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The original Solartab combined a 13,000 mAh battery with a small solar panel, so you could store power for a phone or tablet and top it up away from an outlet. A 2016 review found that it could deliver useful energy in strong, direct sunlight, but solar charging varied sharply with conditions. Its integrated design also came with a substantial carry weight. The available reviews describe the original model; they do not establish whether it is currently sold, what it costs today, or whether support is still available.

What the Solartab solar charger is

The original Solartab was a battery pack with a solar panel built into a tablet-like, glass-topped body. Its cover folded into a stand, letting you prop the panel at an angle toward the sun. That made the device more self-contained than carrying a separate panel and power bank, though the integrated format was not especially light.

New Atlas’s 2016 review lists an aluminum-framed unit measuring 9.7 × 7.6 × 0.35 inches and weighing 2.65 lb (1.2 kg), with a 13,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery and a 5 W monocrystalline solar panel. It has two USB outputs with a combined maximum of 5 V / 2.1 A, plus a micro-USB port for wired input. The package reviewed included a wall adapter, USB cable, and microfiber cloth. New Atlas’s Solartab review.

Macworld’s 2016 review describes a 5.5 W panel and the same stated 13,000 mAh battery. It lists two USB-A outputs rated up to 2.1 A per port and micro-USB input, and gives different dimensions: 9.5 × 7 × 0.75 inches and 2.6 lb. The reviews’ measurements and output descriptions should be treated as source-specific rather than combined into one definitive specification. Macworld’s Solartab review.

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#1 Best Overall
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SUNER POWER Waterproof 12W 12V Solar Battery Charger & Maintainer Pro, Built-in UltraSmart MPPT Charge Controller, 12 Volt Solar Panel Trickle Charging Kits for Car Automotive Boat Marine RV Trailer
  • 【Ultra-Smart MPPT Technology】This 12v solar panel battery charger is crafted with SUNER POWER's unique Ultra-Smart MPPT( Max Power Point Tracking) technology, the innovative MPPT allows to deliver high tracking efficiency of up to 99% and peak conversion efficiency of 98%, improving approximately 20%-30% utilization rate than other competitors
  • 【Improved 3-stages Charging】The improved 3-Stages charging algorithm (Bulk, Absorption, Float) allows to charge 12-volt battery more effectively, ensures battery is safely recharged and increases battery life and performance
  • 【Free Maintenance】The solar trickle charger stops charging when battery has full charge, and automatically resumes when battery has discharge, totally free maintenance. A fully-automatic, worry-free and smart 12volt solar charger
  • 【Full Safety Protections】Built-in multiple protections including over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, over-current, over-load, short circuit, reverse polarity, and over-temperature, waterproof and spark-proof, the battery is fully protected
  • 【Wide Compatibility】It's not just a solar powered battery charger, it's an advanced solar battery maintainer for 12-volt sealed lead-acid car, automotive, marine, RV, power sport, boat, dump trailer, motorcycle, trolling motor, tractor, ATV and deep-cycle batteries, including flooded, gel, AGM, SLA and maintenance-free, plus lifepo4 lithium batteries

How well does it charge devices?

Battery capacity and delivered energy

The 13,000 mAh figure is the battery’s stated capacity, not the amount a connected device can necessarily receive. In New Atlas’s 2016 test, the reviewer charged and discharged the Solartab several times, then used it to recharge a Lenovo S8-50 tablet with a 5,700 mAh-rated battery. Across a dozen cycles, the tablet gained about 195% of a full battery charge, give or take two percentage points. New Atlas calculated this as roughly 11,115 mAh delivered, or 85.5% of the Solartab’s nominal capacity. That is the result of one review’s test method, not a universal efficiency rating.

Solar charging depends on the conditions

In repeated tests under clear, unobstructed sunlight, New Atlas reported enough solar input to add about 20 percentage points per hour to the Lenovo tablet. Patchy clouds reduced the reported rate to 10–16% per hour; when the Solartab’s solar indicator was dim, the reviewer saw about 6% per hour. Those rates describe that specific tablet and the review’s conditions, not a guaranteed charging speed for another device or location.

Sun angle and orientation mattered enough that New Atlas’s reviewer checked and adjusted them about every 15 minutes for the best results. Clouds, partial shade, season, time of day, and geography can all reduce the energy reaching the panel. The review also noted that the unit became warm or hot after several hours in sunlight.

Why another review reported a different result

Macworld’s reviewer left the Solartab in sunny Seattle conditions for about ten hours and later measured roughly 3,500 mAh of output after solar charging, while noting that the exact charging rate could not be isolated. That result and New Atlas’s tablet-based hourly observations came from different setups, so they are not directly comparable. Together, they illustrate why a panel’s wattage or a single field result cannot promise a fixed amount of usable charge in everyday conditions.

