You can use the sun to charge just about anything, but have you ever wondered if it’s possible to cook food using solar power? We think that everyone should invest in their own solar oven or solar stove to save energy, as a measure of emergency preparedness, and to enjoy solar cooking in the great outdoors.
Whether you’re on a camping trip, enduring an unexpected power outage, or enjoying a nice sunny day in your backyard, a hot meal is not as far of a stretch as you might think if you have this ultimate solar appliance. A solar oven can be the perfect alternative to a propane or charcoal grill for the eco-conscious.
Humanity has been harnessing the sun’s energy for thousands of years, but these best solar ovens work to bring solar energy into the 21st century. We put each solar oven to the test and here are our top picks!
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: All Season Solar Cooker Camper | The flexibility of this perfect solar oven is second to none. The All Season Solar Cooker Camper can be laid out in several configurations. This flexible design allows for maximum capacity which is why we prefer it over other solar cookers. | Check Price |
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Runner Up: All American Sun Oven | When it comes to high cooking temperatures, the American Sun Oven leads the pack. The sturdiness and quality of the design of this solar oven trap and retain heat to cook food as efficiently as possible. | Check Price |
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Best Mid-Range Option: Haines 2.0 Solar Cooker And Dutch Oven Kit | The small cooking space of this dutch oven kit bumps this solar cooker down a little on our list, but don’t cross this one off just yet. We love its portability and flexibility for cooking outdoors. | Check Price |
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Budget-Friendly Option: Jwn Portable Solar Oven Bag | This solar oven is around half the price of the next cheapest option, perfect for those familiar with the solar cooking process. It’s a great option for replacing an older solar oven because it doesn’t come with any accessories. | Check Price |
How We Ranked the Best Solar Ovens
While there are plenty of ovens that just flat out aren’t up to the task they’re made for, we considered the top solar ovens that cook food efficiently and don’t need any expertise to make the solar oven work.
These solar ovens will stand the test of time-based on the quality of materials and accounts from other customers who know how these solar ovens work.
Knowing the difference between a quality solar oven and one that could be compared to a high school student’s science project is one of the biggest keys. Sun ovens, box cookers, and portable solar cookers aren’t like a traditional oven.
Unlike a conventional oven, a solar oven uses parabolic reflectors to focus the sun’s energy into the solar oven to cook food. The sun’s heat and UV light heat the food so you cook with the sun’s energy, reducing your carbon footprint and one of the many fossil fuel alternatives.
We chose portable solar cookers that keep things simple while maintaining quality and achieving the right temperature range to make sun ovens a safe and logical option for cooking outdoors. The cooking process is less technical and sometimes takes longer to cook food, but it’s the ultimate in harnessing solar power.
One main thing that we considered when choosing which portable solar oven reigns supreme is the portability and capacity. We prioritized portability over heavier or clunkier solar ovens. That said, as you’ll see, there’s still quite a variety on this list.
The capacity of each solar oven was also considered when we created this list. Generally, when a solar oven delivers in portability, it lacks the cooking area or capacity and vice versa.
The solar ovens we tested found a good balance of these two qualities ranked higher on this list. Below that, we selected the solar ovens that performed exceptionally in one of the areas. Regardless of their ranking, these portable solar ovens tested above average when we put them to work in the backyard.
Best Solar Ovens Reviewed
1. Best Overall: All Season Solar Cooker Camper
Product Ratings
| Capacity | 5/5 |
| Portability | 4/5 |
| Temperature | 5/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Overall Quality | 4/5 |
Folded Dimensions: ½” thickness by 24” wide by 48” long | Maximum Dimension: 28” by 28” by 24” | Material: Polypropylene | Brand: SolCook | Accessories: Instruction manual, 2 reusable cooking bags, “Sunsight,” and cooking rack | Features: Waterproof
What We Liked
- Includes trivet and “Sunsight” to help position the solar oven for maximum exposure
- Adjustable angles for year-round use
- Open top design
- Large capacity
- Includes trivet and sunsight device
What We Didn’t Like
- More fragile than some others we tested
- Includes minimal cooking accessories
This solar oven truly has a lot going for it, which is why we chose it as our top overall pick. It folds into a very portable size yet has quite a large capacity.
