The best rechargeable D size batteries are Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hybride) cells that offer a high storage capacity of around 10,000 mAh or milliamp hours. Typically required in high-drain, high-current devices, D size batteries are expensive to replace so the higher the capacity the better. The new Ni-MH rechargeable batteries are able to retain a charge over time, perfect for that emergency flashlight that uses D size batteries.

You’ll also want to invest in an efficient charger, as D size batteries generally take the longest amount of time to recharge. Many universal smart chargers are able to charge all battery sizes at the same time for all your rechargeable batteries. Be sure to read our full review of the Best Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers. And read on to learn about the best rechargeable D size batteries and chargers available today.

Imedion Rechargeable D Size Batteries By Maha/PowerEx

Imedion Rechargeable D Size Batteries By Maha/PowerEx

These Maha Imedion batteries by PowerEx are one of the latest Ni-MH rechargeable batteries to hit the market. They boast improvements in the self-discharge rate by retaining a charge capacity of 90% after 6 months and 85% after 12 months, which makes them ideal for storing and for use in flashlights or other low-drain devices.

They come pre-charged and have a  high rate capacity of 9,500 mAh (milli Amp hours). Compatible with Ni-MH chargers, they can be charged up to 1,000 times. A pack of 2 sells for around $30.

The Imedion rechargeable D size batteries are available from Amazon.

Tenergy D Size Rechargeable Batteries

Tenergy D Size Rechargeable Batteries

The Tenergy Rechargeable D size batteries are a Ni-MH battery that offer a long running life and high capacity of 10,000 mAh. According to Tenergy, these batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times. They can be recharged via a smart charger or universal charger. A standard charge takes 15 hours at 800 mA or they can be rapid charged in 3 hours at 4,000 mA.

A pack of 8 Tenergy D size rechargeable batteries is available from Amazon for about $55.

Maha PowerEx Rechargeable D Batteries

Maha PowerEx Rechargeable D Batteries

These Ni-MH batteries from PowerEx offer the longest run time and highest capacity of the rechargeable D size with 11,000 mAh, slightly more than the Tenergy and the Imedion batteries. They can be recharged up to 1,000 times using a Ni-MH charger. A pack of 2 costs about $30.

The Maha PowerEx rechargeable D batteries sell on Amazon.

Eneloop D Spacer Packs With 2 AA Rechargeable Batteries By Sanyo

Eneloop D Spacer Packs With 2 AA Rechargeable Batteries By Sanyo

Another option for a D size rechargeable battery is to use AA batteries in D size spacer packs. Just keep in mind that the capacity of the AA Sanyo Eneloops are 2,000 mAh, so they won’t give you the efficiency of the D size rechargeable batteries. You probably wouldn’t want to go this route for a high drain device, such as a baby swing, but if you’re looking for batteries to leave in a flashlight for short-term use, then this would be an inexpensive alternative. The 2 D size spacers come with 2 pre-charged AA batteries for about $10.00.

The Sanyo Eneloops, which have made our list of best rechargeable batteries, hold 85% of their capacity after 12 months. The AA Eneloops charge in about 230 minutes.

The Eneloop D spacer packs are available from Amazon.

D-Sized Battery Chargers

Maha PowerEx Ultimate Professional Battery Charger

Maha Power X Ultimate Battery Charger

The ultimate professional battery charger by Maha/PowerEx has been designed for the high capacity C and D batteries. Charging time for an 11,000 mAh D size battery is around just 5 hours. You can charge any combination of AAA, AA, C, or D batteries at the same time with up to 8 stations. Each battery is individually monitored via an LCD display to show charging status.

The Maha charger features a soft and rapid charging mode, will automatically shut off when a full charge is reached, and runs at a low temperature. It’s powered by an AC adapter.

You can get it on Amazon for around $85.00.

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 $120.

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 $70.

Tenergy Universal Smart Charger for Rechargeable D Batteries

This universal smart charger from Tenergy will automatically detect the size and type of battery placed in the slot and charge them individually or in a group. With two charging bays, it can charge 2 9V batteries or 4 of any combination of AAA, AA, C, and D. It can charge both Ni-MH and Ni-CD batteries. Each battery is individually monitored with an LED light to indicate discharge, fast charge, and trickle charge. You can mix batteries within the charger.

Sensing when the battery has reached a full charge, it will shut off or switch to a standby battery. It can also detect when a battery has reached the end of it’s life. Powered by an AC 110v-240v adapter, this charger can recharge a D size battery of 1200 mAh to 10,000 mAh in 3-10.5 hours.

The Tenergy Universal Smart Charger is sold on Amazon for about $22.00.

