Consider models with both solar and dynamo capacity. A mains input – so you can plug the device into a wall socket – can come in handy for extra-fast charging.
And before you buy …
- Find out the charging time and power duration (especially if you’re buying a mobile-phone charger). Some of the gadgets we looked at didn’t give any information about how long they’d run for once they were fully charged.
- Ask what the expected life is and whether you can get replacement parts (this may be unlikely for products at the cheaper end of the market). Batteries can need replacing over time – as can solar panels. But we think you should expect to get reasonable service out of them, just as you would with similar battery-powered products.
Our view
- Solar- and dynamo-powered radios and torches can be useful as a back-up or if you spend time away from the main grid. They can also be handy when you’re travelling because you don’t have to worry about batteries.
- Manufacturers could make these devices more user-friendly. An indicator to show how much juice they’ve got in them would be a start. None of the ones we tried had this.
Report by Jessica Wilson.
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