Even this winter, when severe cold is forecast, heating/insulating products to combat the cold are being actively sold. In addition to winter products that protect the body from the cold, warming devices that prevent food from getting cold are also popular. Recently, ‘mug warmers’, which keep coffee, tea, and other beverages warm for a long time, have also been in the spotlight as a winter item among office workers.
A mug warmer is a small device that literally keeps the mug warm, and many consumers choose a ‘smart mug warmer’ that has various functions in addition to the original warmer function. Among these products, ‘Smart Warmer’ from SoluM, a domestic electronic component company, is also receiving positive reviews from consumers immediately after its launch.
SoluM ‘Smart Warmer’ with wireless charging function / Source = IT Donga
First of all, SoluM is an electronic components company established as a spin-off of Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ power module and tuner division and ESL (electronic labeling device) division. We mainly develop and supply B2B professional products/solutions such as ESL, batteries/adapters, energy, sensors, displays, and healthcare devices, and recently launched this new smart warmer product as our only consumer product line.
As the product name itself is ‘Smart Warmer’, it has not only a warmer function, but also wireless use, external battery function, and wireless charging function. Although many mug warmers have been sold in the past, most of them are wired-only products, but SoluM Smart Warmer adopts wired and wireless methods and can maintain the cup temperature for up to 2 hours without plugging in the power cable.
SoluM Smart Warmer is sold as a set with a wireless charging pad Power Bank, a dedicated mug cup, and a silicone cover. The mug cup is made of white porcelain, and has a simple but concise and luxurious design that has little consumer likes and dislikes (capacity is about 440ml). It is similar to a regular ceramic mug, but has a unique heating sensor attached to the bottom. When placed on a power bank, this sensor maintains the temperature of the contents uniformly at around 50 to 60 degrees.
Mug cup made of luxurious ceramic material / Source = IT Donga
A heating sensor is attached to the bottom / Source = IT Donga
The power bank measures 13cm wide/height, is the same white color as the mug, and is similarly designed simply and without any unnecessary elements. On the top there is a power button for wireless use, on the back is a USB-C terminal (in) for wired charging, and a USB-C terminal (out) for charging external devices such as smartphones, and next to it is an indicator light to indicate charging/battery remaining amount. there is.
Power bank, which is an external battery and warmer plate / Source = IT Donga
Power bank charging USB-C terminal and external device charging USB-C terminal / Source = IT Donga
There is a sensor for keeping the mug warm in the middle of the top, and when a mug is placed on it, an orange light glows softly to maintain the temperature of the cup (the light turns off when the cup is removed).
When warming begins, an orange light turns on / Source = IT Donga
The power bank can charge smartphones or wireless earphones (wired) using the USB-C terminal on the back while the mug cup is placed on it. Wireless charging is also possible by placing these wireless charging devices instead of the cup. Smartwatches can also be charged wirelessly, but whether wireless charging is possible varies depending on the product/model (or depending on the type of wrist strap), so it is best to check before purchasing. As an external battery, it has a capacity of 4980mAh and can easily charge a smartphone.
You can charge your smartphone with a USB-C cable / Source = IT Donga
Wireless earphones can also be charged wirelessly / Source = IT Donga
It is very useful to normally use it in a wired connection, but switch to wireless when moving to a location when necessary. If you are in an office, you can drink it at your desk and then take it to a conference room and use it wirelessly for about two hours. It would be okay to use it outside, at travel destinations, or at camping sites. There is little risk of overheating or burns even when used for a long time, and it automatically turns off when used for more than 1 hour to prevent overheating.
SoluM is a parts specialist that has produced more than tens of thousands of adapters / Source = IT Donga
However, as it is a warmer, it only maintains warm drinks at a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees, and cannot warm up completely cooled drinks (if you place a cold drink on it, a small amount of warmth is delivered). If you drink hot coffee or tea (above 60 degrees), you can maintain a warm temperature (50 to 60 degrees) from the time you go to work to the time you leave work. Of course, the drink is warm, but the mug itself is not hot, so you can hold it with confidence.
In fact, you can drink a cup of coffee brewed after going to work at 9 a.m. in an appropriately warm state, neither hot nor cold, until lunch time at 12 p.m., and if you keep the coffee you bought at an outside cafe after lunch, you can drink it comfortably before leaving work. there is. In cold weather like these days, it’s good to drink warm lemon tea or citron tea to calm down. Covering the silicone cover can prevent dust or dirt from entering. I didn’t know anything about it when I didn’t have it, but when I actually used it, I found out that it can be used as a charger for devices other than warmers, especially at office desks in this season.
Drink warm coffee anywhere and even charge your smartphone / Source = IT Donga
You can wash the mug cup with water (and detergent) like other cups, but if you soak it in water for a long time, the bottom heating sensor may be damaged. In addition, after washing, you should dry it well and place it on the power bank.
One thing that is unfortunate is that only the dedicated mug cup must be used, and since it is a ceramic cup, if it breaks or is damaged, the dedicated mug cup cannot be purchased separately (as of December 2023). The price of the smart warmer set is 79,000 won, and it can be purchased (by reservation) for 74,900 won through the crowdfunding site Wadiz.
IT Donga Reporter Lee Moon-gyu (munch@itdonga.com)
