Rechargeable Batteries + Charger Recommendations

[cowgirl836]

Hello. I have recently discovered that there are rechargeable batteries of higher quality than the 2 minutes and done (TWSS???) version from my youth. With the holiday of mass battery usage upon us, I am trying to pick both batteries and a charger. I thought this would be easy then realized there was an entire nerdy Reddit rabbithole of which I am not equipped to enter and my spouse refuses to do this for me. So I'm leaning on the next best approachable nerdy resource I have at my disposal. You guys.

I've read about eneloops, LAAD? and something other. We mostly use AA and AAA. I'm ok mixing brands but some stuff made it seem like you can't/shouldn't do that with all the chargers. So I'd like whatever is a good brand or brands and a charger that can do at least 4, preferably 8, and can do different brands or even different types (AA and AAA) simultaneously. I think I also ready that some require you shut them off/unplug when they are done charging and that doesn't work with my lifestyle. I need them to be ok getting forgotton for 16 hours. So an auto shut off is a must.

Thank you kindly in advance.

 

[herbicide]

My 2 cents is don't bother.

I've tried essentially all of them, and while eneloops seemed to perform the best, they ALL have high rates of failure. Failure = won't charge or won't hold charge; over a period of years.

I ended up spending (and pitching...) much more on them than had I just bought the bulk Amazon/Sams/Costco Alkalines.

 

[AgronAlum]

My 2 cents is don't bother.

I've tried essentially all of them, and while eneloops seemed to perform the best, they ALL have high rates of failure. Failure = won't charge or won't hold charge; over a period of years.

I ended up spending (and pitching...) much more on them than had I just bought the bulk Amazon/Sams/Costco Alkalines.

Agree. We’ve fallen back on the big boy packs from Sam’s or Costco. We did go with Amazon for a while but they changed them and they suck now.

 

[LeaningCy]

Panasonic Eneloop

 

[CascadeClone]

My 2 cents is don't bother.

I've tried essentially all of them, and while eneloops seemed to perform the best, they ALL have high rates of failure. Failure = won't charge or won't hold charge.

Honestly, would say the same. But not from a quality standpoint, from a human factors / usage standpoint.

Could never get the kids (or myself tbh) to keep them charged in advance, rotate them properly, and not have them get left idle in random places around the house. Even in a specific controlled environment (ie rotate them in and out of your game controllers) somehow they always ended up somewhere else and with regular batteries needed.

If you do get some, make sure it is OK to leave the batteries stored in the charger while plugged in. Otherwise you have like zero chance to not lose them, and for them to be charged when you need them, imho.

 

[mramseyISU]

I'd just go buy some from harbor frieght. That's what I run in all the TV remotes in my house. If you want a little more juice than that you can get lithium ion rechargeable AA batteries though. No idea how good or bad they are. Amazon product

 

[Yaz]

I've had great luck with Panasonic eneloop. Their storage and charging setup for both AA and AAA is great amd has worked well for us, which is primarily for teardrop camping...example: headtorch has proprietary battery and accepts standard batteries if it dies and needs charged. Grab these and good to go. I have been surprised how well they hold a charge. Typically charge at the beginning of the season and ready to go any time that season, if needed.

Now that I have said that, we did try to use them in low draw items like my wife's christmas candles, and they just didn't work well. I believe it as something to do with the low draw from those products, but I really don't know.

 

[herbicide]

I've had great luck with Panasonic eneloop. Their storage and charging setup for both AA and AAA is great amd has worked well for us, which is primarily for teardrop camping...example: headtorch has proprietary battery and accepts standard batteries if it dies and needs charged. Grab these and good to go. I have been surprised how well they hold a charge. Typically charge at the beginning of the season and ready to go any time that season, if needed.

Now that I have said that, we did try to use them in low draw items like my wife's christmas candles, and they just didn't work well. I believe it as something to do with the low draw from those products, but I really don't know.

I should note the 'low draw' part is the bulk of my (not great) experience with these batteries. Remotes, mice, low draw kids toys, etc.

 

[DSMCy]

I've had Eneloop for years and love them.
I watch for sales and typically buy a few more every couple years or so

I've had much more trouble losing them, or having them thrown away (I assume), then issues with the actual batteries.

 

[3TrueFans]

Amazon basics, they seems to work fine.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

My uncle has this guy for a charger and seems happy with it. He wanted one with a ton of space because these batteries shelf life isn’t as high as you would want but I guess it’s better than just disposable

Amazon.com

 

[NorthCyd]

Amazon basics, they seems to work fine.

Second this. I've been using both eneloops and Amazon basics for years and they both work great IMO.

 

[BryceC]

Amazon basics, they seems to work fine.

I use PowerOwl ones I bought off Amazon - they are barely more expensive than just regular AA batteries and I've not had one fail yet. Mostly used for controllers and stuff like that.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

I didnt read most of the responses but my wife is much happier now that she ditched the batteries and now uses a plug in model.

 

[NorthCyd]

I didnt read most of the responses but my wife is much happier now that she ditched the batteries and now uses a plug in model.

 

[tim_redd]

I've had great luck with Panasonic eneloop. Their storage and charging setup for both AA and AAA is great amd has worked well for us, which is primarily for teardrop camping...example: headtorch has proprietary battery and accepts standard batteries if it dies and needs charged. Grab these and good to go. I have been surprised how well they hold a charge. Typically charge at the beginning of the season and ready to go any time that season, if needed.

Now that I have said that, we did try to use them in low draw items like my wife's christmas candles, and they just didn't work well. I believe it as something to do with the low draw from those products, but I really don't know.

The device they are going in can make a difference. Alkalines start at 1.5 V and go down as they get used. NiMH like eneloops basically stay at about 1.2 V until depleted. Some things need the higher voltage.

 

[NATEizKING]

I use Amazon Basics with an old Energizer charger. Throw the non-used in a plastic ziploc in a drawer. Easy to just plug them in right when you swap them out. Stop back later in the day and throw them in the ziploc. Going on 5 years with a 24 pack and all still accounted for and working.

 

[MeowingCows]

I've had great luck with Panasonic eneloop. Their storage and charging setup for both AA and AAA is great amd has worked well for us, which is primarily for teardrop camping...example: headtorch has proprietary battery and accepts standard batteries if it dies and needs charged. Grab these and good to go. I have been surprised how well they hold a charge. Typically charge at the beginning of the season and ready to go any time that season, if needed.

Now that I have said that, we did try to use them in low draw items like my wife's christmas candles, and they just didn't work well. I believe it as something to do with the low draw from those products, but I really don't know.

Another Eneloop user here, primarily for game controllers. They work great in those, got 8 or so of the batteries around.

I also don't use them in low-drain/long term devices. Those get standard batteries, I buy the Costco bulk packs (which are rebranded Duracell).

 

[alarson]

I have good experiences with eneloop pro batteries. Use them in game controllers, remotes, etc.

 

[cowgirl836]

ok you guys are all over the place, I needed one simple answer that didn't involve "low draw" and such.

Types of things we'd use them for - my adorable porch Xmas lights and kids' toys.