This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures

It’s always exciting when a top brand like BLUETTI launches a new product, and this time, they’re bringing something unique to the great outdoors with their latest product offering, SwapSolar. Hot on the heels of their AC500’s smashing success on Indiegogo, which brought in an impressive $12 million, they’re not resting on their laurels. The SwapSolar is the world’s first LFP-powered MultiCooler portable refrigerator using an AC180T hot-swappable battery power station. Together, these two products are designed to cater to most outdoor adventures, from powering your devices to ensuring your food and beverages stay chilled, all with ease and efficiency.

Designers: BLUETTI

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

LFP, an acronym for Lithium Iron Phosphate, denotes a specific type of lithium-ion battery renowned for its long lifespan, safety, and excellent performance at high temperatures. The energy produced from these batteries is referred to as LFP power. The AC180T outdoor power supply system guarantees you don’t have to sacrifice power, even off-grid. Its innovative hot-swappable battery design allows for uninterrupted usage. BLUETTI’s spokesperson, James Ray, confidently asserts, “We want users to savor the joy of outdoor life. SwapSolar is your ticket to 3-6 days of happy camping trip. Power up and keep your food fresh at once, it’s time to go wild with BLUETTI!”

This user-friendly design offers an easy-to-swap-out battery system that features two B70 batteries with a significant 1,433.6Wh capacity utilizing the secure LFP battery technology. These batteries are built to last, offering over 3,000 life cycles and 5,000+ swap times, enhancing their longevity and reliability. For added convenience, BLUETTI makes these batteries available for separate purchase, allowing users to tailor their power solutions with extra packs to accommodate their unique requirements. This capability is beneficial for prolonged outings or unexpected emergencies, where swapping batteries can instantly restore full power, ensuring you remain powered up in any situation.

To recharge quickly, connect the device to a wall outlet that has two charging rates. If you’re charging a single B70 battery, it will achieve an 80% charge in just 1 hour and a full charge in 1.5 hours at 850W. Alternatively, if you’re charging two B70 batteries, they will reach an 80% charge in just 45 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes at 1,440W.

There are four different ways to power this device, depending on your situation. You can use a standard wall outlet or a vehicle power source, either at home or while traveling, even while making ice. If you’re looking for continuous operation, consider the solar panel setup. And, of course, you can always use the batteries when there are no outlets available.

The MultiCooler stands out from the crowd; it’s not just your average fridge. Think of it as the “cooler” choice among the competitors, featuring a versatile 3-in-1 design that includes cooling, freezing, and even ice-making features. As for temperature settings, the temperature ranges from a frosty -4°F to a warm 68°F (-20°C to +20°C), ensuring everything from ice cream to fresh produce stays at the perfect temperature. Its high-efficiency yet powerful compressor can quickly bring the temperature down from 86°F to 32°F (30°C to 0°C) within a mere 15 minutes, making it incredibly effective for rapid cooling. The integrated ice maker can also churn out clear, crisp ice cubes in just a few minutes, making it a go-to feature for chilling your favorite beverages and crafting the perfect cocktails.

With a capacity of 42 qt (40L), it can hold about 60 cans of soda, according to BLUETTI, making it perfect for any gathering or solo adventure. However, let’s have fun and do more real-world math since not everyone drinks only soda. When considering how to fit a mix of beer bottles, bottles of water, and soda cans into a 42-quart refrigerator, it’s essential to consider these items’ varying sizes and shapes. We can infer some approximations for the other things based on the capacity to hold 60 soda cans. Soda cans are about 12 ounces and have a fairly standard size, which allows for a certain level of efficiency in packing. Beer bottles, although also often holding 12 ounces, might pack less efficiently due to their different shape. For simplicity, we might estimate that you could fit around 55 beer bottles in the same space, assuming a slight decrease in packing efficiency. On the other hand, bottles of water commonly found in 16.9-ounce (500 ml) sizes are usually taller and narrower than soda cans and beer bottles. This difference in shape could mean that around 45 bottles of water might fit into the refrigerator.

Given these considerations, here are a couple of combinations for chilling these items in the MultiCooler. One possible arrangement is 30 soda cans, 20 beer bottles, and 15 water bottles. This mix balances the different shapes and sizes to optimize the available space. Another combination is ten soda cans, 25 beer bottles, and 20 bottles of water, allowing for more liquid in water and beer at the expense of soda can quantity. You might be wondering, “Where does the ice go?” The simple answer is that it’s a portable refrigerator, so no ice is needed to keep your drinks chilled.

Weighing in at just 52.9 lbs (25kg), the MultiCooler features ergonomic side grooves for simple lifting. When it’s packed to the brim, roll it along using its convenient wheels and telescopic handle, making transportation a breeze. It’s also built to handle the bumps and dips of uneven terrain with its 45° tilt protection. An optional sliding mount is available for those needing extra stability in their vehicle. It won’t disrupt your peace and quiet, running softly at 30dB for cooling and 45dB during ice production.

The MultiCooler boasts a sleek LCD touchscreen complemented by tactile buttons for straightforward operation. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to oversee and adjust settings like temperature, ECO mode, and Self-Clean mode through the BLUETTI app, all from the palm of your hand.

