New chargers power your phone on the go
For on-the-go cellphone recharging: 1. Panels for Goal Zero’s Switch 8 Solar Recharging Kit, with its cylindrical battery pack directly below. 2. The AAA battery pack for Goal Zero’s more powerful Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit, which comes with slightly larger solar panels (not shown). 3. Molla Space’s Plug. 4. Eton’s BoostTurbine2000. 5. The nPower Peg. 6. Mophie Juice Pack Air. 7. The eFreesia Mini. 8. The eFreesia Bar. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Goal Zero Switch 8 Solar Recharging Kit has sunlight collectors the size of an open novel. It stores the energy in a detachable cylindrical battery pack that connects to your phone. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus Adventure Kit is more powerful than the Switch 8. The Guide 10 has larger solar panels that store energy in a detachable AA battery pack. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The tiny Plug battery charger by Molla Space connects directly into the cellphone. In our tests, it boosted the battery from 1% to 20% in 30 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The Eton BoostTurbine2000 has a hand-crank that can charge a phone — with some work. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The nPower Peg is a kinetic charger with an internal weight that moves up and down with movement, energy that is captured and stored for use powering a cellphone. Again, novel but more work than some users might have bargained for. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Our writer’s favorite: the Mophie Juice Pack Air, which wraps around an iPhone much like a traditional case. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The eFreesia Bar charged a dead iPhone battery to 85% in our test. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
The growing number of options for recharging your phone, without access to a power outlet, can be overwhelming. For more pros and cons of these devices, read Alissa Walker’s full review. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)