Most solar power banks were gimmicks - this one is the real deal

The ToughTested ROC16 is a rugged 16,000 mAh power bank with three ports, wireless charging and a built-in solar panel. After testing several solar-equipped packs, the reviewer found this model to be the most capable; earlier models were often gimmicks or, in some cases, counterproductive.

The solar panel won't replace mains charging, but it can supply useful emergency power. Built to an IP67 rating, the ROC16 is large and heavy at 7.75 x 5.5 x 2.6 inches and 1.1 pounds, so it isn't a pocket device. It includes two USB-A ports (one QC 3.0), an 18W USB-C port, a microUSB input for charging, and a 15-watt wireless charging pad on top.

With a high-speed PD charger the pack can go from flat to full in about three hours. The solar panel is rated at 280mA and can harvest roughly 1A every 3.57 hours; by that math it would take about 57 hours of sunlight to fully charge the battery. That makes solar charging impractical for everyday use, but a few hours of daylight can top up a phone in an emergency.

toughtested roc16, solar power, 16000 mah, wireless charging, ip67 rating, usb-c 18w, qc 3.0, solar panel, portable charger, emergency power