10 Best Hand Crank Phone Chargers

If you’ve ever been caught short with a dying phone, you’ll know that feeling of stress is unprecedented – especially if you’re in an emergency situation.

So how can you call for help or contact a loved one if you’re unable to get home and your phone isn’t switching on? 

Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to be within reach of a charger and a power socket. Sometimes, though, we’re caught out on a long excursion away, or the elements work against us.

If you’ve even been in a situation like this, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid it happening again.

If you’re not sure how to avoid this, why not consider a hand crank phone charger?

Even if you’re miles away from the nearest power outlet with no charger in sight, you can give your phone the juice it needs to make a call, send a text, or get help when you need it. 

Not sure where to start looking? Let us walk you through some of the best hand crank phone chargers on the market.

There’s something for everyone, from big names and quick charge times to extra features and high-quality builds. 

Ready? Let’s get started. 

1. FosPower 2000mAh Hand Crank Charger

First up, we have the FosPower Emergency hand crank. This little device is your one-stop shop for all emergency needs, including a flashlight, SOS alarm, phone charger, and more.

This charger can either be hand-cranked, powered by solar energy, or juiced up with AAA batteries. 

Rated for 2000mAh expressed through 3 separate ports, this bank can charge more than one device at a time, so you won’t have to worry about being left in a precarious situation without power.

This bank also comes with two light sources – a 4 LED reading light and a 1W flashlight so you can always see in the dark. 

We found that the radio always had a great reception when we tested this bank.

If you need to keep up-to-date with emergency broadcasts, you’ll never have an issue. It also includes a siren and red light for emergency purposes, which is a nice extra. 

Considering this bank is hand-held size, this is ideal for use in a bug-out bag or if you’re out hiking or camping.

The only issue we found with this bank is that the manufacturer does not state how long you need to crank this to hold a charge. It can take a consistent amount of cranking to hold a decent charge. 

Pros

• Multiple Power Options: This bank can be hand-cranked, battery-operated, or solar-powered.
• Two Light Sources: So you won’t have to worry about being caught in the dark.

Cons

• Lots Of Crank Power Needed: Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t specify how long you need to crank for to hold a charge. It can take quite some time to do this.

2. Eton American Red Cross FRX3 

Next on our list is the Eton American Red Cross FRX3. This emergency NOAA weather radio can also charge your phone, and it’s ideal for use in emergency situations.

This device also includes an emergency ‘alert’ function that can automatically broadcast any emergency alerts for your area, and you’ll have several charging options – hand crank, solar power, or a built-in rechargeable battery. 

This device also includes one LED flashlight and a red flashing beacon to improve your visibility and alert others to your location.

Its weather band digital radio and alarm clock are also fantastic for keeping in the loop with emergency broadcasts. 

We found that the hand-crank worked well to charge our phones when we tested this bank.

This bank requires little cranking to generate power – on average, around 2 minutes of cranking generated between 30-45 minutes of charge. 

However, we did feel that the crank was a little weak. Although it charges well, it doesn’t feel stable. We were concerned that this could break with consistent or vigorous cranking.

Pros

• Emergency Alert Function: So you’ll automatically get emergency broadcasts in your area.
• LED Flashlight And Red Beacon: Ideal if you’re camping, hiking, or left with minimal power.

Cons

• Weak Crank: Although the crank is functional and provides a good amount of charge, it feels weak. It’s not sturdy and may not last long with consistent cranking.

3. RunningSnail Emergency Hand Crank Charger

Now it’s time to take a look at the RunningSnail emergency hand crank charger.

This charger is a powerful, multipurpose tool that’s ideal for use in almost any emergency situation.

The RunningSnail charger may be pocket-sized, but it’s powerful enough to charge your phone and function as a radio and LED flashlight. 

It also comes with 3-way power sources: hand crank, solar panel, and built-in li-ion rechargeable battery. Its 1W LED flashlight can also maximize your visibility and keep you safe in emergencies. 

That said, despite having 2000mAh of power, we found the hand crank took a lot of work to generate consistent power.

