Everyone is concerned about the environment, but some are more vocal about their support of the Earth than others. If you have someone like that on your list this year, consider these high-tech gifts that pay particular attention to environmental consciousness.
Urbanista Malibu Solar Charging Wireless Speaker
Urbanista makes various solar powered products, including the Urbanista Phoenix true wireless earbuds I reviewed earlier this year. But the company also has a solar charging wireless speaker. Using Powerfoyle solar cell technology like the buds, the waterproof Urbanista Malibu solar charging wireless speaker self-charges when it’s exposed to indoor or outdoor light. Perfect to take to the beach or on a camping trip, or even to use in your own backyard or by the pool, the eco consciousness is taken to another level via recycled plastic construction and materials as well. The IP67 rating means it’s protected against sand, dust, dirt, and water. Control it from the mobile app, which also keeps track of the charging status, including historical data so you can have an idea of how long it needs to charge to last you through a day or event. Grab more than one and pair them for stereo sound. It offers a full day battery reserve, so you never have to worry about the battery being low. Available for $199, it comes in classic Midnight black and Desert gray.
House of Marley Stir it Up Lux Bluetooth Turntable
Like all other products in the House of Marley line, the Stir it Up Lux Bluetooth turntable is made using sustainable materials. It has an elliptical stylus, aluminum headshell, bamboo plinth, and a glass platter for improved sound quality, performance, and next level tracking ability. With Bluetooth connectivity, it also features an anti-skate mechanism, adjustable counterbalance, and a built-in pre-amp. The bamboo, aluminum, glass, and cork used to craft the turntable are all mindfully sourced materials. Aluminum and glass, meanwhile, are both recyclable and cork is made from stripped-down bark versus cut-down trees. The anti-slip reversible mat has a cork natural aesthetic on one side, while the flipside has a special Zoetrope design that adds a pop of colour and an animation. There’s Bluetooth v5.3, 45 and 33 RPM speeds, auto start/stop with belt drive, a built-in, switchable pre-amp, 3.5mm aux out and RCA (phono/line) out, replaceable Audio-Technica elliptical stylus (AT-95E) and adjustable counterweight. Each purchase contributes to House of Marley’s global give back initiative, Project Marley, which supports global reforestation through One Tree Planted. It’s $500 and comes with the cork slipmat, main adapter with UK, AU, U.S., and EU plugs, RCA to Aux cable, stylus pressure gauge, and a quick start guide.
Kobo Elipsa 2E eReader
Made using more than 85% recycled plastic exterior, including 10 per cent ocean-bound plastic, this eReader comes with a 10.3-inch glare-free E Ink touchscreen with ComfortLight Pro to reduce blue light and eyestrain, a dark mode for reading at night, and the new Kobo Stylus 2. In addition to reading eBooks, you can also create and organize notebooks then export them to a compatible cloud service like Dropbox (Google Drive support, coming soon). The ample 32GB of storage can hold thousands of books while the weeks of battery life on a single charge means it can last for long trips, daily reading, and more. It also has built-in speakers for listening to Kobo audiobooks over Bluetooth. The included Stylus 2 employs an ergonomic design and rechargeable battery. It offers pressure sensitivity mimicking a ballpoint pen, and is customizable with different pen type, shade, line size, and eraser size. Use it to wipe mistakes when writing notes or sketching, highlight passages, underline text, write in margins, and make other annotations. Thanks to Kobo’s patented mark-up technology, you will see annotations even when changing the font size or page layout. When not in use, it stores magnetically on to the eReader. With the handwriting experience powered by MyScript, you can also turn handwriting into typed text with a tap. The eReader is perfectly paired with the optional eco-friendly SleepCover, which is made using 97% recycled plastic, including 10% ocean-bound plastic that would otherwise become landfill and ocean waste. It’s $500 and comes in magnet-free packaging made with FSC-certified recycled paper and printed with soy ink.
Apple Watch Series 9 Smartwatch (Carbon Neutral Option)
Did you know that any aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 with the new Sport Loop is fully carbon neutral? This is the option to go with for a friend or family member who is eco-conscious. Starting at $549, grab it in 41mm or 45mm sizes and enjoy all the usual Apple Watch features, including health and wellness tracking, safety features, call, message, and app notifications, and more. Pair it with Apple Fitness+ to enjoy guided walking workouts, exercise at home, and more. Look for the carbon neutral label on the box to make sure you pick the right one.
