REVIEWED: Powermonkey Extreme 12V solar-powered battery
This solar-powered battery is great for off-grid travel in the tropics
The Powermonkey Extreme has been around for yonks. However, this updated version adds a 2.1-amp USB slot for charging-up a tablet.
Outdoorsy design
Easily the most outdoorsy of portable batteries, the 170x90x18, 242g Powermonkey Extreme houses a massive 9,000mAh Lithium Polymer battery, which is good for about three or four charges of an iPhone 5S and, in our test, 90% of an iPad Mini 2. A load of adapter connectors (including mini USB, micro USB, Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson and Sony PSP) in the box help with all of that.
Solar goodness
However, it’s how it charges-up that’s surely the headline act; a separate solar panel uses new Maximum Power Point Tracker tech to make use of low light (great for the UK) to charge-up in about 14 hours. A long while, granted, but since it will keep your gadgets going for an entire day or more, this new version of the Powermonkey Extreme is – despite the high initial cost – a breakthrough product.
Waterproof option
Though it’s also waterproof, the add-on IP65-rated Aquastrap (£20) ensures that gadgets can be charged on-the-go in wet conditions.