In A Nutshell
Overall, the best rechargeable AA battery is the Eneloop Pro (aka Sanyo XX Battery Powered By Eneloop). These batteries hold their charge for 12 months. They also have a high energy capacity (2500 mAh), and they perform better than similar high-capacity AAs (see my article for more information).
Another good rechargeable AA is Maha’s Imedion battery, which is cheaper than the Eneloop Pro (about $5 less for a pack of 4). Imedions are also low-discharge, high-capacity batteries, but they do not perform quite as well as the Sanyo XX (see this reviews for the details on their performance).
The Details
Today, the best rechargeable batteries are the “low self-discharge” Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells. These low-dischrage batteries have a lot going for them: they come fully charged (like alkaline batteries), and they can hold their charge over many months (unlike regular Ni-MH rechargeables). Because they can hold their charge for so long, they are suitable for low-drain devices like remote controls and flashlights. They are also ideal for use in high-drain electronic devices like digital cameras, where they out-perform alkalizes.
So, basically, these “low self-discharge” Ni-MH batteries offer the convenience and shelf-life of alkalines, and the high-drain performance of older Ni-MH batteries.
Generally, the best low self-discharge batteries are made in Japan (the others are made in China), these are: Sanyo’s Eneloops, Duracell, Energizer and Sony. The Eneloop Pro batteries from Sanyo definitely hold their charge the longest, and they are my top recommendation. I review the batteries in more detail below, and review some of the best battery chargers at the end of this article. I do not recommend the Energizer or Duracell rechargeable batteries — these name brands seem to produce inferior rechargeables, perhaps to protect their sales of alkaline batteries.
See also my review of best rechargeable D Size Batteries, C Size and 9V batteries.
Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries by Sanyo
Better designed than other rechargeables, Eneloop batteries have become a best-seller for Sanyo. Eneloops can be recharged up to 1000 times, and they will retain their charged capacity even after 6 or 12 months of storage. After 6 months, they retain 90% of their charge. After 12 months, they retain 85% of their charge (when stored at 20 degree Celsius). Sanyo recommends keeping the batteries in a cool location to maximize charge retention.
The AA-sized Eneloops are rated at 2000 mAh, and the AAA-sized Eneloops are rated at 800 mAh (mAh stands for “MiliAmp hours” — a unit that indicates how much energy a battery can hold.)
The charge times are as follows: AA Eneloops charge in 230 minutes, and AAA Eneloops charge in 135 minutes.
Eneloop batteries are available at Amazon in 8 packs, and 16 packs and 32 packs. They are also available with a charger: 8 Eneloop Batteries with a Charger. Note that these links to the second-generation 2000 mAh eneloops.
You can also get a special edition Eneloop Glitter pack, which features multi-colored Eneloops.
Eneloop Pros (or Sanyo XX Battery Powered By Eneloop)
Sanyo has released a new version of the Eneloop, called the Eneloop Pro (in Japan) or Sanyo XX Battery Powered By Eneloop (in the US and Europe). The Eneloop Pro battery has a capacity of 2500 mAh — which is 500 mAh more than the regular Eneloops.
Eneloop Pro batteries are available on Amazon.
The Best Battery Chargers
How about some good battery chargers to go with these batteries? The chargers featured below are some of the smartest out there — they have built-in protection to prevent overcharging or undercharging. They can also handle most battery sizes.
LaCrosse Technology BC-1000 Alpha Battery Charger
The LaCrosse Alpha BC-1000 Charger has sophisticated monitoring circuitry that controls the charging process, and it is also capable of “renewing” batteries by running fully-controlled discharge-recharge cycles.
The charger shows battery voltage and charge status on its digital display. It has four separate charge channels so you can charge one, two three or four batteries at a time – even on individual charge programs. This allows you to test one battery while charging the others. It comes with four AA and four AAA batteries, four battery adapters (which convert AA sized battery to C and D sizes) and a carry case. Note, however, if you want to charge C or D size batteries, you’ll want to get the Ansmann chargers below.
