Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger Review

If you're on the lookout for a battery charger, but are on a budget then you may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of some of the lower cost chargers especially if you've had bad experiences with them in the past.

The Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger is a compact battery charger which can charge up to four AA or AAA batteries simultaneously. This smart charger has a cheap price, but will it leave you cheerful. Read on to find out.

Features of the Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger

- Slim line design (1.1' thick)

- 7 hours charge time

- Low self discharge rate

- 4 independent charging circuits

- Includes 4 AA Pre-charged batteries

Slim line design

At only 1.1' thick with fold-down AC plugs, this charger is ideal to take with you on your travels. It accepts a universal voltage of 100-240 volts so you can use it in lots of different countries without requiring a power adapter, making it very convenient.

Charging time

I'm pleased with the charging time. It takes approximately 7 hours to charge four AA batteries, which is quicker in comparison to most other low cost battery chargers.

One of the best features of this charger is that it has four independent charging circuits, so if you have a pair of batteries which have different amounts of power left in them, then the charger will charge them and automatically stop charging when it detects that a cell is fully charged.

The majority of cheaper battery chargers on the market can only charge batteries in pairs whereas there is no such limitation here so if you have an odd number of batteries you can charge them, which is very handy.

On the downside, there is only one indicator status light so you don't know when each individual battery has finished charging and is ready to be removed, so you need to wait until all the batteries have charged.

Includes 4 AA Pre-charged batteries

Four AA pre-charged NiMH type batteries are included which are of good quality. They work well in high drain devices such as digital cameras, which is good to see.

Final Thoughts

The Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger is an excellent battery charger especially considering its low price. It's lightweight, portable and has a great spec in comparison to other low cost battery chargers.

The lack of individual status indicators for each cell is the main negative. If this bothers you, then you may want to opt for the Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HRE4KN which has this feature. It only costs a bit more plus also has quicker charging times and a refresh function.

Overall, this is a great choice if you're looking for a simple charger for charging AA/AAA batteries, but if you can stretch your budget a bit further, then I'd recommend getting the BCG34HRE4KN instead due to its better features.

For more information on the Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HLD4KN Power Charger visit Battery Charger Reviews