WORDS Nafisa Akabor PHOTOS Supplied
Rolling blackouts (Loadshedding) are here to stay. To make the best of this dire situation, we’ve round up some tasteful – and useful – home gadgets that work when the electricity doesn’t.
HUAWEI SUPERCHARGE POWER BANK
If aesthetics matter to you, even when it comes to power banks, take note of the Huawei SuperCharge 10 000mAh. It’s ergonomic and supports up to 22.5W fast charging on compatible devices through a USB-C and USB-A port. It has light indicators and bidirectional quick- charge support, so you can charge and recharge simultaneously.
R999 | huawei.com/za
RING SPOTLIGHT CAM PLUS
Ring has made smart home security accessible, and its new Spotlight Cam Plus with a rechargeable battery is a must for any modern home. This nifty gadget is understated yet impactful: with motion detection, it will sound
a siren and shine two LED spotlights. It offers two-way talk and HD live view from an app, with colour night vision. Available in black or white.
R3 499 | builders.co.za
BANG & OLUFSEN BEOSOUND LEVEL
Premium audio brand Bang & Olufsen’s BeoSound Level looks nothing like a speaker. Its minimalist design supports standing up, lying flat or being wall-mounted, and it delivers powerful 360-degree sound and promises 16 hours of battery life from a three-hour charge. It supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Chromecast with Google Assistant voice built in
R34 999 | takealot.com
WACACO NANOPRESSO
Become your own barista with Wacaco’s Nanopresso with optional NS capsule adaptor. This innovative little coffee maker is elegant yet practical, and uses either ground coffee or Nespresso-compatible pods with the adaptor. It also has its own built-in cup – just add hot water from a flask or a gas plate to make a fresh brew.
R1 869 | yuppiechef.com
DYSON CORRALE HAIR STRAIGHTENER
Doing your hair sans electricity can be a nightmare – but the world’s first cordless hair straightener, by those always revolutionary folks
at Dyson, is the solution. It offers 30 minutes of styling time and a screen for battery, heat and charge status, and it shuts off after 10 minutes of inactivity. Perched on its charging dock, the straightener will look good on any dressing table.
R8 999 (including travel pouch) | dyson.co.za
XIAOMI SMART STANDING FAN 2 PRO
Xiaomi’s Smart Standing Fan 2 Pro runs wirelessly on batteries. It’s all white, looks neat without cable clutter, and is portable too. It features a double-layer fan blade, is ultra-quiet and energy-saving, and its battery lasts up to 18 hours in standard mode. It also has voice controls through Google or Alexa.
R2 659 | futurama.co.za
BONBON PORTABLE LAMP
There are plenty of rechargeable light bulbs on the market, but if you want something with style, opt for the Bonbon rechargeable portable table lamp. It’s minimalist, wireless, and has a built-in handle to easily move around. The lamp recharges with a USB cable, and has three touch-activated dimming levels.
R1 149 | lighting.co.za
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