The SwapSolar system is designed to enhance outdoor experiences by providing a reliable and sustainable power source, ensuring convenience and peace of mind for families in nature. It is easy to use and portable, making it ideal for remote locations and enabling device charging and running essential appliances. Apart from its practical benefits, SwapSolar also serves as an educational tool, promoting the importance of renewable energy and environmental stewardship. With SwapSolar, families can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors with the assurance of safety, self-sufficiency, and a commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

The post This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures

It’s always exciting when a top brand like BLUETTI launches a new product, and this time, they’re bringing something unique to the great outdoors with their latest product offering, SwapSolar. Hot on the heels of their AC500’s smashing success on Indiegogo, which brought in an impressive $12 million, they’re not resting on their laurels. The SwapSolar is the world’s first LFP-powered MultiCooler portable refrigerator using an AC180T hot-swappable battery power station. Together, these two products are designed to cater to most outdoor adventures, from powering your devices to ensuring your food and beverages stay chilled, all with ease and efficiency.

Designers: BLUETTI

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

LFP, an acronym for Lithium Iron Phosphate, denotes a specific type of lithium-ion battery renowned for its long lifespan, safety, and excellent performance at high temperatures. The energy produced from these batteries is referred to as LFP power. The AC180T outdoor power supply system guarantees you don’t have to sacrifice power, even off-grid. Its innovative hot-swappable battery design allows for uninterrupted usage. BLUETTI’s spokesperson, James Ray, confidently asserts, “We want users to savor the joy of outdoor life. SwapSolar is your ticket to 3-6 days of happy camping trip. Power up and keep your food fresh at once, it’s time to go wild with BLUETTI!”

This user-friendly design offers an easy-to-swap-out battery system that features two B70 batteries with a significant 1,433.6Wh capacity utilizing the secure LFP battery technology. These batteries are built to last, offering over 3,000 life cycles and 5,000+ swap times, enhancing their longevity and reliability. For added convenience, BLUETTI makes these batteries available for separate purchase, allowing users to tailor their power solutions with extra packs to accommodate their unique requirements. This capability is beneficial for prolonged outings or unexpected emergencies, where swapping batteries can instantly restore full power, ensuring you remain powered up in any situation.

To recharge quickly, connect the device to a wall outlet that has two charging rates. If you’re charging a single B70 battery, it will achieve an 80% charge in just 1 hour and a full charge in 1.5 hours at 850W. Alternatively, if you’re charging two B70 batteries, they will reach an 80% charge in just 45 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes at 1,440W.

There are four different ways to power this device, depending on your situation. You can use a standard wall outlet or a vehicle power source, either at home or while traveling, even while making ice. If you’re looking for continuous operation, consider the solar panel setup. And, of course, you can always use the batteries when there are no outlets available.

The MultiCooler stands out from the crowd; it’s not just your average fridge. Think of it as the “cooler” choice among the competitors, featuring a versatile 3-in-1 design that includes cooling, freezing, and even ice-making features. As for temperature settings, the temperature ranges from a frosty -4°F to a warm 68°F (-20°C to +20°C), ensuring everything from ice cream to fresh produce stays at the perfect temperature. Its high-efficiency yet powerful compressor can quickly bring the temperature down from 86°F to 32°F (30°C to 0°C) within a mere 15 minutes, making it incredibly effective for rapid cooling. The integrated ice maker can also churn out clear, crisp ice cubes in just a few minutes, making it a go-to feature for chilling your favorite beverages and crafting the perfect cocktails.

With a capacity of 42 qt (40L), it can hold about 60 cans of soda, according to BLUETTI, making it perfect for any gathering or solo adventure. However, let’s have fun and do more real-world math since not everyone drinks only soda. When considering how to fit a mix of beer bottles, bottles of water, and soda cans into a 42-quart refrigerator, it’s essential to consider these items’ varying sizes and shapes. We can infer some approximations for the other things based on the capacity to hold 60 soda cans. Soda cans are about 12 ounces and have a fairly standard size, which allows for a certain level of efficiency in packing. Beer bottles, although also often holding 12 ounces, might pack less efficiently due to their different shape. For simplicity, we might estimate that you could fit around 55 beer bottles in the same space, assuming a slight decrease in packing efficiency. On the other hand, bottles of water commonly found in 16.9-ounce (500 ml) sizes are usually taller and narrower than soda cans and beer bottles. This difference in shape could mean that around 45 bottles of water might fit into the refrigerator.

Given these considerations, here are a couple of combinations for chilling these items in the MultiCooler. One possible arrangement is 30 soda cans, 20 beer bottles, and 15 water bottles. This mix balances the different shapes and sizes to optimize the available space. Another combination is ten soda cans, 25 beer bottles, and 20 bottles of water, allowing for more liquid in water and beer at the expense of soda can quantity. You might be wondering, “Where does the ice go?” The simple answer is that it’s a portable refrigerator, so no ice is needed to keep your drinks chilled.

Weighing in at just 52.9 lbs (25kg), the MultiCooler features ergonomic side grooves for simple lifting. When it’s packed to the brim, roll it along using its convenient wheels and telescopic handle, making transportation a breeze. It’s also built to handle the bumps and dips of uneven terrain with its 45° tilt protection. An optional sliding mount is available for those needing extra stability in their vehicle. It won’t disrupt your peace and quiet, running softly at 30dB for cooling and 45dB during ice production.

