Most popular tech reviews from the last 30 days
PowerMonkey-eXplorer Review
SmartPlanet judgement: It's a tough, competent universal charger with the largest capacity of any we've tried plus it's got a flexible solar charger. It's let down only by not being able to charge while it's being charged. In spite of that, we fell for the PowerMonkey hook, line and sinker.
Solar Technology Freeloader Review
SmartPlanet judgement: If you've put off buying a solar charger or solar bag because of the cost, your excuse just evaporated. At the price of a DVD box set, this gizmo is ridiculously affordable and will save you even more money in use by generating free, green electricity for your gadgets. The lack of a display to indicate the level of charge is a bummer, but we can forgive the Freeloader because it's effective and 'just works', even in British sun.
Ecobutton Review
SmartPlanet judgement: We really wanted to like this. The Ecobutton's aim of cutting the amount of energy wasted by our computers is certainly a noble one. But the execution's wanting. There's just not enough here to warrant the price tag, nor the amount of carbon expended to manufacture and distribute the thing. Next time nature calls, lunchtime arrives or you have a meeting, just stick to your computer's standby button.
Voltaic Systems Converter Review
SmartPlanet judgement: We like solar bags, and this is one of the cream of the crop. It's relatively cheap as far as solar backpacks go, and Voltaic's experience -- it started making them in 2004 -- shows in the small details. The bag's manufactured to a high standard down to the zips and stitching, the built-in battery means it can keep going at night and the supplied adapters for your gadgets are comprehensive. Green travellers looking for a weekend bag or local shoppers hunting for a groceries bag will do better with the larger and more expensive Backpack model from Voltaic, but otherwise we recommend the Converter wholeheartedly.
Eco-eye Mini Review
SmartPlanet judgement: A couple of years from now, electricity meters will probably be beaming power consumption data straight to our iPhones. Until then, monitors like the Eco-eye are a great way to track just how much power we're using -- and to instantly see the financial and environmental benefits of moving to a low-energy lifestyle.
Solio Magnesium Edition Review
SmartPlanet judgement: The original Solio was a design classic. This slightly more powerful, tougher and larger version is a small step forwards -- but it's also a big step back because of the wildly larger price. If money's no object, this beautiful and functional solar charger does the job and its thoughtful production means your conscience can rest easy. For anyone else hunting for green gadget power, we'd recommend looking elsewhere to the Freeloader, PowerMonkey eXplorer and the Solio Hybrid Classic.
Solar Technology Supercharger Review
SmartPlanet judgement: Combined with the Freeloader solar charger, this solar panel makes the prospect of running your gadgets off the sun into a reality. While the Freeloader works fine on its own, its small solar panels and lack of weatherproofing means you wouldn't want to rely on it for power. The Supercharger fixes both of those problems.
OWL Review
SmartPlanet judgement: Despite a head start on its rival energy monitors -- DIY Kyoto's Wattson and the Efergy Meter -- the OWL is starting to look dated. The Wattson wins on design and the ethics of its manufacture, while the Efergy trumps it by including a crucial memory feature for looking at your electricity history. On the plus side, the OWL does do the job in an unremarkable but fine fashion, and you can easily pick one up at B&Q.
Efergy Meter Review
SmartPlanet judgement: If gauging your CO2 emissions is as important to you as tracking your electricity spending, this is the wireless energy monitor to buy. It's incredibly easy to install and operate -- and works especially well as a fit-and-forget gadget if you just want to be alerted when you're splurging power.
DIY Kyoto Wattson 01 Review
SmartPlanet judgement: Buying a real-time electricity display like this one could save you between three and 15 per cent on your bill. And although the Watton's steep £150 price tag means you'll need a while to make your cash back, we think it's worth every penny. It's a talking point for visitors, a reminder to housemates and family, easy to use and blessed with a unique peer-beating ability to offload your energy history to a Mac or PC. The short battery life and buggy software annoy us, but the fact it's made in Britain and is incredibly handsome ultimately win us over.
