These are the tech gadgets you’ll want to have in an emergency

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In the world of consumer tech, boring doesn’t have to mean bad. Sometimes, the gadgets with the least flair are the ones with the most utility, even in times of emergency.

So, for those who live an area prone to severe weather, or those who just want to feel a little more secure, we’ve tested and researched to find a few devices that’ll help you prepare for that next power outage. They aren't all that exciting, but they'll work better than the detritus found in most pre-packaged survival kits.

Portable USB battery

Amazon

A good, high-capacity portable battery will keep your smartphone alive for at least a couple of days before forcing you to find an outlet. We’ve recommended it before, but the Anker PowerCore 20100 does just that, providing ample, reliable power in a compact, well-built package. At $40, it’s good value. While it’s not exactly pocketable — cargo pants aside, but that’s a different kind of emergency — it’s usually wise to carry more juice than you think you’ll need in times of crisis.

Anker PowerCore 20100, $39.99, available at Amazon.

Solar battery charger

Amazon

If worse comes to absolute worst, though, or if you just find yourself off the grid, you can turn to a solar charger. They won’t be as dependable as a USB battery pack or power inverter, but then again the sun will still be here tomorrow.

RAVPower has a worthwhile choice here with its 15W Solar Charger, a 15-watt, 3-panel pack with a couple of USB ports. It charges fast, it’s compact (but not so small that it’s ineffective), and crucially, it doesn’t go totally haywire when clouds pass overhead. It’s the number one solar charger on Amazon as of this writing, and it’s earned praise from the likes of The Wirecutter and Engadget.

RAVPower 15W Solar Charger, $59.99, available at Amazon.

Backup phone

Amazon

Even with a bevy of charging solutions, it won’t hurt to have a backup phone at the ready. The days of the dumbphone have come and gone, but a device like the Blu Tank II still has value as a last resort of communication. You can talk for days before it runs out of battery, its call quality is steady, and its screen is well-sized for what it is. It also comes recommended by PCMag. It can’t connect to the internet, but it’s not like that’d be a pleasant experience here anyway. For an $18 emergency device, it’s fine.

Alternatively, a more bulletproof way of ensuring you can make a call is to hook up an old-fashioned landline phone. (Provided the phone lines don’t collapse, in which case you may want a pricier satellite phone.) The AT&T 210M here is among the most well-regarded of its kind on Amazon, with a 4.0 rating after 2,630 user reviews. It’s also $14, so you won’t be paying more than you need for this tech in 2016.

Blu Tank II, $17.88, available at Amazon.
AT&T 210M, $13.89, available at Amazon.

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