Disaster Rally Prep
Equipment

Hand-Crank Chargers & Generators

Devices that turn muscle power into electricity, either directly into a device or into a small stored battery.

Not tested

Specifications are manufacturer-published figures compiled in August 2026. We have not independently tested this equipment. A dash means the figure could not be confirmed with the manufacturer.

Choose by brand

4 brands make hand-crank chargers & generators. Each brand page lists only that brand's models.

Every model compared

The distinction that matters is direct versus stored. A direct generator produces power only while you are turning it, and its rated output is what it can sustain. A crank power bank stores what you wind in, so its capacity — not its crank — sets what it can eventually deliver.

Model Kind Rated output Stored capacity Also does
K-TOR Pocket Socket 2 Direct hand-crank generator 120 V AC, 10 W None — direct Standard AC socket
K-TOR Power Box Direct pedal generator 14 V, 3 A (50 W) None — direct Foot pedal
K-TOR Power Box 20 Direct pedal generator 20 W None — direct Foot pedal
Eton American Red Cross FR1 Crank radio + charger 5 V / 2 A USB 2,000 mAh AM/FM/NOAA radio, light
Eton BoostTurbine 2000 Crank power bank 5 V USB 2,000 mAh —
RunningSnail MD-090 Crank radio + charger 5 V USB 4,000 mAh AM/FM/NOAA radio, light
Goal Zero Torch 500 Crank light + charger 5 V USB 4,400 mAh 500 lm light

A dash means the figure could not be confirmed with the manufacturer. Compiled August 2026.

Common questions

Your phone is your lifeline. How are you to charge your phone if your car is dead or you are too far away from plugs? Hand crank phone chargers have become such an internet phenomenon that you’ve got more than one choice—many more than one choice, in fact. There are so many choices that it can become a burden to sift through the detritus to find the hand crank phone charger that actually works and won’t break your bank at the same time.

Fortunately, we have done the sifting for you. There are certainly hand crank phone chargers available that will get your phone back up to running on the side of the road or out in the wilderness. It is also true that there are hand crank phone chargers that require too much elbow grease to be worthwhile. We hope to save you the effort of unnecessary searching and unnecessary cranking with this one-stop guide to the best hand crank phone chargers on the market.

COMPARISON TABLE

Product FAQ for Hand Crank Phone Chargers

We’ve narrowed the myriad choices of hand crank phone chargers down to just five specimens. We’ll examine each of these choices in depth, pit them against each other and reveal our favorite. But first, it is necessary to address a few of the most frequently asked questions about hand crank phone chargers that we’ve received. 

1. What Is a Hand Crank Phone Charger?

A hand crank phone charger is a device that can store a charge in a battery that is generated from the locomotive force of turning a crank. You can then plug your phone into the device to draw that charge from the battery and recharge your phone. The best versions of these devices offer many plug options for different types of phones.

2. How Much Power Does a Hand Crank Phone Charger Generate?

The exact ratio of effort to power isn’t identical for every model. However, as a good rule of thumb, think “Two to One.” Basically, if you put in a minute of consistent effort of cranking, you will generate enough power to have a thirty second phone call. A half-minute phone call may not seem like much, but it is enough to let emergency services know where you are or get a tow truck to your location. And keep in mind that you can crank it for much longer. Many passengers on road trips find it a good pastime to idly crank the hand crank phone charger when the conversation dies down over long stretches.

Each battery has a different top capacity, but assuming your model can hold this much charge:  ten minutes of idly spinning a crank will generate five minutes of phone power that will likely get you the assistance you need.

3. How Do Hand Crank Phone Chargers Work?

Generators are electronically very similar to electric motors, just in reverse. You can actually wire a drill to rechargeable batteries to get an idea of how all the parts are connected. The drill bit becomes like the crank in the hand crank phone charger. We’ll tell you exactly how to put one of these together if you’re interested.

4. Is It Dangerous to Use a Hand Crank Phone Charger?

Some of the simplest hand crank generators do not come equipped with voltage regulators. That means if you are connecting a low quality or exceedingly simple crank generator to sensitive equipment, you may run into problems. What sort of problems? Well, since you can potentially hand crank faster than a light bulb would use to be powered, you may be able to burn out light bulbs that were running directly off of your hand crank charger.

Fortunately, modern hand crank phone chargers have voltage regulators equipped, so that your crank speed won’t blow up your phone.

5. Where Can You Buy a Hand Crank Phone Charger?

All the items on this list can be found online. Check Amazon at different times to catch different prices.

6. Can I Make a Hand Crank Phone Charger at Home?

Getting a hand crank charger to attach directly to your phone will require some advanced home engineering. However, since a crank charger is essentially just an electric motor in reverse, you can make a crank charger by reversing an electric motor like a drill. To illustrate:  take an electric drill. Remove the battery. Wire the battery leads to what you want to power. (We recommend a rechargeable battery.) Then put a handle on the drill’s chuck; this will be the “crank” you turn. Hold down the button to unlock the chuck, and then turn your handle. The motion should power the battery.