Review: Medis 24/7 Xtreme Fuel Cell Charger

The Medis 24/7 power pack is the world’s first portable fuel cell system for consumer. It can charge just about any mobile phone, iPod or USB-powereed device when you’re away from an electrical outlet. It’s too expensive to use on a regular basis, but is an excellent item to keep around for emergencies or when you venture out into the great outdoors.

The Medis 24/7 Xtreme starter kit includes a disposable power pack. It also comes with four adapter tips (USB, miniUSB, Motorola and Nokia) and a charging cable, which can be reused. The starter kit has an MSRP of $34.99 and replacement cells cost $19.99.

In emergency situations the premium is well worth the investment. Batteries lose their charge very quickly and shouldn’t go unused for long periods of time. But Medis fuel cells can sit in the trunk of your car or in an emergency kit for up to 18 months without degrading.

I highly recommending picking up a Medis 24/7 Xtreme starter kit just in case of an emergency or extended power outage. Having a backup power source is especially important for households that have ditched their landlines.

I brought a Medis 24/7 Xtreme to a convention in Las Vegas just in case I needed more power on demand. On the last day of the convention I woke up and started to rush out the door. I noticed my iPhone was completely drained because I forgot to charge it the previous night. I unboxed the Medis 24/7 Xtreme kit and set it up. Within a couple of minutes my iPhone 3G started charging. I stuffed the power pack in my coat pocket, along with my iPhone, and I was good to go for the day.

When my iPhone 3G was fully charged I threw the Medis 24/7 Xtreme power pack in my bag. After a full day on the show floor my iPhone was back down to 10%, so I charged it with the power pack again at dinner. When I got back to my hotel room I plugged it in again to trickle charge overnight. I unplugged it in the morning, then nearly killed the battery again while playing games while waiting for my flight. The power pack almost charged my iPhone up a final time before fading away.

Medis claims its fuel cells will recharge smartphones up to six times. I experienced less than this, but the performance was acceptable considering I used it heavily and charged my iPhone when it was completely drained. Medis recommends only keeping devices plugged in until they’re charged and to begin charging devices before their batteries are completely dead.

Medis fuel cells are FAA approved, which means you can carry them through airport security and onto airplanes.

The fuel cell charger is that it’s relatively bulky, making it impractical to carry around ‘just in case.’ But if you know you’re going to a power boost it’s not unreasonable to carry it in a backpack.

Medis chargers and fuel cells are available at Amazon.com.