The MultiCooler boasts a sleek LCD touchscreen complemented by tactile buttons for straightforward operation. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled, allowing you to oversee and adjust settings like temperature, ECO mode, and Self-Clean mode through the BLUETTI app, all from the palm of your hand.

The SwapSolar system is designed to enhance outdoor experiences by providing a reliable and sustainable power source, ensuring convenience and peace of mind for families in nature. It is easy to use and portable, making it ideal for remote locations and enabling device charging and running essential appliances. Apart from its practical benefits, SwapSolar also serves as an educational tool, promoting the importance of renewable energy and environmental stewardship. With SwapSolar, families can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors with the assurance of safety, self-sufficiency, and a commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Click Here to Buy Now: $799 $1328 (40% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $90,000.

The post This Game-Changing Swappable Battery Portable Fridge Powers Up Your Adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.

These Wireless Earphones Offers Endless Playtime Thanks to Long-Lasting Replaceable Batteries

It’s undeniable that people commonly consume content on platforms like YouTube and social media or listen to music while going about their business. In such scenarios, social etiquette dictates that we don’t play our content loudly for everyone to hear. This is why headsets, particularly wireless earphones, have become essential accessories. However, not all earphones are created equal. The quality of earphones varies based on performance, comfort, battery life, and recharge speed. The Sonicwave OWS earphones piqued my interest primarily because of their replaceable batteries, a feature not commonly found in the market. Let’s delve deeper into the features that make these earphones unique and worth considering.

Designer: SonicWave Studio

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $159 ($60 off). Hurry, only 93 left!

The Sonicwave earphones represent a significant advancement in wireless audio technology, offering unique features for busy everyday users. They come with four replaceable 60mAh batteries and a convenient case, which includes a built-in 750mAh battery for charging the earphones when they’re not in use. This setup provides a standby time of up to 168 hours or seven days and allows users to keep using the earphones by switching batteries, a feature not typically seen in other models.

Power through the week with a 750mAh battery with an impressive 168-hour standby time

I, along with many consumers, own more than just a smartphone, which could include a tablet or gaming device; this makes these earphones ideal thanks to another standout feature of the Sonicwave earphones, which is their ability to connect simultaneously to two devices. This dual-device connectivity benefits users who frequently switch between devices, such as smartphones and laptops, allowing for seamless transition without the hassle of repeated pairing processes.

IP6 waterproof coating, guarding against sweat and water exposure

Despite their powerful capabilities, the Sonicwave earphones are designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. Weighing in at just 128 grams for the entire set and a mere 10 grams per earphone, they offer a lightweight wearing experience that users will barely notice, even during extended periods of use. This makes them an ideal companion for not just daily activities but also for more vigorous physical exercises. In my experience, it doesn’t matter how excellent the sound quality of a pair of earphones is; if they’re uncomfortable, I won’t use them. So, let’s explore why these are truly comfortable to wear long-term throughout the day.

Sonicwave OWS earphones are powerful, lightweight, and designed for all-day comfort.

The Sonicwave earphones are designed to fit the contours of the ear perfectly. The design features a three-point linear gravitational force surface and a 35° angle for direct sound transmission into the ear canal. This ensures a secure, comfortable fit that stays in place all day, improving the overall user experience.

The open-ear design of the Sonicwave earphones is a thoughtfully engineered feature that prioritizes user safety and comfort, making these earphones particularly beneficial for a wide range of users. By allowing ambient sounds to filter through seamlessly, this design ensures that users maintain a connection with their environment, an essential aspect of situational awareness. This quality is invaluable in outdoor or public spaces, where being attuned to one’s surroundings can be crucial for navigating safely among potential hazards like traffic, pedestrians, and public announcements.

Open-listening design for safer, more aware audio experiences

Moreover, the open-ear configuration addresses the preferences and needs of users who are uncomfortable with or unable to tolerate earbuds that sit directly in the ear canal. Avoiding in-ear devices is a significant consideration for many, whether due to sensitivity, ear health issues, or personal comfort. Recognizing this, the Sonicwave earphones offer an appealing alternative that rests gently outside the ear, eliminating the discomfort associated with traditional earbuds. Concerns about the potential compromise in sound quality due to the lack of a seal that blocks external noise have been ingeniously addressed by the SonicWave team. Through advanced acoustic design and technology, these earphones deliver clear, rich sound by focusing audio directly towards the ear canal, minimizing leakage and ensuring a high-quality listening experience without complete closure. This innovative approach ensures that users enjoy the best of both worlds: the comfort and safety of open-ear design without sacrificing the immersive sound that music enthusiasts and casual listeners seek in a pair of wireless earphones.

The Sonicwave earphones should offer impressive audio quality using a dual-mode solution that combines a main chip and a power amplifier chip for surround sound output. The critical component is that their active noise-canceling function effectively filters out unwanted noise, providing a clear listening experience. Also, dual anti-phase sound wave cancellation technology prevents sound leakage, thus protecting user privacy.

To enhance the experience, Sonicwave earphones use ‘Sound Vision’ acoustic algorithms to adjust low and high frequencies dynamically. This dynamic equalization maintains a balanced sound texture, delivering a rich audio experience that adapts to the content.

If you’re caught in the rain or sweat heavily during a workout, there’s no need to worry. The Sonicwave’s motherboard is treated with waterproof glue, sealing the unit and giving it an IP6 waterproof rating.

