The trick for the engineers is to create gadgets with features galore that can still be fueled by batteries small enough—and efficient enough—to make sense for portable devices. The trick for us, meanwhile, is to keep our power-hungry gear charged. We adore speed and cool features, but, as we all know, the more function, the less battery life.

And, let’s face it: Batteries are toxic, lead-laden nuisances. So, until the tech geniuses can invent an alternative-energy source to power portable devices, the least we can do is feed our gadgets the greenest of juice. In the search for alternative battery chargers, we present our favorite innovative, earth-friendly power providers.

Note: Most chargers support a wide variety of electronic devices—from cell phones to handheld gaming consoles to notebooks—make sure to check product websites to see if your gadgets will work with specific chargers.

powermonkey-eXplorer
PowerTraveller
powertraveller.com
Price: $129
Eco-travelers rejoice! The powermonkey-eXplorer is a solar-powered charger that’s small enough to fit in your pocket, and purportedly provides up to 96 hours of talk-time for your cell phone. Its foldable solar panels can sunbathe on your car’s dashboard or hang from your backpack to absorb the rays. The panel attaches to the bundled Solar Slave battery, which will store the energy until you need it. The powermonkey is small but rugged, encased in water-resistant rubber that will withstand everyday wear and tear. You might also check out the new solargorilla ($280), which can produce 10 watts in direct sunlight, enough to recharge a laptop. The solargorilla doesn’t have an internal battery, though, so you have to charge your laptop in real time, but we think that’s a small price to pay.

Solio Magnesium Edition
Solio
www.solio.com
Price: $169.95
Solio’s Magnesium Edition radiates its delicate “leaves” to soak up the sun like a plant, but is durable enough to withstand the hard knocks of the average user. With an internal rechargeable battery, you can leave the charger wherever it can catch the most rays, and the Magnesium will be charged and at the ready. It is a little on the pricey side, but can charge most handheld devices with ease.  

HYmini Wind and Solar Charger
HYmini
www.hymini.com
Price: $49.99
Rain or shine, the HYmini can recharge your 5V gadgets, leveraging the power of wind, the sun, or the conventional grid. The wind in San Francisco averages 10.67 mph, and the HYmini can take advantage of these breezes on the days when the sun is hiding behind the city’s famous layer of fog. Billed as a “mini green power station that fits in the palm of your hand,” this universal charger gives power a whole new meaning.

Medis 24-7 Power Pack
Medis Technologies
www.medistechnologies.com
Price: $40
The Medis 24-7 Power Pack is a one-use, portable power system based on Medis’ Direct Liquid Fuel Cell Technology. Once activated, the Power Pack will last up to three months, and can give your devices six to eight charges. Once the Power Pack is out of juice, you’ll need to send it back for a refill, which the company will make easier by supplying you with the necessary packaging. The Power Pack starter kit is about $40 and replacement packs run $20. According to Medis Technologies, the pack is a green product because fuel-cell technology doesn’t use toxic heavy metals like those found in batteries, and the packs comply with RoHS hazardous waste regulations, don’t produce harmful emissions during use, and are fully recyclable. Plus the demo video on the website features early 90’s club hit The Power, by Snap!

10W Rollable Solar Charger
PowerFilm
www.powerfilmsolar.com
Price: $200
PowerFilm’s solar panels, which come in varying sizes and strengths, are free of cadmium, a known carcinogen abundant in batteries and used in some solar technology. PowerFilm can charge your laptop, iPhone, iPod, and other gadgets. Originally designed for the military, these panels are super thin and can be rolled up without damaging their cells, which makes them perfect for situations requiring extreme flexibility. Or—for everyday needs—put these in your sunniest windows, and you will always be ready to roll.

Sunlinq 6.5W Solar Panel
Global Solar Energy
www.globalsolar.com
Price: $98
Perfect for campers, sailors, and users at home, the Sunlinq 6.5W is a lightweight, foldable, weatherproof solar panel that is advertised as producing enough power for cell phones, iPods, GPS units, satellite phones, and portable games. Seems like a no-brainer for the outdoorsy among us.
 

Sun Table
Sudia Design Labs
suntable.net
Price: $2,200
Tap in to the solar goldmine known as your patio or deck with the new Sun Table, which has an electrical output of 12 volts DC (as much as a car battery!), is as sustainable—Sun Table is completely recyclable—as it is durable, can fully charge in just four hours, and comes with batteries to store the energy it produces. A fully-juiced Sun Table can run your laptop for three hours. Just make sure when you move your office outside to keep the table clutter-free, so it can keep soaking up those rays. This table gives you a whole new reason to telecommute.

FreeCharge 12V
FreePlay
www.freeplayenergy.com
Price: $32
This portable charger, which has no internal batteries, is charged by winding a hand crank, and will charge any device for which you have a cigarette-lighter adapter. Because the FreeCharge harnesses human energy, and doesn’t need the sun or wind, it might make a great addition to an emergency kit. Just make sure to pack some energy bars so you’ll have enough stamina to wind the crank long enough to recharge your gear.
 

Weza
FreePlay
www.freeplayenergy.com
Price: $299.99
As long as you have the energy, you can power your gadgets. For the Weza, you use your legs to pump the foot treadle, which can generate up to 40 watts of power. The Weza features an internal rechargeable 12V battery, capable of jump-starting car engines, as well as topping off portable devices. Ed Begley, Jr. will be thrilled.

And, one that we are looking forward to seeing:

Tree Solar Charger
Vivien Muller
10ein.blogspot.com
Price: N/A; Still in concept stage
This conceptual Tree of Life is a beautiful interpretation of photosynthesis, nature’s perfect process that makes abundant energy without destruction. In designer Vivien Muller’s concept, 54 mini photovoltaic panels serve as leaves that can soak up juice from the sun and charge your gadgets—and look beautiful doing it. We love it when art meets science.