Maha Powerex Pro Batteries and Accessory Bag Review

Maha Powerex AA and AAA batteries have been my go-to choice for nearly a decade. Their longevity is crazy reliable and they really hold their own in the long term. Maha recently updated their battery lineup with the Powerex Pro while adding some new accessories at the same time. Check out the new goodies after the break.

Maha Powerex Pro Rechargable NiMH Batteries

The new, high-capacity AA NiMH Powerex Pro batteries clock in at 1.2V and 2,700 mAh. The older version shared the same capacity and, according to Maha, the upgraded nickel-metal hydride cells will now retain up to 75 percent of their charge for as long as a year. 

Features

• Optimized for high-drain devices.
• Retains up to 75 percent of charge after 1 year of storage.
• Rechargeable for hundreds of uses.
• Battery carrying case included.
• Improved low temperature performance down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius).

The Powerex Pro haven't been out long enough for me to verify that statistic and it would require shelving a four or eight pack for up to a year which would be atypical for how I work. I can say, however, that the old Powerex batteries endured for me for probably hundreds of charge cycles over nearly the last 10 years. Whenever possible, I always slow charged my batteries using their awesome MH-801D charger and many of the first batch of Powerex batteries I ever purchased still cranking away. I have one MH-801D charger currently setup in my DIY portable charging station which I detailed in a previous article, and I'll get to some new ideas shortly.

What I Liked

• High storage capacity of 2,700 mAh. For most uses if these batteries are charged I can make it through a single day project without swapping them out.
• Conditioning with the MH-801D charger to extend the life of batteries that, after much use, might not accept adequate charge.
• I have used Powerex batteries that are nearly a decade old and still going strong. You’ll get the most out of each battery with one of their chargers including the conditioning feature that some provide.
• The cases that Powerex batteries ship in are awesome, especially with the eight pack. The four pack cases are great too, but the eights I hold onto forever.
• This is an environmentally friendly yet equally as reliable solution than buying single use AA batteries.

What Could Be Improved

• They’re a tad expensive up front. Again, if you have these for years to come, the cost breakdown works out well to your advantage long term.
• I never seem to have enough of these on hand, and the more I use, the more time charging takes.

Powerex Accessory Padded Bag

Another item I picked up is the Powerex Zippered Accessory Padded Bag. I’m a sucker for storage devices, from hard pelican cases to small bags from Ikea and the custom DIY charging station I mentioned earlier made out of a toolbox. On the surface, it looks more in line with a high-end travel cosmetic case and clocks in at $25.

Features

• Padded bag for accessory protection.
• Large zippered opening.
• Padded dividers inside to organize accessories.
• Small zippered mesh bag inside to hold smaller items.
• Handle for easy carrying.
• Outer bag dimensions: 7 x 9 x 3 inches.
• Inner bag dimensions: 6.5 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches.
• Bag weight: 0.4 pounds

What I Liked

• The padded dividers are sweet, with a hook and loop padding that’s reconfigurable based on how you want to use it.
• I can fit two Nikon SB-900 flashes in this case and it doesn't feel like too much. You could easily fit a charger and plenty of AA batteries in the bag but I like it most for flashes.

What Could Be Improved

• The hook and loop on the dividers doesn't extend entirely on the bottom of the bag. That does make it easier to remove and reposition, they don't feel loose, I'm used to dividers having hook and loop on the entire section.