IP6 waterproof coating, guarding against sweat and water exposure

The Sonicwave earphones are an attractive choice for anyone looking to invest in a new pair of wireless earphones due to their innovative features emphasizing convenience, durability, comfort, and sound quality. The advanced 5.4 Bluetooth technology makes connectivity simple with the Sonicwave earphones. They can easily connect with various devices, including smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and smart TVs, allowing users to experience high-quality audio in nearly any environment.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $159 ($60 off). Hurry, only 93 left!

The post These Wireless Earphones Offers Endless Playtime Thanks to Long-Lasting Replaceable Batteries first appeared on Yanko Design.

Duracell Portable Power Stations are like gigantic alkaline batteries

We’ve seen our fair share of portable power stations, and most of them roughly share the same designs. They come in rectangular box shapes and bear rugged materials, which makes it easier to transport them from place to place if needed. There isn’t any rule that says they have to be made that way, though, especially if you’re willing to skimp a little on the battery capacity to add some style and flourish. For example, Duracell, a name long associated with batteries, has had the rather amusing idea to pay homage to its most popular product line, resulting in portable power stations, or extra large power banks, that look like overgrown D-size batteries, with a few tricks up their sleeves that add some flavor to a normally boring piece of tech.

Designer: Duracell

There was a time when consumer electronics revolved around these cylindrical batteries that had to be thrown away once they lost their charges forever. We’ve thankfully mostly moved on from these wasteful energy sources, replacing them with rechargeable and reusable variants, but there’s still a certain fondness attached to the image of these old alkaline batteries that have become icons of their kind, just like floppy disks. Riding on the nostalgia trend these days, Duracell had the clever idea to put that iconic design on a portable power station, almost like a tongue-in-cheek joke on these extra-large batteries.

The Duracell M250 and M150 both look like giant D batteries, complete with a black and bronze color scheme and a smaller disc shape on top that designates the positive end of the cylinder. They’re rather small compared to most portable power stations but also considerably larger than even the largest power bank. The size differences are quite understandable considering these two only have 60,000mAh and 25,000mAh battery capacities for the M250 and M150, respectively, though those are enough to charge most electronic devices, including a laptop via the 100W USB-C port. The larger Duracell M250 even has a 100W AC port for other use cases.

The portable power stations have more than just looks, though. That protruding disc at the top actually functions as a MagSafe-compatible 15W wireless charger, and you can lift that top lid to tilt an iPhone or iPad to the desired angle so you can watch your screen even while charging. Tilting that cover also reveals a small storage compartment for cables and chargers, things you’d want to keep near the power station. To charge the power station itself, you’d have to put it on the included dock, an elegant solution that unfortunately means having to carry a separate part with you on your trips.

Admittedly, this traditional battery form is not the most space-efficient shape for traveling, putting the “portable” part of its name into question. Still, there’s no argument that it’s an interesting design for a portable power station, putting an almost poetic spin on the product category. It will definitely be an eye-catching presence in coffee shops or even on planes, though interest could turn into derision when you start fumbling to put the large can in your bag or luggage.

The post Duracell Portable Power Stations are like gigantic alkaline batteries first appeared on Yanko Design.

This seemingly real cassette tape is actually a fun power bank in disguise

Power banks or portable batteries are a common part of modern life. While our devices are continually getting more powerful, the batteries inside them haven’t exactly evolved at the same pace. Faster charging and power banks are our stopgap measures until batteries become a lot better without increasing their sizes. Thanks to this situation, the market for portable batteries has grown and thrived, offering people a dizzying number of choices ranging in size, capacity, and features. Of course, there are also different designs as well, but the majority of power banks seem to come in elegant yet drab shades of white, black, and gray. From time to time, however, we do come upon a distinctive-looking design, such as this rather cute power bank that emulates the look of an old-school cassette tape almost perfectly.

Designer: Remax

OK, it isn’t a completely faithful rendition of the well-known medium. It’s rather thick, closer to a Video 8 than a cassette tape, but the markings are all in the right places. Naturally, there are no reels to turn, which would have required a more complex internal design that would make it more inefficient as a portable battery. Accurate imitation shouldn’t get in the way of functionality, especially for a critical accessory such as this.

Regardless of those minor drawbacks, the Remax Powerbank Tape still packs quite a punch when it comes to visual appeal and “wow” factor. Whether it’s the yellow original, the Apple Lightning-equipped red variant, or the new green and yellow update, the cassette tape battery is sure to catch people’s attention, especially once you take it out and plug it into your phone. It even has a transparent case just to complete the illusion of an old-school product.

The Remax Powerbank Tape isn’t lacking in features either, at least on paper. The original model supports both the old micro USB connector and USB-C for input, while only the red has support for Apple Lightning to charge the power bank itself. The newer 2023 model sets itself apart by including two pull-out USB-C cables for output. There’s an assortment of other ports, though, including full-sized USB-A, and in some cases, a small LED flashlight. The location of the ports also depends on which model you buy, and there can be different options, depending on where you’re looking.

That said, you might have second thoughts about investing in this rather adorable blast from the past. Availability is a hit or miss, and you can’t exactly be assured of the quality when it comes to online retailers. There are also some inconsistencies with the specs, like the actual rated capacity of the battery versus its advertised capacity. Given its low average selling price, though, it still makes for an interesting gift, like those short-lived power banks some people give away at events.

