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The best rechargeable batteries you can buy
If you're still relying on disposable batteries, it's high time to make the switch. Not only will this shift save you money, but it will also significantly reduce your contribution to e-waste on our planet. Moreover, it eliminates the inconvenience of having to venture out to the store for replacements.
Also: The best solar chargers
However, as with most products, rechargeable batteries vary greatly in quality. The market is inundated with an overwhelming selection of batteries and chargers, presenting a real challenge in identifying options that offer genuine quality over those that fall short. It's incredibly frustrating to invest in products marketed as reusable, only to discover they need to be replaced prematurely due to poor performance.
What is the best rechargeable battery right now?
So, when you need to stock up on batteries, we recommend getting one of our top picks. Our best overall rechargeable battery pick goes to the Panasonic Pro rechargeable battery pack due to its high capacity, variety of batteries, and quality of products.
The following rechargeable batteries are all top-notch and come in AA and AAA models. Keep reading to find our favorite rechargeable batteries -- including cheap bulk packs and USB charging options.
The best rechargeable batteries of 2024
- Great selection of batteries
- High capacity
- Quality products
- Comes with a charger
- Case can be bulky to store
The Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable battery pack is the perfect starter kit for those in need of rechargeable batteries. Not only are they some of the best batteries available on the market, but this kit comes with both AA and AAA batteries and a charger at a really good price.
These batteries have a capacity of 2550mAh and are perfect for high-drain devices. They maintain 80% of their charge for a year of storage, work well in cold weather, and are good for 500 recharge cycles.
I've bought several of these kits over the years, and while the boxes have gone on to do something else, all the batteries are holding out strong after several years of use.
Reviews for this battery pack are exactly as I'd expect -- lots of users are happy with the quality of these batteries.
Panasonic Eneloop Pro features: 8 Eneloop Pro AA rechargeable batteries | 2 AAA Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries | CC55 advanced quick rechargeable battery charger | Convenient plastic battery storage case
- Long life
- Can be stored in a charged state for years
- Not cheap (but will last you years)
The Panasonic Eneloop AAA and AA rechargeable batteries redefine the idea of disposable batteries. Quality products and engineering mean that these batteries are good for 2,100 recharge cycles (so if you charged and discharged them daily, they'd easily last for six years).
Another plus side is that after you've charged them, these batteries will hold 70% of their charge for 10 years when stored, which is a fantastic shelf life and means that you'll always have charged batteries ready to go.
While I can't test the 10-year claim, I've had some of these batteries on the side for over a year and they're still close to being fully charged, which is excellent.
Amazon reviews for these batteries are also strong, with users happy with the capacity and longevity of their batteries.
Panasonic Eneloop AAA and AA rechargeable batteries features: 16-pack AAA batteries | 12-pack AA batteries | Recharge up to 2,100 times | Maintain up to 70% of their charge after 10 years (when not in use) | Up to 800mAh type, 750mAh min, AAA Ni-MH batteries
- Cheap
- 5-year shelf life
- Some users say that they can be slightly bigger than standard AA so this might sometimes be a problem
The AA is the most commonly used battery size, and these batteries can be found in everything, from computer mice to pocket flashlights. If you need to have any size of battery, this is the one!
This 24-pack of batteries is perfect for those wanting to stockpile rechargeable batteries on a budget. You can charge them up, stick them in the cupboard, and have batteries ready to go at a moment's notice as they should retain some 80% of their charge for a couple of years.
I've used a lot of these and they're good quality and offer fantastic value for money. They'll have paid for themselves in no time at all.
Reviews for these batteries are good, but there does seem to be a concern that they are very slightly bigger than regular AA batteries and this can be a problem in some devices with tight tolerances. I've not experienced this issue at all so cannot comment, and the sizes of the ones I've tested seem to be very close to the standard.
Amazon Basics rechargeable AA batteries features: 24-pack of pre-charged AA rechargeable NiMH batteries (2,000 mAh) | Can be recharged up to 1000 times with minimal power loss; provides consistent discharge performance (requires separate battery charger) | Maintains 80% capacity for 2 years | Has a shelf-life up to 5 years for everyday or emergency use
- Cheap
- 5-year shelf life
- Need to purchase battery charger separately
As our gadgets get smaller, so do the batteries, and since AAA is the second most common battery size, it makes sense to have a few on the shelf ready to go.
This 16-pack of AAA batteries from Amazon is an affordable way to build a stockpile of rechargeable batteries. Like the AA option above, they're good quality, store their charge well, and offer fantastic value for money.
The reviews for these are strong, as I would expect.
Amazon Basics rechargeable AAA batteries features: 16-pack AAA rechargeable performance-capacity batteries, 800 mAh | Can be recharged up to 1,000 times | Maintains 80% capacity for 24 months
- Convenient to recharge
- Very lightweight
- Doesn't last as long as high-capacity alkaline batteries
While D-cell batteries aren't as common as they used to be -- I remember every Christmas morning there would be some toy that would need about a dozen of them! -- if you need them, then using rechargeable batteries makes sense given their size and cost.