The flexibility of this solar oven is one of the things we love about it. There are so many different configurations for whatever weather you cook in. The open-top and flexible design allows you to fit the maximum amount of food possible in the solar oven.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers rave about how well the All Season Solar Cooker Camper actually cooks their food. We found that shorter fall and winter days don’t present any issues with this solar oven. It’s engineered to maximize sun exposure at all times of the year.
The large capacity was mentioned in almost every positive review, and it was the first thing we loved about it when we set it up for testing. Foldability for portability is one of the high points of this solar oven. This is a great solar oven to take on a camping trip to enjoy hot meals without packing fuel.
If we’re being picky, one downside to this solar oven is that there are few accessories, like collapsible silicone pot holders or solar cooking bags included. We already have solar cooking accessories so this wasn’t a problem, but for someone who’s just starting out, it could be an issue. It does include a trivet to hold food and the Sunsight.
Features & Considerations
While the temperature range can reach upwards of 400°F, the weather conditions must be near perfect for reaching that maximum temperature range. These solar ovens can reach at least into the 300°F range in less than ideal conditions, as long as there’s sunshine.
Most common recipes for in-home cooking use temperatures in this 300-400°F range which makes solar cooking any meal just that much easier. With this solar oven, unlike other solar ovens on this list, the heat it can achieve means you aren’t restricted to a slow-cooking recipe.
The high capacity is another one of the reasons that this solar oven landed so high on our list. Open, the cooking space is 12” deep and 17” wide, making it one of the largest capacities on our list.
The manufacturer claims you can cook an entire turkey in this solar oven. We didn’t try that, but it cooked smaller cuts of meat and vegetables wonderfully.
This solar oven has only two accessories included: a trivet to support food cooking in the oven, and a “Sunsight” which helps the user locate and follow the best angle for the most efficient solar cooking.
See Price on Amazon2. Runner-Up: All American Sun Oven
Product Ratings
| Capacity | 3/5 |
| Portability | 2/5 |
| Temperature | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Overall Quality | 4/5 |
Package Weight: 23.15lbs | Maximum Dimension: 19” by 19” with a depth of 11” | Reflector Diameter: 32” | Brand: Sun Oven | Accessories: Digital instruction manual and digital recipe book | Features: Built-in thermometer
What We Liked
- Heats up to 360-400°F
- Built-in thermometer
- Includes digital instructions and recipe book
- Easy setup
- Very sturdy design
What We Didn’t Like
- Heavy and bulky compared to others we tested
- Limited capacity design
- Does not include cooking accessories
Where our top pick, the All Season Solar Cooker Camper, was light and portable, the All American Sun Oven is built with sturdiness in mind. Made with heavy plastic and a wooden frame, it’s more rugged than the other best solar ovens on our list.
Reaching and maintaining those high temperatures is not a problem for the All American Sun Oven. The closed-off design allows the food to be protected and to retain heat, which is a significant design difference from other solar ovens.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers love this model for solar oven cooking, or even when cooking using other methods may not be an option.
What they mention as a big downfall of this solar oven is that its large and bulky design is less than ideal for a portable oven. We love the way this solar oven cooks, but we have to agree that it isn’t the most portable solar oven we tested.
Features & Considerations
We absolutely love this solar oven because it can reach a similar temperature range to the All Season Solar Cooker Camper, reaching 360-400°F in ideal conditions.
When it comes to positioning the panels on the All American Sun Oven, these solar ovens aren’t as flexible as our top pick, making solar cooking during certain times of the day difficult. You may want to look at panel ovens with more flexibility.
The design of this solar oven means it heats much more quickly than other options, which can make up for the limited solar oven cooking time.
The 196 square inch capacity is on the higher end of the solar ovens on this list, but the boxy design has its limitations. Around halfway up the inside of the solar oven, some screws protrude out, limiting the height of pots that can be used.
This height restriction is unique to this portable solar oven, so keep that in mind when deciding which sun oven is best for you.