You can get the LaCrosse BC-1000 Alpha Charger at Amazon for about $60, and you can find the BC-700 Charger available for around $36 (this is essentially the same charger but does not include bonus items the four AA & AAA cells, plus the four C + D-cell converters).
PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer
This newly released charger could be a serious rival to the LaCrosse charger — we will post a full review soon.
The PowerEx MH-C9000 is available at Amazon for about $50
Ansmann Deluxe “Energy 16″ Charger
.
Ansmann is a German company known for their range of high-end, intelligent battery chargers. Ansmann’s “Energy 16″ charger can handle both NiCad and NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries. When the batteries are inserted into the charger, they are analysed, and batteries needing reconditioning are automatically restored by several cycles of charging and discharging. The charger will also indicate if a battery has been damaged and cannot be charged.
This charger has ten charging positions: six for AAA, AA, C or D sized cells, and four for 9V cells. The six top positions can handle two AAA or two AA cells or one each of the larger C or D cells.
A LED display shows the state of charging for each cell.
This charger can be used worldwide — it accepts 100-240V 50-60Hz AC.
It’s available from Amazon for around $87.
Ansmann Deluxe “Energy 8″ Charger
Ansmann’s “Energy 8″ charger has all the features of the “Energy 16″ charger, but has 8 charging points instead of 16. It has four AAA/AA/C/D and two 9V positions.
It’s available from Amazon for around $56.
Maha PowerEx “Ultimate Professional” Charger
The Maha’s Ultimate Professional Charger almost lives up to its hyperbolic name. This compact charger can charge any combination of 1 to 8 batteries. You can mix and charge AA, AAA, C and D sized cells at the same time on individual charging circuits. Each battery size also has its own fixed contact charging points (i.e. not a spring). An LCD display shows charging and conditioning status of each rechargeable battery.
Like the Ansmann chargers, Maha’s chargers can restore batteries to their optimal performance level by repeatedly charging and discharging them. It also has intelligent charging technology and overcharge protection. It also comes with an international AC adapter, and short-circuit protection.
It is available from Amazon for around $83.
I have just started to use the Eneloop AA rechargeables in my digital Kodak camera and have to say they are definately the best rechargeable batteries I have ever used. Eneloop Batteries one of the best in all over world.
Eneloop aren’t powerful enough for flash use…
I have an Olympus 600UZ and I just want the best brand and charger to work in this camera. Quick charge is not as important as staying power and shelf life after charging. Give me the best shot.
Flash guns require high voltages to re-charge the flash.
NiMH (eneloops) has a nominal voltage of 1.2V
Alkalines are 1.5V
Lithiums are rated at 1.5V but start out significantly higher and can damage some equipement because of this, but in flash use, will recharge the fastest.
If you were serious about using your flash you are better off using a custom (professional) flash battery pack, which anything professional would be based upon lithium technology (such as quantum).
Don’t assume that people reviewing AA batteries are professional. Also don’t assume that NiMH cells are inferior to Lithium-ion. Lithium-ion only has an upper hand in energy density, as far as commercially available products are concerned. NiMH has a fairly high energy density nonetheless, and is indeed capable of outliving even the best treated Lithium-ion batteries, simply for the fact that Lithium-ion has a short shelf-life. Low Self-Discharge NiMH may require slightly more frequent charges than Lithium-ion, but it will work for several years, it will work in cold temperatures and it will cost less money in the long run for the typical consumer. It also happens to be compatible with the majority of applications that require standard AA cells. Lithium-ion must be used in equipment that can handle higher voltages than standard AA cells, or you must use spacers to reduce the voltage, but this reduces capacity by roughly two thirds, and winds up being less viable than simply using NiMH.
Am ok with the stuffs but and cinfused. Which one is really the best among them.
Sorry the word above is Confused and not CINFUSED
Thanks guys
I swear by Sanyo eneloops. I think they’re especially good in low-power devices like bluetooth mice and keyboards. It’ll be interesting to see how their new XL line compares. I can’t say I care for the Sanyo charger, though. If you can get by with a two battery charger, I love the Apple battery charger. It gets the job done and looks great.
looks great? did you mean to post that? looks great? it’s a battery charger for god’s sake……do you carry it around like a handbag? looks great? that is incredibly lame.