STM Goods Echo Backpack
Whether they need it for school, work, or travel, the STM Good Echo backpack combines functionality and style with sustainability. It’s made from high-quality 100% recycled and 300D polyester fabrics and is Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified. There’s a protective suspended laptop compartment and the lightweight bag also features an intuitive organization system that allows you to easily stow and access all belongings and a comfortable shoulder strap to carry cargo hands-free. The ECO Backpack fits up to 15L of internal storage, designed for 16” laptops and is available in three different colours. US$80.
A.bsolument Prodige Bluetooth Speaker
The A.bsolument Prodige Bluetooth speaker employs a design inspired by the jewelry radios of the ‘60s. It’s made with a recycled aluminum case and boasts clean lines. It was also made using organic paint and wood from an eco-managed forest. Labeled as Focal Inside, it can adapt to the listening room using AcousticRoom technology and offers three bass levels. Get 90W total power: 60W Class D for the woofer and a pair of 15W Class D for the tweeters. The two 15W Focal TAM speakers are complemented by the oversized woofer and ultra-optimized audio processor to complete the architecture. Featuring Bluetooth 5.2 aptX-HD multipoint, you can play high-resolution files (Hi-Res) and connect multiple devices. To power an external device, such as a network player or a voice assistant, and to charge a smartphone, you can use USB-C. There’s also a 3.5mm jack input to connect a turntable, network player, old iPod, and other compatible devices. Get it for $1,299.
House of Marley Little Bird True Wireless Earbuds
Selling for under US$50, the House of Marley Little Bird true wireless earbuds are made from a blend of sustainable materials, including bamboo, House of Marley’s signature blend of Regrind natural wood fibre, mica composites, and recycled plastics. They can run for up to six hours per charge, 24 using the included charging case. Quick charge technology means you can get another two hours boost after just 15 minutes of charging. They charge conveniently using USB-C. On the buds are touch controls for adjusting volume, play/pause, and track skipping. There’s also an audible alert that advises when one of these changes have been made. Use the buds to answer and make hands-free calls as well. They come with a built-in mic for clear audio, along with a special mode for watching movies or playing games. They include Bluetooth 5.3, 10mm Hi definition drivers, and come with small, medium, and large colour-coded ear gels.
Kobo Clara 2E eReader
If you’re looking for a waterproof eReader you can use in the bathtub, pool, or at the beach, the kobo Clara 2E is a good option. Its exterior is made of recycled plastic just like the Elipsa but it’s also waterproof. It comes with a 6-inch HD E Ink Carta 1,200 touchscreen with Dark Mode and ComfortLight Pro, 16GB storage, and Bluetooth. Kobo says that over the course of a year, the company hopes to divert more than 200,000 plastic bottles from the oceans and over a million CDs and DVDs from landfills.
JBL Go 3 Eco Portable Bluetooth Speaker
You get all the benefits of great sound in a compact package with the JBL Go 3 Eco portable Bluetooth speaker ($70) with the added benefits of eco-friendly recycled materials and packaging. It’s made using 100% recycled fabric on the speaker grille, which JBL says helps reduce the amount of virgin plastic used as well as the overall carbon footprint. The packaging is also made from FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink. You get up to five hours of play time with the rechargeable battery, wireless streaming, and an IP67 water- and dust-proof design so you can use it by the pool, beach, in the bathroom, and more.
Ride1Up Portola Folding eBike
Get into the eBike trend with the Ride1Up Portola folding eBike, which has an innovative folding mechanism that makes it easy to fold and unfold for storage. Perfect for apartment or city dwellers with limited space, or for those who want to travel with the bike on public transportation, it is powered by an electric motor with multiple pedal assist levels so you can choose how much assistance you need based on where you’re riding, from flat ground to tough inclines. It comes with integrated lights and a responsive digital display along with fenders and even a passenger seat. It comes in turquoise, indigo blue, or gloss black and ships as a class 2 but can be changed to a class 3 (check the regulations in your area). It has a front suspension and integrated rear rack, 20×3-inch tires, and a 48V 10.4 ah or 48V 13.4ah battery. Pricing starts at US$995. This eBike and others like it is a great alternate mode of transportation to help the environment and reduce your carbon emissions along with urban congestion and pollution.