Elecom has announced that two of its product lines, a mobile battery and a trackball mouse, have won Germany's Red Dot Design Award 2026, widely regarded as one of the world's three major design awards[1]. The winners are a mobile battery that uses what Elecom describes as the world's first sodium-ion cell, and the thumb-operated trackball mouse "IST PRO." Both were recognized for designs that push functionality and usability to the limit, showing a level of product completeness that goes well beyond ordinary accessories.
What Is the Red Dot Design Award
The Red Dot Design Award has been running in Germany since 1955 and is one of the most prestigious design awards in the world[1]. Held once a year, it has three categories: product design, brand & communication design, and design concept. Thanks to its long history and international recognition, it is often counted alongside the iF Design Award and the Good Design Award as one of the "three major design awards."
Elecom has repeatedly won design honors for its own products. The sodium-ion mobile battery in particular has also received the top prize at the 2025 Nikkei Excellent Products and Services Awards, as well as Good Design 2025 Gold[2]. The company continues to earn recognition not only for the engineering behind its accessories, but also for the quality of their appearance and user experience.
The Award-Winning Sodium-Ion Mobile Battery
One of the winners is the "DE-C55L-9000" series mobile battery, which uses a sodium-ion cell. Elecom bills it as the world's first mobile battery to adopt a sodium-ion battery, and a key feature is that it can be used in harsh environments and temperatures such as snowy mountains and deserts[1]. Its operating temperature range during discharge spans a wide -35°C to 50°C, allowing it to work even in the low-temperature conditions where typical lithium-ion batteries struggle[2].
Its durability also stands out. It can be charged and discharged up to 5,000 cycles, delivering a long service life of roughly 13 years even with daily use[1]. Because sodium-ion batteries do not use cobalt or lithium, they place less strain on resources and are said to contribute to stable supply and sustainable resource use. A high level of safety, with little risk of ignition even when a nail is driven into the cell, is another point Elecom highlights as a difference from conventional products[2].
In terms of specifications, it has a 9,000 mAh capacity, and its USB Type-C port supports output of up to 45 W, enough to charge PCs and the Nintendo Switch[2]. Input is up to 30 W, and the unit itself charges in about two hours. It also features "Thermal Protection," which monitors temperature rises around the clock and automatically controls output, along with a circuit design that includes five protective functions covering issues such as overcharging and over-discharging. Note that products equipped with sodium-ion batteries cannot be carried on or checked in on aircraft[2].
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エレコム モバイルバッテリー 9000mAh 45W ナトリウムイオン電池 USB PD対応 2ポート Type-C USB-A PPS対応 ブラック DE-C55L-9000BK
The Thumb-Operated "IST PRO" Trackball
The other winner is the thumb-operated trackball mouse "IST PRO"[1]. It is a high-grade model with 10 buttons, built around the concept of drawing out maximum performance with minimal movement. It uses an ergonomic design that lets you use it in a natural hand shape without gripping, so it is designed to reduce strain on the hand and arm even during long sessions.
For the ball movement that shapes the operating feel, it adopts a high-performance bearing support unit[1]. The structure is engineered for a smooth rolling feel, so that even fine cursor movements and long work sessions are less likely to cause stress. Because a trackball can be operated without moving the body of the device, it is a popular input device among users with limited desk space or those who want to reduce wrist strain. The IST PRO can be seen as a model that refines those trackball advantages from both a design and a functional standpoint.
Summary
Elecom's sodium-ion mobile battery and the "IST PRO" trackball have won the Red Dot Design Award 2026. A battery that is durable and strong in harsh environments, and a trackball that pursues a natural operating feel—in both cases, it is striking that practical refinements were recognized as design. It is an example that shows how even familiar accessories can earn an international design award when their function and form are taken to the limit.
出典:https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001456.000026881.html