Looks great?
Less filling!
Dude. He’s an Apple user. Looks are just as important as functionality.
Dude. *More* important.
Easy now…cin city!
I need alkaline rechargeable battery that is used for torchlight combine with a radio which is a multipurpose use.
I bought the eneloop rechargeable batteries because of this post. I’m trying them out now and so far so good. I’ll keep you posted.
What makes the eneloop rechargeable batteries any better/different than rechargeable batteries that have been on the market for the last 10 years? The specs listed are that of any average 1.2V rechargeable battery. They look cooler? {sigh}
Please read the article.
Regular NiMH batteries are almost useless for general purpose use as far as I’m concerned since they discharge to nothing in a very short time even when not uses. The Eneloops discharge very slowly. That is a nigh-day difference in usefulness.
A less well-known advantage of the ‘precharged’ type of NiMH batteries is their lower internal resistance. What this means to you, the user, is that they can supply higher current. I found this to be important in surprising places – such as a digital camera with a large LCD screen: it wouldn’t work with most standard NiMH’s – batteries which otherwise worked fine in my own power-hungry ZD710 camera.
Switching to the pre-charged type and all is well. As for my ZD710? I like finding the camera ready-to-go after a bit of storage, instead of having to change batteries.
Does anyone know the best rechargeable D battery? It appears that most of the products recommended only come in AA or AAA.
for most uses u can buy the eneloop plastic D sleeve and put an Eneloop AA battery in it. This brings it up to D size Will work fine in all but the most demanding devices..
Thanks Ashok. Been doing a little bit more research and found the Tenergy D which is 10,000 mAh, as opposed to the 2,500 mAh of the AA batteries. I haven’t quite figured out if it holds it’s charge when not in use. Any idea???
I’ve been using tenergy aa and aaa for a couple years now. They’re a bargain compared to other brands and work well in infrequent use or low power items (remote controls, flashlights, weather station and remote sensors) and just as well in higher demand items (cordless phones). I wasn’t aware their D-cells were rated at 10,000 mAh. I’ll have to get a bunch and a suitable charger.
Good to hear you’ve been happy with Tenergy. Amazon was selling a T-2299 Universal Smart Fast Charger with eight Tenergy D 10,000 mAh batteries fo $69.95. I haven’t bought it yet but it sounds like a good deal.
If you have a need for the D batts to sit for a long time (months and months, such as in a flashlight) then you might want to go with low self discharge rechargeable batts
See Bearwobble.com, click “Rechargeable Batteries” under “Shopping Categories”: for AccuEvolution ultra low self discharge rechargeable Nimh C & D batts.
-If- the Tenergy D batts are low self discharge, that’s a really good price for the T-2299 charger/8 batt combo deal – D rechargeables are pricey and smart chargers for C/D/9v are rare. Even if the Tenergys are not LSD batts, still…
Swear by Eneloops. I have used them for a year now and will never buy regular alkaline batteries again. Have them in all my remote control, high powered flashlights (with Cree Q5 LEDs), and especially useful in camera flashes. Recycle rate is much faster and they last significantly longer.
hi sir i am khurram from pakistan basically i am professional photographer in pakistan since 19 years. I have a problem about cell aa size. Kindly suggest me what charger i use in future and cell. Which power time more than 600 pictures exposing
Drive to India and buy the
Maha PowerEx “Ultimate Professional” Charger
and the Accuevolution batteries 2200 mAh ultra low discharge.
lmfao…
Drive to India… Why is that so frigging funny?
You must understand, Pakistan has no technology. They have camels, sand, IED’s, and a bunch of people who prey to the wrong God.
That’s it. Nothing else. The only ones capable of producing any technology use it to make a bomb, strap it onto their back, and blow themselves up, so they never get around to producing that battery charger, car, or indoor pluming. I guess if I had to ride a camel all day with a crotch-full of sand, I’d be pissed too, but I’d find a better way of venting my frustrations.
