Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (2024)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (1)

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Think about the household devices and tech gadgets you use on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis that require AA or AAA batteries—TV remotes, video doorbells, alarm clocks, children's toys, game controllers, cordless phones, smoke detectors, electric salt and pepper mills, handheld mixers, and the list goes on.

If you opt for single-use disposable batteries, there are two negatives you should consider: the cost of repeated replacement purchases and electronic waste—dead batteries ultimately end up in a landfill.

An option that is more appealing for the environment and your wallet is rechargeable batteries. While there is a bigger cost initially, rechargeable AA and AAA batteries—depending on the brand—can be juiced up hundreds of times, ultimately saving you money and reducing what you're sending to the landfill.

When it's time to get your gadgets going again, these are the rechargeable batteries worth your money.

Best Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries

The Expert: For nearly 40 years, I've been reviewing consumer technology for publications including U.S. News & World Report, CNET, Rolling Stone, and Sound & Vision. I’m also a judge for the Consumer Technology Hall of Fame. I have reviewed and used many rechargeable AA and AAA batteries over the years.

What to Look For With Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries

Rechargeable AA and AAA batteries come in two main types: nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium. NiMH batteries are more popular and have been around a while. In 2020, a handful of Chinese companies started selling a rechargeable version of lithium batteries. Here’s how the two types stack up:

Longevity: NiMH batteries generally outlast lithium ones. NiMHs also retain their power better when they’re sitting idle on a shelf. That’s why they are perfect for TV remote controls, wireless keyboards, digital cameras and camera flashes, wall clocks, and video-game controllers.

Performance: Lithium batteries put out 1.5 volts of energy, while NiMHs put out 1.2 volts. Lithium batteries have the advantage in devices where power supply is key. Motorized products, from remote-control toys to electric toothbrushes, run better on lithium.

More Power To You: Portable ChargersElectric Vehicle ChargersPortable Power Stations

Recharge Time: It takes 3 to 7 hours to recharge a NiMH battery, while a lithium one fully recharges in an hour or two. For quick turnaround, lithium wins hands down.

Recharge Quality: Both types lose 20- to 30-percent of their might after several dozen recharges or when you don’t use them for a while. Lithium batteries have the slight edge on retaining power during multiple recharges, while NiMH batteries hold their charge longer when left unused.

Charger Considerations: You can typically use a NiMH AA/AAA charger with any brand of battery. Many have a flip-down AC jack that plugs directly into an AC power outlet. Conversely, lithium batteries should be repowered in their manufacturer-specific chargers.

Price: Overall, rechargeable batteries are a better buy than disposables—and you start saving right away. One major brand, for instance, sells a pack of eight single-use batteries for $22 and rechargeables (with charger included) for $30. If you recharged the batteries just once, you’d save money. But the truth is, you can recharge batteries hundreds if not thousands of times. The $10 here, $15 there, that you’d spend on disposables really adds up.

How We Evaluated the Best Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries

From the dozens of options on the market, I considered products only from well-known, reputable brands. These manufacturers have a proven track record of battery quality and charger compatibility. I also personally tested rechargeable AA and AAA batteries in a variety of devices to compare their performance.

Best Value Batteries

Tenergy Premium Pro NiMH AA/AAA Batteries

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (2)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (3)

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Pros
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (4)Sold in bulk
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (5)Lasts up to 1,200 recharges
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (6)Retains power well
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (7)Includes 12-month warranty
Cons
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (8)Not recommended for camera flash, computer mouse, or keyboard
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (9)Doesn’t include a charger

If you use lots of batteries for home or business, you can’t do better than this bulk bundle of 12 AA and 12 AAA batteries. Made by a Silicon Valley battery supplier, this brand holds its charge, so you don’t have to change your batteries as often. While there are less expensive 24-packs on the market, they generally don’t last as long.

Keep in mind that with this set, you need to purchase a charger separately if you don't already own one.

