhone, Samsung, camera, and other devices fully charged all day long. The panels fold in and out with ease and they have two holes at the edge that can attach to any backpack or tent. Finally, there’s a small pouch inside that can protect your phone from direct sunlight though the pouch is primarily for smaller devices like an iPhone SE or other lesser sized gadgets. My initial thoughts on the Choetech solar charger is that it’s affordable and admirable with an eco-friendly outlook that’ll make any environmentalist blush.
Product Information
Top 5 Best Features
The 14W Choetech solar charger has a lot going for it including the fact that it’s a 14W charger, but there’s a lot more to get excited about with some of my favorites listed below.
5 Coolest Pros
14W Solar Charging
Stow-away Compartment
Waterproof Panels
Foldable Design
Ecologically Friendly
14W Solar Charging
Although 14W may not sound like much, it’s plenty for most smartphones, iPads, and other devices. It’s also incredibly efficient with a fantastic output for the price. It may not charge up your MacBook but it’ll take care of your biggest everyday electronics. In addition, it’s quite good in direct sunlight so if you live in a very sunny locale then you’re in luck.
Stow-away Compartment
The stow-away patch hidden underneath the panels and near the battery pack is perfect for mini devices. It comes with a neat, little buckle that will secure your phone and the compartment’s placement hides it from the sun’s intense heat to avoid internal damage. I used it with my 5.5" or lower phones and it worked great though it’s way too compact for anything larger.
Waterproof Panels
The waterproof nylon panels are excellent for preventing rain or water damage, and they’re particularly great for the outdoors. No amount of dust or rain is enough to ruin these panels’ efficiency and customers are better off for it. The panels are also super reliable with an energy transfer rate of 25% making them superb for outside use. Creating tiny panels this advanced ain’t easy but Choetech managed to figure out how to do it right.
Foldable Design
The best part about the Choetech solar charger is its foldable, durable design. I love how neatly it folds up when not in use and it can fit inside any bag or backpack. Additionally, the buckles that fasten the panels help secure them nicely without any worry about them unraveling. The two side eye-holes are great too, and you can use the two D-buckle shaped hooks provided to attach the panels to your backpack, a tent or even a tree.
Ecologically Friendly
If you’re environmentally cautious then this is the charger for you. Green is in and these energy-saving, PET laminated solar panels use a high-wear PVC fabric with weather-resistant outdoor durability. They’re far more eco-friendly than any other charger you’re using and they work almost as well. So if you’re an eco-enthusiast then look no further than this super-charged environmentally friendly gadget.
5 Biggest Complaints
Unfortunately for every pro there’s a con, and I found 5 strong cons that take this product from an A+ to a solid B.
Top 5 Problems
14W Isn’t Enough
Requires Direct Sunlight
Can’t Replace Regular Charger
Only Good for Outdoors
Charging Problems
14W Isn’t Enough
With 24W+ solar chargers on the market, there may be little need for a 14W version. Even Choetech has higher-powered chargers though they’ll cost you. A 24W solar-powered charger could easily run 10–20+ dollars over this one and it still won’t charge your laptop. However, if you prefer something beefier and faster, then note that there are better options available.
Requires Direct Sunlight
The number one complaint I’ve seen that I can attest to is that this device requires direct sunlight to work well. Occasionally even a partly cloudy sky can affect the charger’s capabilities. I don’t recommend getting this device if you live in a very cloudy, rainy location. I live in New Jersey where it’s not the sunniest so there have been some issues. But if you live in say southern California or near sunny, desert-type locations then you’ll be fine.
Can’t Replace Regular Charger
Unfortunately, a solar-powered charger still isn’t as good as a non-solar charger and I don’t know if it’ll ever be. A solar charger requires an energy source and it’s designed for a specific purpose in mind so it’ll never replace your daily phone charger. But if you’re a frequent outdoor traveler then it won’t hurt to have this item packed away.
Only Good for Outdoors
Let me reiterate, “if you’re a frequent outdoor traveler then it won’t hurt to have this item”, but that’s a big IF. Most people do not stay outdoors or have the capabilities to carry devices like this around. Remember the solar panels actually have to be unfolded and get direct sunlight for them to work, which requires very specific conditions. There’s only so much this device can do and very few people will benefit from this on the daily.
Charging Problems
I’ve seen complaints which stated the device wasn’t working or that it was too slow. I haven’t had as many major issues like that though it was definitely slower than I expected. Perhaps it was because I don’t live in a 24/7 sunny location. Still, I feel for those who’ve had issues and I can understand why. As cool as a solar-powered charger sounds, it’s a fairly niche product but for those who know how and when to use it, it could be a lifesaver.
Choetech Foldable Solar Charger: Final Review
After weeks of testing, I was able to find both the good and bad stored within this product. I definitely felt good about trying an eco-friendly device and there’s something really forward-thinking about it. Overall I would give the Choetech 14W Solar Powered Charger 3.75 out of 5 stars. The design and panels were fantastic and I loved that you could attach this to anything. I was also fond of the stow-away pouch and discreet, compact build even though it wasn’t great for bigger phones. The charging was sufficient though not great when the sun was lacking, (thanks mother nature) but in direct sunlight, it functioned quite well. Will this replace my other chargers…no…was it meant to…definitely not! This charger was crafted specifically for the outdoors, and I really can see it saving someone’s life. The power to charge your phone miles from a safe haven is pretty amazing and incredibly useful. So if you’re an adventurer that’s looking for a functional charger to keep your phone from dying, then take a look at this very affordable, dynamic 14W Choetech solar-powered charger.
Your Thoughts!
© 2019 Krzysztof Willman
