Who knew bananas could inspire so many quirky gadgets? From phones to umbrellas to pods, the world of banana-themed items is surprisingly vast. I tested three banana gadgets that are as ridiculous as they are intriguing: the Banana Phone, the Banana Umbrella, and the Monkey Banana Pod. Let’s dive in and see how these quirky contraptions measure up in real-world use.
Where to Purchase
Below are links where you can purchase the items covered in this review.
The Banana Phone
Features and First Impressions
The Banana Phone is a Bluetooth-enabled handset shaped like – you guessed it – a banana! Retailing for $49.99, it claims to provide 10 hours of talk time, a 30-foot range, and functionality as a Bluetooth speaker. It’s undeniably a novelty, with its design appealing to anyone who’s ever held up a banana and pretended it was a phone.
Performance
After charging the device and pairing it with my phone, I tested its sound quality. While it works as advertised, the audio had a noticeable static background, and the range of frequencies felt limited compared to my regular phone. It’s loud enough to double as a speakerphone, but the audio quality is average at best.
The Verdict
This gadget is hilarious and fun, especially for making or receiving calls in public (if you’re brave enough). However, the novelty wears thin once you factor in the less-than-stellar sound quality and the inability to call out directly from the device without first using your phone. I eventually gave this away on Discord to a viewer of my channel.
The Banana Umbrella
Claims and Design
Priced at $17.95, the Banana Umbrella is supposed to be a fully functional umbrella that folds neatly into a banana-shaped case. On first inspection, it feels lightweight but a bit flimsy, raising concerns about its durability.
Real-World Testing
Opening the umbrella is straightforward, but getting it back into the banana-shaped case is another story. It took me nearly 10 minutes of finagling to achieve success, making it more frustrating than practical. However, when tested outdoors, the umbrella held up surprisingly well against a moderate breeze. For rain protection, I simulated a downpour, and to its credit, the umbrella didn’t leak.
The Verdict
This is a fun gift or conversation starter, but the impracticality of reassembling it into its case diminishes its utility. It’s functional enough for light use, but don’t expect it to survive heavy wear and tear.
The Monkey Banana Pod
Purpose and Functionality
For $19.77, the Monkey Banana Pod promises to protect your banana from bruises and squishing. It features a cradle design with a cutout for the stem, but it doesn’t lock securely, which could be problematic if tossed into a backpack.
Testing Different Bananas
Smaller, curved bananas fit perfectly into the pod, but larger, straighter ones required some gentle bending. While it accommodated most bananas reasonably well, oversized or particularly straight bananas weren’t a snug fit and caused some awkwardness when closing the lid.
The Verdict
This gadget works as intended, but its usefulness depends on how particular you are about keeping your banana pristine. If you regularly travel with bananas, this might be worth it. Otherwise, it feels like a novelty item.
Conclusion
Each of these banana gadgets delivers on its primary claims but with varying levels of practicality.
- The Banana Phone is fun and attention-grabbing but suffers from average sound quality and limited functionality.
- The Banana Umbrella works for light rain and sun but is a hassle to pack away.
- The Monkey Banana Pod excels at keeping bananas safe but struggles with larger or unusually shaped ones.
While these gadgets are more about novelty than necessity, they’re undeniably entertaining. Have you tried any of these banana-inspired items? Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Video Review
Below you can watch my full review of these banana gadgets!