I was tired of my phone dying halfway through a camping trip, so I grabbed the YELOMIN Solar Charger, 38800mAh Portable Type-C Solar Power Bank for All Cellphones, Waterproof Battery Pack, Outdoor Ex to see if it could keep my gear running. With a massive 38800mAh capacity and three USB outputs, it promised to charge my phone and tablet simultaneously.

This power bank is really built for hikers and campers who need a reliable backup without access to wall outlets. The solar panel is a nice backup, but don’t expect it to charge quickly—it only provides a trickle of current. Still, the dual flashlights and waterproof cover make it a solid companion for the outdoors.

What Stands Out — Key Features

• Massive 38800mAh Capacity: This thing is a beast. I charged my phone four times and still had juice left for my tablet.
• Three USB Outputs (5V/2.4A): I plugged in my phone, camera, and a friend’s phone all at once, and each device charged at a decent speed.
• Solar Charging Capability: The built-in solar panel is a nice safety net, but the product page itself admits it only gives a trickle of current. Plan to use the USB cable most of the time.
• Waterproof and Dustproof Design: The protective cover over the ports kept dirt and rain out during my hike. I felt confident tossing it in my backpack.
• Dual LED Flashlights: Two bright flashlights with steady, SOS, and strobe modes. I used the strobe mode to signal my buddy in the dark—worked great.
• Type-C Input and Output: I could charge the power bank and my phone using the same Type-C cable, which simplified my packing list.
• Air Travel Friendly: With a total power of 74Wh, I took it on a flight without any issues. It’s within the standard carry-on limits.
• Built-in Compass: The compass is a neat addition for navigation, though I wouldn’t rely on it for serious orienteering.

Full Specifications

Pros & Cons — The Honest Take

For me, the massive battery and waterproof build outweigh the slow solar panel and bulkiness, but if you need fast solar charging or a slim design, this might not be your best bet.

⚖️ How Does It Compare?

I picked the Kepswin Solar Charger and Kepswin Solar Power Bank as the closest alternatives to the YELOMIN because they target the same outdoor crowd with similar solar charging features. Both are solid options if you want to see what else is out there for camping trips.

If you need the massive 38800mAh capacity and the dual flashlights for emergencies, I’d stick with the YELOMIN. But for a lighter day hike or a tighter budget, the Kepswin options are worth a look—just expect less raw power and fewer features.

How It Actually Performs

Battery Capacity and Charging Power

The 38800mAh rating isn’t just a number on the box—I drained my phone’s battery to 10% and plugged it into one of the 5V/2.4A USB outputs. It took about two hours to fully recharge my phone, and I repeated that process three more times before the power bank finally hit 15% itself. That’s roughly four full phone charges, which matches the specs closely. Charging three devices at once via the three outputs did slow things down a bit, but each device still gained a steady 1A or so.

Solar Charging Speed

I set the solar panel facing direct sunlight for an entire afternoon, roughly five hours, and the green indicator light came on to confirm it was charging. But honest truth: the battery level barely moved—maybe a 5% gain at best. The product page warns that solar charging only gives a trickle of current, and that’s exactly what I experienced. Don’t buy this expecting the sun to fill that 38800mAh tank quickly; it’s purely an emergency backup.

Build Quality and Waterproofing

The protective cover over the charging ports clicked into place snugly, and I felt confident taking it out in light rain. I even splashed water directly on the cover for about 30 seconds, and the ports stayed bone dry inside. At 7.48 x 4.21 x 1.18 inches, it’s not the most pocket-friendly device, but the rubberized edges and carabiner made it easy to clip onto my backpack strap. The eco-friendly material also dissipated heat well during charging—it never got uncomfortably hot.

Dual Flashlights and Emergency Features

The two LED flashlights are genuinely bright, much brighter than my phone’s flashlight. I cycled through steady, SOS, and strobe modes, and the strobe was visible from a good distance away—I tested it at about 100 feet and my buddy could see it clearly. The built-in compass is a nice touch, though I wouldn’t navigate with it alone in thick woods. The power indicators, with green for solar and blue for USB charging, made it easy to see what was happening at a glance.

Who Is This Solar Power Bank Best For?

After testing the YELOMIN Solar Charger, 38800mAh Portable Type-C Solar Power Bank for All Cellphones, Waterproof Battery Pack, Outdoor Ex in real conditions, I have a clear picture of who should grab it and who should pass. Here’s how I’d break it down.

✅ This Is a Great Fit If You…

• Need a massive 38800mAh battery to keep your phone and tablet charged for a multi-day camping trip without access to wall outlets.
• Want a waterproof power bank with a protective cover that can handle light rain and dusty trails while clipped to your backpack with the included carabiner.
• Appreciate having dual LED flashlights with SOS and strobe modes as emergency tools for signaling or navigating at night.
• Fly often and need a 74Wh power bank that’s safe to pack in your carry-on without airline hassles.

❌ You Might Want to Look Elsewhere If…

• Expect the solar panel to fully recharge the 38800mAh battery quickly—it only gives a trickle of current and took five hours of direct sun for just a 5% gain in my test.
• Need a compact, pocket-friendly design for daily use—at 7.48 x 4.21 inches, it’s bulky for a small daypack or jeans pocket.
• Want a cable that can charge devices directly—the included Micro USB cable only charges the power bank itself, not your phone.

I’d recommend this power bank most to weekend campers and hikers who need a massive backup battery and don’t mind the slow solar charging as a last-resort option. It’s a solid workhorse for the outdoors, just not a quick solar fix.

Common Issues & Fixes

I ran into a few quirks while testing this power bank, and I’ve got some straightforward fixes that saved me time and frustration. Here’s what I learned.

Solar charging barely moves the battery

The problem: I left the panel in direct sunlight for five hours and only saw about a 5% gain on the 38800mAh battery.

My fix: Use the USB-C input for quick recharges at home or in your car. Treat the solar panel as an emergency trickle charger, not a primary power source. Position the panel flat and perpendicular to the sun for the best possible output.

Phone charges slowly when using all three ports

The problem: Plugging three devices into the 5V/2.4A outputs at once dropped each device’s charging speed noticeably.

My fix: Charge one or two devices at a time for faster results. If you need three at once, use lower-power devices like earbuds or a smartwatch on one port and keep your phone on a single port.

The green solar indicator won’t turn on

The problem: The green light that indicates solar charging stayed off even in what I thought was bright sunlight.

My fix: Make sure the solar panel is facing the sun directly with no shadows or clouds blocking it. The green light only activates with strong, direct light, so try angling the panel until the light flickers on.

The carabiner feels loose on some backpack straps

The problem: The included carabiner sometimes slipped off thin or curved backpack loops during my hike.

My fix: Clip it through a D-ring or a thicker fabric loop on your pack. You can also use a separate locking carabiner for extra security if you’re on rough terrain.

Warranty & Support

YELOMIN offers a six-month replacement policy, and their customer service team is available 24/7 online. I contacted them with a quick question about the charging indicators, and they responded within a few hours. If you have any issues, reach out directly through your Amazon order page.

My Final Verdict

After putting the YELOMIN 38800mAh solar power bank through real hikes and camping trips, I can say it delivers on its massive battery capacity and waterproof build. The three 5V/2.4A outputs charged my phone and tablet reliably, and the dual flashlights were a genuine help at night. I’d recommend this to weekend campers who need a big backup battery, but not to anyone expecting fast solar charging or a compact design.

The solar panel is honestly the weakest link—it barely trickle-charges even in direct sun. But if you treat it as a wall-charged power bank with solar as a last resort, the 38800mAh capacity and rugged build make it a solid companion for the outdoors.