These batteries have a built-in USB-C port, allowing them to be recharged from any USB port and making them super convenient. You just have to plug them in, leave them to charge, and in a couple of hours you come back to fully charged batteries.
These are ideal for powering toys, radios, flashlights, and anything else that draws its power from D-cell batteries.
User reviews for these batteries are good, with most users being happy with the quality and capacity.
Lankoo Lithium Ion D rechargeable batteries features: 2 D Batteries 1.5V | Rapid USB charging is achieved in 1.5 hours | Constant 1.5v output | Can be recharged 1,200+ times | Built-in integrated safety circuit protects the battery from over-discharge/overcharge
Which are the best rechargeable batteries?
I've been using Panasonic Eneloop and Amazon Basics batteries extensively over the past few years and found them to be excellent. They last for years, hold a decent amount of charge, and have proven themselves to be safe and reliable.
I also purchased a couple of sets of the Lankoo D cell batteries for testing and found that they worked great, although I don't have anything that uses them to carry out long-term tests, but they seem good quality to me and passed all my testing for capacity, current, and safety.
This chart will help you pick the right rechargeable batteries for you.
Best rechargeable batteries | Cost | Battery Type | Charger |
Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable battery pack | $61 | 8 AA and 2 AAA | Yes |
Panasonic Eneloop AAA and AA rechargeable batteries | $74 | 16 AAA and 12AA | No |
Amazon Basics 24-pack rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries | $33 | 24 AA | No |
Amazon Basics 16-pack rechargeable AAA Ni-MH batteries | $15 | 16 AAA | No |
Lankoo D cell USB and Type-C rechargeable batteries | $19 | 2 D | No |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Which rechargeable batteries are right for you?
Depends on what you need.
Do you want a starter pack because you're starting out replacing your throw-away batteries with rechargeable, or are you someone who wants to buy some bulk batteries? Do you want the very best brand out there, or are you happy with a more budget buy?
Choose this rechargeable battery | If you need… |
Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable battery pack | A starter kit that includes rechargeable batteries and a charger |
Panasonic Eneloop AAA and AA rechargeable batteries | A good selection of AA and AAA rechargeable batteries |
Amazon Basics 24-pack rechargeable AA Ni-MH batteries | A bulk pack of AA rechargeable batteries that won't break the bank |
Amazon Basics 16-pack rechargeable AAA Ni-MH batteries | A budget bulk pack of AAA rechargeable batteries |
Lankoo D Cell Batteries USB and Type-C Rechargeable Lithium Ion D Batteries | Lithium Ion D rechargeable batteries that don't need a separate charger |
Factors to consider when choosing rechargeable batteries
There's not an awful lot to rechargeable batteries. But still, here are some things to take into consideration before buying some:
- Which ones do you need? The most common battery in use nowadays is the AA, with the AAA coming in second place.
- How many? No point buying a dozen of each size if you only need two AA for a remote control. Similarly, if you need a good selection then a starter pack might be the way to go.
- Which charger do you need? If you have a lot of batteries to shuffle then you might need an all-singing, all dancing charger that takes multiple batteries. But if you only have a few batteries in use, you might be able to get away with a more basic unit.
- How much do you want to spend? Set a budget and stick to it. You can always buy more batteries down the line at a later date.
How did we choose and test these rechargeable batteries?
I've been testing and using rechargeable batteries for many years, some great, a lot junk. Over that time, I've narrowed down the field to the batteries and chargers that offer the best performance.
Here's what I look for:
- Longevity: I need them to last dozens of recharge cycles over many months.
- Performance: I want batteries that give decent performance with each recharge, as I don't want to be swapping the batteries in my TV remote control every few weeks. I test the capacity of batteries both with real-world usage and benchmark drain tests using a variety of loads.
- Value for money: Sometimes, it works out much cheaper to buy a big pack of batteries than it is to buy them in packs of two or four. In this list, we've included the packs that offer the best bang for your buck.
- Good shelf life: Most people charge up a rechargeable and store it in a box until needed. I demand that rechargeable batteries can hold at least 80% of their charge capacity for a year.
- Safety: During tests, I check the batteries' temperature both during recharging and under heavy load to ensure they remain safe.
What does the mAh number mean?
This is the capacity of the battery measured in milliAmp Hour.
Put simply, the larger this number, the more energy the battery holds, and the longer it will last between recharges..
What is a "recharge cycle"?
It's a way to measure the wear placed on a rechargeable battery in use. Discharging it fully and recharging it counts as one cycle, but it doesn't have to be a full discharge/charge. If you have a battery at 100%, use 50%, and then recharge it, that's half a cycle.
What is Ni-MH?
It stands for Nickel Metal Hydride, and it is a technology used for many rechargeable batteries. It replaced the older Ni-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) technology.
Can you recharge a regular "disposable" battery?
No, don't do this.
While I've seen chargers that claim to do this, the process is both dangerous and doesn't work. For safety, modern chargers designed for rechargeable batteries won't recharge a disposable battery.
Are there any other alternatives worth considering?
Yes! Check out some of our other recommended picks below.