Tenergy Super Universal LCD Battery Charger With USB Port

Tenergy Super Universal LCD Battery Charger With USB Port

Another selection from Tenergy, this universal charger can recharge a combination of 1 to 4 AAA, AA, C, or D sized Ni-MH batteries and 1 to 2 9V Ni-MH batteries. For a D size battery of around 9,000 mAh, the charging time will take about 7.5 hours. The blue LCD display shows individual battery status: charge, discharge, full, and bad.

This charger also features a built-in USB port to power your personal digital devices, though it can’t be done at the same time as the batteries. Comes with a 100-240v AC adapter and offers short circuit protection.

The Tenergy Super Universal LCD battery charger is available from Amazon for about $37.

Or it’s available in a combo pack which comes with 8 D size Tenergy rechargeable batteries for around $83.

nPower PEG

The new nPower PEG (personal energy generator) by Tremont Electric wowed reviewers at the 2011 CES convention. This back-up hybrid charger allows you to keep your cell phone, iPod, or other hand-held device working while you’re on the go. By harnessing the kinetic energy that you produce through movement, then converting it into accessible power, the nPower PEG allows you to be the manufacturer of your own renewable energy. The nPower PEG is marketed for those with an active lifestyle: commuters, cyclists, college students, backpackers, emergency responders, and exercise enthusiasts.

nPower PEG On The Go

The nPower PEG uses an internal battery that you can charge at home using a USB port. Then, when you head out for the day, the PEG will continuously top off the battery with your movement. If you stop moving and the battery loses power, you can give it a shake to get it going in an emergency. Compatible with USB 2.0 devices, the charger comes with a cable and adapter tips. Made of recyclable materials, it weighs 11 oz, is 1 inch in diameter and 9 inches tall, and is encased in titanium.

Some may find the $159.99 price tag a bit hefty, but the ability to charge your phone or MP3 from anywhere is appealing. Currently, the nPower PEG is back-ordered, but you can get your order in now on the nPower PEG website. Soon to come is an nPower leg band which holds the charger on your leg for cycling or for use at the gym.

Tremont Electric is a green company with plans to take the technology of nPower even further with large scale kinetic energy generators and wave energy converters. They are committed to both the global environment as well as their own local economy. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, 90% of the components used to make the nPower PEG come from the state of Ohio.

When buying 9 volt batteries, you might want to consider a rechargeable Lithium Polymer 9 volt batteries. There are only a few companies that make rechargeable 9V batteries, the brand I like the most is Maha. They make a 9V rechargeable batteries and chargers, both available on Amazon.

You can also get Lithium Polymer 9v rechargeable batteries, that use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density that is 20% more than typical lithium ion batteries. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer. See this forum thread with a discussion of the performance of this battery. However, these lithium polymer batteries are expensive, costing $17 each. They are available on Amazon.

Lithium Polymer 9 Volt Batteries and Charger

If you don’t need a lithium polymer 9v, you can also get rechargeable NiMH 9V batteries, which are less expensive and don’t require a specific charger.

See also our review of this year’s best rechargeable NiHM batteries and chargers.

We briefly reviewed battery chargers in a previous post “The Best Rechargeable Batteries of 2010“. But let’s take a look at the best “Universal Battery Chargers”. These are chargers that can handle AAA, AA, C, D sized cells, and well as 9V cells.

Ansmann Deluxe “Energy 16″ Universal Battery Charger

Ansmann Energy 16 Univseral Battery Charger

Ansmann is a German company known for their range of intelligent universal 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 analyzed, 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 universal charger can be used worldwide — it accepts 100-240V 50-60Hz AC.

It’s available from Amazon for around $120.

Ansmann Deluxe “Energy 8″ Universal Charger

Ansmann Energy 8 Universal Battery Charger

Ansmann’s “Energy 8″ universal battery 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 $70.

Universal Battery Charger by Vanson

This universal battery charger by Vanson has many smart charging features usually found on more expensive models. It has a microprocessor charge control, timer safety override, and a conditioning function for all but 9V batteries. It also detects damaged cells.

It can handle all the common sizes of Ni-MH and Ni-CD batteries (AA, AAA, C, D or 9V).

Some features this charger lacks is a detailed charge status display, fixed contact charging points, and AC power switching for international travelers.

The Universal Battery Charger is available from Amazon for around $23.

Maha PowerEx “Ultimate Professional” Charger

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 univseral battery 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 $89.

Energizer Overnight Universal Battery Charger

The Energizer Overnight Universal Battery Charger is an inexpensive charger that lacks the smart charging features of the other charger featured here. This charger can handle AAA, AA and C, D, and 9V sized cells. But it only charges NiMH (not NiCad) batteries. It has a charge status indicator, and a trickle charger to keep batteries topped up.

It’s available from Amazon for $22.

One of the best charger/battery series available. The batteries are
rated at 2400mAh – one of the most powerful out there. Quick charges
in about an hour, then switches to trickle charge. Comes with a 12V adaptor.

Purchase from: Amazon ($29.88)