If you’re a beginner solar chef, the included digital recipe book can come in handy. Sun Ovens International also offers other models, including pots, pans, and racks, but we love this All American Sun Oven the most.
See Price3. Best Mid-Range Option: Haines 2.0 Solar Cooker and Dutch Oven Kit
Product Ratings
| Capacity | 2/5 |
| Portability | 4/5 |
| Temperature | 3/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Overall Quality | 3/5 |
Package Weight: 2.6 pounds | Cooking Area: 12” x 7” | Package Dimensions: 24” x 12” x 9” | Brand: Haines Solar Cookers | Accessories: Storage sleeve, 4-quart pot, thermometer, and circular windscreen
What We Liked
- Includes cooking sleeve, 4-quart pot, thermometer and windscreen
- Very adjustable
- Very portable and lightweight
What We Didn’t Like
- Limited area for cooking
- Only heats to around 325°F
If you’re in the market for a solar oven but are on a bit of a budget, the Haines 2.0 Solar Cooker and Dutch Oven delivers. Not only is the price right, but there’s no skimping on the performance.
This solar oven breaks down smaller than some of the other solar ovens, making portability one of its key features. The pieces fit perfectly into the included tube-shaped carrying case, but a little bit of a downside is that it does affect the setup and takedown time.
The shape of this portable solar oven makes it very adjustable, and the cooking area can be adjusted to follow the sun for the best cooking conditions.
What Reviewers Say
Many users say that the included 4-quart pot fits inside this solar oven like a glove. However, there are no handles, so getting the pot in and out of the solar oven can be hard.
We agree that this is a downside, especially if the cooking pot is full. However, including handles on the pot would decrease the capacity for cooking food in the solar oven, so we think the tradeoff is fair.
Features & Considerations
In an ideal situation, this solar oven can reach just 325°F. For the price, this is great and is perfect for slow cooker recipes. If you’re not into slow cooker recipes, this solar oven can cook at a little higher temperature as well if positioned correctly. This isn’t as hot as previous models we tested, nudging it down a bit on our list.
The solar stove includes a storage sleeve, 4-quart pot, thermometer, and windscreen – so many bonuses compared to other portable solar stoves! Although the included items are pretty basic, there isn’t anything else you need to start cooking food for a budget solar stove.
The high-capacity pot included fits well on the solar stove, but the design of the solar cooking area is limited because of the shape. With the petals around the solar oven, the cooking chamber can be difficult to access and smaller than ideal at just 84 square inches.
Weighing in at just 2.6 pounds and the carrying case, this model is portable and the perfect choice if you’re looking for a mid-range budget solar stove yet easy-to-use solar oven. We think it’s a good portable oven pick for beginners or experienced solar chefs.
See Price on Amazon4. Budget Friendly Option: Jwn Portable Solar Oven Bag
Product Ratings
| Capacity | 5/5 |
| Portability | 5/5 |
| Temperature | 3/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Overall Quality | 4/5 |
Package Weight: 1.25 pounds | Cooking Area: 16” x 17” | Package Dimensions: 20” x 16.25” x 1.5” | Temperature Range: Up to 250°F | Accessories: None
What We Liked
- Easy cleanup
- Extremely portable and lightweight
- Can reach up to 250°F
What We Didn’t Like
- No accessories or instructions
- Hard to adjust into ideal shape
- Limited cooking chamber
For experienced solar chefs who want a cheaper solar oven option, the Jwn Portable Solar Oven Bag is a perfect choice at around half the cost of the next cheapest solar portable oven. The design may be simple, but it still checks all the boxes as far as functionality goes.
The capacity of this bag is quite large for the simple bag design. The cooking area is a whopping 272 square inches when stretched out completely. However, the actual usable area is limited by the height of the dish inside, depending on how the solar cooker bag is positioned.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers rave about the simplicity of this portable solar oven bag and how there are absolutely no sacrifices made despite the price point. Some were disappointed in the fact that there were absolutely no accessories included and a pot or pan had to be purchased. When we say there are no accessories included, we mean it.
