CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESLuckily for electronic-wielding outdoor enthusiasts, there have never been more options to charge up on the go. We’ve tested a ton of charging devices over the past year, and these five Active Junky recommendations represent the gear testing team’s favorite picks.
A basic, compact USB option is the Goal Zero Flip 20, which will charge your phone twice. We’ve relied on this to charge up phones on business trips and our GoPros on winter camping missions. It’s compact enough to fit in your pocket, with an easy-to-use flip-out USB charger. Testers loved the simple light display that tells you exactly how much juice is left in the battery. Goal Zero’s Flip line is worth checking out, though the 20 is definitely our preferred size.
Best For: Quick backpacking trips, everyday use, recharging phones and action cameras
We haven’t spent as much time with this model as some of the other chargers in this article, but we’ve taken a rapid liking to this simple and intelligently designed device. If you’re primarily charging your phone, this is the power bank for you. The Stack 6 has an attached iPhone cable that ingeniously tucks away into the hard drive-sized battery, so you don’t need to worry about tangling cords or misplaced moving parts. It also has an attached Micro USB cord, and a regular USB output in case you have another type of cable you need to attach. As versatile as anything on the market, testers loved the look, intuitive features and size of this Enerplex model.
Best For: iPhone users, people who lose phone charger cords, those who put a price on versatility
According to Enerplex’s website, this piece was originally designed for the military. Many solar panels have complicated interfaces, but the Kickr IV is decidedly to the point: there are four foldable panels and a single USB output. If you need to charge GoPros, headlamps, phones and other small devices for days on end, this is the solar panel for you. Plus, it’s super light at only .65 lbs and packs down to the size of a small book. Even though the size is small, it will charge your devices as quickly as a wall outlet will (at least in full sunlight). Simple and smart, this is our pick for backpacking and international travel.
Best For: Charging small devices consistently in remote areas.
In the generator department, we are big fans of the Brunton Servo 120—which can power a laptop up to four times. Of course, this is on the heavy side at over 3 pounds, so we wouldn’t recommend it on a backpacking trip. That said, if you’re going to be camping in one place for a significant chunk of time or have a snowmobile or mule to shoulder the burden, a Brunton Servo 120 will go a long way to keep your cameras, laptops and other electronics charged. A DSLR wielding gear tester appreciated the futuristic styling and the easy to use features, calling it a “must have piece for road trips.” We recommend pairing this with the Brunton Solaris 26, a large yet lightweight solar panel that’s currently on sale.
Best For: Long trips, charging DSLRs, laptops and other mid-size electronics
BioLite doesn’t have too much competition in this category—at least not yet. This compact stove burns fuel in the main compartment, and as flames flicker through the metal grate, the charging component provides a decent output for charging phones and small electronics (20 minutes of charging yields 60 minutes of talk time). Plenty of survivalists and international travelers appreciate the combination of the stove and off-grid charger system as it means endless charging (so long as you have plenty of fuel). Active Junky actually tested this stove in the Chilean backcountry, and testers enjoyed the novelty of cooking on a flame as opposed to a traditional backpacking stove. Of course, this stove is heavier than traditional backpacking stoves and it only charges when the fire is blazing.
Best For: International travel, long-term use.
