Why a Solar Phone Charger?

For people on the go, carrying around a cell phone and all of its paraphernalia can be a pain in the neck, especially when you are trying to charge a dead phone. You have to find a place to plug the charger in, then you have to wait for it, and who knows how long the battery is going to last? If you're out somewhere where there isn't anywhere to plug your phone in, there's no hope. Wouldn't it be nice if you could just plug your phone into the sun and let it charge? All that energy going to waste! Not anymore. The solar phone charger eliminates the need for troublesome outlets and time wasting charging methods.

The Solio solar phone charger has three panels that expand to look like a windmill and contracts into a compact device that will fit into a small bag. The charger supports three or four different kinds of phones and includes the I-phone and several mp3 players, cameras and PDA's. Depending on how long you leave it in the sun, you can get plenty of energy to power up your phone. Nine hours of charge time in direct sunlight can net you at least a 20-minute phone call or about four days of standby time. The charger harbors an internal battery so that if you need to, you can still hook it up to the wall outlet or to a USB cable and use with a computer. (Who would want to? Set that thing out in the sun!)

The Gaiam solar phone charger is cell phone shaped and seems at a glance to be a better product than the Solio. Touting a charge time of three to five hours, this product will get you an hours worth of talk time on the cell phone. Unfortunately, there are few attachments to it, so it is not quite as versatile as others of its kind on the market as far as use with other products is concerned. The Solar Gorilla folds like a cell phone to protect its paneling compatible with as many products as the Solio, including some that the Solio does not support, such as the Sony Ericsson. The Solar Gorilla even includes a standard car charger and is made of sturdy plastic on the outside so that if you drop it, it will not be destroyed.

The price ranges of these solar phone chargers vary, with the cheapest being the Gaiam brand solar charger, which is about fifty dollars, and the most expensive being the Gorilla, which is about 250 dollars. The Solio is the mid-range product, itself varying in price from sixty to a hundred dollars. Each one has its own advantages, but the Gorilla looks best even though it is the most expensive. Overall, these totally green products are a judicious decision for those who find themselves outside a lot, or in positions where electricity is unavailable. It has the capability to go anywhere and is still electricity or USB ready - just in case it rains.

Read more about all things solar by visiting
What is Solar Cell Charger?
Should You Buy a Solar Cell Phone Charger?
Benefits Of Solar Powered Cell Phone Chargers
Which Solar Phone Charger Is The Best?