Newell AA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries: Recharge With Just a Cable
The Newell AA USB-C rechargeable batteries are a two-pack of Li-ion AA cells with a built-in USB-C port on each cell. That one detail changes everything: you top them up straight from a computer, a phone charger, or a power bank with the included cable, no dedicated battery charger needed.
They hold a 1550mAh capacity, deliver a steady 1.5V, and charge fully in around two hours. A small LED flashes green while charging and glows steady once the cell is full. For anyone running AA-powered gear, from remotes and triggers to torches, clocks, and game controllers, they are a reusable, lower-waste alternative to disposable batteries.
Shop Newell USB-C Batteries
Newell AA USB-C 1550mAh Rechargeable Batteries (2-Pack)
Li-ion AA cells with a USB-C port built into each battery. Recharge from any USB source with the included USB-A to USB-C cable, rated for up to 1,200 charge cycles.
Shop Newell USB-C BatteriesProduct features, per Newell.
Use it for your remotes
TL;DR
A rechargeable AA that charges itself. Each Newell AA cell has its own USB-C port, so one cable from a power bank or phone charger tops it up, with no separate charger to pack. You get 1550mAh at a steady 1.5V, up to 1,200 charge cycles per cell, and a Li-ion design with no memory effect. One honest caveat: these are not the best choice for audio gear like microphones or guitar effects, where the USB-C circuit can add noise.
What Makes a USB-C Battery Different?
A normal rechargeable AA needs a matching charger. You slot the cells into a cradle, plug the cradle into the wall, and wait. Lose the cradle and the cells are stuck. That is fine at home, but it is one more device to own, store, and carry.
The Newell USB-C cells move the charging circuit inside the battery. Each cell carries a small USB-C socket, so you charge it the same way you charge a phone or a pair of earbuds: plug in a USB-C cable and go. The included USB-A to USB-C cable works with a laptop port, a wall adapter, or a power bank, which makes these ideal for a travel kit where space is tight.
Charge it via any USB-C device
The cells are Li-ion and deliver a steady 1.5V, the standard AA voltage, so your devices see a normal AA. A charge-status LED flashes green while charging and holds steady when the cell is full, so you always know where things stand.
How the USB-C connector works, per USB-C, Wikipedia.
What sets a rechargeable cell apart from a disposable one, as documented by Rechargeable battery, Wikipedia.
Why They Beat Disposables and Standard Rechargeables
Disposable AA batteries add up in cost and waste, and they always run out at the wrong moment. Each Newell cell is rated for up to 1,200 charge cycles, so a single battery can replace a large stack of single-use cells over its life. That is money saved and a lot fewer batteries in landfill.
The Li-ion design also avoids the memory effect, so you can top the cells up at any time without shortening their usable capacity. Low self-discharge means they hold around 80 percent of their charge after months in a drawer, so a spare pair is ready when you need it rather than flat.
An intelligent safety system rounds it out, guarding against overheating, overcharging, and overloading while the cell charges. In practice that means you can leave a cell plugged into a power bank without worrying about it.
Why Li-ion cells recharge and hold voltage well, per Lithium-ion battery, Wikipedia.
Why the memory effect matters for older chemistries, as documented by Memory effect, Wikipedia.
One Caveat: Watch Your Audio Gear
USB-C cells are a practical fit for remotes, torches, game controllers, clocks, and toys. There is one exception worth knowing. In equipment used to transmit or process audio, such as some microphones, guitar effects pedals, wireless transmitters, or radios, the built-in USB-C circuit can introduce unwanted noise or signal interference that a plain battery would not. If you are powering that kind of gear and hear a problem, check with the device manufacturer to confirm compatibility, or use a standard cell instead.
Newell AA USB-C Specifications
The key features at a glance:
- Built-in USB-C port on each cell: recharge from a computer, phone charger, or power bank with no separate charger.
- 1550mAh (2.3Wh) at a steady 1.5V: a useful charge and consistent voltage for your devices.
- Up to 1,200 charge cycles: one reusable cell replaces a large number of disposables over its life.
- Li-ion with no memory effect and low self-discharge: top up any time, and cells stay ready after months of storage.
- Fast charging with a status LED: full in around two hours, with a green LED that flashes while charging and holds steady when done.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Newell AA USB-C 1550mAh rechargeable battery (2-pack blister) |
| Type | AA (R6) |
| Technology | Li-ion |
| Capacity | 1550mAh (2.3Wh) |
| Voltage | 1.5V |
| Charge cycles | Up to 1,200 |
| Charging time | Approximately 2 hours |
| Charging port | USB-C, one per cell |
| Charge indicator | LED, flashing green while charging, steady when full |
| Weight | 17g per cell |
| In the box | 2 x AA USB-C cells, 1 x USB-A to USB-C cable |
| Compatibility note | May not suit audio transmission or processing gear, where noise or interference is possible |
As specified by the manufacturer, Newell.
How to Charge Them
Charging is as simple as charging a phone. There is no cradle to find and no proprietary charger to pack.
- Plug the included USB-A to USB-C cable into a power source: a laptop port, a wall adapter, or a power bank.
- Connect the USB-C end to the port on the side of the cell.
- Watch the LED. It flashes green while charging and holds steady green once the cell is full, usually after about two hours.
- Unplug and use the cell as you would any AA battery.
The wider Newell USB-C range covers more than AA. There are AAA, 9V, and 18650 cells with the same built-in USB-C charging, so you can standardise on one cable across most of your gear. Browse the full Newell range to find the size you need.
A Greener, Simpler Choice
Most homes are full of battery-powered devices: remotes, clocks, controllers, smoke detectors, torches, and toys. Every flat disposable is a trip to the shop and another cell in the bin. A rechargeable that tops up from a cable you already own removes both problems, and a single cell rated for up to 1,200 cycles keeps a lot of waste out of landfill.
Power your speedlights
Newell backs these with a 40-month service warranty, which is unusually long for a battery and a fair signal of confidence. If you run AA gear and want to stop buying disposables, the Newell AA USB-C two-pack is an easy switch.
Newell USB-C Battery FAQs
Do I need a charger to charge these batteries?
No. The USB-C port is built into each cell, so you charge it directly with the included USB-A to USB-C cable. Any USB source works, including a laptop port, a phone charger, or a power bank, so there is no separate battery charger to buy or carry.
Can I charge them from a power bank?
Yes. A power bank is one of the easiest ways to top them up on the go. Plug the cable into the power bank, connect the USB-C end to the cell, and the LED shows the charge status. That makes these handy for travel and location work where mains power is not always nearby.
Is it safe to charge a battery over USB-C?
Yes. Each cell uses an intelligent protection system that regulates charging and guards against overheating, overcharging, and overloading. That protects both the battery and the device it powers, so you can leave a cell charging without concern.
Which devices are not a good fit for USB-C cells?
Audio gear used for transmitting or processing sound, such as some microphones, guitar effects pedals, wireless transmitters, and radios, can pick up noise or interference from the built-in USB-C circuit. For that kind of equipment, check with the device maker or use a standard cell. For everyday devices like remotes, torches, and controllers, they work well.
Where can I buy Newell batteries in South Africa?
You can buy Newell batteries from CameraStuff. Every Newell product carries a 40-month service warranty, and we back your order with 60-day returns, free delivery on orders over R1000, nationwide delivery, and a support team ready to help you find the right cell for your gear.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience testing gear across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad has personally handled hundreds of products, from entry-level speedlights to professional studio systems. He is an authorised Godox specialist and works directly with South African photographers and videographers to match the right tools to their work. Every review and recommendation he publishes is based on real-world use, not spec sheets.
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