Batteries Included24-Pack; 12 AA/12 AAA
ChargerNone included
TypeNiMH
Capacity2800 mAh (AA), 1100 mAh (AAA)

Longest-Lasting AA Batteries

Panasonic eneloop AA NiMH Charger and Batteries

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (10)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (11)

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Pros
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (12)Lasts up to 2,100 recharges
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (13)Batteries can be individually charged
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (14)Shuts off automatically when charging is complete
Cons
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (15)Takes longer than average to recharge

Chances are these batteries will still be going strong even when you’re ready to retire the device they’re powering. The Panasonic eneloop remains more powerful after multiple recharges than many of its competitors. Plus, you can recharge the batteries up to five times more than another well-known brand.

Batteries Included4 AA
ChargerAA/AAA
TypeNiMH
Capacity2550 mAh

Longest-Lasting AAA Batteries

Panasonic eneloop AAA NiMH Charger and Batteries

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (16)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (17)

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Pros
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (18)Lasts up to 2,100 recharges
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (19)Shuts off automatically when charging is complete
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (20)Batteries can be individually charged
Cons
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (21)Takes longer to recharge than average
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (22)Not quite as powerful as other brands

Although you may get slightly less oomph from a single charge than with some other options, these Panasonic batteries hold up over the long haul. They can handle more than 2,000 recharges.

Batteries included4 AAA
ChargerAA/AAA
TypeNiMH
Capacity1100 mAh

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Best AA Batteries For Remote Controls

Energizer AA Recharge Pro Charger and NiMH Batteries

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (23)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (24)

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Pros
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (25)Costs less than average
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (26)Shuts off automatically when charged
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (27)Alerts you to a bad battery
Cons
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (28)20 percent less powerful than some competitors

You can’t beat the price on these Energizer batteries. While they don’t have quite as much juice as what you'll find from some other brands, you won’t notice a difference in low-power devices like remote controls.

Batteries included4 AA
ChargerAA/AAA
TypeNiMH
Capacity2000 mAh

Best AA Batteries For Video Game Controllers

Duracell Rechargeable NiMH AA Batteries

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (29)

Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (30)

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Pros
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (31)Good value
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (32)Retains charge over time
  • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (33)Powerful
Cons

    If you’re killing it at Mario Kart, you don’t want your controller’s battery to die mid-game. Video game controllers need dependable, powerful batteries, and this Duracell four-pack outgames other brands.

    It lasts longer on a single charge and doesn’t wear out as much when recharged many times. If you don’t have a compatible charger, you can buy one separately or buy a pack that comes with a charger.

    Batteries included4 AA
    ChargerNone included
    TypeNiMH
    Capacity2500 mAh

    Best Rechargeable AA Batteries For Motorized Devices

    Tenavolts AA Lithium Batteries and Charger

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (34)

    Pros
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (35)Recharges in just two hours
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (36)Longer usage time than average
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (37)Lasts up to 1,000 recharges
    Cons
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (38)Not recommended for a computer mouse or keyboard
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (39)A little clunky to recharge
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (40)Can only recharge this brand of battery

    Motorized products, like a personal fan, electric toothbrush, and remote-control cars, run better on lithium batteries than NiMH versions.

    When I compared them in an electric toothbrush, the device vibrated more with the lithiums, leading to a better cleaning. This lithium brand is as good as it gets, lasting 20-percent longer than most of its competitors. Plus, it provides more consistent voltage so your device runs nearly as effectively as the battery nears the end of its charge as it did at the start.

    Batteries included4 AA
    ChargerAA/AAA
    TypeLithium
    Capacity2500 mAh

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    Best AAA Batteries For Remote Controls

    Deleepow AA/AAA LCD Smart Charger and NiMH Batteries

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (41)

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (42)

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    Pros
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (43)Provides a powerful charge
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (44)Charger displays charging level
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (45)Easy to remove batteries from charger
    Cons
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (46)Doesn’t have the option to run down batteries on the charger before recharging

    The highest power level offered in this battery type, Deleepow’s bundle is an excellent buy. Its LCD chargers are backlit, making it easy to see the level of each individual battery.

