Today, the best rechargeable batteries are the new hybrid Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells. These hybrid batteries have a lot going for them: they come fully charged (like alkaline batteries), and they can hold their charge over may 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. But they are also ideal for use in high-drain electronic devices like digital cameras.
So, basically, these new hybrid Ni-MH cells offer the convenience and shelf-life of alkalines, and the high-drain performance of older Ni-MH batteries. You can find the new hybrid Ni-MHs being sold with names like Hybrio
If, however, being able to recharge batteries quickly is your priority, you may want to look at Rayovac’s IC3 Ni-MH batteries, which have the advantage of being able to be recharged in 15 minutes. (See more information below).
We also review some of the best battery chargers at the end of this article.
Here are some more details on the different battery brands mentioned:
Hybrio Rechargeable Batteries by Uniross
Uniross, a French battery company, recently introduced a “hybrid” Ni-MH battery called the Hybrio. Like disposable alkaline batteries, they come fully charged when you buy them. These batteries are referred to as “ultra-low self-discharging” batteries. Hybrios are said to keep 70% of their charge after a year. You can recharge the Hybrios in any standard Ni-MH charger, and they can be recharged up to 500 times. A pack of four Hybrio cells costs about $12. The AA-sized Hybrios are rated at 2100mAh (mAh stands for milli Amp hour, and indicates battery’s energy storage capacity). Uniross offers a three year limited warranty on these cells. They are also branded as: Ultralast, Again and Again, and Uniross.
Hybrio
Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries by Sanyo
Eneloop batteries are Ni-MH batteries made by Sanyo in Japan. Like the Hybrios, Eneloops come fully charged out-of-the-box, and have a slow self-discharging range. They can also be recharged in any Ni-MH charger. Sanyo says Eneloops can be recharged up to 1000 times, and they will retain their charged capacity even after 6 or 12 months of storage. (According to Sanyo the specs are: 90% of charged capacity retained after 6 months, and 85% capacity after 12 months at 20 degree Celsius). The AA-sized (R6) batteries are rated at 2000mAh, and the AAA-sized (R03) cells are rated at 800mAh. The price is similar to the Hybrios: a pack of four AA Eneloops costs about $12. The charge times are as follows: AA Eneloops charge in 230 minutes, and AAA Eneloops charge in 135 minutes.
You can get packs of Eneloop batteries from Amazon
Eneloop batteries are also available with a USB Charger, or a Universal Charger with 8 Eneloop Batteries included.
I-C3 Rechargeable Batteries by Rayovac
In 2004, Rayovac introduced a new line of Ni-MH batteries called I-C3s, that can be recharged in 15 minutes. The I-C3 term stands for “In-Cell Charge Control”, meaning the cells have some circuitry inside them that assists with recharging, allowing for a much quicker charging time. Rayovac says the cells can be recharged “up to a thousand times”. The AA sized batteries are rated at 2000mAh. A four pack of the AA-sized batteries costs about $10. Unfortunately, Rayovac has discontinued these batteries in favor of their own line of hybrid Ni-MH batteries
I-C3 batteries come with a special charger that features a cooling fan to keep the batteries from getting too hot during the fast charging. There are two charger models: the PS6, which can charge four AA or AAA batteries, and comes with a plug-in 110-120V AC power supply (or optionally, a 12V DC car cord). The PS5 charger model can charge two AA or AAA batteries, and plugs directly into a wall outlet. The PS5 can be used in countries with 220V using an adapter for the outlet.
Ordinary Ni-MH and Ni-CD type batteries can be charged in the I-C3 chargers, but it will act like an overnight charger with these batteries.
Rayovac IC3 Batteries
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-900 Alpha Battery Charger and Recovery System
The LaCrosse Alpha Charger is a “smart” charger. It has sophisticated monitoring circuitry that controls the charging process, and it is also capable of “renewing” batteries by running full 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. It available from Amazon for about $40.
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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
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
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
Read more! Related stories:
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- Rechargeable 9 Volt Lithium Polymer Batteries: Efficient
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- The Best 12V Solar Battery Chargers
- New Lithium-Ion Battery Recharges To 90% Capacity In 5 Minutes
{ 37 comments }
Nice review. Informative.
I feel it is important to choose a smart charger with individual charging channels because paired channel chargers do an inadequate job; they do not charge each cell optimally.
Sir,
I want to purchase your “Eneloop Recharageble Battry Cells” because i am hear by differant resource that these are the best cells of 2007.
Please tell me how i can purchase them from Pakistan because these are not avilable in Pakistan.
Please tell its solution at my e-mail address fayyaz_pk62@hotmail.com
I am very thankful if u help me.
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Great review! This will help me shop for new rechargable batteries. I will note your list on my blog.
