Table of Contents
Top 3 Product Recommendations
1. Lion Cub GO
$198.90
- Holds a charge for an entire year
- 150 watt inverter
2. EcoFlow River
$349.00
- Power 10 devices
- Run tons of essential devices
3. EcoFlow Delta Quad Kit
$1,697.00
- 6 x AC power outlets
- Customer service and warranty
The following article is a comprehensive guide on the 4Patriots Power Cell. First, we will take an in-depth look at the patriot power cell solar technology and the company behind the product.
After that, we will fully analyze the Patriot Power Cell's pros and cons and we wrap things up by comparing the Patriot Power Cell to some other portable solar powered chargers on the market.
If you’re here to explore your options, feel free toscrolldown to the Best 3 alternatives to the Patriot Power Cell section below.
As experts in portable solar power, we have an extensive history sourcing and selling the best solar energy products on the market. In case you are new to this, we will begin by providing some background on portable solar power chargers / cells.
If you’re ready to dive into the review, you can scroll down to the Patriot Power Cell Solar Review - Full In Depth Look section.
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So What is a Power Cell?
A power cell is “an array of galvanic cells for storing electricity.” In other words, it's sort of just a fancy name for a battery. Power cells are also commonly known as power banks or portable chargers. With the rise of handheld devices in the last 15 years, small backup sources of power have also skyrocketed in popularity, especially ones with a built-in solar panel. The solar panel acts as a reliable way to charge the actual power cell in case of an emergency or loss of power.
Portable Solar Chargers: Everything You Need To Know
In general, portable solar chargers or power cells generally have the same characteristics and components. Usually, they are lightweight and portable, designed to fit into your pocket or to be stuffed into a backpack. Power cells are used to deliver small amounts of electricity in remote locations for small devices like cell phones, radio's and even lights.
Depending on the specific model, most portable solar chargers can generally be recharged by:
- Being plugged into a Computer via a USB port.
- Being plugged into a wall outlet via an AC power chord
- Being plugged directly into solar panels via an MC4 connector
- Utilizing a built-in solar panel or energy source.
Likewise, in order to use a power cell, the electricity held within the battery will need to be discharged to the desired electronic devices. Most commonly power banks can output energy through one or more of the following methods:
- AC (wall outlet) plugs
- DC (cigarette lighter) outlets
- USB (type A or C) ports
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4Patriot Power Cell Review - Full In-Depth Look
The Patriot Power Cell is an ultra-portable,solar powered charger. The device is designed to fit into your pocket and can recharge any USB device. 4Patriot's is most well known for their Patriot Power Generator which they launched back in 2014. For more information on this, read our in-depth Patriot Power Generator review here.
The fastest way to recharge your 4 Patriot Power Cell is to plug it into a wall outlet (with the AC power chord). Alternatively, the Patriot Power Cell will charge itself with its eye-catching built in solar panel. However, the solar panel may be extremely inefficient, to the point where it's almost just for show (more on this later).
Who makes the 4 Patriot Power Cell?
The Patriot Power Cell is made by 4Patriots, an American company that sells survival gear such as dehydrated meals, flashlights, and water filtration systems. We have previously reviewed the company’s Patriot Power Generatorin-depth, which is sort of like a larger, more capable Patriot Power.
4Patriots is based in Nashville, Tennessee and cites “freedom and self-reliance” as their core purpose and mission. You can learn more about the company and see all of their products on their website.
What can the Patriot Power Cell Actually Do?
The 4 Patriot Power Cell is designed to provide a backup source of power for any USB powered device. This means that it can power cell phones, tablets, eReaders, cameras, laptops, and more.
It should be noted, however, that thepatriot power cell only includes 2 standard USB Type A ports. If you have a newer smartphone or tablet, then that may require a USB Type C port. If that is the case, you will need to buy an additional adapter, or purchase a different power bank as the patriot power cell does NOT support this.
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What is the Battery Life of the Patriot Power Cell?
The exact battery capacity of a Patriot Power Cell is 8000 mAh. Depending on your device, this should be enough power to recharge your smartphone anywhere between two and five times.
Once your 4 Patriot Power Cell is brought to capacity, it can hold its charge for approximately 3 months. This is what is known as thepatriot power cells “shelf life.”