The post This seemingly real cassette tape is actually a fun power bank in disguise first appeared on Yanko Design.

This charming origami-inspired cube brings both light and power anywhere you need them

Daytime isn’t the only time you can enjoy the freedom that summer brings. The night can also be a source of adventure, fun, or even relaxation, especially when experienced outdoors and away from your usual abode. Staying outdoors at night, however, can bring up a few anxieties, not least of which is having a convenient light source or, more importantly, a power source for your indispensable gadgets. That often means lugging along some lantern or lamp in addition to a power bank, two things you need to be mindful of and two things you could potentially lose. Consider your worries now calmed with an innovative and sustainable travel companion that will illuminate your darkest nights, save your dying phone, and even protect you from mosquitoes!

Designer: Alice Chun

Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

MEGAPUFF is easy to open and goes flat pack with a quick twist! The origami design is simple and elegant.

They say that looks can be deceiving, and the MEGAPUFF definitely lives up to that aphorism, but in a very good way. At first glance, the white box looks like a simple yet beautiful paper lantern, not so different from traditional lanterns used in Japanese festivals, except perhaps for its cubical shape. The MEGAPUFF is, of course, quite literally a lantern, but that’s just the proverbial tip of the iceberg of what this is capable of. Because despite its minimalist appearance, it packs quite a lot of features that will make any activity more memorable, day or night, indoor or outdoor, no matter the season.

MEGAPUFF is both a portable lantern and power bank and unlike other combination products, it makes no compromises on either. A 4,000 mAh battery delivers all the power you need to charge up your mobile device through a USB-C port or deliver sufficient light to let you see in the dark of night or the darkness of your room. MEGAPUFF can be juiced up via the same USB-C connection, or you can charge it under the sun, providing you with a sustainable way to enjoy the conveniences of modern life, wherever you might be.

Seven light settings.

The light that MEGAPUFF provides is nothing to scoff at either, reaching a maximum of 300 lumens at its brightest. You won’t blind yourself, of course, especially with seven different settings for different light temperatures and intensities, including warm or bright, low or high, or a combination of both. There’s also a blinking red light setting that you won’t find in any portable lamp. This unexpected feature helps keep you safe in the dark, whether you’re riding a bike or signaling for an emergency. Red light therapy is also cited to help treat anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but it seems to have the opposite effect on mosquitoes and drives these bloodsuckers away instead.

Best of all, MEGAPUFF won’t take up much space in your car or camping gear. Thanks to origami technology, the 6.2×6.2 inch cube collapses down to a 0.75-inch high flat-packed square with a simple twisting motion. You don’t even have to turn the light off before collapsing or expanding the lantern, making it trivial to pack up or set up in a flash. This transforming cube is made from durable and eco-friendly sail cloth, leaving you with no worries about the product’s longevity or its effects on the environment. Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors or lounging indoors, the MEGAPUFF collapsible lamp and battery will give you both light and power so that you can stop fretting and start enjoying your time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

The post This charming origami-inspired cube brings both light and power anywhere you need them first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sustainable wireless power bank is also a compact mirror in disguise

Our smartphones have become more powerful and more sophisticated, but the batteries that power them haven’t really changed much in the past decade or so. They have grown larger, yes, but most of the improvements in battery life come from making other hardware more power-efficient instead. Sooner or later, you’ll have to reach for a charger, which is why many people carry power banks with them when they’re often on the go. That means having yet another thing in your bag that doesn’t serve any purpose except in an emergency. Multifunctional products are on the rise these days, so this particular power bank design combines a useful mobile device with a common lifestyle accessory and wraps it in an eco-friendly package.

Designer: Lenny Ming Lo

Checking yourself in front of a mirror is less about vanity and more about respect for others and yourself. You don’t always have to look like you stepped out of a parlor, though some would definitely prefer that, but you will probably want to look decent and at your best to help give yourself a confidence boost. For some people, checking themselves doesn’t just happen in front of a bathroom mirror, which is why compact mirrors have become a common item in some people’s bags, especially for ladies.

Mica is a lifestyle accessory that binds this item with yet another common thing in people’s bags these days: a small power bank to charge their phones in a pinch. You simply put down a compatible smartphone on its flat surface to begin charging, though you can also opt to charge via a USB cable if your phone doesn’t support wireless charging yet. Flipping the charger open reveals two mirrors on both sides, one with 3x magnification and the other with an LED light strip running around it.

More than just combining functions, however, Mica was thoughtfully designed to take inspiration from everyday objects. In particular, it looked at the basic form of bowls whose design hasn’t changed drastically over millennia. When folded shut, Mica looks like two flat bowls stacked on top of each other, giving it not only an interesting shape but also adding to its comfort of use and ergonomics.

Mica was also designed with sustainability in mind, which is a rather surprising detail that might be easily lost on buyers. Most compact mirrors and power banks employ a lot of non-sustainable materials, so it’s a surprise this product uses 80% recyclable plastic to help reduce its carbon footprint. It’s not exactly a ground-breaking new product, but Mica’s combination of two common items and its sustainability focus make it a unique and desirable accessory to have in your bag.

The post Sustainable wireless power bank is also a compact mirror in disguise first appeared on Yanko Design.