^ WTF?
possibly the most ignorant off-topic comment i’ve read in any thread “EVER”.
Who cares about your ignorant, pointless, comment…
Add something related to the thread topic, or nothing at all you fool.
pray*
You’re welcome.
Dear Khurram ,
I suggest you to try UNIROSS Rechargeable Batteries as its World’s No.1 in Rechargeabl Batteries , Uniross is the European leader in Rechargeable Batteries since 1968 , and all their products comes with 1 Year Warranty , Complete Range of Uniross Products are available in all cities of Pakistan since May’2010.
For those looking for longer battery life you could make a battery pack of larger cells. Right now I use a pack I made using 4 10,000 mAh D size batteries. I went that route since in my junk drawers I had a D size series battery holder and a coiled cord with connector to fit my camera’s power input jack. I clip the pack on my belt, have a clip on my camera to hook the cord in for strain relief and then plug it in the jack.
I use a 16 GB memory card and that 40,000 mAh pack and I’m ready to go without worrying about my batteries.
I’m going to make a pack using 4 5000 mAh C size, since I have yet hardly taxed the D’s. That would reduce the pack down to 20,000 mAh. The C pack of course would be smaller and lighter. It will be cheaper too.
Your packs will be 40,000 or 20,000 mah only if wired parallel to provide 1.2 volts to your camera, which I don’t think is the case. Wired in series, like most battery holders are, will provide 4.8 volts at 10,000 or 5,000 mah using D and C cells respectively.
Can anyone reassure me that this was a smart buy? http://www.amazon.com/Tenergy-Universal-Battery-Charger-26-cell/dp/B002FKSCYO/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281305410&sr=8-15 :/
It’s as versatile as it gets but I realized I don’t actually use many battery devices and the included batteries probably aren’t the best so I’m getting some eneloops to work with 3-battery devices such as some click lights and a vibrating massager.
I bought some Hybrio’s AAs that were pretty useless and wouldn’t hold a charge. The 800 mAh Elenope’s are not strong enough to keep up with my professional camera flash. I still get better performance out of old 2500 mAh Energizers that have been recharged hundreds of times than out of the new Enelopes. I recently bought some Rayovac Platinum 2100 mAh rechargeables that I’m not too happy with. I had some great Panasonic rechargables that don’t seem to be around any more.
Try the Tenergy.
If you have 800mAh Eneloops, then you must have the AAA size [or really are using something called an Elenope]. I’ve never seen a professional flash unit take anything less than a double A (I have a Nikon SB800 and several Vivitar 283s).
I don’t see how your flash unit would even work with batteries too short to fit.
I have found the PowerEx to be much better than Tenergy or any other NiMH out there in all sizes. The Maha charger does a great job and the PowerEx not only provide a nice long steady use period they also hold a nice charge when not used after charging.
I used uniross 2500 MA battery for the past 6 months..
Now the battery is totally worn out.
I think I must have not charged more than 50 – 60 times.. dont know.. y.
i am asking about the best car batterys
Do the ansman or maha charge any kind of hybrid batteries, and is there d hybrids. putting a AA in a big case seems like a real dumb Idea. If they thought AA provided enough power they would have made the device use AA not D. Or are the hybrid AA somehow as strong as standard D batteries?
Nice compilation, thank you.
I have Sony Ni-MH Batteries, they re pretty well. I have measured them after 4 years of operation and they have 92% of the original capacity. I guess they have a higher resistance, but it doesn’t matter for my use.
Thank you!
Olmo
Even for electric vehicles, the NiMH technology is not dead. The robustness and safety aspects are a special advantage of thise cells. Maybe there will be further progresses in the future which make them competative to Li-Ion cells. Especialls for Hybrid Cars!!!
Yeah Maha Imdeon chargers are much better…. and their AA’s beat eneloop as well
What about this deal? http://amzn.to/hDUV9Z
IMEDION AA 2400 mAh low self-discharge batteries (4 Pack) for $4.99.
How does this deal compare with the various deals on I-C3, Hybrio, E8GE and the Eneloop ?