Over the course of its lifetime, users can expect 500 full lifecycles charging and discharging from the Patriot Power Cell. Plus, 4Patriots offers some pretty solid guarantees. According to their website, 4Patriots offers a 100% Satisfaction 1-year money back guarantee along with a 2-year extended warranty on the patriot power cell.
How Can I Charge my Patriot Power Cell?
As we mentioned before, you can charge your patriot power cell by plugging it into the wall or simply leaving it out in the sun. The time it takes to charge to capacity, however, varies greatly.
In ideal conditions (i.e. brand new at a cool temperature) the AC wall outlet charging time is about 6 hours. In comparison to other chargers, this is a little slow, but altogether not too bad. On the other hand, the solar charging time of the Patriot Power Cell can take up to 40 hours!
Yes, you read that correctly. 40 hours. Unless you’re through hiking in the desert, there is rarely ever going to be a time where you can efficiently expose your patriot power cell to the sun for 40 hours. Even then, it would take over 4 days of constant sunlight to fully charge. All in all, I feel like the built in solar panel is more of a gimmick then a function.
How much does the Patriot Power Cell Cost?
On the 4Patriots website, a single Patriot Power Cell costs $29.95 (+$9.95 shipping and handling) so about $40 all-in. With that said, you can save some money if you are buying for the whole family. The company also has a Patriot Power Cell 4 Pack which costs $99 (free shipping and handling). A “lifetime access” pass to the company's Preparedness Digital Guidebooks is also included in the purchase of the 4 Pack of patriot power cells.
Is the Patriot Power Cell Any Good?
As it is a relatively simple device, the Patriot Power Cell manages to do its job pretty well. The small, convenient battery bank can charge overnight and be ready for your adventures the next day. If you’re going on a road trip, heading out to camp, or simply think you might need an extra battery charge for your phone,the 4 Patriot Power Cellwill do the trick.
With that said, it’s hard to get past the barely functional solar panel included on the device. The whole thing feels a bit like a cheap gimmick. Overall, of course, there is always room for improvement. The Patriot Power Cell is neither the best, nor the cheapest portable solar chargeron the market.
Patriot Power Cell Pros and Cons
If you’re debating between the Patriot Power Cell or a different kind of portable solar power charging options, then here is a quick breakdown of the 4 Patriot power cell advantages and disadvantages. Although power cells are relatively inexpensive, choosing a high quality product is extremely important when you are purchasing your source of emergency back up power.
Patriot Power Cell Pros
- All in one, compact device
- Super lightweight
- Waterproof
- Comes with built-in LED flashlight
- Passes TSA lithium battery regulations
- Durable, able to withstand plenty of drops
- Long Lifecycle (500 charges)
Patriot Power Cell Cons
- Extremely slow solar charging (40 hours)
- Inefficient AC charging (about 6 hours)
- 3 month shelf life requires frequent charging
- Many reports of device malfunctions
- Only two USB type A ports, no other outlets
- More expensive cost per amp hour than alternatives
Features of the Patriot Power Cell
Want to get technical? Here is exactly what is included with a Patriot Power Cell:
- 1 lithium ion battery
- Dimensions: 5.4" x 2.9"
- Weight: <7 oz.
- Capacity: 8,000 mAh
- 1 Built-in, 5” crystalline solar panel
- Shelf Life: ~3 Months
- Two USB charging ports
- 2-LED flashlights (with S.O.S. mode)
- Included carrying clip
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Best 3 Alternatives to the Patriot Power Cell
Now that we have a full understanding of the Patriot Power Cell, let’s take a look at some alternatives. Below, we will outline some different options that may be better suited for your particular remote electricity needs.
#1.Lion Cub GO Portable Solar Charger Kit
If you're looking for total peace of mind and ease of use, the best alternative to the patriot power cell is the Lion Cub Go. In the event of an emergency, youcan never have too much power and the Lion Cub Go is the largest portable solar power bank available today.
