Earth Day is an annual event, but taking steps to make your life more environmentally conscious should be a daily practice.
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Earth Day comes around every April 22, but taking steps to make your life more environmentally friendly should be a daily practice. The annual holiday was launched in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson as a way to raise environmental consciousness to the level of national importance. Today, at least one billion people partake in Earth Day activities around the globe.
Being that we’re still in a pandemic, this year’s Earth Day celebrations will likely be socially distanced, and smaller than in years past. Another way to commemorate Earth Day is buy picking up some eco-friendly and sustainable tech items. As more companies turn toward sustainability, it’s becoming easier for customers to seek out eco-friendly and energy-efficient gadgets that are not only good for the planet, but can also save you money on your energy bill.
In celebration of Mother Earth, we put together a gift guide of energy efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable gadgets that techies will love. For more Earth Day content read our recommendations for making your home office more sustainable.
House of Marley No Bounds XL Portable Wireless Speakers
Created in collaboration with the family of Bob Marley, House of Marley features an array of eco-friendly products such as the No Bounds XL Portable Wireless Speaker, which is made from sustainable, high-performance materials and designed to float for easy retrieval (it’s also waterproof). The portable wireless speaker has 16 hours of battery life. In addition to streaming your favorite songs, the speaker has a built-in microphone that allows you to answer phone calls. They also have cylinder-shaped outdoor speakers, and larger speakers.
Garmin Instinct Solar-Powered Outdoor Smartwatch
This military-grade Garmin smartwatch is designed for exploring out in the sun. It has a solar-powered battery and a power manager so you can monitor how certain settings and censors affect battery life. It lets you track activities for running, biking, swimming, and more, and comes equipped with GPS tracking. The watch also has apps for your sports activities, and although it’s not a medical device (and shouldn’t be used as one) it can track your heart rate, and sleep patterns. The watch also has a Pulse Ox sensor that uses light beams to estimate how well your body is absorbing oxygen.
SuperCharge7 Brown 84-Watt Solar Powered Charging Station Power Backup Kit
You never know when you’re going to need a solar-powered charging station, and it doesn’t hurt to have one in the vault. The SuperCharge7 is great for your patio, backyard, garden, fire pit, play area, and other instances where you need a power source to charge a smartphone or laptop. The sustainable gadget has a 7Ah 12-Volt solar rechargeable battery that will give you six hours of use. It includes a 6W on-board solar panel, and dual 5-Volt 2.1 Amp USB outlets providing 84wh (watts/hours) of power. The charger itself is 15” tall and 6” in depth and width, and you can mount it (hardware sold separately).
Microsoft Surface Pro-7
From product design to manufacturing and delivery, Microsoft has taken several steps to cement its commitment to sustainability. The Microsoft Surface Pro-7 is an Energy Star-approved tablet with a fast-powered Intel Core processor and up to 10 hours of battery life. Whether you’re using it for work, school, or to stream movies and videos during your downtime, the Surface Pro-7 is a great multifunctional device.
Google Nest Learning Smart Thermostat T3007ES Bundle with Wall Plate
The Google Nest Smart Learning Thermostat allows you to control the temperature in your home from your smartphone, notebook, or laptop. The WiFi-compatible device monitors energy usage, and learns the temperatures you like so that it can create a schedule for you. When you choose a temperature that saves energy, the Nest Leaf will appear on the screen to guide you in the right direction. It also shuts off when you leave so it’s not heating or cooling an empty home.
House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Headphones
The House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Headphones are made from stainless steel and recycled aluminum. The headphones feature 40mm high-definition drivers to deliver deep bass and crystal-clear sound. They have memory foam ear cushions and a padded foldable headband for a comfortable fit. Additional features include onboard mic and remote functionality, USB charging, and 24-hour of playtime. House of Marley also sells wireless earbuds, and wired noise-isolating earphones.
Vizio 2.1 Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer
When it comes to amping up your sound quality, a powerful speaker and subwoofer make for a great combination. The Vizio 2.1 surround sound system does just that, plus it’s Energy Star-approved. The 28” device features DTS TruVolume to help you achieve the booming sound you’ve been looking for, and it’s remote-controlled with bluetooth capabilities. It also comes with a wireless subwoofer, and the setup is pretty simple.
Canon Color imageCLASS MF743Cdw All-in-One Wireless Printer
This all-in-one printer can accomplish any task you can imagine, without taking up too much space. Plus, it’s eco-friendly. It prints in both color and black and white, and also includes a scanner. And the ability to simultaneously scan double-sided pages is a huge bonus. It’s compatible with wifi and Apple AirPrint, but you can also use its USB port if your internet service provider ever fails you. It’s also one of the most efficient wireless printers in terms of page yield, so your ink costs will remain low.
BioLite SolarHome 620 Portable Off the Grid Solar Lighting System
The BioLite SolarHome portable kit is a solar lighting system that’s great for sheds, backyards, camping, and more. It’s powered by a 6W panel that lights the rest of the home, and includes a wall mounted control box. The set comes with three overhead lights with individual switches, and a motion sensor.
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