Why ALL automobiles don’t come equipped with at least one, built-in 3-prong outlet is beyond me. And why more drivers don’t keep an inverter like this one from Belkin in their cars is also a mystery. Emergencies alone make a simple inverter a super worthwhile item (we also keep a tub filled with spare clothes, shoes, MRIs, water, etc. in the trunk, you know, “just in case.”). But apart from the once-in-a-blue-moon, doom-and-gloom scenarios where we’ll be stranded in our car and need to tap the battery to charge a phone or radio, having an inverter available for daily use is a true no-brainer. Since last April, I’ve stashed this 300-watt DC-AC inverter in one of the rear seat pockets. I’ve used it to charge my cell phone and replenish my GoBe battery overnight while car camping. In addition, I’ve charged up a range of devices en route on car trips — long and short — way too many times to count. Here’s the short of it: Easy to Use : Just pull out the thing, plug the business end into the cigarette lighter, flip the switch on the device, and plug in up to two devices. (Dr. Obvious says: There’s no need to have the car turned on.) Easy to Carry : The whole thing weighs just 2 lbs.; it’s not as if you’ll ever need to take the device backpacking, but my point is that it’s never a hassle to pull out, put back, ad nauseam. No Outside Juice Required : Requires no batteries, no charging, no sunlight because, you know, it runs off the car battery (Dr. Obvious says: Triple duh). One Caveat : The inverter’s internal fan hums rather loudly when in use. Not enough to disturb phone calls or music too much, but it’s noticeably audible. Verdict : Get one. If not this particular device, then be sure to pick one up that’s got at least two 3-prong outlets… and, perhaps, even a USB . You’ll rely on your inverter more than you’d expect. ~$40 from Amazon . Previously: Review: A month with Belkin's Mini Surge Behold! A styrofoam coffee cup power inverter Review: GoBe Solar Briefcase & Power-Hub Porta-Jump: Tiny Cube Jump Starts Your Car - Boing Boing Gadgets Review: A year with Monster Cables' Outlets to Go BoltBus fleet has free Wi-Fi, power in every seat

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Review: 16 Months w/Belkin’s 300W DC/AC Inverter

Five inches long, two inches deep and an inch and a half wide, Belkin’s Mini Surge is a useful and versatile portable power strip. It’s just a smidgin too big and heavy for the manbag, however, making it better in the hotel room than the coffee shop. Readers asked us to check it out after we gave Monster Cable’s Power To Go a positive writeup: it’s actually a very different kettle of electrons. Whereas Monster’s item is a sturdy, tiny but otherwise standard power strip, Belkin’s box contains a surge protector and adds two USB power ports. It has three grounded outlets, and can swivel around the prongs to fit in tight spaces, locking at each 90 degree interval. Sturdy and relatively easy on the eye, the Belkin Mini is $20-ish. Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger [Belkin]

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Review: A month with Belkin’s Mini Surge