Japanese electronics company Elecom, best known for inventing the very first oval mouse in 1988, has launched a new device that combines an AC charger with a mobile battery pack, creating an incredibly versatile power station.
The DE-AC08-5000 is ultra-portable, with a slim design that easily fits into small bags or pouches. It has both a 5,000mAh battery and a wall plug, and supports USB Power Delivery 20W, allowing you to quickly charge your smartphone to ensure you never run out of battery unexpectedly.
Elecom claims that the battery can charge a typical 1,800mAh smartphone about 1.6 times, and a 3,000mAh smartphone about 0.9 times when the phone is turned off. What sets the device apart from other power banks is that you can plug it into a wall socket and connect your smartphone directly to it, using it as a regular charger. It supports simultaneous charging of both the power bank and a connected device, with the latter conveniently given priority until it’s fully charged.
Black or white (with face)
The plug has a swing mechanism so it can be stored in the main body when not in use. You can check the remaining battery level via a four-stage LED indicator, so you always know how much power is left.
Elecom’s 2-in-1 AC Charger and Mobile Battery Pack comes in two versions: black and Shiro-chan, Elecom’s quirky product line, which is white with a cartoon face on it (as you can see in the photo above). The price for both is the same, at 5,980 yen, about $37.
Elecom says the device uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts for about 500 charge cycles and has five protection functions: overcharge, overdischarge, overcurrent, short-circuit protection and temperature detection. It is also safe for air travel and meets UN38.3 standards.
