Smart Green Products
You’re concerned about the environment and you want to reduce your plastic, carbon, and chemical footprint. We’ve got some smart gadgets to help you live sustainably. For example, the Natede Smart Air Purifier turns pollutants into nutrients for a plant of your choice. There’s also the Pico Self-Watering Palm-Size Garden that takes the guesswork out of growing herbs.
Natede Smart Air Purifier
For those who are concerned about environmental sustainability and want to ensure their home is as environmentally friendly as possible, an air purifier is a great investment. While they may not be as fashionable or quiet as some other smart green products, they do offer a number of benefits, including the ability to monitor air quality levels, variable settings and a sleep mode that can help reduce noise pollution at night.
The Natede Smart Air Purifier uses a photocatalytic filter made of ceramics that eliminates VOCs, bacteria and viruses by attacking them with LED light, leaving only clean air. The filter is washable and can be reused, eliminating the need to buy replacement filters and cutting down on waste. The companion app offers real-time air quality monitoring that tracks PM2.5, TVOC, temperature and humidity, with AI/Auto mode adjusting settings and speed based on your home’s environment.
Another top pick, the Levoit Vital 200s is a lightweight and compact air purifier that’s perfect for bedroom use. It works hard to keep your space smelling fresh by cycling the air in a room up to 380 square feet five times per hour, and it’s quiet enough to run throughout the night. Its simple controls include an easy-to-use mobile app by VeSync that allows you to set schedules, adjust the fan speed and check indoor air quality from anywhere.
For large spaces, the Coway Airmega 400 is a more comprehensive solution that can cover up to 1,560 square feet in 30 minutes or less. Its filtration system includes a pre-filter, activated carbon and True HEPA filter to capture the smallest particles in the air. The smart device is Wi-Fi compatible, features a remote control and has multiple sleep and eco modes. It also has a handy air filter indicator that lets you know when it’s time to replace the filter.
Bluetti AC200 Portable Solar Power Station
If you’re looking to get off the grid, or prepare for a power outage, a solar power station like the AC200P from Bluetti is an excellent option. The unit uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery that can be charged via AC outlets, solar panels (up to 12A maximum current), or even the car’s charging port.
It can also be hooked up to a lead acid battery (maximum current 8.2A), giving users more options to power devices in an emergency. Users can also connect it to a variety of solar panels with MC4 connectors, making the AC200P a highly adaptable power supply for off-grid use.
The Bluetti website provides a helpful guide to help users figure out the right model to purchase based on needs. Users can start by calculating their power requirements and then defining what they need to power, such as appliances or electronics. From there, the site recommends a model.
The AC200P comes with a pair of handles on the sides, so it can be carried for short distances. However, the weight is quite significant and moving it for more than a few meters may require significant effort from one or two people. The unit does not have wheels, a telescoping luggage handle, or built-in wireless phone chargers like its competitors from Jackery and Anker. Adding those features would significantly increase its usability as a portable backup power solution. Its app allows users to keep track of the status of the battery, including its remaining charge and estimates on how long it will take to reach full depletion. In addition, the app lets users enable Eco mode and “Power Lifting” modes for additional runtime benefits.
Pico Self-Watering Palm-Size Garden
The Pico Self-Watering Palm-Size Garden from the team at PICO offers consumers with or without green thumbs an easy way to grow herbs and other plants indoors. Powered by a 10,000mAh battery within, the planter eliminates the need for power access or wires. Instead, the planter uses capillary action to draw water from a central basin, and ventilation holes allow for oxygenation of the roots below.
As for the telescoping LED light, it uses multiple wavelengths to simulate sunlight and stimulate growth, no matter your location. And with a transparent viewing window, it’s simple to see when the central water basin needs refilling.
One of the biggest reasons houseplants die is because they’re either under or over watered. But with this planter, this is never an issue because it’s designed to give your plants just the amount of water they need, sustain their health and beauty. The only thing you need to do is top it off once a week.
You can hang the device as a hanging planter, set it on a flat surface, or use magnets to affix it to a fridge or other magnetic surfaces. With no subscriptions or additional lingering costs, the Pico planter is a smart green product that’s ideal for anyone looking to get into gardening.
Currently available on Kickstarter, you can snag one for just $34, and even nab some extra plants and accessories to grow like a pro. And if you’re a frequent traveler, don’t worry: the Pico is a perfect solution for keeping your plants healthy while you’re away. Just plug it in and watch them thrive. You can even connect multiple units together to daisy chain their lights and hydration functions.
Soma Sustainable Pitcher & Plant-Based Water Filter
A slender glass carafe and innovative filter make this pitcher the centerpiece of your table—and it’s sustainable to boot. The hourglass-shaped carafe and German-engineered glass are dishwasher safe, while the ceramic-like filter—made of Malaysian coconut shell carbon, layers of vegan silk, and food-grade PLA plastic—has a two-month lifespan and is 100% compostable (so you won’t waste money buying replacement filters). And every Soma purchase supports bringing clean water to people in need through a partnership with charity: water.
The Soma is the result of a brainstorm by founder Mike Del Ponte, who realized his plastic filter pitcher sat on his beautifully set table and didn’t really fit in with the vibe. Plus, pouring the filtered water often left black specks in his glass carafe. That’s when he got the idea for Soma, which was designed with minimal features to eliminate waste and improve functionality.
CR’s lab tests show that the Soma filters water quickly and effectively—it was among the fastest to fill a quart from a tap—but it can take awhile for the carafe to completely drain, so you may find yourself refilling it frequently. Also, while the Soma removed chlorine and improved taste in our testing, it didn’t remove PFAS—though four of the five best pitchers we tested do. To be sure, look for a filter that’s certified to reduce specific contaminants by an independent testing organization.
