For over three decades, lithium-ion batteries have powered our devices, but as their improvements slow down, new technologies are emerging. We’ve already seen silicon-carbon batteries making their way into smartphones, offering better energy density in the same form factor. Now, battery innovation is taking another leap forward. Japanese brand Elecom claims to have achieved a major breakthrough with sodium-ion batteries, introducing a power bank powered by this technology.
The Elecom DE-C55L-9000BK is the world’s first sodium-ion power bank, featuring a 9,000 mAh capacity. According to the company, this power bank can last up to 13 years and endure 5,000 charge cycles nearly ten times the lifespan of traditional lithium-ion batteries.
In case you didn’t know, sodium is abundantly available and doesn’t require water-intensive mining, making sodium-ion batteries a far more eco-friendly alternative. But the benefits don’t stop there. These batteries can function in extreme temperatures ranging from -35°C to 50°C, making them significantly more resilient than lithium-ion counterparts.
The Elecom DE-C55L-9000BK comes equipped with two output ports—one USB-C and one USB-A. The USB-C port supports 45W output, while the USB-A port delivers 18W. When used together, they provide a combined 20W output. An LED indicator helps monitor the current charge capacity. According to Elecom’s testing, the power bank can charge an iPhone 16 1.4 times, a 10th Gen iPad 0.6 times, and a 2022 MacBook Air 0.3 times.
For recharging, the USB-C port supports 30W input, allowing the power bank to fully charge in just 2 hours. It also supports USB Power Delivery (PD) and PPS charging, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. Additionally, it features pass-through charging, meaning it can charge a device while being charged itself. Safety is a priority, with secure circuit design offering protection against overcharging and short circuits.
Powering the device are three sodium-ion batteries, each with a 3,000 mAh capacity, making up the total 9,000 mAh. However, this innovation comes at a cost it weighs 350 grams, significantly heavier than similar-capacity lithium-ion power banks, which typically weigh around 200 grams.
The Elecom DE-C55L-9000BK is priced at $67 (9,980 yen) on the Elecom Store. Preorders are available now, with shipping set to begin at the end of this month. While the price may seem high, it’s largely due to limited production levels at this stage. However, a promising advantage is that sodium-ion batteries can be manufactured using existing lithium-ion production infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional investments.
That said, sodium-ion technology does have its drawbacks. Sodium is less energy-dense, meaning it holds less charge and is heavier than lithium-ion. Additionally, it maxes out at 5 Amps, unless upscaled, limiting its potential in high-performance applications. As a result, sodium-ion batteries may not yet be a full replacement for lithium-ion or silicon-carbon batteries—at least not until a major breakthrough occurs. However, they could still prove useful in budget smartphones, gadgets, and home appliances that require lower power consumption.
What do you think about Elecom’s sodium-ion power bank and the future of sodium-ion technology? Let us know in the comments below!