BLUETTI Spring Sale brings all the power you need for an enjoyable time outdoors

Spring is in the air, as they say. Although there are still some areas experiencing the last bits of freezing weather, it will only be a matter of time before white gives way to green. Spring is associated with many things, including life and feeling alive, especially after being cooped up indoors. Although “glamping” has become trendy, there are still plenty of people who prefer an authentic camping experience, but with just some of the conveniences that electricity brings to our modern lives. With a wide selection of portable power generators from BLUETTI, you can lay your anxieties to rest and enjoy the joys of enjoying the sun and the air while still keeping your laptops powered and your drinks cold.

AC500 & B300S

Although most people imagine camping or going outdoors to be full of moving around and cramped spaces, there will be times when you’d want to go big and bring everyone along for the adventure. Since you’ll never really know what you’ll need and when, picking a power storage solution that adjusts to your needs becomes more important than simply having power in the first place. The modular AC500 portable power station and its partner B300S battery module let you bring as little as 3,072Wh or as much as 18,432Wh of power, depending on your needs or your carrying capacity. That’s enough for a few nights of off-the-grid camping or even for powering your whole house during a power outage. A single AC500 and two B300S batteries start at $7,098, a big $500 discount off its regular $7,598 combo price.

Click Here to Buy Now: $4,599 $5,099 ($500 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

EB3A

On the flip side, you might be looking for something really lightweight and portable, just enough for a few hours to escape the hectic city life. At only 10lbs, this 268Wh BLUETTI EB3A power station can power up a car fridge for 4 hours, a 10W light for 22 hours, and a 60W laptop for 4 hours straight. And since it can be charged with a solar panel for maximum of 200W charging power, you don’t have to race back to the city to scramble for a power outlet when its battery dips. Normally at $798, you can get the BLUETTI EB3A and a 200V PV200 Solar Panel for just $658, a $140 discount in time for spring camping.

Click Here to Buy Now: $209 $299 ($90 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

EB70S

You might, however, need something that steps up the power just a wee bit. That’s where the EB70S comes in, with its 716Wh battery rated for 800W of power. It has plenty of ports to keep all kinds of devices and appliances powered up at a camp or a cookout, even including a wireless charging pad at the top for your phone. Although a bit hefty at 21.4lbs, the foldable handle makes it easy to carry around and keeps it compact enough for storage. The $519 starting price, an $80 cut from the usual $599, also makes this portable power station an all-around solution for most of your clean and green power needs.

Click Here to Buy Now: $519 $599.99 ($80 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

AC300

BLUETTI’s lineup is filled with choices for every need and budget. For example, you might want a modular power station system but don’t need all the bells and whistles just yet. The AC300, with its 3,000W pure sine wave inverter and its 3,072Wh B300 expansion battery, have you covered, providing up to 12,228Wh of power when you finally do need that much. Whether just camping or living the RV life, this duo will bring lights and life to your outdoor trips. For just $5,397, which is $800 less than the standard $6,197 price tag, you can get the AC300 with not just one but two B300 batteries to give you the freedom to bring only what you need when you need it.

Click Here to Buy Now: $3,398 $3,898 ($500 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

AC200MAX

While the AC500 and AC300 offer maximum flexibility, the AC200MAX brings the best of both worlds. On its own, it already puts out 2,048Wh of power, but you can stack up to two B230 batteries or two B300 batteries for a whopping total of 6,144Wh and 8,192Wh, respectively. It can power up to 14 different devices, thanks to its plethora of output ports, including not one but two wireless charging pads. The BLUETTI AC200MAX teams up with three PV200 solar panels to offer completely sustainable portable power for only $3,046, a large $450 discount from its $3,496 SRP.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,699 $1,999 ($300 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

AC200P

Packing a 2,000Wh battery in its 60.6lbs body, the AC200P offers well-balanced versatility and power in a compact package. When paired with a B300 battery module, you can boost that up to 5,072Wh, perfect for making coffee in the great outdoors or keeping a room chilled with the air conditioner during an emergency. This pair goes for only $3,398 during this spring season, bringing the regular $3,998 price down by $600.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,399 $1,699 ($300 off). Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

Portable Solar Panels

While BLUETTI’s portable power stations are already impressive on their own, what really makes them special is how they can be charged completely through solar power only. Not only does that mean you don’t need to panic when the batteries go into the red, it also means you can leave off the grid far longer with green energy. Of course, you’ll need a high-efficiency portable solar panel for that, and unsurprisingly, BLUETTI also has got you covered. Using monocrystalline cells, these foldable solar panels boast 23.4% conversion efficiency, and the ETFE covering protects them from scratches and splashes. The 350W PV350 solar panel goes from $849 down to $769, saving you $80 for spring camping and trips.

Click Here to Buy Now. Hurry, Spring Sale ends Mar 23rd!

The post BLUETTI Spring Sale brings all the power you need for an enjoyable time outdoors first appeared on Yanko Design.

This concept smartwatch can be recharged even while it’s still on your wrist

The first smartwatches amazed many people, especially tech-savvy ones that saw science fiction becoming a reality right before their very eyes. That excitement, however, was a bit short-lived when reality did finally set in, calling into question the purpose and usability of the new type of device. It has been years since the first generation launched, but smartwatches still exhibit one particular problem that has been around from the very beginning: battery life. While there are definitely smartwatches that can run for a few days before needing to be placed on a charger, these often accomplish this feat by cutting corners in other aspects. This smartwatch concept design, in contrast, makes no compromises and solves this battery charging problem by flipping the conventional smartwatch design on its head, almost literally.

