28 must-have green gadgets
Logitech Wireless Solar Powered Keyboard
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is a solar powered keyboard that powers itself whenever there’s light, even indoors. It charges through its integrated solar panel — no power bricks or charging cables needed and it stays charged for at least three months in total darkness. It also features a solar power app lux meter to help you get the necessary light, making it easy to get at-a-glance information about battery levels. It even alerts you when you need more power.
Available from www.logitech.com
Price £69.99
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The Waterpebble
This is a small pebble-like device that you put in the shower next to the plug and it basically checks how much water is going down the plug hole. It is designed to raise awareness of your water consumption by monitoring how much water you use in the shower. It memorises your first shower as a benchmark, then gradually sets about reducing the amount of water you use by fractionally reducing your shower time. It does this via a series of traffic lights flashing from green when you start to amber halfway through and finally red when it’s time to get out. It effectively trains you to use less water when you shower making you more ‘eco friendly’.
Available from www.waterpebble.com
Price £8.99
Eco Button
A computer power saving device that aims to reduce your PC power usage. You simply press the eco button when you are away from your desk and your computer is put into the most efficient energy saving mode available called 'ecomode'. It then records how many carbon units and how much power and money you have saved by using the ecobutton.
Available from www.eco-button.com
Price £14.99
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This clever little FM radio is great for singing in the shower and even better - it’s eco friendly. It uses hydrodymanics to generate energy which in turn charges the onboard battery. Simply fit it in line with the shower hose so water can flow through the inbuilt micro turbine which then charges the radio. It’s not too chunky either so won’t take up too much room in your bathroom.
Available from www.gizoo.co.uk
Price £34.95
Wattson Solar
The Wattson Solar is a personal energy monitor for use in the home and office and it shows you how much electricity you are using; it measures your electricity generation as well as your energy consumption. It has a golden colour mode and it provides detailed energy readings as well as historical data.
Available from www.diykyoto.com
Prices start around £100
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Eco Logic Phone Case
Beautifully designed and made from sustainable bamboo, recycled leather and hessian, the eco logic range of gadget cases from Proporta is set to revolutionise the type of materials being used to protect our gadgets. The recycled leather case with bamboo screen protection not only protects your handheld device from knocks and bumps, but the bamboo plate 'packaging' doubles up as your screen shield by simply sliding into the top of your case.
Available from www.proporta.com
Prices start from around £20
Eco Can
At first glance it looks like an ordinary tin can but get a little closer and you’ll see it has been treated to a 21st century makeover. Made from PLA (a kind of corn starch) this dual insulated, durable drinks container is BPA-free and completely non-toxic, creating 40% less carbon emissions than its petroleum-based counterparts so you can drink on the go and do your bit for the environment at the same time.
Available from www.iwantoneofthose.com
Price £12.99
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Designed by Trevor Baylis the famous wind up radio inventor this is a high performance media player with a 2” colour LCD display. It has its own internal wind up charger to generate power so running out of battery life is a thing of the past. One minute winding delivers 45 minutes of high quality playtime. It will play for 55 hours once fully charged and also comes with USB charging too.
Available from www.begreenuk.co.uk
Price £91.99
Paper Pulp Clock
This eco-friendly clock is made from strangely enough pulp that has been styled and dried in the sun into the shape of a clock. Chrome clock hands and a standard clock movement are the final additions making this an original ‘green’ timepiece.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
Price around £15
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If you love Lego and want to do your bit for the planet then this could be the perfect gadget. This cute Lego character has two torches built into his feet, while his arm works as the wind up crank handle to power him up. It stores the power ready for whenever you need some light.
Available from www.play.com
Price £11.99
Bluechip Solar Powered Mobile Phone
This rugged solar powered mobile phone provides all the basic functions of a mobile as well as being solar powered with its built in solar panels. Designed to work in the toughest of conditions this phone is waterproof, dust proof and with a rubberised case is just all round extreme.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
Price around £125
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This actually looks like a ‘real’ candle with its gentle flickering light and waxy exterior. Leave it in the sun to charge up and if you want some eco-friendly mood lighting in the evening just let it flicker away like an authentic candle flame.
Available from www.iwantoneofthose.com
Price £9.99
Skinny Player
This is a music gadget that gets its power from your body heat by being attached to your skin! Designed for walking or exercising, the Skinny Player is a concept by industrial designers Chih-Wei Wang and Shou-His Fu that lets you listen to music without needing to carry a player or use headphones.