On average, we found that about 10 minutes of cranking generated between 2%-10% charge. 

But it’s still great for emergency situations, as it’ll get you enough power to use your phone to make a quick call or send a text.

However, if you need a more stable charge, this hand crank charger may not be suitable for you.

It may also not be suitable for people suffering from arthritis or other joint issues due to the sheer amount of consistent arm work needed to give you enough phone charge. 

Pros

• Pocket-Sized: This is completely portable and lightweight.
• Multi-Function And Multiple Power Options: This can be used as a radio and flashlight, and it can be charged in three different ways.

Cons

• Limited Power: Unfortunately, even the most committed crankers might not gain enough power from this bank. Although it’s ideal for emergencies, it’s probably not good for people in need of more than a few extra minutes of charge.

4. Kuwugi Emergency Portable Solar Hand Crank Charger

Now, let’s take a look at the Kuwugi emergency portable solar hand crank charger. This charger has four power sources, one more than the competitors we’ve seen so far.

This charger can be powered up via solar panel, hand crank, Micro USB, or AAA batteries.

It also functions as a radio, bottle opener (convenient!), phone charger, SOS alarm, AUX player, flashlight, and weather alert station. 

Its 1W LED light offers enough visibility to see you through unexpected periods of darkness, and its SOS alarm is super loud and can help draw attention to you in an emergency situation.

This charger also includes some conveniently added extras, such as a compass, whistle, magnesium flint fire starter, and paracord. Put simply; it’s the ideal survival tool. 

When we tested this charger, we were impressed with the quality of the hand crank. It feels well-made and reliable, and we weren’t worried that it might break with consistent use.

With just a minute of cranking, you can use your LED light for around 30 minutes or your radio for 6 minutes.

However, the minute of cranking did not do much for our phone battery. It provided just an extra minute or two of power, so you’ll need to break a sweat to generate more than just a few minutes of charge. 

Pros

• Lots Of Extras: Unlike other chargers, this one comes with lots of extras that are ideal for emergency situations.
• Four Power Sources: If you don’t want to use the hand crank, you’ll have plenty of other ways to charge your phone or USB device.

Cons

• Minimal Power From Crank: Hand cranks are always hard work. However, this one does better at powering up the radio and flashlight than a phone. It’s ideal for a last-minute burst of juice, but the crank to power ratio for mobiles is still quite weak.

5. Kaito KA500 Crank Charger

Now, let us introduce you to the Kaito KA500 crank charger. This charger can be powered via solar, AA batteries, or a hand crank. It also has a built-in rechargeable battery to juice it up with, too. 

While this crank is ideal for emergency situations, it’s perfect for everyday use as well.

It comes with a switch on it to access NOAA weather alerts, the LED light is bright, and the reading light is the perfect warmth for reading in the dark without being blinded.

Unfortunately, the red SOS light on this unit doesn’t pattern Morse code, though, so don’t expect anything too technical from this charger. 

When we tested this charger, we were once again impressed by the quality of the crank. It’s easy to turn and feels incredibly well made, so we weren’t worried about it breaking with vigorous cranking.

This charger also comes with a convenient rubber-covered nylon strap for better grip and portability. 

Unfortunately, the hand crank doesn’t generate a spectacular amount of power. Some other hand-crank chargers can charge up quickly and die fast.

However, when we tested this one, it seemed to charge our phone slower, but it died just as quickly. The result? An average amount of power is produced from the crank, but less power is in our phone. 

Pros

• Multi-Function: Like our other competitors, this crank also comes with other features such as a radio, LED light, and reading light.
• High-Quality Crank: The crank itself feels sturdy and well made. This is ideal for everyday use and more demanding emergency situations.

Cons

• Poor Charging Power: Unfortunately, although this crank generates an average amount of power, it charged our phone incredibly slowly. This didn’t give us more than an extra minute or two of charge.

6. Greadio Crank Power Bank

Next up, we have the Greadio crank power bank.

This power bank comes with an impressive 6000mAh of power (more than our other competitors so far), and according to the manufacturer, it can give your phone up to 50% more power. 

