Solio Solar Universal Hybrid Charger

We at Spot Cool Stuff see our fair share of gadgets that are more hype than, you know, useful. The Solio Universal Hybrid Charger is not one of those.

What is so great about the Solio is that, well, it actually works. One hour of good sun charging time really can provide enough power to play your iPod for an hour or to talk on your cell phone for about 25 minutes. For reals! The beauty of the Solio, though, is that it comes with a battery. The solar panels charge the battery, the battery charges your electronics. Leave the Solio laying out in a sunny spot, tie it to your backpack or attach it to a window with the included suction cup, and let the Solio do its thing. Then that evening, or whenever it is convenient, you can plug into the Solio to charge your gadgets.

There’s something else cool about the Solio. The battery holds a charge for a full year and is powerful enough to recharge your average cell phone more than twice. The Solio can also be recharged from your old fashion wall outlet and comes with a slew of adapters for various phones, MP3 players, cameras and portable game players. Which means the Solio is also handy as a universal adapter even if you are going to, say, Sweden in December, when the Solio’s solar charging possibilities aren’t so great. Instead of bringing along outlet chargers for all your electronics you could bring only the Solio’s. $99 for the basic model, $199 for the ultra-rugged Magnesium Edition.

PLUS GET 10% OFF when you purchase through Spot Cool Stuff and use the coupon code EcoGift10!

LEARN MORE & BUY | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Related posts:
The Truly Universal Plug Adapter
Kindle 2: The best e-book reader

LEARN MORE & BUY