If you want to own a pair of solar-powered headphones, you should first understand how they work. These innovative headphones use a flexible solar cell on the headband to generate enough energy to charge your USB devices. Besides allowing you to listen to music on your phone while generating energy, solar-powered headphones also offer greater comfort and accuracy. A solar-powered headphone is also much cheaper than a conventional model. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for solar-powered headphones:
The first solar-powered headphone is called the Urbanista. The headphones use a thin plastic solar cell to harvest infinite energy from indoor and outdoor lighting. The solar-powered panel stores energy for extended periods of time and can support three hours of usage under direct sunlight. The company’s headphones also feature other features like active noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.0. You can also find solar-powered headphones in the Urbanista Miami line.
Another type of solar-powered headphone uses Powerfoyle solar cell material. These headphones use an active noise reduction system to minimize ambient noise and allow you to listen to music for a long time. A typical exposure to sunlight results in one hour of playtime. The batteries can be recharged through a traditional USB port. This can provide a substantial amount of extra playtime and enables you to listen to music even when you’re away from the electricity grid.
While the Phoenix earbuds use powerfoil technology, they are far from the first solar-powered headphones. In fact, there’s already an Indiegogo campaign for similar earbuds that was shut down by the manufacturer after the crowdfunding page was filled with refund requests. If you’re interested in buying a solar-powered headphone, it might be a good idea to look at the Phoenix first. Its price is $149, and it’s expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The headphones have a large battery that won’t suffer from degradation after several years of usage. The battery itself should last for up to five years with proper care. However, the battery’s efficiency might affect the amount of playtime. Some solar-powered headphones will have to be aligned with the sun. If you want to use solar-powered earbuds, make sure to buy a case for your portable speakers.
Another type of solar source is called Powerfoyle. It’s a laminated plastic material that absorbs light. It works in a similar way to photosynthesis, and uses dyes to absorb light. This material is more efficient at harvesting light energy indoors and can produce 100 per cent more power than flexible amorphous silicon. But despite their low-performance, solar headphones are still the most efficient way to listen to music.