Designer: Andrea Mangone

Smartwatches are caught in an even bigger conundrum than smartphones. They set the expectations of powerful smart devices on your wrist, yet their very size severely limits the battery you can put in them. Manufacturers, designers, and eventually customers often have to decide which aspect to prioritize, and battery life is often the one that gets left out. Smartwatches that advertise days or even weeks of battery life often achieve those numbers by limiting features, using a non-color display, or running software that isn’t compatible with the majority of smartwatch apps available today.

One of the biggest problems with having to charge smartwatches is the fact that you have to take them off before you can actually charge them on some charging pad or dock. This has been the status quo ever since the first smartwatches came out, and it seems that everyone has accepted it as the only design possible. The Vessel concept design challenges that assumption and turns the charging design upside-down. Instead of the smartwatch being placed on a charging pad, Vessel has a charging module that attaches to the smartwatch, even when you’re still wearing it.

Vessel comes with a pebble-shaped battery that magnetically latches onto the face of the smartwatch. It doesn’t charge the smartwatch wirelessly, as you might assume but instead uses pogo pin contacts like those from the early days of smartwatches. You won’t notice these contact points on the smartwatch itself because they’re integrated into the watch’s face, making it look like they’re part of its design.

While you’re charging the smartwatch, you can still keep on using it, though in a limited capacity. The battery module has its own limited display, and it will only show the time and battery status. Notifications are paused in order to speed up the charging time, but activity detection and sensors will continue to work. The module only has a 500mAh capacity, so it will still take an hour to fully charge a watch. Of course, you don’t have to take it off during that period, so you won’t be missing valuable health data in the meantime.

It’s definitely an interesting angle to solving the smartwatch charging problem, though it probably comes with its own drawbacks. The most notable would be that it locks the smartwatch to a very specific design because of the data and charging contact points, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done elegantly. It’s just a matter of thinking outside the box, and Vessel has definitely pulled that off with aplomb.

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Anker 767 Portable Power Station Review: Heavy Hitter That’s Ready for Anything

PROS:


  • More ergonomic suitcase design

  • First power station using GaN tech

  • Super-fast charging

  • Smartphone control via Bluetooth

CONS:


  • Expensive

  • Can't combine AC and DC input

  • Still no wireless charging

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a more ergonomic design and a large, fast-charging battery, the Anker 767 PowerHouse can deliver all the power you need in any situation if you're willing to make the rather hefty investment.

We have practically become servants to our electronic devices, as proven by the panic that sets in when we are deprived of the electricity needed to power our phones, laptops, and appliances. That’s why the market for power banks and power stations continues to grow at a rapid pace, churning out large batteries that come in every size and address every need. There’s no one size that fits all, just as different people have different power needs. Choosing a portable power station also involves making a choice between power and, of course, portability. There might be a certain sweet spot where you don’t have to make too much of a compromise between these two. That’s the promise that Anker’s latest 767 PowerHouse is making, and we give it a good push and pull to see if it can actually deliver.

Designer: Anker

Aesthetics

If there’s one thing that most portable power stations have in common, it’s that they are pretty much variations of an ice cooler design, the larger ones most especially. These often come as huge rectangular boxes with handles that jut out from the sides that are supposed to make them easier to carry. Given their weight, that’s almost never the case, and it seems that Anker finally got the message.

The new Anker 767 PowerHouse Portable Power Station deviates from the norm in one very important way. There are now two wheels on one edge that already make it significantly easier to move it around. To that, however, Anker added a telescopic handle that you can pull out to help you pull the power station behind you. In other words, the Anker 767 is designed more like a suitcase, albeit one that lies on its back. It’s a marked step away from the relatively young Anker 757 PowerHouse that we reviewed recently, but considering how much it now weighs, that’s a much-welcomed improvement.

It’s not just the shape that has changed, though. The Anker 767 also drops the dual color scheme of its predecessor, another hallmark of that cooler design. It still has bits of silver, but now mostly as accents against a predominantly black box, with a touch of light blue here and there. The overall design also looks a bit more refined now, like how the LED bar light’s button is now embedded in the strip and looks almost invisible. The LCD screen now also displays colors, which thankfully only takes sips of power out of the battery. If you’re not a fan, you can always turn it off via the button on the front of the power station.

In most other cases, the design of the Anker 767 remains similar and familiar, and that’s actually a plus. All the output ports are still on the front for easy access, with the charging ports hidden behind a cover on the back. There are grilles on both sides for ventilation, and they now come in a snazzier diagonal design. All these elements work together to give the power station a more mature look, which will hopefully inspire more confidence in Anker’s product line.

Ergonomics

Anker calls the 767 PowerHouse its most powerful yet, and it’s also its heaviest. While it’s not the largest in the market, its 67lb heft is no joking matter. Fortunately, it doesn’t expect you to carry it with muscle power alone, though you can still definitely do that with the two handles at the sides. This time, however, Anker is employing one of man’s greatest inventions to lighten that load.