Like most of our other competitors, this power bank is also multi-functional. It includes a three-mode flashlight (including far and dipped beam), so you’ll have a brightness suitable for all visibility conditions.

Impressively, its light also has a unique sensing angle that will automatically switch on when it detects movement.

Its SOS alarm is also extremely loud and can be heard for miles, so you’ll never have to worry about drawing attention to yourself in an emergency. 

If you don’t want to use the hand crank, you can also charge this bank via USB, solar panel, and replaceable Li-ion battery.

Although this bank can’t be fully immersed in water, it has a water resistance of IPX3, meaning it can handle a small amount of water exposure in emergencies. 

Now, let’s talk power. We found that the hand crank was comfortable to hold, easy to turn, and well-made when we tested this bank.

This crank also generated a lot more power than our other competitors. On average, just 30 seconds of cranking produces around 6 minutes of charge time.

This is perfect for emergency situations but also for everyday use too. 

The only downside to this power bank was its lack of features.

Most hand crank phone chargers and radios include additional features such as aux inputs and Bluetooth capabilities, but this one lacks these features.

Although these aren’t imperative, some buyers may be deterred. 

Pros

• 6000mAh Power: This bank has significantly more power than other competitors, and with minimal cranking, it could charge multiple devices at the same time.
• Powerful Crank: Not only is the crank well made, but it can provide a significant boost of power with minimal cranking. This is perfect for emergencies and everyday use.

Cons

• Lack Of Features: Although this doesn’t compromise the power of the hand crank, this bank has significantly fewer features than other multi-function crank banks.

7. Sangean MMR-88 Emergency Crank

Now, let us walk you through another powerful, all-in-one tool – the Sangean MMR-88 emergency crank.

This emergency crank features shock-resistant rubber on each corner, and it can be charged via either a hand crank generator, solar charger, or its built-in rechargeable batteries.

This emergency crank also features a NOAA weather radio with 19 station presets, a built-in speaker with a headphone jack, a bright LED light with four lighting patterns, and SOS settings. 

You can use this bank to charge your phone or other USB devices with its micro USB. During testing, we were impressed with the quality of the crank.

It’s small and powerful and easy to turn without resistance. However, we did feel that finding the right angle to hold it could be tough.

This may be difficult to use if you have arthritis, or you need to hold your crank in a difficult position. 

The hand crank can also produce enough power to suffice in an emergency.

A few minutes of consistent cranking can give you enough juice to keep you going for a few extra minutes, but nothing spectacular.

Although the hand crank is well made and functional, it may be best for emergency use only. 

Pros

• Shock Resistant Design: Perfect for outdoor or emergency use
• Multiple Charging Methods: This can be charged using a hand crank, solar panel, or built-in rechargeable battery

Cons

• Poor Crank: Although the crank is well made, it can be difficult to hold, and it doesn’t produce a lot of power. However, it can give you enough to send a text or make a quick call in an emergency.

8. Zeus Dynamo Powerhouse

Next up, we have the Zeus Dynamo Powerhouse. This 60w hand crank charger may not be as flashy as our other competitors, but it’s called powerhouse for a reason.

This bank is made from aircraft-grade aluminum with steel construction, and it comes with both USB-A and USB-C ports so that you can charge your phone and other devices such as tablets and wearables. 

Impressively, the Zeus Dynamo Powerhouse provides a good amount of charge for only a small amount of cranking time.

On average, most hand-crank chargers require over 2 minutes of cranking to produce a 1% phone charge – the Zeus needs just 30 seconds.

When we tested the Zeus Dynamo, we found this guideline to be incredibly accurate. Our phone charged quickly, and the crank was easy to use, too. 

The hand crank feels incredibly sturdy, and thanks to the added weight of the box, you’ll only need one hand to crank.

What’s more, the powerhouse can also be secured to any countertop or table, with an overhand of just 1.5 inches.

It also features non-marking rubber on the surface to prevent marks. The 9lb Zeus Dynamo also compacts down into a portable, waterproof bag so you can carry it around when you need it. 

