The 7 Best AA and AAA Rechargeable Batteries of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall:

Energizer Eight-Pack at Amazon

"Energizer’s eight-pack pre-charged rechargeable AA batteries are a super choice for all your gadget needs."

Runner up, Best Overall:

AmazonBasics 16-Pack AAA Batteries at Amazon

"AmazonBasics brand battery will hold up 80 percent of their capacity over the course of their shelf life."

Best Long Lasting:

Panasonic 16-Pack Eneloop AA and AAA at Amazon

"Panasonic batteries will hold up to 70 percent of their charge for up to 10 years when not in use."

Best High Capacity:

AmazonBasics 8-Pack AAA Batteries at Amazon

"This budget-friendly variant of the AmazonBasics line can hold up to 65 percent of original charge before running out after three years of storage."

Best for Environment:

Energerizer AAA Recharger Power Plus (4 count) at Amazon

"Pre-charged with more than 700 mAh of power."

Best Recharge Cycles:

EBL AA and AAA at Amazon

"A No. 1 bestseller on Amazon with a 4.3 out of 5-star rating."

Best for Toys:

Bonai 16-pack AA at Amazon

"Available in four, eight, sixteen and twenty-four-pack varieties, these AA batteries can be charged up to 1,200 times."

in this article

Our Picks
What to Look for in a Rechargeable Battery
FAQs

In our modern, wireless world, finding the best rechargeable batteries makes a ton of sense. Traditional disposable batteries are not only terrible for the environment, they cost so much more over the lifespan of a device than their rechargeable counterparts. Plus, rechargeable battery technology is at the point now where a pack of rechargeable AAs can last you years without needing to be replaced.

To keep your laptop topped off as well, head over to our roundup of the best portable laptop batteries, or read on for the best rechargeable AA and AAA options.

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Energizer’s eight-pack pre-charged rechargeable AA batteries are a super choice for all your gadget needs. With more than 1,000 charge cycles at your disposal, the Energizer rechargeable batteries will retain their charge for up to 12 months when not in use, so there’s always available power when you need it. When it comes to actual power, Energizer claims that one full AA battery will allow you take around 230 digital camera photos or play a handheld game for around five hours before needing recharging. Additionally, the five-year battery or shelf life pairs up nicely with the 1,000 charge cycles, offering long-lasting power without breaking the bank.

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Amazon’s quest to offer up inexpensive alternatives under their own brand name has found its way into the rechargeable battery market. This AAA 16-pack come pre-charged for use right out of the box, and the AmazonBasics brand battery will hold up 80 percent of their capacity over the course of their shelf life.

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Panasonic’s also offers both AA and AAA Eneloop rechargeable battery. When it comes to ordering the Panasonic, you can choose from four packs all the way to 16 packs in both AA and AAA varieties, as well as a joint package containing both battery types. With more than 2,100 potential recharge cycles, the Panasonic batteries will hold up to 70 percent of their charge for up to 10 years when not in use during that time. These batteries come straight from the warehouse pre-charged via solar power for extra energy efficiency. Panasonic also highlights that their Eneloop brand can handle temperatures up to negative four degrees Fahrenheit before suffering from performance issues.

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Amazon has another set of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries that come with 850mAh of capacity. Additionally, this budget-friendly variant of the AmazonBasics line can hold up to 65 percent of original charge before running out after three years of storage. That number can rise to 80 percent of original charge life when looking at just 12 months of inactivity before plugging this AmazonBasics variant into a device.

Energizer EVENH12BP4 Recharge Power Plus AAA 700 mAh Rechargeable Batteries, Pre-Charged (Pack of 4)

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Energizer’s rechargeable AAA 700mAh Power Plus batteries available in both a four- and eight-pack count are pre-charged with more than 700 mAh of power. That’s low compared to some of the other models on this list, but with a price tag that’s just about $10 for the four-pack, the budget-friendly pricing matches nicely with the smaller doses of power. Still, the Energizer EVENH12BP4 battery can retain its charge for up to 12 months when not in use, so power is always available. Additionally, there are a full 700 charges before this battery is considered no longer viable. Standing on its own, that claim offers a better environmental impact than non-rechargeable batteries and at a better price point. Ideally, this Energizer model will help you take around 350 digital camera photos, as well as operate a standalone electronic toy for seven hours before dying out.

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While you might not know the EBL name as a household brand of batteries, the 16-point, high-capacity 1100mAh battery will change that right away. Available in both AA and AAA 16-pack varieties, the EBL choice is already a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon with a 4.3 out of 5-star rating. While the high capacity will help your devices last longer with each charge, there’s also the capability for more than 1,200 battery recharge cycles over the course of the lifetime of the batteries. Additionally, if stored in ideal conditions, the EBL battery can hold up to 75 percent of its performance for up to three years. EBL also prides itself on manufacturing batteries that are 0.1V higher than other competitor models when fully charged, which makes them ideally suited for longer use over their total lifetime.

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Bonai is another battery manufacturer that doesn’t exactly ring a bell as a household name, but their 2800mAh rechargeable batteries are a reliable option. Available in four, eight, sixteen and twenty-four-pack varieties, these AA batteries can be charged up to 1,200 times. They also have a low self-discharge, meaning they can retain up to 80 percent of their charge after three years of non-use (although they recommend recharging every few months). Bonai claims that these batteries have a longer life in high-drain electronics compared to non-rechargeable batteries, which makes them a good choice for gaming gear, cameras, kids' toys, and other devices that always seem to die too quickly.

What to Look for in a Rechargeable Battery

Long life - The life of a rechargeable battery is defined by how many times you can charge it, use it, and charge it again before it no longer works. Look for rechargeable AA and AAA batteries that are rated for at least 500 recharge cycles, or up to 2,000 recharge cycles for higher-end batteries.

Charge capacity - Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries are defined by charge capacity, which is given in mAH. If your devices use a lot of power, then high-charge capacity is essential. If you’re buying batteries for devices that require less power, like wall clocks and remote controls, a lower capacity is fine.

Low self-discharge - This refers to how much charge the batteries lose when they aren’t in use. This is extremely important if you want to keep a bunch of extra AA and AAA rechargeable batteries in your drawer and grab fresh ones when you need them instead of waiting for the charger.

FAQs

What's the difference between types of batteries?
Typically, AA and AAA batteries come in one of two flavors: lithium or alkaline (though please don't lick your batteries). Lithium batteries are longer-lasting, less prone to leakage, and more expensive. Alkaline batteries are cheaper, more ubiquitous, but rarely rechargeable.

How long do AA and AAA batteries last?
The total lifespan of your batteries, as well as the duration of a single charge for rechargeable batteries, depends on a number of factors: the draw of the device they're inserted in, voltage, the total time they're in active use vs. downtime, environmental factors, and manufacturing process/component quality. Generally, lithium and eneloop batteries will last longer than their alkaline alternatives, both in terms of individual charge and total life span.

Can my batteries explode?
It's extremely rare that consumer AA or AAA batteries will explode. To avoid ruptures, be sure to avoid inserting batteries in the wrong direction, especially for long periods of time, and store your batteries (or the devices they're living in) away from heat sources and in dry conditions (to avoid corrosion and deteriorating the case, as well as the battery cavity of the device itself).

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