Available from www.yankodesign.com
Price TBC
Solar Light Caps
If you like wearing caps then wear this one! It packs two solar powered LEDs that will light up to around six feet in front of you. Simply wear during the day to charge the solar panels and when night falls you have two lights that last up to five hours at the push of a button.
Available from www.solarlightcap.com
Price £19.99
Philips Econova LED TV with Solar Powered Remote
The Econova is made from materials that are easy to recycle and when you switch your TV off the power consumption is reduced to zero watts. It even comes with a solar powered remote control so no more searching for batteries when the remote dies!
Available from www.philips.co.uk
Price around £1200
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With its stylish-looking rubberised aluminium body this splash-proof stereo is a must have by the pool or beach and not a power socket in sight! Dock your ipod or iphone and fold out the solar panel during the day to charge it up. It takes five hours for a full charge which should get you around eight hours of playback of your favourite tunes.
Available from www.firebox.com
Price £199.99
Solar Bike Light
An all purpose solar torch and bike light which is quick to install and removes easily. It shines up to around 50 feet and lasts for up to four hours. It also has a handy, built-in bell and is great for use on and off your bike.
Available from www.thesolarcentre.co.uk
Price around £9
Solar Fairy Lights
These weather resistant fairy lights are powered by the sun making them easy to use all year round. They come with a solar panel which charges during the day and when fully charged gets you up to 20 hours of twinkling when dark. There are six different modes to choose from and they are guaranteed to brighten up any garden with no messy power cables in sight!
Available from www.iwantoneofthose.com
Price £24.99
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The Eco Kettle helps you save energy by only boiling the amount you require for your cuppa. It consists of two separate reservoirs, firstly fill the central chamber from the tap and then transfer the exact amount you need into the boiling chamber. No more wasted water boiling a whole kettle for just one drink.
Available from www.ecokettle.com
Price £49.95
Solar Charging Weather Station
Keep an eye on the weather with this solar powered weather station. The large LCD screen displays the time and the temperature and with its detachable solar battery pack it is convenient and easy to charge.
Available from www.oregonscientific.com
Price £69.99
WIN eco gadget goodies worth over £100! To find out more and to enter, simply carry on clicking and keep an eagle eye out for further instructions.The Presso Coffee Maker
The Presso is a stylish coffee maker for anyone wanting to make a decent quality Espresso in the comfort of their own home - and the best bit it uses absolutely no electricity. Simply load with ground coffee,pour in boiling water, lift up the handles, press down and voila - an ‘eco friendly’ cup of coffee.
Available from www.ecoutlet.co.uk
Price £79.95
Sprout Watch
Sprout watches get the thumbs up for being eco friendly and stylish. They are made from natural materials with mineral crystal lenses and organic cotton straps as well as being biodegradable.
Available from www.sproutwatches.com
Prices vary depending on model.
Moonlight Night Light
The Moonlight plug is a night light which gives a restful, soft green light and saves energy too, costing less than 1/2p per day to run. The LED panel is cool to touch and ideal for night lighting kids bedrooms and hallways at home or on holiday.
Available from www.ecogreenstore.co.uk
Price £7.99
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Brighten up your garden with this solar powered light that floats in water. Perfect for garden ponds or pools the light can change colour as it floats, illuminating the water in your outdoor area.
Available from www.envirogadget.com
Price £12.50
Power Plus Leopard Remote Control
Reduce the number of batteries and remote controls you use by switching to this single, solar powered universal remote. It charges up from daylight or the lights in your room ready for use in the evening.
Available from www.ecohamster.co.uk
Price £12
Panasonic MC-UL594 Eco Max Vacuum Cleaner
The Eco Max is designed to use power more efficiently than other similar cleaners and picks up dust and dirt just as effectively. It is a bagless, upright cleaner and looks quite stylish too.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
Price £135
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Say goodbye to boring old plant pots and add a bit of colour to your house with these solar powered glowing plant pots. The plant pots charge up during the day and gently glow at night time either in a white glowing pot or a colour changing one.
Available from www.firebox.com
Price £21
Eton Scorpion
A multi-purpose solar powered gadget that comprises of a digital AM/FM radio tuner, a built in LED torch, USB phone charger and a bottle opener; simply charge it by hand using the fold out handle or use the solar panel - what more could you want when out and about on your extreme travels!
Available from www.etoncorp.com
Price £52.99
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With all the demands of a busy lifestyle, balancing work, family and a social life can mean that living a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle is likely to be the last item on a long lis...
