Review: Moixa USBCell Rechargeable Battery

Moxia USBCell Rechargeable Battery
Manufacturer: Moixa
Site: Buy from Moixa
Price: $17.00 (2 pack)


Overview : This NiMH AA cell can be used like a normal battery and can be recharged simply by plugging into a USB port.

With over 15 billion Alkaline batteries made and thrown away each year - wasting resources, C02 and creating toxic Landfill - USBCELL offers a eco-friendly alternative as can be re-used hundreds of times as no charge adaptor or cable is needed, saving you money, hassle and waste.

Features :

• Rechargeable AA NiMH Battery 1.2v 1300mah
• 90%+ Charged after 5 Hours by powered USB
• Built in Intelligent Charger
• Charge by powered USB
• Also can be charged in approved NiMH Chargers

Quality/Usability : Majority of today's electronics such as digital cameras, portable devices such as MP3/CD players, remotes, flashlights, and controllers all use alkaline batteries.

No more need for disposable batteries. Yes, there are lots of rechargeable batteries on the market but in order to recharge them, you will need a charger. What happens if you dont have a charger on your? USBCell is similar that it is rechargeable but to recharge them, its different. The name of the product can give you a hint as to how it would recharge...USB. But you can also charge in any rechargeable battery charger as well

The design of the USBCell is unique. With USB ports on PC, laptops and even game consoles, it is fairly easy to find USB ports to recharge. To charge, you simply, pull of the green cover. The green cover is attached to the battery with an elastic band so you wont lose the cover by accident. Once the cover is off, a USB plug is explosed. Pull back on the cover and insert the USB plug into any USB port.

Once inserted into a USB port, a green LED light is lit up to inform you that it is charging. When the battery is fully charged, the LED will turn off.

Having charged the USBCell batteries for the recommended 5 hours, I was about to get a little more than 20 hours with the Wiimote before the battery died. Although a Xbox 360 controller is pictured with the USBCell, I was unable to fit both batteries into the Xbox 360 wireless controller but I was able to fit one into the plastic holder. Even with the one battery, it felt a little snug.

Conclusion : Overall, the Moixa USBCell Rechargeable Battery are probably the most unique product we have reviewed. There are some problems that I see. If you have a USB port that is recessed or further in to your device, the USBCell may not reach. Another problem is the mAh. Although 1300mAh is perfect for devices that doesnt draw a lot of power but when used with devices such as digital cameras, people prefer 2000mAh or higher for high powered devices. But these would come in handy as a temporary backup solution. Other sizes are are planned to be released but no further information has been mentioned.

Price of the USBCell is a bit pricey. For maybe double the price or less (depending if there is a deal), you can probably get a charger, four batteries and a higher mAh battery such as 2500mAh.

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