I recently wondered if there weren't any power banks that could be filled with rechargeable, replaceable batteries. The research was done quickly, because the selection of such battery packs for smartphones and co. Is relatively limited. I have the power bank “tizi PowerSnack” by equinux found and ordered me for a test right away. There are two AA size batteries (also called Mignon or R6) in this power bank.
Chapter in this post:
Optics and operation
These two points can be ticked off quickly with "positive", because the small box can be easily opened and filled with batteries (as the description says) or with rechargeable batteries (that's what I planned). Then you push the lid back on and you can choose between LED light, off and USB output on a slide switch on the side. A small red light-emitting diode then shows on one side whether power is currently being supplied via the USB port or not.
Technical evaluation
The technical side has to be seen in a differentiated way. If you operate the tizi PowerSnack with batteries, you naturally have a higher output voltage and the LED lights up correspondingly brighter. If the device is operated with two AA rechargeable batteries, the LED is so fuzzy that even in a dark room it looks like an LED about to die out.
For charging, however, the tizi PowerSnack can also be operated with rechargeable batteries. I have the black Amazon Basic NiMH cells which have a little less capacity than the silver version. Accordingly, it may be that you can accelerate the charging process with single-use batteries. But single-use batteries are just out of the question for me.
But as I said: charging on my iPhone 7 Plus worked. Equinux itself writes in the product description that approx. 15% of the smartphone batteries can be refilled with the battery pack. That may well be the case, since the inserted AA batteries have approx. 2.400 mAh, but of course they do not deliver an output voltage of 5 volts. The tizi PowerSnack must therefore increase the voltage, which means that less current is output (electrical power = voltage * current). Nevertheless - and I find that very positive - my iPhone was charged with 0,5 A - even if the voltage of 4,6 volts instead of the usual 5 volts is rather borderline (which is probably due to the battery operation). For comparison: On my Apple power supply, it usually charges with approx. 1 Ampere and 5 volts voltage.
Conclusion: ok for the small emergency charge in between
Overall, I would say that the small battery pack is definitely not just a gimmick. If you - like me - use a lot of AA batteries, you might want to pack the tizi PowerSnack as an emergency power bank. It only charges the iPhone 15-20% of course, but that can be enough in some cases. The flashlight function is virtually non-existent when using AA batteries (because it is too dark), but the charging function worked perfectly for me. Overall, however, I would tend to buy a “real” power bank with an LED function. These usually have significantly more capacity and the LED function is also practical.
You can buy the Equinux tizi PowerSnack here on Amazon:
- only 9,99 EUR instead (RRP 14,99 EUR)
- Reloading: Compatible with Apple iPhone, iPad Pro, Air, mini, iPod (all), Samsung Galaxy S4, S3 and S family, tablets ...
- Emergency reserve: Sufficient for approx. 15% battery power on the smartphone (depending on the model); Bright spot: With a small ...
Alternatives in the same price range
If you don't necessarily want to use your AA batteries and also buy a separate power bank, you get more capacity for the same money. A cheap alternative would be, for example Anker PowerCore with 5000 mAh (but without flashlight function, but with a charging current of up to 2 amps.
- THE ANCHOR PLUS: Join the 20 million happy customers. Loading anchor
- HIGH CAPACITY: With a capacity of 5000mAh, this battery has enough power to power the iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy S9 ...
- SUPER COMPACT: Is remarkably small, has the shape of a small tube and can be easily stowed in your pocket ...
If you like to combine a power bank with an LED flashlight, you can look at the model from EC Technology. In addition to a capacity of 5.200 mAh, this power bank also offers an LED that is bright enough to light your way in the dark.
- Compact and ultra-slim: This powerful mini power bank is only 9 cm long and 3,81 cm wide and weighs less ...
- Amazing capacity: EC-Technology 5200 mAh portable charger is small but powerful to power an iPhone 8, ...
- Auto IC USB Output: The USB power bank with advanced Auto IC technology that detects another device to ...
And if you like even "bigger calibers", you should try this one Aukey Power power bank or my article on mobile power supply look at.
Related Articles
BACKBONE Controller – Use your iPhone conveniently like a game console- UPC development: iPhone 18 planned with invisible Face ID camera under the display
- Expansion for the Nintendo Switch - Power Bank Grip Combo from CSL
- Instructions: Transfer eSIM to new iPhone
- RAM list: This is how much RAM the iPhone has (all generations)
- Which Apple devices use Wi-Fi 6E and how do you disable it?
- What's coming to the iPhone with iOS 17.2
- Free use of “Emergency SOS via satellite” on the iPhone 14 has been extended for one year
Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.
The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de
Operate power packs with batteries.
As far as I know, there are now also AA batteries with 1,5V and 1,6V. These could also be used to operate the “tizi PowerSnack Powerbank”.
Hello Johann! Yes that's right. Ansmann has, for example these NiZn batteries with 1,5 volts in size AA. However, they are still significantly more expensive than the NiMh batteries.