It actually has 1 x standard 110V wall plug that you can use to power things like a mini fridge! That's right, this thing can power a small fridge with it's 150W inverter. This is why we highly recommendthe Lion Cub Goas a great alternative to the Patriot Power Cell. Although the solar panel is not built-in, the 20 Watt solar panel (included with the package) ACTUALLY works to recharge the battery.
In addition to its surprisingly large 120Wh lithium battery, the real difference between the Lion Cub Go and smaller power cells is what it can power. The Lion Cub Go has a full size AC plug, two USB ports, and a DC power outlet. Plus, it has a shelf life of an entire year and is powerful enough tokeep you going off-grid for a long time!
Learn More About the Lion Cub Go here
#2.Blavor Qi Solar Power Bank
First, we’d like to recommend a portable power bank that could be mistaken for the Patriot Power Cell at first glance. However, with the Qi Solar Power Bank you get a bit more for just a few extra dollars. And actually, with free shipping the Qi ends up being more affordable than Patriot.
In terms of upgrades, the Qi Solar Power Bank has a slightly larger battery bank at 10,000 mAh and it comes with a built in compass. Unfortunately, the built in solar panel is nearly just as slow as the Patriots.
See the current price for the Blavor Qi Solar Power Bank on Amazon
#3.The ES-982 Solar Power Bank
Need a bit more power? The ES-982 is a great portable power cell that looks a bit like the Patriot, just larger. Much larger, actually. Although this 7” x 11” solar charger will not fit in your pocket, it would work well on your backpack or dashboard. The ES982 weighs just over 1 pounds, yet packs in 25,000 mAh of power! That’s over three times the capacity of the Patriot Power Cell. You can see the current price for the ES-982 here on Amazon.
Honorable Mention: EcoFlow RIVER600 (Reg: $349)
Lastly, we’d like to raise the ante even higher with theEcoFlow River 600portable generator. If you are looking for a way to remotely power electronics via solar power with a small portable system, then this may be the device for you. Admittedly, it is more expensive than the Patriot Power Cell, but in reality, it's a completely different device.
If you want backup power for an emergency situation, waiting 4 days for your Power Cell to charge simply won’t cut it. With the EcoFlow River 600, you can easily charge the288 watt hour battery via a solar panel or generator and it's 600W inverter (1800w peak) is powerful enough to run your TV,CPAP machine, lights, and/or other survival equipment.
Click here to learn more about the EcoFlow River 600
Final Thoughts on the 4Patriot Power Cell
Overall, the patriot power cell is a reasonable budget option for a small amount of emergency backup power. As solar power experts, we would definitelyrecommend going with something more powerful as the 4 patriot power cell really doesn't provide a ton of meaningful power, that being said we understand everyone's budget and needs are different.
If you're looking for more information on solar powered generators...Read the mostin-depth (12,000 word) solar generator buying guide ever written!
If you're looking for true portable, backup power sources, we would recommendreading our guide on the top 6solar generator kitsfor emergency situations. If you still have questions about the patriot power cell or anything else related to solar power, feel free to reach out or give us a call today at 877-242-2792.
Interested in learning more about Solar Generators? 4Patriot's also makes the Patriot Power Generator - But is it the best solar generator option?
The most popular and best patriot power generator alternative is by far theEcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator Quad kit with 4 x 100 watt solar panels.
The Delta solar generator has twice as much battery capacity, same size inverter with a bigger surge and comes in 15 lbs lighter and charges up twice as quick!
Check out the comparison chart of the two solar generators below and you'll quickly see why...
Patriot Power Generator Vs EcoFlow Delta 1800 Solar Generator:
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Affiliate disclosure: We aim to provide honest information to our readers. That being said, we do not do sponsored or paid posts. In exchange for referring sales, we may receive a small commission through affiliate links. This post contains affiliate links. This comes at no extra cost to you.
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FAQs
Are Patriot power cells good? ›
5.0 out of 5 stars Reliable. I do recommend, charges my cell. which is my main use. Plenty of power in it after charging cell.
How long does the Patriot power cell last? ›Depending on your device, this should be enough power to recharge your smartphone anywhere between two and five times. Once your 4 Patriot Power Cell is brought to capacity, it can hold its charge for approximately 3 months. This is what is known as the patriot power cells “shelf life.”