Two wheels on one side and an extensible handle on the other finally give your back a much-needed break before you actually break it from lifting such a heavy object. You’ll still have to lift one side, though, to actually get rolling, but it’s a far more ergonomic design than simple handles. It would have probably been better if you could pull or push the power station without even lifting it, but that would require four wheels and a drastic redesign of the product.

The same features that made the Anker 757 easy to use are thankfully unchanged here. All the most frequently used ports and buttons are on the front, and there are no rubber flaps other than on the two car sockets (yes, there are two of them!). That gives you easy and unrestricted access to the ports that you need the most instead of wasting time fiddling with covers and forgetting to put them back on again.

Performance

The Anker 767 PowerHouse’s claim to fame is, of course, its large battery, the largest that the brand has to offer so far. That’s a whopping 2,048Wh battery with a power output of 2,400W. That’s enough power to get you through any situation for days, whether it’s a power outage or a weekend camping trip. It has enough power to run even a portable fridge for about three days, let alone charge phones and laptops multiple times over. With the proper neutral-ground plug, Anker says you can even charge an electric car using this power station!

That battery is, of course, made using the now-standard LiFePO4 material, the same that’s used in electric vehicles for their reliability and long life. What’s new to the Anker 767, however, is GaNPrime, Anker’s brand of Gallium Nitride technology. Without going into the technical nitty gritty, this means that the PowerHouse is able to charge not only faster but also more efficiently while also reducing energy loss while in use. The Anker 767 charges from zero to full in about two hours when plugged into an AC outlet. Using five 200W solar panels for a total 1,000W input, the battery can be fully charged in two and a half hours. Unfortunately, Anker hasn’t figured out yet how to combine AC and solar charging for even faster charging speeds.

When it comes to output, Anker really outdid itself this time. There are admittedly fewer AC ports, now just four instead of six like on the Anker 757 PowerHouse, and the USB-A ports have been halved to just two. This is more in response to the changing times when there are more devices that can be charged or powered through USB-C, and the Anker 767 has three of these, each putting out 100W independently. There are also two car ports, oddly enough, one of which can probably be converted to a USB port with the right accessory. There’s still no wireless charging, which is unfortunate, given how clean and flat the power station’s top is.

The Anker 767 finally adopts a feature that has become a staple among other portable power stations these days. It finally has a mobile app that lets you monitor the power station’s stats and flick a few switches from afar. What’s a bit different in Anker’s implementation is that the connection between the 767 PowerHouse and your phone is Bluetooth only. This is a huge advantage when using the portable battery outdoors since you won’t have to mess with ad-hoc Wi-Fi settings and such. Anker is a bit late to the party in this regard, but, as they say, better late than never.

Sustainability

Despite the design change, the Anker 767 PowerHouse still suffers the same weaknesses as its predecessors when it comes to sustainability. The power station itself is built using traditional materials, which include plenty of plastics. Whatever environmental gains it has mostly come indirectly through its features rather than its very nature.

Anker still makes the same proposition of using green energy to deliver your power needs, presuming you go with solar charging. Of course, using batteries instead of fuel is already a huge sustainability win, but hopefully, the company won’t stop there. Unfortunately, it will probably take some time before Anker and its competitors start going down this road of using more sustainable materials and processes since that might not be their priority this early in the game.

It does, however, paint power efficiency and power saving as wins for the environment. GaNPrime, for example, can help save energy over time, reducing the total carbon footprint. The Anker 767 also automatically turns off AC output when nothing is connected after 15 minutes or turns off any output port once a connected device is fully charged. These definitely help conserve power in the long run, but it still mostly depends on how people use the device rather than something inherent to it.

Value

Given the larger battery inside and its new design and features, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that the Anker 767 PowerHouse costs quite a bit, but that price tag may still shock you regardless. With an SRP of $2,199, it’s definitely one of the more expensive options with this battery capacity. And since it doesn’t exist in a bubble, it will be hard not to compare it with its closest competitors.

The EcoFlow Delta MAX 2000, for example, has the same 2,048Wh/2,400W LiFePO4 battery, and while it doesn’t make use of GaN technology, it does boast dual charging by using both AC and solar at the same time. It’s only slightly cheaper at $2,099 but is currently discounted down to $1,599. The Bluetti AC200MAX has a lower 2,200W output and fewer output ports but does also have dual charging and a significantly lower $1,899 starting price. Neither EcoFlow’s nor Bluetti’s contenders, however, have wheels to make them easier to move around.

There’s no denying that the Anker 767 PowerHouse lives up to its name, but that price tag could be an instant deal-breaker for many people. Fortunately, Anker holds plenty of sale events with large discounts, so it might just be a matter of bidding your time for that moment to strike.

Verdict

When it comes to emergency power, the ideal solution is a rechargeable that checks all the right P’s of power, portability, and price. Given current technologies and the economy, however, that’s not an easy balance to strike. The Anker 767 PowerHouse easily checks the power box with its 2,048Wh battery and GaNPrime technology, offering efficiency and fast-charging speeds all in one go. Thankfully, its new design also meets the portability requirement by adding wheels to the package. Price, on the other hand, is a touchy subject, at least for the full standard price tag. It is definitely quite the investment, but one that will easily pay for itself if you find yourself spending a lot more time outdoors or always stressing over blackouts. In those situations, the Anker 767 PowerHouse Portable Power Station is indeed ready for anything to help you live a more convenient life in any given situation.

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