The best outdoor gadgets for the spring awakening

Longer days, more sunshine, more greenery – in spring, people are drawn to the outdoors. In addition to walks, there are all kinds of other activities on the agenda that can be done together or alone. These include the first barbecues of the year, but also spring sports etc. To make the most of spring, you shouldn’t do without a few useful gadgets. We introduce you to the most important helpers for the start of spring!

Mobile power station for solar power on the go

Anyone who spends a long time outdoors and doesn’t want to be cut off from the outside world needs a solution to keep them supplied with power while on the move. In addition to charging smartphones, this also ensures the operation of mobile loudspeakers, small cool boxes and other useful helpers for the perfect spring evening. The classic power bank has long been available as such a solution. But it has a decisive disadvantage: Its charge is also finite. In addition, the use of a power bank is not necessarily sustainable. Mobile power stations, which are available on the market in a wide variety of sizes, are a solution that is absolutely clean and promises complete independence from the power grid.

The power stations are equipped with solar modules that allow electricity to be generated through solar radiation, which can then not only be used directly but also stored. This ensures that a sufficient energy supply is available even in the dark. Depending on the size of the power bank or its storage unit, different applications can be identified. Small devices are particularly suitable for powering parties, barbecues and the like. Larger models, on the other hand, will carry you through a festival visit or a camping weekend. Such products are offered by Jackery, Oukitel, Anker and Bluetti, for example. The range is constantly growing.

Irrigation systems for smart plant care

In spring, plants start to sprout again not only in the wild, but also on balconies and in gardens. What is beautiful to look at, however, also means a lot of work: the plants need to be planted and cared for. If you neglect the latter point, you will quickly get the receipt for it – incorrect watering means the quick death of the plant. Fortunately, today we no longer have to follow rules of thumb or confusing advice from the garden market. Thanks to watering apps and moisture sensors, precise care is no longer a problem. Irrigation control is prominently offered by Gardena, for example, which has an entire smart garden system, but also by some competing companies. The plants are equipped with sensors that measure in real time how moist the soil in which the plant is growing is. The sensors are connected to a free app, which can be used to call up information on the current watering status. Notifications are also issued. So you’ll never miss the perfect time to water your plants again.

Mobile Bluetooth speakers for long spring nights

The absolute classic among outdoor gadgets for spring is the popular Bluetooth speaker. It has been an essential piece of basic equipment for the warmer months of the year for years. It provides a high-quality music supply that is independent of the power grid – in the garden, in the city park or anywhere else. The choice of such devices is endless. From miniature models to huge music systems that can easily provide sound for larger parties, there is a lot to choose from. For successful outdoor use, it is important that the speakers not only have a convincing sound, but are also robust. When selecting them, you should make sure that they are protected against both dust and splash water. If rain doesn’t drive you back indoors, your Bluetooth speaker should even be waterproof. The IP certification of the corresponding level certifies this. If you need help choosing, you can click through our test reports. We have put numerous Bluetooth speakers under the microscope, such as the soundcore Boom 2, the Trust Caro Max and the soundcore Motion 300.

GPS device for extended hiking tours

Owning a GPS device is far less common. Hardly anyone still has a device whose function has long since been taken over by the smartphone – similar to the pocket calculator. However, for certain target groups who start their peak season in spring, GPS devices offer some decisive advantages. For good reasons, hikers who set off on extended tours off the beaten track are reluctant to rely on their smartphone for navigation. This is due to the fact that the cell phone battery does not last very long due to the device’s wide range of functions. In addition, most smartphones are not robust enough to withstand falls in rocky terrain, for example. If you don’t want to suddenly be left in the middle of nowhere without any orientation, you should therefore think about an alternative to your everyday multifunctional helper – and the classic GPS device is just what you need. It is designed for a single purpose: navigation. This narrow limitation ensures that no energy has to be diverted to other functions – which means that the device’s battery lasts a very long time. In addition, GPS devices are generally designed to be particularly robust, as they are intended for off-road use.

Smart robotic lawn mowers for the garden

But back to home: In the garden, not only the flowers need care, but also the lawn, which is often the centerpiece of the green oasis. If you don’t want to be constantly active here yourself, you can fall back on smart robotic lawn mowers, which – largely equivalent to the now relatively widespread robot vacuum cleaners – take over a large part of the work. The operating principle is simple: the robot measures the lawn and then moves around it independently. However, the problems it can cause are far greater than those of its indoor counterpart. For example, the sharp blades used to cut the lawn also pose a danger to other plants and animals. For this reason, you should by no means go for the cheapest possible product, but choose one that has maximum protection. This is the only way to prevent your robotic lawnmower from contributing to destruction. To provide a little help, we have tested selected robots such as the RoboUP T1000 and the Ecovacs Goat G1 for you. But you should also keep an eye on new developments, as most manufacturers are investing heavily in improved protection devices.