The best rechargeable AA batteries are an essential for many photographers. Speedlights and wireless commanders usually require several batteries, and we think rechargeables are the way to go for several reasons. They're more cost-effective since they can be recharged and used many times, they're more sustainable for the planet and, crucially for photographers, most flashguns tend to recycle faster when using rechargeable NiMH batteries than with regular alkaline cells.
We've reviewed dozens of flashes in our time, and dozens of different batteries too. All of the latest double-A NiMH batteries are engineered to hold most of their charge for months or even years, making them an ideal solution for all kinds of electronic items, from flashlights and remote controllers to, yes, speedlites, wireless commanders and other photography accessories. But we have found variations in performance from different brands. Below, we have picked out the best rechargeable AA batteries based on our testing.
We've been using Eneloop Pro as our go-to battery for years when we test and review speedlights, and we have experienced 100 per cent reliability, even in the harshest conditions.
The standard Eneloop batteries have a lower capacity than their Pro siblings, so each charge doesn't last as long, but they're cheaper and they can be recharged many more times.
EBL has been building up a reputation for the quality of its batteries, and these are among the highest-capacity options available on the market, meaning that each charge lasts longer.
This is a lesser-known brand, but we found that its high-capacity 2800mAh rechargeable batteries performed well, and you can mix and match capacities. Great value overall.
Rechargeable batteries may be more sustainable than traditional alkaline cells, but they still involve waste. This option is at least made from 15% recycled materials.
We tested many other options, including this option from one of the most famous brands. We found that they were a close match for the Panasonic Eneloop Pro, but offer less value.
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For photographers using batteries in their flashguns, and for anyone who needs to be able to trust their kit in critical situations, reliability is a key factor. At Digital Camera World, we’ve been using Eneloop Pro batteries for years and have enjoyed 100 per cent reliability, even in the harshest conditions. Indeed, the batteries are rated to work in temperatures from -20 to +50° C (-4° to 122° F).
As with most recent NiMH batteries, they come pre-charged (using solar power, no less), so they are ready to use straight out of the box. Compared with regular Eneloop batteries, the Pro version has a higher capacity of 2600mAh (compared with 2000mAh), outstripping alkaline batteries as well as many rechargeable options. They’re therefore ideally suited to power-hungry devices with a hefty current drain. The flip side is that the maximum number of times you can recharge the batteries over its lifetime is rated at an average of 500, compared with 2,100 times for regular Eneloop batteries.
Eneloop batteries were among the first NiMH cells to hit the market that hold their charge well over a reasonable period of time, ending that frustration of finding that your batteries have run down when you come to use a device a couple of weeks after charging them.
The latest generation takes things to a new level, retaining 70 per cent of a full charge even after 10 years. The 2000mAh capacity doesn’t compare too favorably with many of the more high-capacity batteries on the market now but, for use in many devices including cameras and flashguns, they still last much longer than alkaline batteries before needing to be recharged.
However, we think the main benefit of the Eneloop batteries is that they're rated for an average 2,100 recharges, well exceeding many competing options. And, like the slightly pricier and higher-capacity Eneloop Pro batteries, they come pre-charged using solar power, are rated to work in a -20 to +50 degrees Celsius (-4° to 122° Fahrenheit) temperature range.
Only supplied 20% charged (stated as for safety's sake
Established in 1998, EBL has earned a good reputation over the years for making high-quality rechargeable batteries and chargers. There are various capacity options in their AA line-up but the 2800mAh is currently the most powerful, and just outstrips the Eneloop Pro at the top of our guide. The EBL batteries have a rated working temperature range of -20 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius or -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, so they’ll keep going in extreme environments, too.
The batteries have a steel shell and are designed to resist over-pressure, to ensure they’re leak-free. They also include over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage and short-circuit protection. 4-packs and 8-packs of the batteries come complete with storage cases. The only perhaps minor frustration we found is that they're only charged 20% when they arrive (stated as a ‘safety feature’), so you need to fully charge them before first use. The total number of times you can recharge them over their lifetime is rated at 1200, well ahead of the 500 times for Eneloop Pro but not a patch on the standard Eneloop.
When we tested them with a Nikon SB-700, the recycle speed after a full-power flash stayed at around 2 seconds, which matches our results with the pricier Eneloop Pro. As for staying power, we got 292 full-power flashes, slightly below the 320 flashes we got when we tested the Eneloop Pro. All in all, these offer a great balance between capacity and price.
Only precharged to 20% so they require charging before use
This might not be a brand you're familiar with, but we found its rechargeable AA batteries to perform quite closely to the other brands that we have used. These are among the highest-capacity options on the market, but they come at a cheaper price than those from better-known brands.
