Testing Two Unusual USB Rechargeable Batteries

Today I'm testing out a couple of unusual USB rechargeable batteries I spotted on Amazon to see how they compare to a variety of regular batteries and other rechargeables. A battery organizer and a couple of battery testers are also featured. Tests are by no means scientific, but the results speak for themselves.

Round 1
• AA vs 3 random batteries (Duracell, generic, and an old rechargeable) using fans.
• AAA versus 3 new Duracell rechargeable batteries using Tac Lights.

Round 2 after two months of use (Fans & flashlights were swapped)
• AA vs brand new Duracell & Rayovac, and a Duracell rechargeable (about a year old).
• AAA vs the same 3 Duracells rechargeables, which were also used over two months.

SHOP
• The AAA I tested are no longer available (surprised?)

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Music by Epidemic Sound
"Dense" by Aleph One

0:00 Introduction and Unboxing
2:54 Testing with a Battery Tester
4:19 AA Fan Test #1
6:55 AAA Tac Light Test
8:14 Fan Test after 2 Months
10:37 Tac Light Test after 2 Months
12:16 Battery Organizer and Testers
14:10 Final Thoughts

#batteries #rechargeable #battery

[xintrea_]

So these are the batteries that they use in horror movie flashlights

[quintenluyten]

You were using the 95$ tester incorrectly: the batteries use Li-Ion cells with a voltage converter which steps down the 3-4.2V voltage from the Li-ion cells to the 1.5V voltage alkaline batteries supply. The USB batteries imitate alkaline batteries and should be tested as such.

1.5V Lithium is a completely different chemistry and is not at all related to AA(A) batteries

[komradeklutch]

Wait, did we just casually gloss over the statement "scorpion hunts"?

[StevenZephyc]

Hi, just wanted to point out a problem with the test methodology:
Normal battery starts at 1.65V, and goes down as much as 1.2V or 1.3V. the decrease in voltage is how all battery tester tells how much juice is left. Li-ION battery however, operates at 3.7V, and is converted down to 1.5V (or whichever the voltage manufacturer wants to ) and keeps at there. So for conventional battery testers the Li-ION batteries are just never gonna be full. (Or they will stay at full, depending on what the manufacturers think their batteries should operate at) until the juice run out, then suddenly die.

And second thing, Alkaline Battery usually have a capacity of 2500~3000mah, and those states they only have 1200mah, their primary advantage is being light and easily rechargable. Of you want something that's truly alkaline replacement, I would recommend ENELOOP.

[jvance]

Great concept, but very disappointing that they don't hold a charge.

[illiteratebeef]

2:53 the USB batteries have a lithium cell inside at 4.2v, but is emulating an alkaline battery by dropping it's voltage to 1.5v.

[TheRealSmithFamily]

Your 95 dollar tester was working perfectly! Sad, but true!

[XiaoYueMao]

for anyone wondering, the reason the USB rechargeables had a lot less charge was because it had less space to hold a charge, traditional batteries the whole battery can hold a charge, the USB AA's waste nearly 1/3rd its space for a USB port, the AAA didnt waste as much space with their female USB port hence why they werent as bad (the first time, second time they lost by a lot likely because they werent quality manufacturing)

so yeah, it was obvious these wouldnt hold as much of a charge, the female USB port design however wouldnt be that bad if built with quality, hold slightly less of a charge but is more convenient to charge, its a good tradeoff for some

[GadgetAddict]

Thanks for the real world tests. I don't think these usb batteries are meant to compete on capacity... Just on convenience. Especially if you're travelling.

[TheNiteNinja]

I do believe I'm the tester that was reading 10%, when you have a set to a lithium ion setting, it's anticipating roughly 3 or so volts. A typical double A battery puts out 1.5 volts, which on a 3 volt battery would be extremely low.
Regardless of the testing methodology used, the real world test is how long do they last.
Edit: and speaking of that, you definitely helped a lot of us save some money. I kind of figured they'd be kind of a gimmick because half the battery capacity will have to be taken up by a battery management circuit and internal wiring of some kind.
When it comes to portable electronics I tried to see if I can get them in 18650 rechargeable lithium ion batteries, I have a cradle that they charge in and they last a long time especially in low-power applications like my headlamp that I use at work.

[pacerdawn]

I was expecting that wire shelf with the fans to take off like a helecarrier. My disappointment is legendary.

[narlyb]

So the AAA rechargeable Duracell is 900 mAh and If the rechargeable AAA with the usb ports are like mine, they are rated at 450 mAh. So I expect only about half the life or a little less from them.

[robertsteel]

Me: *Charges the USB rechargeable batteries with a power bank*
Also Me: "I use the battery to charge the battery!"

[katyungodly]

I was curious to see how that $95 tester rated traditional batteries :)

[tannymin]

Project farm needs to check this out! Great video 💕

[hermiendelange]

Thanks for testing these batteries. I'm sorry that they performed so miserably. I guess its better to pay that little bit more for 'old-school' rechargeables.

[Random_]

Imagine someone trying to rob your house and sees batteries coming out the wall outlet LMFAO 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[facial]

Rechargable and alkaline have different voltages. In some remotes if you put two cells at 1.2v it's 2.4v powering the remote, some won't work.. Alkaline are 1.5v X2= 3v.
.6v more and more power.

[tossingmidgetsforfun]

When ya going to take us on a scorpion hunt? I'm from the Northeast, so those little bastards are exotic.

[MichelLinschoten]

What did you expect, half it’s physical size is used to house a ridiculous USB port and led and charger..

It’s garbage