Unlike most solar cookers, no instructions are included, so it’s best for those who have experience with other solar cookers. Also, this is a better emergency cooker than a reliable backyard cooker.
Despite the lack of accessories and cooking utensils, the portability and reliability of this solar oven are nothing to balk at. The folding process is just a simple zip close to protect the inner part with the bag design. Thanks to the insulating plastic shell, the outer surface is also very durable.
Features & Considerations
As we mentioned above, the capacity inside the solar oven is quite large despite the price, but the height of the cooking element can be limiting. We discovered that long, low pots or pans would work best over taller, slim ones with the shape.
One of the bigger downsides of this solar cooker bag is that you must manipulate it to a pan shape while maximizing solar exposure. With the right conditions, rotation and manipulation, this solar oven can still reach about 250°F, enough cooking time for slow cooking recipes.
Weighing in at just 1.2 pounds, this solar cooker bag is extremely portable, and set up and take down is as simple as it can get. Clean-up is easy, though the inner bag is quite fragile.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Products | All Season Solar Cooker Camper | Runner Up | Best Mid-Range Option | Budget-Friendly Option |
| Overall Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Capacity | 5/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Portability | 4/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Temperature | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Overall Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
Crowning the best solar cooker was no easy task, but we finally landed on the ultimate solar appliance, and it’s the All Season Solar Cooker Camper.
It scored high marks across the board on all of our criteria and there weren’t many negative things we could say about this solar cooker. It worked well during our testing, got nice and hot even when the sun wasn’t blazing, and fit a nice-sized cooking dish.
READ MORE: The Best Solar Refrigerators. After you’re done eating your solar-cooked meal, save the leftovers for later with these tested solar refrigerators!
How to Choose the Best Solar Oven
Consider Your Cooking Needs
Will you be traveling with this portable solar oven, perhaps camping? Then maybe portability should be your priority over anything else when looking at solar ovens.
Is solar cooking something you’ll do more often in your own backyard? In that case, a more reliable and robust solar cooker is preferable.
For those who will cook using solar ovens for family or friends, capacity should be top-of-mind to choose the best solar oven.
What’s the Weather Like Where You’ll Be Cooking?
Will you be solar cooking later in the afternoon just before the sun goes down or more during the heat of the day? The temperature range of the solar oven you choose will be a big factor in your purchase.
Also, the time of year can have a big impact on your ultimate solar cooker decision. If you’re planning to cook in your solar oven more in the colder months, choose one of the solar ovens on our list that doesn’t depend on the sun’s rays on the warmest summer day, like the All Season Cooker Camper.
Honorable Mentions
1. GOSUN Camping Stove & Sun Oven
This is a high-quality solar oven that cooks efficiently with a minimal amount of sunlight. It’s lightweight, yet still durable. This solar cooker comes with a variety of accessories in the box, including 2 parabolic cookers, a stainless steel cooking tray, and silicone cooking pans.
While this is a viable option when it comes to parabolic solar ovens, we ultimately chose the All Season Solar Cooker Camper as our top pick due to the much larger size and superior quality to this and other solar ovens.
2. Gosheng Portable Solar Oven
Weighing more than 29 pounds, portability isn’t one of this solar oven’s strong points. Despite it being less than portable, this solar oven can reach temperatures of more than 570°F. Meals can take less than 20 minutes in ideal conditions. However, liquid-based foods, like soup, cannot be heated in this solar cooker.
This solar oven also has a pretty high price tag, at more than $400, so we prefer the All Season Solar Cooker Camper which doesn’t get quite as hot, but for the portability and cost, it gets hot enough to beat out most solar ovens.
3. SOLCOOK All Season Solar Cooker Camper
This solar oven is an evacuated glass tube oven that is easy to carry and has a large capacity and there are claims that it can hold a turkey easily. A solar cooking bag is included and the design allows for any shape of utensil like large pots, pans, cooking tray, or a solar oven thermometer.
The heat range was iffy on this cooker, so we picked the Haines 2.0 Solar Cooker and Dutch Oven Kit which can reach high temperatures while still being portable. It’s definitely one of the best solar ovens out there.
