Whitson Gordon
If you want something a bit smaller with a built-in battery — so it doesn’t have to be in the sun at the same time it’s charging your phone — check out this 20000mAh battery bank from Hiluckey. Unlike some solar power banks that only have one measly panel, Hiluckey’s offering has three fold-out panels that allow you to capture more sun. It still isn’t enough to recharge as quickly as the X-Dragon set of panels, but it’s a good alternative if you want to store that energy in a portable battery bank.
Bluetooth speakers are a great way to bring the music outside… at least until the battery dies. This ABFOCE speaker extends the battery life with a built-in solar panel, which they claim can gain 30 minutes of playtime with 10 minutes in direct sunlight (provided you’re listening at a reasonable volume). It’s not one of the biggest and loudest speakers you can buy, but it’ll do the trick in a pinch — and it doubles as a battery bank for your phone, if you get into a jam.
If you’re all about that clean, cable-free workspace, a wireless keyboard is an obvious piece of gear. But plugging in to charge the battery (or worse, hunting for AAs in the middle of your work) can be a buzzkill — which is why Logitech built the K750 solar keyboard, which should keep itself charged by the light in your office.
If you want a set of security cameras at home, but don’t have enough outdoor outlets in the right spots, Ring has you covered. Their Spotlight Cam is battery-powered, requiring a recharge every few months — or you can connect it to a Ring Solar Panel for built-in charging under the sun. If you aren’t a fan of Ring, there are third-party panels that connect to other cameras like Arlo, as well.
For something that lasts a little longer — and can power just about anything you have with you — Goal Zero offers a 150Wh power station that can charge anything from your USB-based phone to a full-sized device with three-prong AC power.
You can bundle it with Goal Zero’s own solar panel to add a bit of solar recharging, too. But remember: Don’t expect the solar panel to charge this huge battery quickly. Charge up at home, then use the solar panel to extend the station’s battery a bit longer with some extra sun power.
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