What is a patriot power cell used for? ›The Patriot Power Cell is an advanced, portable solar power bank. As long as you have sun, you'll have a way to charge your phone, tablet & other USB-Compatible devices. Your Patriot Power Cell has protection against drops, slips or splashes.
How long does it take to charge a Patriot battery? ›A Patriot Power Cell can go from zero to “fully charged” in about 6 hours or less* using the AC cord. That's pretty quick for such a big battery. As a backup, you can also charge your Patriot Power Cell phone charger with the sun, it simply takes longer. Charging via solar takes up to 40 hours.
How long will the Patriot power generator run a refrigerator? ›They claim that this generator can power your fridge for 16.3 hours, but in practice it's much less than that. For the size of the average US fridge or freezer, you'd be lucky to get 6-10 hours at best! If you power other items and appliances at the same time, that will drop even lower.
How long does it take to charge the Patriot solar generator? ›Patriot Power Generator Specs:
- 1,800 watts continuous power, 3,048 peak power. - Fully drain and recharge unit 2,500+ times... that's about 6.8 years of daily -use. - Compact & portable: Only 40 pounds. - AC charge time: About 3 hours.
- Open the (included) solar panel and place outdoors in direct sunlight.
- Connect the solar panel to the DC inputs on the back of the unit via the solar connector cord.
- Leave the unit to charge for as long as the sun is up. The unit does not need to be powered on to charge, and will stop charging automatically when full.
Generally speaking, solar powered generators last between 25 to 35 years, depending on the brand and quality. It's an investment but it's one that will last you a long time. Also, many solar generators come with warranties, so if something goes wrong, you can get it fixed.
What is the Patriot Power Sidekick? ›The Patriot Power Sidekick is a smaller version of 4Patriots' 1800 series solar power generator. While the 1800 series can power large in-home utilities, such as refrigerators and freezers, the Patriot Power Sidekick can provide similar peace of mind on a smaller scale, all at a competitive price point.
How do you charge a patriot sidekick? ›4Patriots Power Sidekick review - YouTube
Is it worth getting a solar generator? ›
After the up-front cost of the equipment, solar generators have no additional running expenses compared to gasoline-powered generators. They provide an unlimited energy source from direct sunlight, so there is no need to buy fuel. They also have no moving parts, meaning less maintenance costs.
What size solar generator do you need to run a house? ›As a general rule, the generator should be around 2 times the size of the inverter's continuous output. For example, a 4,000-watt inverter should be paired with an 8,000-watt generator. 8kW would make sense as a minimum generator size to power the loads and have enough power to charge the battery bank as well.
How big of a solar generator do you need to run a refrigerator? ›An average home will need about 6,000 watts of solar to go completely “off grid”. However, if you want to backup a refrigerator and maybe a freezer, and power a few lights, then 1,500 watts might be sufficient to handle that, depending on the quality of inverter, and if you have enough solar panels and batteries.
How long does a solar power bank last? ›How Long Does a Solar Battery Last? Home solar battery units last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. If you decide to install a solar battery today, it's almost certain you'll need a replacement in the future to match the 20- to 30-year lifespan of your solar power system.
What is the best battery for off grid solar? ›- Best overall off-grid battery for homes: Discover 48V lithium.
- Best value off-grid battery for homes: Crown CR430 FLA.
- Best off-grid battery for vacation homes: Fullriver DC400-6 AGM.
- Best battery backup for grid-tie systems: Fullriver DC400-6 AGM.
A smartphone uses 2 to 3 watts from its battery when in use. The battery holds a charge of 1,440 mAh, or about 5.45 watt hours. A solar panel will need to provide a minimum of 5 watts when charging. Ideally 10 to 15 watts of charging power is recommended.
How many watts do I need to power my house? ›How many watts does it take to power basic items in an average size house? In a typical home, essential items will average 5000 - 7500 watts of power to run.
What can a 1800 watt solar generator run? ›Natures Generator Portable 1800-Watt Solar Generator Overview
Do solar powered generators work? ›Solar generators can provide off-grid energy, consistently, over extended periods of time, without requiring anything other than the power of the sun. Solar generators provide a green solution for power generation, that in many cases can be as effective or even more effective than propane or gas powered generators.