The Zeus Dynamo is impressive; however, if you’re looking for more features, this may not suit you.

The Zeus Powerhouse is nothing more than a hand crank charger, so don’t expect any added extras like a radio or LED lights. 

Pros

• Aircraft Aluminum: This gives the Zeus an incredibly sturdy design, but, at just 9 lbs, it’s still lightweight enough to be portable.
• Fast Charge: The Zeus Dynamo has an incredibly fast charge time compared to other hand-crank chargers; if you need to charge up in a rush and with minimal effort, the Zeus Dynamo is a great choice.

Cons

• Limited Features: This hand crank charger doesn’t come with any additional features such as lights or radios, making it one of the simplest chargers on our list.

9. Tech-L Hand Crank Generator

Now, we’ll walk you through the Tech-L hand crank generator. This 30W hand crank generator has a total weight of just 480g.

It uses high-quality, high-tech magnetic conversion materials, including rare earth magnetics, to deliver fast charging and quality power.

The outer case of this generator is also made from aluminum steel, so you won’t have to worry about using a lightweight or poor-quality crank. 

The hand crank connects to a DC-DC converter which attaches to your phone or electronic device. The crank comes with a regulator, an aviation socket, and an alligator clip.

It even comes with an adjustable strap, so you can either strap this device to something in your surroundings or strap it to your hand or body for better grip when cranking. 

What’s more, this crank generator features IP65 water-resistant material; it’s also shock resistant with current overload and overheating protection to keep you, your crank, and your phone or electronic device safe.

We found this crank easy to use and hold when we tested it. Unfortunately, though, it does take a lot of effort to charge up.

We found this took around 5 minutes of consistent cranking to increase your phone charge by just 1%. 

Pros

• Aluminum Steel Design: This generator has a sturdy, reliable design that makes it a must-have for precarious emergency situations.
• Shock Resistance And Safety Features: This generator also includes a range of safety features to prevent shocks or overloading, keeping you and your devices safe.

Cons

• Effort Required To Charge: Unfortunately, this doesn’t charge as fast as other hand-crank generators. You’ll need to crank for longer to generate more power.

10. Midland ER210 Emergency Crank Generator

Last but not least, let’s take a look at the Midland – ER210 emergency compact crank.

This handy little device is another all-in-one solution that can also be used as a radio, NOAA weather scan + alert, charger, and flashlight. 

This generator also includes three sustainable power sources, including a solar panel, a rechargeable battery, or a hand crank.

Its rechargeable 2200mAh battery is incredibly powerful, and the SOS flashlight flashes in Morse code, making it ideal for use in almost any emergency scenario imaginable.

What’s more, this generator includes a generously sized LED display, so you can clearly see your radio stations, the time, or your weather channels, even in low light conditions.

It also includes a headphone jack and a flashlight dimmer which can be used to conserve your battery. 

We found the crank was well-built and relatively easy to use when we tested this generator.

It doesn’t feel as strong as other generator cranks, but it could be easily cranked with one hand, and it wasn’t awkward to hold, even when using it for extended periods. 

Unfortunately, although just one minute of cranking can give you 10 minutes of radio power, it doesn’t work as well for phones.

This crank will require anywhere between 5-10 minutes of consistent cranking to give you a few extra minutes of battery.

This is perfect for emergency situations, but it may not be suitable for frequent or everyday use. 

Pros

• Multi-Functional: This isn’t just a hand crank charger. This generator can also be used as a radio, flashlight, and emergency alert system.
• Sturdy Crank: This hand crank is well built, easy to use, and comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time.

Cons

• Poor Cranking Power: Unfortunately, this generator will require a lot of consistent cranking to generate a good level of charge. This is fine for emergency situations, but it may not be suitable for everyday use or consistent charging during long trips or outages.

Buyers Guide

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably taken a good look through our roundup of the best hand crank phone chargers. If you’re lucky, you may have even seen a few you like. 

You may have also discovered so many options that choosing the right one feels impossible. Hand crank phone chargers are an incredible invention.