Recycle your Ni-MH batteries with Metal Conversion Technologies, the industry leader in Battery Recycling.
Dear sir,
We require 200 nos of 10000 mah Ni-Mh Rechargeable Batteries and 20 nos Chargers.
Thanks for the round-up,
Perhaps next time you could determine which smart/universal chargers…
Sit at the “very top” in terms of: functionality/reliability/performance etc.
ATM the moment you’re comparing the same makes/models from year to year.
Instead of starting with a wider selection & “whittling it down” from there.
Excellent job as is, thanks again!
Thanks for the review, fairly insightful…
Not sure why my earlier comment was removed…
It wasn’t like some of the other SPAM in this thread.
Although it did allude to the somewhat commercial nature of these reviews.
Please ignore my prior comment….
I mistakenly thought my post before it had been removed.
It is in fact still there, thanks again for the review.
Does anyone know if Eneloops can be recharged in La Crosse chargers? Or do they need to be charged in the Sanyo charger they’re sold with?
Yes, you can charge then in a good quality charger, cheaper chargers tend to be deleterious to the long term life span. Avoid chargers that push a fixed current flow into the batteries for a fixed time.
Agreed! Make the investment into a good charger. I have used my Enloops once (they come charged) then put them into a charger that pushes a fixed current for a fixed time. I then got around 10% of the initial life span out of them. I would avoid this again and am getting one of the mentioned chargers! Don’t mess around with them they are amazing. I honestly thought they were going to go on forever in my camera and portable speakers!!
I’m trying to choose the best rechargeable AAA batteries for my small LED flashlights–ones that became widely available about a year ago for $10.00 or less–each requires three AAA batteries at a time. I like what I read about the new NIMH hybride sort being discussed here, but I need batteries that hold their power close to it’s peak and are as bright (or equal) to the average, name-brand 1.5 alkaline ones I’m used to. What throws me is your mention of 1.2 volts somewhere in all the comments above–I was a late “surprise” little girl in an engineering family, but my grasp of things electrical usually needs a bit of explanation re. the why’s and wherefore’s.
I need to RE-PHRASE my just posted “comment/Question”–
Will these newer hybrid NIMH batteries, such as the “Eneloops” or the “Hybrio” give me an equivalent brightness to the disposeable Alkaline ones I hate paying for and throwing away/recycling?
Martha
They run at slightly lower voltage, so flashlights are not quite as bright as those with alkalines.
Martha again–
Thanks–That tells me neither my charger nor my eyes are faulty!! Which batteries hold their power best? Do they run down on a sorta straight diagonal line (as it were) or more like a gently sloping plateau, then whoomph! go!! on down & be ready for recharge quickly?
Also, I understand these don’t have memory as to recharging–is that right or wrong? Are they on the retail market or more online? Maybe other readers like Jed, already know everything, but I NEED to you all ask to learn!
THANKS to all who’ve responded even with humor, help or knowledge about how these batteries work. –Martha
Why wasn’t my prior response to this person’s post approved?
They personally attacked me for absolutely no apparent reason.
I at least deserved some “right of reply”…
Users posting totally off-topic posts that “are” approved…
And another w/poor reading comprehension that results in them thinking I’m a “know it all”.
I’m done, nice site, shame about some of the folks in this thread.
If you want to add non-cylindrical batteries to the list, the best 9V E batteries I have found are iPowerUs 52o mAh Lithium Polymer.
What is the current highest capacity Hybrid AAA?
If you’re looking to power a flash, the Eneloop XX series should satisfy your voltage and storage needs:
http://amzn.to/kFM0Kt
2500 mAh, low-self discharge, retains voltage better than most.
Great round up.
The Sony Cycle Energy BCG34HRE4KN is also worth a mention. I got one last year, the lifespan has been excellent for my Fuji camera using the supplied AA batteries.
I have not tried eneloop batteries. But as some one said routinely available cells get discharged fast. I found Pre charged cells are more economical and useful for an amateur photographer ratherthan rechargeable NiMh cells.