Very useful review. Thanks!
is the sanyo charger that has eneloop cells included a good charger ..also does it have a overcharge protection feature? thanks tim
Please respond…I have the IC3 Rayovac 15 minute rechargeable NimH 2000 mAh batteries..and they work great…but don’t feel like having to go online to get more. Using the PS6 recharger…am I able to buy the Energizer 15 minute rechargeable batteries and use the same charger that I use for the IC3’s…thanks
problem with rechargeable; they are all 1.2. some devices won’t work with less then 1.3V
You should look at the “Pure Energy” line of rechargeable alkaline batteries. They’re MUCH better than NiMH – they retain their charge and are cheaper.
The problem with rechargeable alkaline is that it lowers full capacity with a deep discharge and it needs its own charger. Imho hybrid nihm are much better.
What Dsize recharge batteries do knowledgeable people recommend for torches? Thank you for your help.
I am still using two ARLEC Ni-cad Dsize batteries which were charged by me for the first time in 1996. After more than one hour’s continuous use it still keeps going. It may not hold the charge very long though.
I’ve been having lots of problems with some of the cheaper NiMH rechargeables I’ve bought over the years. They seem go all go bad after just a few charges. I think it’ll be worthwhile to spend a bit more and get some top rated ones instead of the lousy ones I’ve been getting.
I agree, I have not been happy with the performance of any rechargable batteries I have bought over the years including Rayovac and Energiser, they do seem to go bad very quickly and dont seem to hold a full charge so much that I dont even bother using my rechargable battereries any more.
I buy the bulk packs of duracell batteries for $10 a pack they last so much longer in my digital camera than my rechargable ones. I dont mind paying $10 every couple of months for packs of batteries that last a long time in my camera.
I do mind paying $20 even one time for rechargable ones and charger that dies on me after such a short time of use.
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Yes, the brand of rechargeable can make a difference, but for heaven’s sake, you should be charging them with a SOLAR POWER BATTERY RECHARGER!
Using coal powered electricity to recharge your batteries is just wasteful. Let the sun do the work directly. Take the coal out of the loop.
The Eneloop batteries are outstanding — by far the best rechargeable I’ve ever used. They hold a charge extremely well (as well as alkalines) on the shelf and when in a device but not being used. They hold plenty of power for cameras, radios, telephones, recorders. And they do not have the “memory” problems that plague ni-cads, the ridiculous discharge flaws of rechargeable alkalines, or the lousy shelf life of conventional ni-mh’s. Eneloop + a top quality charger such as the MAHA MH-C808M is the way to go. The Rayovac Hybrid ni-mh is also a cut above, but not as good as the Eneloop.
Wonderful and so very comprehensive review. I am strictly using rechargeable batteries for quite a while and at least personal feeling is much better – less pollution.
Hi
Where can I purchase one of those ENELOOP Batteries.
Tks
Kevin
Purchased Eneloop charger with four batteries two months ago. Charger works great and ONE set of batteries operates my digital camera great but the other set lasts only about 15 minutes before I get the “change batteries” signal on my camera. Probably just one bad battery dragging the other one down but it’s beet a little frustrating. Batteries and charger purchased at Walmart.
Does anyone know what the best option is for nimh size D batteries. I don’t want to use the adapters that convert size AA to D, they don’t have enough juice. Are there any hybrid size D or C’s out there?
There are several steps you can take to help you get maximum performance from your laptop battery: Prevent Memory Effect – Keep the laptop battery healthy by fully charging and then fully discharging it at least once every two to three weeks.
Costco carries Eneloop here in Washington State. I bought 2 packs and have been very pleased with their performance over the last 6 months.
I have used a set of 4 Eneloop AA for my digital camera, which I use a lot.
At first they lasted a month before needing charging, but now they last only one or two shoots…
There are no charging directions that I can find.
Bought from Tandy, Australia
I bought my first set of Eneloop on christmas in 2006 and they are still going strong like they were new. I use them every day in my camera and I never had anything comparable, they are just perfect, ready every time I want to go, they were never ever discharged when not used. That’s what I was missing all the years before: This reliability! Priceless!
outdoor lights will it make a differance using 1.2v 600 mah vrs.2100 mah I have both and is there a mah? I should use? Thanks Don
The Eneloops aren’t that widely available in stores around DC from what I’ve seen, so I stick with Duracell Precharge Rechargeables because they’re cheap and hold a great charge too
This article is very timely; you’ve convinced me to upgrade to the new rechargeable technology. I’ve been using rechargeable NiMH for eight years now and they are starting to die on me. I have noticed that there is significant variation in quality according to brand. If you want to hang onto the older battery technology, I like the Sony NiMH batteries. I’ve used them for 8 eights years and they’ve really held up to frequent use… or is it abuse? The quick charge Rayovac’s are convenient but the batteries don’t last like the Sony’s. As for the no name brand… what is that suspicious bulge on the side of the battery that formed after less than 3 years of light use?
Thanks, also, for the tip about Costco selling the eneloops. Great price. You get 8 AA’s, 2 AAA’s, a bunch of plastic sleeves that convert the AA’s to C’s & D’s and a charger for under $30 (as of Aug. 3, 2008).
