Gadgets like smartphones and gaming devices help us stay connected
and entertained on the go, but keeping their batteries charged can be
challenging when you aren’t near an electrical outlet.
Portable solar chargers are one solution for keeping your gadgets juiced, especially if you plan on spending an extended amount of time in the great outdoors. They’ll also help you reduce your carbon footprint by using natural energy rather than electricity.
This week, I tested the Solio Bolt and Powertraveller Powermonkey Explorer, two solar chargers that can recharge portable electronics such as cellphones, handheld GPS devices and e-book readers by drawing energy from the sun.
The $70 Bolt is easy to set up, but doesn’t hold as much power as the Powermonkey, and it has some design flaws. The Powermonkey is more expensive at $89, and has more parts to it, but it’s worth it since it has a larger battery and works even when the sky is slightly cloudy.
Portable solar chargers are one solution for keeping your gadgets juiced, especially if you plan on spending an extended amount of time in the great outdoors. They’ll also help you reduce your carbon footprint by using natural energy rather than electricity.
This week, I tested the Solio Bolt and Powertraveller Powermonkey Explorer, two solar chargers that can recharge portable electronics such as cellphones, handheld GPS devices and e-book readers by drawing energy from the sun.
The $70 Bolt is easy to set up, but doesn’t hold as much power as the Powermonkey, and it has some design flaws. The Powermonkey is more expensive at $89, and has more parts to it, but it’s worth it since it has a larger battery and works even when the sky is slightly cloudy.
