These Battery Powered Devices Are Really Worth It

While we increasingly live in a world of portable, rechargeable gadgets , not to mention a world more and more traversed by battery-powered vehicles, there are still wires that are stationary and connected to our homes in our lives. And those cords get tangled , get in the way, making our countertops look cluttered.

But battery-operated devices exist. In fact, it’s theoretically possible to power an entire kitchen with battery-operated devices for a super-futuristic feel. But just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Battery-powered devices are often inferior to their wired counterparts because certain things, such as generating heat, consume a lot of power. But as more and more battery-powered devices hit the market, it’s time to evaluate: Which ones are worth buying?

These battery powered devices are not worth it

First, let’s start with a few categories that have virtually no viable battery-powered options:

• Coffee makers. There are some pretty good travel coffee makers, like the CONQUECO espresso machine , for example, but they’re designed for disposable appliances that you can use in a hotel room, not for daily waking up in your house. Makita offers a coffee maker that runs on their replacement power tool batteries, but it’s specifically designed for construction sites where power is scarce and the battery runs out after 2-3 cups of mediocre coffee, so it’s really a niche solution.
• space heaters. Generating heat requires a lot of energy, which is why there is no true battery-powered heater worthy of the name in this world. Most portable heaters that have the word “battery” in their description use batteries as supplemental power and still rely on a fuel source like propane or kerosene for the actual heating.
• Furnaces and ovens. Right now, there is no such thing as a battery-operated stove or oven due to power requirements. However, companies such as Impulse Labs and The Channing Street Copper Company are working on battery-powered furnaces. They are worth mentioning because they solve a serious problem: induction cookers consume a lot of energy – so much so that in most homes they will require a heavy 240-volt electrical outlet to be installed, which can cost several thousand dollars. These stoves plugged into regular 120-volt outlets, charged batteries, and used the stored energy to cook food.

Which battery powered appliances are worth it?

However, there is a surprising number of truly viable battery powered devices.

Makita microwave oven

Makita presents a short list of unusual devices that are powered by power tool batteries. The market for these tools is contractors who often work in places without electricity, so being able to make coffee or make dinner without leaving your job is great, especially if you already use their power tools and have plenty of rechargeable batteries. . But the Makita Portable Microwave is really worth considering, even if you’re not a contractor, because it really does work – it can heat up about 10-11 small dishes or about 20 cups of liquid, all on battery power. It certainly won’t help a large family, but if you’re a single person or want to eat some burritos in your car or tent, it’s worth your while. In addition, it is almost the only battery-operated microwave oven in existence, although it is currently only available in Japan.

Air Conditioner Zero Breeze Mark II

While there are still no battery-powered heaters, the Zero Breeze Mark II is a battery-powered air conditioner that actually works . Effective mostly in small spaces and quite expensive, it won’t replace your giant window box anytime soon, but for a campsite or small office space, it will really cool the place down and you’ll get 3-4 hours. operating time from it to its fullest.

Portable blender BlenderX

Battery powered blenders on the market are usually advertised as “portable” for people who want to make smoothies or shakes anywhere. But some of them are powerful enough to just be your blender, like BlenderX . Yes, it’s portable – it even comes in a waterproof bag – but it’s powerful enough to handle nearly all your cooking needs in the kitchen, so you’ll have one less cord.

Electric kettle Makita LXT.

There aren’t many battery operated kettles because it takes a ton of energy to heat water. Again, Makita makes a pretty decent tool for their contractor market that runs on their standard power tool batteries. It heats up about 27 ounces of water in less than 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick cup of tea, instant coffee, or even instant noodles .

KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer

Mixers tend to be either huge contraptions that are suitable for a professional kitchen or fairly simple items suitable for occasional cookie baking. A battery-powered hand mixer like the KitchenAid model does a pretty good job of doing these inexpensive things these days. KitchenAid, in fact, makes a full line of small kitchen appliances that have good reviews.

Can we eventually get rid of cords entirely? Well, someday, wireless power may solve the problem, but for now, at least you can make popcorn on battery power.