The charger is pretty darn basic. It’s the type that will sense when the charge is complete and turns off the charge process. The charger holds 4 batteries and it charges in pairs. You can mix AA’s and AAA’s but only in pairs. No “smart” features like deep discharge. But the the price at Costco is pretty much the cost of the batteries with the charger tossed in for free. I’m not complaining. The charger will work with 120-240 V and is very light and compact. For those of you who hesitate over the hefty price of rechargeables vs. alkalines, last time I traveled I got caught without a charger and paid $15 at a fancy tourist trap hotel shop for 4 alkaline AA’s for my camera. 4 eneloops for $12 at Amazon vs. $15 alkalines? Switch and don’t leave home without the charger!
Oh, wait. This is the new technology. Just charge up before you leave. Duh.
These are all every stagger battery
This is a good battery charger.
I use the Eneloop batteries in my vibrator, and oo-ee-oo I can have multiple orgasms and keep on going if I want (though I usually get too sore after about a dozen). Great batteries and last a long time in my vibrator!
My setup, which I am VERY happy with, is a large supply of Eneloop batteries plus one 4-cell smart charger (The Lacrosse BC-900 reviewed above). Works GREAT.
The folks having problems with their eneloops probably need to put them on a “recharge” cycle with one of the smart chargers. I understand that you can often get these kinds of issues by using “fast” chargers rather than “slow” trickle charges.
Where to buy:
Costco is where I got my initial stash of Eneloops (got two travel packs and just never use the charger). However, for the next couple of weeks Thomas Distribution (http://www.thomasdistributingshop.com) is having a hell of a sale on Eneloops, 4 AA’s for under $10, and they throw in a travel case for each set as well. The price goes down even more (moderately so) if you buy a bunch.
We have a family with 6 kids, and went through a LOT of batteries before switching to rechargables. We also tried “old style” rechargables before hitting on the eneloops. We’d end up with “dead” batteries after only a few recharges; I understand now that was most likely because we’d let the batteries completely discharge before recharging them, which apparently can ruin standard NiMH batteries.
In any case, we started off with the Lacrosse charger and the 8+2+charger+shells+travel pack deal from Costco (see http://www.eneloopusa.com/products.html about 1/2 way down), then quickly discovered we’d need at least twice as many eneloops. Six months later and still going strong, and I’m upsizing our battery supply with a bunch more eneloops from Thomas Dist (see above).
As or C and D cells: http://www.sanyo.com/news/2008/08/08-2en.html – Eneloop “real” C and D cell batteries will be released in September. Bad news: initial release is in Japan, although I suspect we’ll see them in the US soon after.
Hi. Your site is great and provided me with lots of very useful information. Thanks
I would like to buy a rechargeable battery with 12V and 2Ah (or 6v and 3Ah). I’ve been reading your article about the new hybrid Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells. It provides info about the battery amperes but not about their voltage. Would you please point me to where I can get such information?
Thanks a lot
–Luis
Thanks for all the reviews and comments. great info.
Dear Sir;
Your webpage is great as well.
We need extensive information on your entire range of batteries and chargers to satisfy the need of certain customers.
For more impression, we need a few sets of hard- copy catalogs and your export price list before discount.
Your prompt response way generate business for both of us.
I look forward with interest to hearing from you in due course.
Kind regards.
Farouk E Abu Shara
Executive Director
hi..Which of these Hybrid rechargeables are NOT made in China?..Can I use my existing NI-MH charger?…thanks, Walt~
According to an independent comparison of low self discharge battery where the initial 1-hour, 1-week, 4-week, 3-month performance was measured.
The most efficient AAA is GP Recyko 800 mAh .
And here is the ranking:
#2 MAHA IMEDION 800 mAh
#3 Sanyo Eneloop 800 mAh
#4 Duracell Precharged 800 mAh
#5 Accupower Acculoop 800 mAh
#6 Hybrio by Ultralast 800 mAh
For AA low self discharge battery:
#1MAHA IMEDION 2100 mAh
#2Kodak Pre-Charged 2100 mAh
#3GP Recyko 2100 mAh
#4Duracell Precharged 2100 mAH
#5Hybrio by Ultralast 2100 mAh
#6Ansmann Max-e 2100 mAh
#7Nexcell EnergyON 2000 mAh
#8Eneloop by Sanyo 2000 mAh
#9Hybrid by Ray-O-Vac 2100 mAh
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1023&thread=26078814&page=2
Of course, the comparative review done on this is just one and would be excellent if can be repeated by others to verify the accuracy of the findings.
I hope Justin you can post comparative reviews &/or proofs for the metaefficient products. I am just curious on how to categorize a product as being the best metaefficient product in its class.
Nevertheless, you have an excellent website… Keep up the good work.
Do I have to buy the same brand of rechargeable batteries for the charger I already have or can I use another brand as long as it is the same type of battery?
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