Looking for the best way to keep your devices (smartphone, camera, tablet, e-book, laptop, etc.) powered when you are traveling or there isn’t a power outlet available? If you are camping outdoors, at the beach or just want to use solar power the BioLite may be your solution. Or plan ahead and charge up a Bolt Power Adapter to bring some extra electricity where-ever you are going. Our third solution, the Samsung Charging Pad, eliminates those pesky charging cords altogether, provided your device is “Qi” wireless charging enabled.
BioLite SolarPanel 5+ with Integrated 2200mAh (5W) Power Bank (about $80)
Just pop out the attached kickstand to get the right angle facing the sun (or use the kickstand as a hanger to place it on a tree branch), and let the solar power start charging your devices.
BioLite even has an integrated sun dial so that you can get the best alignment for the panel to maximizes the suns rays.
You can even use the corner latches to attach the panel to your backpack so it charges while you are hiking.
The other nice feature is that you can charge up the integrated 2200mAh power bank battery for a jump start on the solar power.
Output is a standard USB port, delivering 5W of power. That’s about 1A at 5V, which will be enough for most everything you’ll be carrying with you. You can charge a phone with about 2 hours of sunlight
It’s about the size of a sheet of paper (11.3 x 1.5 x 9 inches) and light-weight (1.32 pounds) making it simple to take it with you for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities. Order a BioLite SolarPanel 5+ on Amazon:
Here’s a short (90 second) overview:
BOLT Portable Power Adapter: USB Wall Charger and Universal Battery Backup (about $50) comes in 3 colors: Argon Blue, Crimson Red and Stealth Grey.
The Bolt is a high capacity 3350mAh Samsung Lithium Ion Battery with a universal charge input of 100-240V AC so you can use it practically anywhere in the world. The output is a standard USB, with maximum of 1A at 5V.
What separates the Bolt from the other power banks is their “Smart Charge Technology”. You can simultaneously charge your device AND the battery backup.
When the battery is fully charged, it automatically bypasses the battery sending all the juice to your device.
Alternatively, if your connected device has a low/dead battery BOLT will charge the USB device before its own internal battery. Yep, that’s definitely “smart”.
Fold in the US style AC plug / prongs, and you’ve got a battery in your pocket. It’s a true grab and go solution at just over 3 ounces and a slim 2.75 x 1.33 x 1.10 inches.
The Bolt takes about 3 to 4 hours to get a full charge, and it can recharge your phone in under 2 hours. Depending on your device, you can get up to 2 recharges on a single Bolt charge.
Bolt can be a true replacement for your USB charging plugs. Get battery back-up plus AC charging in one package not much bigger than the standard USB plug. Pick up the BOLT Portable Power Adapter on Amazon:
Here’s a short overview video:
Samsung Qi Certified Wireless Charger (about $35) works with all Qi compatible smartphones including the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8, Apple iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X. We like that it’s very quiet (since there is no fan) and has nice minimalist / futuristic design look to it.
The multi-colored LED halo which indicates charging status is pretty sleek.
The ring is a soft, solid blue during charging, and turns to green when charging is done.
If the pad detects a problem with charging or foreign objects (e.g, keys or wallet), the blue light will blink continuously letting you know that its not charging.
We do think it’s important to point out (since we get lots of questions about this) that a wireless charging pad lets you can charge your compatible smartphones and other “Qi:-compatible devices without the need to plug your device in to a wall charger or USB port. Simply place your device directly onto the charging pad and your phone begins to charge. However, the charging pad itself is NOT wireless. In this case, the Samsung pad is powered via a USB wall wart that is connected with a standard USB cable.
The second question we get is about some devices not working with a charging pad. It’s important to note that the device must be “Qi”-compatible (or in some instances “PMA”) , which basically means the wireless charging technology is built into the device. You can upgrade a standard phone with a case (example: mophie juice pack wireless and charging base) to make it wireless charging compatible.
Weighing under 4 ounces, and measuring just 4.2 x 8.8 x 1.8 inches, this stylish pad can sit just about any place in your home, dorm-room or office.
Pick up one of these today from Amazon, Samsung Qi Certified Wireless Charger:
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