    Once it reaches capacity, the charger trickles in power to make sure a battery is always filled. And unlike some chargers that allow you to power only two or four batteries at a time, this device permits you to charge the amount you need.

    Batteries included8 AAA
    ChargerAA/AAA
    TypeNiMH
    Capacity1100 mAh

    Best AAA Batteries for Motorized Devices

    AmpTorrent AAA Lithium Batteries with USB Charging Cable

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (47)

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (48)

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    Pros
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (49)Recharges in an hour
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (50)Remains charged longer than competitors
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (51)Lasts up to 1,000 recharges
    Cons
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (52)Not recommended for camera flash, computer mouse, or keyboard
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (53)Clunky to recharge

    Similar to the company's AA version, these batteries don’t run out of juice as fast as their competitors. While it’s a little awkward to hook up the batteries individually to the USB cable for recharging, you get used to it pretty quickly.

    Batteries included4 AAA
    ChargerUSB cable
    TypeLithium
    Capacity1100 mAh

    Best AA Batteries for Toys

    Amazon Basics Rechargeable AA NiMh High-Capacity Batteries

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (54)

    Pros
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (55)Retains a lot of power over time
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (56)Shelf life of up to 5 years for everyday/emergency use
    Cons
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (57)No charger included

    If your kids play with a lot of battery-powered toys or you use devices that have a continuous drain (like gaming controllers or wireless devices), these batteries are for you.

    You’ll receive eight AA batteries in this pack, but you can purchase up to a 16-count. The batteries themselves are good quality, and can be recharged several hundred times.

    Batteries included8 AA
    ChargerNone included
    TypeNiMH
    Capacity2400 mAh

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    Best Large Capacity AA/AAA Charger

    Tenergy TN438 16-Bay NiMH/NiCAD AA/AAA Charger

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (58)

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (59)

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    Pros
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (60)Charges a variety of battery types
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (61)Displays charging status
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (62)Includes worldwide and car AC adapters
    Cons
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (63)White build shows dirt more easily than darker models
    • Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (64)Can be hot to the touch

    If you need to recharge batteries in bulk, this 16-bay device gets the job done. It costs about the same or less than many 8-bay battery chargers and offers several handy features.

    For instance, its "refresh" button will run the battery down completely before recharging it. Take that simple step to help preserve the battery’s efficiency and lifespan.

    Capacity16 batteries
    Battery sizeAA and AAA
    TypeNiMH, NiCad

    Take Charge of Your Gadgets! Our Expert Stewart Wolpin Offers This Guidance

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (65)

    Can you use rechargeable batteries on any kind of device?

    No. Avoid using rechargeable batteries, which last only around half as long as their single-use counterparts, in emergency or security devices such as flashlights, smoke detectors, or cameras.

    Are rechargeable lithium batteries better than NiMH batteries?

    It depends on how you’re using them. Rechargeable lithium will provide more power to a device, which makes them a better pick for motorized products, such as personal fans, small drones, and electric toothbrushes.

    NiMH, which last longer on a single charge than a rechargeable lithium, are better for nonmotorized devices, such as remote controls and video game controllers.

    Can single-use batteries be recharged?

    The alkaline ones can, but with a couple of caveats. You need a special charger designed to recharge alkaline batteries. A single-use alkaline battery can be recharged only around 15 times—and won’t recharge to full power. And if the battery has a small leak, it could catch on fire.

    Power Up Your Favorite Gadgets With These Rechargeable AA and AAA Batteries (66)

    Stewart Wolpin

    Contributor

    Stewart Wolpin, based in New York City, has been writing about, reporting on, and reviewing consumer technology for nearly 40 years. He also serves as the unofficial historian for CTA (Consumer Technology Association), the trade group that produces the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which he has attended and covered since 1984. He is also a huge Beatles fan and a METS season ticket holder.

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