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Battery storage bags by Ovonic and Hobbymate

If you work with lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, or even just a lot of devices with lithium-ion batteries, I think having a safe storage and charging solution is a good idea. 

Watch the full video on YouTube that has more information on the bags: 

OVONIC bag: 

HOBBYMATE  bag: 

As an affiliate of these online shops, I earn from qualifying purchases! It's not about what I link, but rather purchase of anything from time of the click which is usually 24 hours. 

the green Ovonic (left) and the grey Hobbymate (right).

Today, we're going to look at two options. These bags are primarily designed for LiPo batteries, which are common in RC hobbies and can be quite volatile if mishandled, especially during charging or if they get damaged.

Lithium-ion batteries, found in everything from smartphones to power tools, carry a risk of fire as well. Go look at the "Spicy Pillow" group on Reddit for numerous photos of bloated unsafe batteries. A LiPo safe bag aims to contain a fire or at least reduce the chances of damage in such an event.

I don't personally have those specific LiPo batteries that RC enthusiasts use. I mainly use these bags for storing general equipment that has built-in lithium-ion batteries like GPS units, old phones, tablets, and laptops. I also store camera and lighting batteries in them. 

A GPS with a built-in battery.

Close-up of an old smartphone with its back cover removed, showing the internal battery.

Having a little bit of extra protection seems wise. It's really up to you, but that's what I do. 

Interior of the Ovonic bag, showing mesh pockets on the underside of the lid.

I've used various bags, and I'd say this one is about mid-range in terms of quality level. The stitching seems okay. When I hold it up to a light, I can see through the bag material somewhat, so it's not super thick, but it looks decent. The main material has a little bit of texture to it, which is good for grip.

Testing the thickness of the Ovonic bag material with a light source from inside.

A handy feature on this Ovonic bag is a dedicated port for charging. If you're charging batteries inside, you can open this flap to run your charging cables through. This is a nice little convenience feature, especially for those using it with actual LiPo batteries that need external charging.

Opening the side port of the bag.

The bag also comes with a strap, which suggests it's designed for transporting batteries as well. That's an additional benefit.

The Ovonic bag with its detachable shoulder strap.

I specifically got this Ovonic bag to store a combination car jump starter and air compressor device. Since it has a substantial internal battery and might be kept in my car at times, it made sense to have an additional layer of protection. It fits nicely inside. 

Holding up my jump starter/air compressor to the Ovonic bag.

The Hobbymate LiPo Battery Storage bag in its plastic packaging.

Next is the Hobbymate bag. It has a lot more texture to its material compared to the Ovonic, making it feel more grippy. It's definitely a different shape and feels a bit more dense.

One of the sides of the Hobbymate bag. 

When I shined a light through this one, I couldn't see as much light as with the green Ovonic bag. This isn't a scientific test, but it gives some indication of comparative thickness.

Testing the thickness of the Hobbymate bag material with a light source.

This Hobbymate bag is a convenient size, though a bit smaller than the Ovonic. It feels pretty mid-range or a bit above compared to others I've used.

Close-up of the Hobbymate bag's double zipper pulls and Velcro strip.

Probably the biggest difference I noticed, aside from the panel material used, is the zipper. This Hobbymate zipper has a coating on it, which makes me think it's designed to be more sealed than the one on the Ovonic bag. 

Bottom view comparison of the green Ovonic bag (left) and the grey Hobbymate bag (right).

Holding them up together, you can see from the bottom that they are definitely different sizes. The Ovonic (green) is wider, while the Hobbymate (grey) is longer, or perhaps deeper depending on orientation. Which one is more convenient will depend on the type of batteries or items you want to put in them. 

Close-up comparison of the zipper construction on the Hobbymate (left) and Ovonic (right) bags.

You can see the difference between the two zipper types clearly. The Hobbymate has that coated, more robust-looking zipper, while the Ovonic has a more standard zipper.

The top handles of the bags.

Overall, both seem decent. The Ovonic has more convenience features like the mesh pockets, charging port, and transport strap. The Hobbymate feels a little bit thicker, more dense, and has what appears to be a nicer, more sealed zipper. It really depends on your personal preference and what you need it for.


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