The best AAA rechargeable batteries in 2023

We’ve had a love/hate relationship with rechargeable batteries over the years. Early NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) were notorious for their ‘memory effect’. If you didn’t discharge them completely before recharging them, you’d tend to get very little use out of them before they were wasted. They’ve effectively been replaced with NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries which cure that particular problem but, even so, you could often find that they’d discharged themselves in a few weeks, while sitting in a drawer waiting to be used. Take them out, slot them into a gadget, and nothing happens. Again, frustrating.

More recent generations of triple-A NiMH batteries are a much better bet. They’re built to hold most of their charge for many months or even years, making them a much more useful for all sorts of gadgets from remote controllers, to flashlights and pretty much anything that runs on batteries. Furthermore, they are usually sold precharged - so good to go straight out of the pack.

In photographic circles, there’s a variety of gadgets that take AAA batteries, from camera remote controllers to flash triggers and even a few compact flashguns. For the last of these, an additional bonus is that flashguns tend to recycle much faster running on rechargeable NiMH batteries compared with disposable alkaline cells – typically in less than half the time. Do note that more devices use the larger-diameter AAA cells – for which we have a separate best AA rechargeable battery guide.

Let’s take a look at some of the best rechargeable AAA batteries on the market right now and see how they compare…

Best rechargeable AAA batteries in 2023

For both indoor and outdoor pursuits, we often need to trust out kit in critical situations, so reliability is a key factor. At Digital Camera World, we’ve been using Eneloop Pro batteries for years and have enjoyed absolute reliability, all of the time, even in the harshest conditions. These batteries are rated to work in temperatures from -20 to +50 degrees Celsius, so you can pretty much use them anywhere, anytime.

They come pre-charged with solar power, and are ready to use, straight out of the box. In fairness, that’s no less than we’d expect nowadays. Compared with regular Eneloop AAA batteries, they have a higher capacity of 930mAh compared with 800mAh, outstripping alkaline batteries and many rechargeable competitors. They’re ideally suited to devices with a hefty current draw. It’s not all good news though, as the maximum number of times you can recharge the Pro batteries over their lifetime is rated at 500, compared with 2100 times for regular Eneloop batteries.
See our full Panasonic Eneloop Pro review

Eneloop batteries are designed and manufactured in Japan, and were among the first NiMH cells to hit the market that can hold their charge really well over a long period of time. The latest generation shifts things up a gear, retaining 70 per cent of a full charge even after 10 years. That’s quite some shelf life! The 800mAh capacity doesn’t compare too favorably with some of the more high-capacity AAA batteries on the market now but they still last much longer than alkaline batteries before needing to be recharged.

For longevity, a big bonus is that you can recharge these Eneloop batteries an incredible 2100 times, so the overall lifetime far exceeds that of many competitors. As with the pricier and higher-capacity Eneloop PRO batteries, they come pre-charged using solar power and are rated to work in a -20 to +50 degrees Celsius temperature range.
See our full Panasonic Eneloop Pro review

You often have to choose between high capacity and recharge cycle longevity when picking rechargeable batteries. Not so with this one. The POWEROWL has a particularly high capacity for AAA batteries of 1000mAh, coupled with a generous overall lifetime of up to 1200 recharging cycles. That should keep you going for many years and, to extend the eco credentials, they’re pre-charged using wind-power.

Typical of the latest rechargeable batteries, they hold their charge very well, rated at retaining 60 per cent of a full charge after 2 years. They keep on working down to just below freezing temperatures. The batteries are widely available around the world and, in some regions, a ‘PRO Goldtop’ version is available with new conduction technology. Both editions are standout value at the price.
See our full Powerowl Pro Goldtop battery review

A famous name in the circles of power, EBL has been manufacturing rechargeable batteries and battery chargers for 25 years and counting. The latest edition of its NiMH AAA cell has an unusually high capacity of 1100mAh, for such a physically small battery. Endurance is impressive not only for use in devices with a high current drain, but also in weathering the elements, with a working temperature range of -20 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius, or -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The rugged build is based on a steel shell and advertised as completely leak-proof. The batteries also feature over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage and short-circuit protection. Commonly sold in packs of eight, they’re very good value at the price and come complete with a storage case. One downside, however, is that they’re only 20% charged before shipping, so require charging up before being used. The total number of times they can recharged is rated at 1200, which exceeds that of some directly competing batteries.

See our full EBL rechargeable battery review

This big-brand battery comes from a long-established manufacturer. It has particularly good eco credentials, being the first rechargeable battery to be made with 15% recycled materials, including 4% recycled batteries. It’s sold in 100% recyclable packaging too, and should have a long life with up to 1000 recharge cycles.

The battery is rated at keeping its charge for a year, although the 700mAh capacity isn’t particularly impressive. Energizer says that using the battery at extreme temperatures can significantly impact the battery cycle life, but it’s rated at 0 degrees to +50 degrees Celsius while in use, and -20 degrees to +30 degrees Celsius for storage. Unless you really need a higher-capacity battery for power-hungry high devices, it’s a pretty good value option at the price.

Duracell needs no introduction to battery buyers, being one of the most famous manufacturers in the world. The Duracell Rechargeable AAA has an impressive capacity of 900mAh, almost matching the Panasonic ENELOOP PRO and easing ahead of the standard ENELOOP AAA.

Duracell states that the battery can be recharged up to 400 times in its lifetime, and that’s backed up by a guarantee that lasts for up to 5 years or 10 years in different world regions. And naturally, being a Duracell battery, it comes complete with that iconic copper top. Value for money is a moveable feast. It’s pretty goon in Europe, but a relatively expensive option in the USA.

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See our guides to the best travel adaptors, and to the best power strips