It's worth mentioning that NiMH batteries will lose at least 20% of their charge within 6 months due to self-discharge. NiMH have a high energy density but a reduced lifecycle, while NiCD batteries have a higher discharge rate. Nickel-metal hydride is a type of battery that's more efficient than nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries which were more common about 10 years ago. Instead, I'll leave you with common terms you'll probably stumble across in your search for the best rechargeable batteries. Before making the investment, you should think about what size and how many batteries you need.Īs much as I'd love to nerd out and explain how rechargeable batteries work, I'll save you the time and won't bore you with battery chemistry. You’ve probably realized that rechargeable batteries are more expensive than single-use batteries, but they’ll actually pay for themselves in the first year of use, even with the purchase of a charger. Best Budget Charger: EBL iQuick Independent Smart Battery Charger.
Best Charger: eneloop Advanced eneloop Individual Battery Quick Charger.
The Eco-Friendly Option: Pale Blue Rechargeable AA Batteries.