Figuring out ways to indulge a tech habit while being mindful of environmental impact is tricky, but looking for more energy-efficient options is a great place to start — and opting for a solar-powered device means you could avoid wasting any previous resources when recharging.
This article is part of a series of sustainability-themed articles we're running to observe Earth Day 2026 and promote more sustainable practices. Check out all of our Sustainability Week 2026 content.
For gadgets designed for outdoor use, solar power makes a lot of sense. That Ring doorbell that sits on your wall? You can get a solar-paneled surround that'll keep it charged up using the energy of the sun, so you won't need to worry about forgetting to replace the batteries. The same goes for external security cameras — we're particular fans of the Baesus Security S2, which has a solar panel that rotates throughout the day to follow the sun on its journey across the sky.
One area where solar power has really been embraced is the world of smart adventure watches. Opt for the Solar version of the likes of the Garmin Fenix 8 or Instinct 3, and — provided you're adventuring in sunny enough conditions— you'll unlock unlimited battery life. That's invaluable if you're using your watch to keep you on the right track.
Of course, it isn't practical or logical to integrate solar panels into every kind of gadget (and some ostensibly solar-powered gadgets have underwhelmed us in our tests). But there are plenty of excellent power stations with compatible solar panels, which will efficiently juice up whatever you care to plug into them. These can be a practical solution for campervan-travelers and festival-goers. Scroll down for our pick of some of the best solar-powered gadgets to get started with.