We tested them in a variety of high-drain devices including flashlights and camera flashguns. We were pleasantly surprised by their staying power both in use and when not in use, which is a must for those of us who like to charge up days if not weeks in advance of a shoot.
We also like the flexible buying options available: HiQuick sells these 2800mAh AA batteries in several combinations, including mixing them with 1100mAh AAA rechargeable NiMH batteries and with different chargers (with or without USB charging, and in different sizes for charging anything from two to twelve batteries at once). All in all, we think these are a top power-up and great value thanks to a very competitive selling price.
This battery comes from a trusted brand that you’ll doubtless know. The big selling point here for us is the eco credentials. It's the first rechargeable battery to be made with 15% recycled materials, including 4% recycled batteries. And it’s sold in 100% recyclable packaging too. Energizer is leading the way in this sense and we hope to see others follow.
Sadly, the capacity and the rating of 1,000 recharge cycles are not the best available. Also the temperature rating is from 0 to +50 degrees Celsius while in use, which covers less extreme conditions than some others in this guide. On the plus side, the pricing is sound value.
Duracell needs no introduction to anyone buying batteries, being one of the most famous battery brands in the world. However, it's most known for its traditional alkaline cells. How does it do in rechargeables?
Well, pretty well actually. We found that these batteries, with their fairly high 2500mAh capacity, performed well, coming close to matching the Panasonic Eneloop Pro. Duracell doesn’t provide figures for how many times the battery can be recharged during its lifetime, saying only that it runs into the ‘hundreds’, which is a little vague. Nor does it specify how well it holds its charge over time. On the plus side, the battery is guaranteed to last for 5 years, which should cover a lot of charge/discharge cycles.
When choosing the best rechargeable batteries for you, we recommend ensuring that you buy NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries. These began to become popular in the 1990s since they enable higher electrical capacities than older Nicad (Nickel Cadmium) batteries, and they don't suffer from memory effect (an issue that required Nicad batteries to be discharged completely before recharging them).
However, early NiMH batteries, and some models still available today, hold their charge for only a few weeks, even if they're not used. The options that we have tested and recommended above have all been designed to avoid that. Choosing the best one for you will depend on your priority: charging capacity, number of potential recharges or value.
Battery capacity is expressed in milliampere-hours (mAh), which measures electric power over time. The higher the number of milliampere-hours a battery is rated for the longer the battery should last on a single charge. However, batteries with higher milliampere-hours can sometimes be charged fewer times. We think that for most photographers using speedlights 2,500 is usually the sweet spot.
We reviewed all of the AA batteries in this guide through hands-on real-world testing by using them in speedlights such as the Nikon Speedlight SB-700 (see our pick of the best flashguns. We tested their recycle speed through at least 300 full power flashes and repeated the test several months on after dozens of recharges.
We also evaluated how fast they charge and whether the length of time that they hold a charge seems to hold up the manufacturer's claims. We then compared our own results with a comparison of stated specs and customer reviews to pick the best rechargeable AA batteries for different needs, including value and high-capacity options.
Why do rechargeable batteries suddenly run out of power?
Alkaline batteries have a fairly constant discharge rate while in use. For example, if you’re using them in a flashgun, the recycle time between flashes will get steadily longer. NiMH batteries give a much more constant voltage throughout their discharge cycle, but it drops off rapidly at the end, when they run out of power.
Why does the charge indicator not show full when I insert fresh rechargeable batteries?
When new, alkaline batteries have a potential difference across their electrodes of 1.5V (volts). NiMH batteries deliver a lower 1.2V even when fully charged, so devices that have an integral volt meter may display a lower reading.
Do I need to fully discharge NiMH batteries before recharging them?
Unlike older NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) rechargeable batteries, NiMH batteries don’t suffer from a ‘memory effect’. This means that there’s no need to fully discharge them before recharging.
What’s the best quantity of rechargeable batteries to buy?
As with anything, it only pays to buy as many as you need. However, NiMH is an effective replacement for regular (non-rechargeable) alkaline AA batteries in most devices and, like most things, if you buy in larger quantities, there are often significant savings to be made.
What’s the best way to store rechargeable batteries when not in use?
Ideally, rechargeable batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place. Theoretically, the colder the better, but it’s best not to store them in a refrigerator to avoid the risk of condensation when you take them out for use.
Can I use any charging device for my rechargeable batteries?
Most battery manufacturers only recommend using own-brand rechargers – and you can usually buy the charger and your AA cells in a kit. Independently manufactured rechargers should be ok but it’s best to avoid very ‘fast chargers’, as these can shorten the lifespan of the battery and can cause problems from the batteries overheating and even leaking. Overcharging can damage or destroy a battery.
Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners!
His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.
In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.
