Energenie Hand Charger for Mobile Phones with flashlight and FM radio review

This device has an eclectic range of functions. A built in mobile phone charger and a set of common miniUSB, Nokia, Sony and Samsung adaptors means that, with a few minutes’ frantic winding, you can bring life to a basic phone. There’s neither enough power nor the right adaptors for running a smartphone, though.

You can also turn your muscle-power into light with the torch, which is very useful. An FM radio controlled by just one button is less helpful, but works OK if you leave it tuned to your local radio station for updates in an emergency. We were surprised by the built-in alarm siren, making this perhaps the world’s first clockwork attack alarm. Winding time could be an issue, though.

We got a lot of use out of the torch. The charger gives a tiny amount of life to the most low-tech of phones, but that’s enough to send a text if you’re stranded. It’s an ideal addition to your glove box or camping kit.