Compact AirTag battery case promises five years of power
ElevationLab already offers a case for the Apple tracker that lasts ten years. Now a smaller variant is being released.
5-year version of the TimeCapsule: One battery makes it possible.
(Image: ElevationLab)
Apple's popular AirTags, which are still awaiting an update from the manufacturer awaiting an update, have a major problem: the Bluetooth and Ultra-Wideband trackers require regular battery replacement. The CR2032 coin cells used are not rechargeable and, according to Apple, last about a year (sometimes a bit longer). So, if you have many AirTags, you're regularly faced with a "battery-changing spree" – indicated in the "Find My" app and via notifications. The solution is special cases that use larger batteries. One of these, the TimeCapsule from ElevationLab, has now been released in a new, significantly more compact version.
Micro instead of Mignon makes it possible
The original TimeCapsule is quite wide and thick: 11.30 × 3.99 × 1.91 cm. The reason: it is loaded with two standard AA batteries (Mignon), which guarantee the long runtime. ElevationLab recommends the long-lasting Energizer Ultimate Lithium (starting from 18,30 €) here. This should allow up to 10 years of runtime without replacing the batteries. This is implemented quite cleverly: the AirTag is relieved of its screw cap and coin cell and then sits in its own housing, which is in turn connected to the batteries.
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The newly released compact variant is said to have "over five times the capacity" of a standard CR2032, meaning it will last five years – half as long as the 10-year variant. Here too, ElevationLab recommends Energizer Ultimate Lithium power sources. However, the compact version uses two AAA (Micro) size (starting from 20,79 €) ones. This explains the smaller size of 6.60 × 4.06 × 2.03 cm. Furthermore, the design has been adapted so that the AirTag is now positioned above the batteries. This is why the housing is slightly thicker.
No adhesive version – EU availability issue
Due to their size, AAA batteries have a lower capacity (approximately halved), which is why they only last the aforementioned five years. ElevationLab states the price of the new battery case as 16 British pounds, a 2-pack costs 23, and a 4-pack costs 31 pounds. The large variant is slightly more expensive: 18, 26, and 35 pounds respectively. The large variant also has a slightly more expensive version with an integrated adhesive strip, but this has not yet been included in the offering for the compact variant.
Currently, ElevationLab does not (or no longer) distribute its products entirely within the EU, but only in the USA and the UK. In the USA, they are also listed on Amazon.com, but cannot be shipped to Europe. It is currently unclear when this will change. However, those planning a trip to the States can order them to an Amazon Locker and pick them up.
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