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Rank #3
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Voltset 20W 12V Solar Panel Battery Charger Trickle Maintainer Kit
  • High-Efficiency MPPT Solar Charger - Advanced tracking technology delivers 20-30% faster charging for 12V batteries. A+ monocrystalline panels maximize power conversion. Perfect 20W solar trickle charger for cars, RVs, boats, and trailers. More sun captured, less time waiting.
  • Advanced Multi-Layer Protection - Built-in safeguards prevent overcharge, over-discharge, short circuit, and reverse polarity damage. Smart controller stops draining power at night. Keeps your 12V battery healthy and extends lifespan. Worry-free operation for long-term use.
  • Universal 12V Battery Compatibility - Works with LiFePO4, AGM, Gel, Flooded, and Lithium Ion batteries. Ideal as RV solar battery charger, trailer solar battery charger, or marine solar battery charger. One versatile solution for all your 12V charging needs.
  • IP67 Waterproof & Weather-Resistant - Marine-grade construction withstands -40°F to 185°F. Built for harsh outdoor conditions - rain, snow, or extreme heat. 25+ year lifespan with corrosion-resistant materials. Perfect for boats, RVs, off-grid solar systems, and trailers.
  • Plug-and-Play Installation - Pre-drilled mounting holes enable 30-second setup - no tools required. Auto-stop charging when battery is full, auto-resume when voltage drops. LED indicators display real-time status (25%-100%). Perfect for camper, gate opener, and dump trailer use.

How long does it take to recharge from an outlet?

The 2016 reviews do not agree on a definitive wired recharge time. Macworld reported reaching full in about five hours in its test. New Atlas reported a little over ten hours using its described 5 W / 1.5 A adapter setup. Because the methods and results differ, neither figure should be treated as a guaranteed recharge time for every Solartab or adapter combination.

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What are the practical trade-offs?

  • Integrated convenience: The battery and panel travel as one unit, and the attached cover doubles as a stand for aiming the panel.
  • Weight: At about 2.6 lb in both reviews, the original model is a considerable load for its stated capacity, especially if you already carry other gear.
  • Unpredictable replenishment: Solar input is useful only when conditions and positioning cooperate; it is less dependable than charging from an outlet.
  • Limited protection: New Atlas described it as lacking rugged, water-resistant, and dirt-proof features, and not suited to carrying attached to a backpack.
  • Device connections: It provides two USB outputs, but New Atlas lists a combined maximum of 2.1 A, while Macworld describes up to 2.1 A per port. The reviews differ, so do not assume both ports can deliver that maximum simultaneously.

For a trip where you can recharge at an outlet, a separate battery may be a more practical way to carry stored power. If sunlight harvesting is important, compare the Solartab’s all-in-one convenience with a separate power bank and folding panel: consider total carry weight, panel positioning, shade tolerance, output compatibility, weather protection, and the time you can leave the panel in sun. Macworld discussed the Anker Astro E7 26,800 mAh bank and Anker PowerPort Solar Lite as alternatives in 2016; those are historical comparisons, not current buying recommendations.

Rank #4
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BLAVOR Solar Power Bank 10,000mAh Portable Wireless Charger for Cell Phones
  • Brand-Oriented and Outdoor Charger Pro: With over 10 years of experience in solar power banks, BLAVOR has already gained the favor and trust of millions of global users. BLAVOR only uses the highest-grade materials, to provide the most reliable and safe products.
  • Leading USB C Input Output Tech and Wireless: The latest upgrade includes a USB-C output with 20W fast charging capability, which can charge your iPhone 15 to 65% in just 30 minutes, and zero damage to your devices. Support charging 3 devices simultaneously, multiple output/input methods, freeing your worries of a power outage. Compatible with almost all smart devices, such as iPhone, ipad, Samsung, etc.
  • Premium Battery and Smallest Solar Charger: BLAVOR uses the safer Lithium-cobalt battery, which is 50% more cycling times than a normal Li-polymer battery. The smallest and lightest portable charger on the market, real-rated 10,000mAh. When fully charged, it can charge the iPhone8 3.6 times, iPhone14pro 2.2 times, and the iPad Air once.
  • Safe Material and Comfortable Design: The outer case is made of flame-retardant ABS and PC materials. The waterproof silicone better protects the internal structure of the charger. Rubber skin-feel oil coating process to form a protective film on the surface, comfortable touch, and exquisite appearance.
  • Multi-Purpose Outdoor Power Bank: BLAVOR portable solar charger is built to survive any adventure. IPX5 waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, it keeps your devices charged in all conditions. Features dual super-bright flashlights and a compass carabiner for added safety. Practical, durable, and fun—it’s the ultimate white elephant gift that outdoor enthusiasts will actually use and appreciate.

Is the Solartab available to buy now?

The reviews establish that the original 13,000 mAh model was covered in 2016, and Macworld noted Amazon availability at that time. They do not establish current stock, pricing, a revised model, warranty or support status, or replacement-part availability. If you find a listing, verify that it is the original model and check the seller’s current terms rather than relying on an old review or dated listing.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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