Mallinath.
Anyone heard of the brand Extreme? I’ve got some D size 10000 mah and they are so long lasting
http://www.batteryvault.co.uk/extreme-10000-mah-size-d-rechargeable-batteries-2pk-475-p.asp
Does anyone know the highest capacity hybrid AAA?
Hi! It’s Martha. Again…AND–It’s high time I admit my need for HELP!!!!
OK, now #1
DO ‘they’ make 9V rechargeable batteries??–Of course I’m pretty sure they MUST, but I’ve just never ever seen them anywhere. Reading on, possibly they do..(?)…
—-Frank Davidson appears to have read my mind as to the “non-cylindrical batteries–such as the 9V E batteries” that he found are “iPowerUs 52o mAh Lithium Polymer” I need to ask though, are these recargeable? & Where are they to be found?
AND, #2!!
Who make’s a no-too-expensive charger that would handle 4-6 D cells at once? And what’s the best “lasting AND bright” battery for those good, Big And Long REALLY “MANLY” type Mag Lights–Seriously, guys, I’m left with at least 3 of them!
1 Of course the iPower US Li-Poly batteies are re-chargeaable. This is a thread about rechargeable batteries, so why would I post about a non-rechargeable battery?
You’d need to check with the manufacturer about stockists. You could always try their website, you know … with a browser and search engine.
Second vote for Sanyo XX AA batteries. These are the batteries you are looking for. Just can’t go wrong with them.
Third vote for the Sony XX AA batteries. They have been working great for me and so I can not recommend them enough.
I was way happy with the Ansmann “Energy 8 plus″ charger (recommended here), until a spring broke on one of the negative terminals. They claim to have a 3 year warranty, but they are making so difficult to return, it’s just not worth it. So, I will likely try to fix it myself, or toss in the trash. Bottom line … great design, poor craftsmanship.
I use the Eneloop AA and AAA batteries in my kids toys all the time. One thing to keep in mind with them, the performance actually improves after the first few charges.
Also, Eneloop has updated their batteries. The new ones can be charged 1500 times. The old ones are HR-3UTG or HR-4UTG, and the new ones are HR-3UTGA and HR-4UTGA.
And as someone mentioned above, the new ‘XX powered by eneloop Technology” have the higher capacity, but rechargeable only 500 times.
Occassionally we experince power outages; the most recent was for two days. My goal is to have rechargeable lanterns for us to use in such occassions. I recently bought a Coleman model 2000006663 LED lantern that can run either on a CPX6 cartridge or on 4 D cell batteries. I also have a solar charger that can recharge rechargeable batteries. My question is this: since these batteries may sit unused for years, which D Cell rechargeable battery would you recommend? I have to recharge the CPX6 cartridge once a year, when it is not in use.
Check these out, New Eneloop 2500 may:
http://tinyurl.com/7bgfzj6
@Fred
Sounds like you have experienced pretty typical German customer service.
I was considering the Ansmann Energy 8 plus charger until I saw a number of reviews saying that it frequently refuses to charge batteries and sometimes will charge the same battery it previously would not after re-inserting. It’s an expensive charger and too expensive to have such problems, so I won’t waste money on it.
eneloop has a XX version of 2500mah , now. So it’s good in high end flash devices like cameras and video.
This may sound stupid but I’m planning to buy som eneloop XX battery, but I don’t have enought money to spend into a charger. Can I use my old Sony Cycle energy BCG-809HNB with my new batteries?
Yes, any charger that supports NiMH batteries will work with the new Eneloops.
Justin
dear visitors,
I do load my enloops aa with a solar charger from cresta (sl878), but I do not know will it stop in time when the enloops are fully charged. I can not see-find out, that this device will stop at time, or stop at all? Can someone help with info ?
greetings
fiesta
This is an awesome blog post. It doesn’t get much greener than rechargeable batteries. Definitely a money saver too
Wondering if anyone can offer a recommendation on a 12V recharger, i.e. a AA battery recharger that can be plugged into a 12V car socket
If you’d never consider doing this with your Eneloops, why?