However, there are so many to choose from that it can be hard to know what to look for. 

So, before you dive headfirst into your research, let us do some of the heavy lifting for you. S

tick with us to explore our buyer’s guide, and learn more about the key features of hand cranks chargers and what you should be looking for in a quality design. 

Portability 

One important factor to consider is portability. If you’re looking for a hand crank phone charger, you’re probably after something that you can use on-the-go, or in challenging environments.

If you’re going on a camping or hiking trip, you’ll need something lightweight. 

Look for a hand crank phone charger that can be put in your pocket or bag, but that doesn’t compromise on charge power.

If you want something you can use on the go, you should also be looking for durable build material, such as aluminum, so that you can crank with one hand.

Plastic cranks will usually require two hands, which isn’t always practical.

Comfort

Another thing to consider is comfort. Most hand cranks will need you to crank for a considerable amount of time before generating a charge.

If you’re cranking profusely, your hands can become tired and sore. 

Ideally, your hand crank will have rubber-supported handles, but if not, the crank handle should be fairly large and positioned at a comfortable angle. 

Charge Time

One of the most important things to consider is the charge time. Although all hand crank chargers will require some effort to juice up your phone, look for a charger that requires less effort.

For example, chargers like the Zeus Powerhouse have guidance from the manufacturer, which states only 30 seconds of crank time is needed to produce 1% of charge. 

Always look for the manufacturer’s guidance before making a purchase. If you buy a model that doesn’t specify charge time, you won’t be sure what to expect.

This isn’t good if you need to power up in an emergency. 

Additional Features

It may not be a necessity, but it’s always useful to look for models with additional features. For example, many of our models include features like flashlights, solar panels, and radios.

If you need a hand crank phone charger for an emergency situation or long outdoor trip, these extra features are not only useful, but they can save you the expense of having to source them elsewhere. 

Multiple Charging Options

Sure, your main priority is to look for a hand crank charger, but don’t you want the peace of mind of having extra charging options?

If you want to put your mind at rest, we recommend buying a hand crank phone charger with more than one charging option.

Many chargers can also be powered up using solar energy, AAA or AA batteries, or by using a built-in rechargeable battery. 

This way, if your hand crank charger fails, you’ll have solar or battery power to fall back on.

You could even fully charge your hand crank charger through a power outlet before leaving your home, so you’ll have even more backup juice if you need it for your trip.

Note: If you’re doing this, we recommend buying a hand crank generator between 2000mAh to 6000mAh. This means you’ll get more charge in the generator, and it should preserve itself for longer between uses.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Make A Crank Phone Charger? 

If you don’t want to buy a crank phone charger, you can DIY one. A crank phone charger can be made from: 

• Wood
• Yarn
• A mixing beater
• A salad form
• Aluminum foil
• Scotch tape
• A cordless drill

For detailed instructions on how to make your own hand-crank phone charger, click here. 

How Long Does It Take To Charge A Phone With A Hand Crank?

Charging times vary, however, the average is 10 minutes of cranking for a 2% charge. This will be enough to send a text or make a call but won’t be enough for all-day use. 

Can You Charge A Battery With A Hand Crank? 

Although it’s possible to charge a battery with a hand crank, it’s not practical. For example, some batteries may take as long as 16 hours to charge with cranking alone. 

How Much Power Can A Hand Crank Generator Produce? 

The power of each hand crank generator varies. However, it’s estimated that most produce somewhere between only five and fifteen watts.

This would mean that an hour of non-stop cranking could charge the average smartphone for around 16 minutes. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re fed up with being caught short without power, or you want to do everything you can to avoid it, it’s time to add a hand crank phone charger to your arsenal. 

There may be an abundance of options to choose from, but buying the right one doesn’t have to be difficult.

Take another look through our roundup and consult our buyer’s guide to help you find the best hand crank charger for your needs. 

So, whether you live in a hurricane-prone state, or you’re planning a long camping trip, hike, or sailing excursion away, make sure you have a hand crank charger to hand.