iLoungeiLounge
  • News
    • Apple
      • AirPods Pro
      • AirPlay
      • Apps
        • Apple Music
      • iCloud
      • iTunes
      • HealthKit
      • HomeKit
      • HomePod
      • iOS 13
      • Apple Pay
      • Apple TV
      • Siri
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
      • CES
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Font ResizerAa
iLoungeiLounge
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Apple
    • Rumors
    • Humor
    • Technology
    • Daily Deals
    • Articles
    • Web Stories
  • iPhone
    • iPhone Accessories
  • iPad
  • iPod
    • iPod Accessories
  • Apple Watch
    • Apple Watch Accessories
  • Mac
    • MacBook Air
    • MacBook Pro
  • Reviews
    • App Reviews
  • How-to
    • Ask iLounge
Follow US

Reviews

Reviews

Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

Last updated: May 16, 2021 6:07 am UTC
By Jeremy Horwitz
Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

Pros: The least expensive iPod/iPod mini recharging solution yet released, intended for easy disposal once you’ve recharged your battery fully once. Easy to carry around, good for travel and short-term needs.

Advertisements

Cons: Not as good of a long-term solution as rechargeable batteries, which although priced higher are reusable and potentially offer more iPod recharges per use.

Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

Many batteries and chargers have been released for the iPod family over the years, but Compact Power Systems is the first to offer a disposable, single-use iPod recharger. Relying on the same technology used to recharge cellular telephones on the go, Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini ($9.99) provides a cheap way to replentish your iPod’s battery wherever you may be.

Advertisements

Each Cellboost pack is a white glossy plastic bulb that attaches temporarily to the bottom of any Dock Connector-equipped iPod (iPod 3G, 4G/color/photo, or mini) with a plastic Dock Connector plug. The bulb is a bit thicker than the thickest current iPod (60GB), but about as wide as an iPod mini and less than half the height – a size that’s easily pocketable or tossed into a bag.

A clear protective cap for the plug is included, and detaches for easy iPod connection. Once you’re done using both parts, you throw them away.

Advertisements

Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

Cellboost comes with a sticker that says that to “maximize play time, use while iPod is ‘on’,“but we found that this didn’t fully explain the best way to use the battery. The disposable charger does best when connected to a partially charged iPod or when connected to a dead and powered-off iPod: it generally will fully recharge the battery of any dead iPod to which it’s connected, doubling the play time of that iPod. This is a best-case scenario, and benefits more recent, lower power-consumption iPods and iPod minis more than older models.

Advertisements

Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

But if it’s connected to an iPod with a dead battery and asked to power current playback, its run time will vary, and not in an especially positive way.

A third-generation iPod ran for around five and a half hours when connected, while a first-generation iPod mini ran for around four hours. These numbers, of course, will increase when used with fourth-generation iPods, color iPods, and second-generation iPod minis, each of which runs longer than its predecessors. Our feeling is that Cellboost is thus best used as a passive recharger – optimally when the iPod’s turned off and can recharge quietly, or second-best when the iPod already has some internal battery power remaining.

Review: Compact Power Systems Cellboost for iPod and iPod mini

Overall, Cellboost is the most inexpensive recharging accessory yet released for the iPod, and a nice innovation in that regard. Though your results will vary based on the iPod you use and the way you use it, it’s a recommendable option – especially for travelers.

Advertisements

Latest News
The AirPods Pro 2 is $80 Off
The AirPods Pro 2 is $80 Off
1 Min Read
tvOS 26 Apple Music Sing Adds iPhone Karaoke Feature
tvOS 26 Apple Music Sing Adds iPhone Karaoke Feature
1 Min Read
Photos Tabs to Make a Comeback in iOS 26
Photos Tabs to Make a Comeback in iOS 26
1 Min Read
tvOS 26 Users to Have Automatic Sign-In for Apps
tvOS 26 Users to Have Automatic Sign-In for Apps
1 Min Read
The Beats Pill is $50 Off
The Beats Pill is $50 Off
1 Min Read
iOS 26 Users Will Have Storage Reserve Option for Software Updates
App Store Developers May Soon Offer Redemption Codes on iOS
1 Min Read
Apple Silicon Support Added to Steam Client Beta
Apple Silicon Support Added to Steam Client Beta
1 Min Read
M2 Mac Mini Gets Repair Program
M2 Mac Mini Gets Repair Program
1 Min Read
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is $50 Off
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is $50 Off
1 Min Read
Apple Puts iPhone XS on Vintage List
Apple Puts iPhone XS on Vintage List
1 Min Read
iOS 26 Users Will Have Storage Reserve Option for Software Updates
iOS 26 Users Will Have Storage Reserve Option for Software Updates
1 Min Read
iOS 26 to Bring eSIM Android Transfer Support
iOS 26 to Bring eSIM Android Transfer Support
1 Min Read

iLounge logo

iLounge is an independent resource for all things iPod, iPhone, iPad, and beyond. iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes, Apple TV, and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

This website is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
iLounge © 2001 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Submit News
  • About Us
  • Forums
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?