Power banks, wireless chargers, and charging docks that keep my devices topped up.
Two weeks ago, while helping Li Xiang find eneloop batteries for her office, I was surprised to find none at any major electronics store in Funan or VivoCity. I wondered whether eneloop had left the Singapore market or sold out.
I bought the Anker Astro E4 13,000mAh External Battery from Amazon at a promotional US$36.99, down from US$43.99, excluding shipping. My third Anker product, I'm a fan of this up-and-coming brand, popular in the US, which tops Gizmodo's Five Best.
IonBank is Moshi's range of portable battery packs, currently three products: the IonBank 10k, plus the IonBank 5k in Lightning and Micro USB versions. The 5k holds 5,000mAh and has two integrated cables, one a Lightning or Micro USB connector.
The Anker 25W 5-Port Wall Charger retails for US$19.99 on Amazon. My friend Benjamin ordered for both of us and I shared the shipping, paying S$33 in all. Weighing 166g, it has five USB ports individually labelled by device.
I got the Anker Uspeed USB 3.0 9-Port Hub from Amazon for US$59.99, excluding shipping. Despite the long name, it's basically a 9-port USB 3.0 powered hub with an extra USB charging port. You can charge from all nine ports.
In my post on the Panasonic Mobile Booster QE-QL101, I mentioned Panasonic's larger 10,260mAh portable battery, which I couldn't find in Singapore. I eventually spotted it in Thailand and bought it for TH฿3,990, about S$160, dropping to roughly S$150.
The Energizer XP3000A Portable Charger retails for S$59.90. Its 3,000mAh capacity can charge an iPhone 5 about twice, and it weighs just 130g. What sets it apart is the built-in Lightning cable, so you needn't carry a separate cable.
Twelve South announced the PlugBug World early this year, and I'm baffled it isn't sold in Singapore, not even on the Apple Online Store. So when Li Xiang visited Hong Kong, she bought it for me for HK$348, about S$60.
I'd eyed the Griffin PowerDock 5 ever since it was announced in January 2013, though it only launched in July. It retails for US$99 directly from Griffin's website, and I doubt it'll reach Singapore soon. Thankfully, Griffin ships directly there.
I got the Powerocks Stone 3, a 7800mAh dual USB power bank, from my cousin in Hong Kong. I'm unsure of the local price, but it's US$48.50 on Amazon. True to the 'stone' name, it's heavy at 500g.
I bought the 4A AC Power Adapter 6-Port USB Travel Charger from TrendsMobile at Funan for S$29.90. Its 4A output is shared across all six USB ports, and I wish it specified the maximum per port. Still, it's handy.
The Innergie PocketCell Duo was unveiled at CES 2013 in January, succeeding the PocketCell that retails in Singapore for S$79. This light portable charger weighs 132.5g, holds 6,800mAh, and outputs 2.1A per USB port, ideal for charging high-capacity devices quickly.
On 12th December 2012, eneloop announced two new limited-edition 'eneloop tones' rechargeable battery packs: eneloop uomo for men in purple, grey, black, and white, and eneloop rouge for women in pink. Each glittering pack holds eight AA batteries.
On 1st November 2012, Sanyo announced new and improved eneloop Rechargeable Batteries, model HR-3UTGB, replacing the older HR-3UTGA. They boast a 20% longer lifespan, around 1,800 recharge cycles, and improved storage, retaining 70% of their capacity even after five years.
I bought the Innergie 10W Dual USB Auto Adapter from VivoCity's Challenger for S$29, or S$26.10 with member's price. It's a two-port car USB charger outputting 2.1A, enough for an iPad. Essentially a two-port Griffin PowerJolt Micro, it looks nicer.
Few realise, myself included, that Panasonic acquired Sanyo about three years ago. On 21st December 2009, Panasonic completed a ¥400 billion, US$4.5 billion, purchase of a 50.2% stake in Sanyo, making it a subsidiary, then bought the remaining shares.
The Sanyo Eneloop Black Charger Set BC-MQR06 is the latest eneloop product. Each set pairs four AA eneloop XX rechargeable batteries with a Black Charger in a sleek black-and-silver design. It retails for S$65.90 at Best Denki, Meidi-Ya, Selffix D.I.Y.
The Innergie USB Charger Duo Charging Kit (Home) sells at Challenger for S$50, or S$45 after a 10% member's discount, and I got mine from VivoCity's Challenger. There are two versions, home and car, with the car kit slightly lower.
I bought the Twelve South PlugBug Charger at the Apple Store in Fashion Show Mall, Las Vegas, for US$34.95, or US$37.78 after tax. It acts as a US travel adapter for your MacBook's MagSafe adapter, plus an extra USB port.
Alongside the Sanyo Eneloop Glitter batteries, they sent me the Sanyo Eneloop Quick Charger NC-MQR06W. The package includes four AA batteries and retails for S$55.90. The batteries are Made in Japan and the charger in China.
I'd long wanted the Sanyo Eneloop Glitter AA batteries because they look so good. As a big Eneloop fan, with a dedicated section on my blog, the PR agency kindly sent some over to feature. Each AA cell holds 1,900mAh.
I got a Belkin Auto Charger nearly three years ago, but it couldn't charge my iPad, so I needed another for my US trip. The Griffin PowerJolt Micro charges iPad, iPhone, and iPod, outputting 5V at 2.1A.