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Best AA and AAA rechargeable batteries
Discover the best rechargeable batteries we’ve tested, whether capacity matters and which devices they're best for
In this article
- The best AA rechargeable batteries from our tests
- The AA rechargeable batteries we tested
- The best AAA rechargeable batteries from our tests
- The AAA rechargeable batteries we tested
- How we test rechargeable batteries
- Battery charger buying tips
- Different types of battery charger
- Battery charger speeds
Rechargeable batteries, which can be used again and again through top-ups from the mains-connected charger, are an investment – the best will last for hundreds of hours of use.
They have several advantages over disposable batteries. Although upfront costs are higher, rechargeable batteries can greatly reduce costs over the long run, and are kinder to the environment than mass-produced disposables.
Our rigorous testing gives a fuller, all-round picture of every battery's performance. We measure their longevity when they're powering high-drain devices, test their capacity and how it changes after many recharges, and assess any leakage when they're left idle for a long time.
Duracell, Energizer and Panasonic batteries are among the biggest brands on the market. But own-brand batteries, such as those from Amazon and Ikea, are often cheaper and can produce some surprising results.
The best AA rechargeable batteries from our tests
Only logged-in Which? members can view our AA rechargeable battery test results below.
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| Rechargeable battery | Price | Test score | Battery life on single charge | Long-term use (overall) | Charge retention | Stated capacity achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45 | Yes | |||||
| 7:54 | Yes | |||||
| 7:57 | Yes | |||||
| 6:32 | Yes | |||||
| 6:40 | Yes | |||||
| 8:01 | Yes | |||||
| 7:30 | Yes |
Dates tested: June 2023, June 2022, July 2020, December 2019, May 2019, June 2018. Page last checked: October 2024. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
Battery life on a single charge: The average lifetime in hours and minutes per recharge in a power-hungry device. We test batteries in high-drain conditions and measure how long they last until they are discharged to the point that they won’t work in a device. Long-term use (overall): This score indicates how well the battery maintains its capacity over hundreds of uses in high-drain conditions, taking into account the total battery life it gives during this time. Charge retention: How well the batteries retain their charge after 25 and 50 days when not in use. Stated capacity achieved: We measure the capacity (in mAh) achieved by the battery, using a smart charger, and compare this with the minimum capacity stated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
After something smaller? See our pick of AAA rechargeable batteries
The AA rechargeable batteries we tested
All the AA rechargeable batteries we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best AA rechargeable batteries from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Amazon Basics AA Rechargeable Batteries 2000mAh Pre-charged
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 2,000 mAh
Time taken to charge 257 mins
Ansmann AA Max 2500mAh
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Most recently tested December 2019
Capacity 2,400 mAh
Time taken to charge 298mins
Ansmann Digital Akku AA 2850
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Most recently tested July 2020
Capacity 2,650 mAh
Time taken to charge 341 mins
Duracell AA Recharge Ultra
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Most recently tested May 2019
Capacity 2,500 mAh
Time taken to charge 331 mins
Energizer Recharge Extreme AA
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Most recently tested June 2023
Capacity 2,300 mAh
Time taken to charge 293 mins
Need more power on the go? Check out the best portable power bank chargers
GP ReCyko 2600mAh
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Most recently tested July 2020
Capacity 2,600 mAh
Time taken to charge 352 mins
Ikea Ladda HR06 AA 1.2V 2450mAh
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 2,450 mAh
Time taken to charge 319 mins
Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA
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Most recently tested June 2018
Capacity 2,500 mAh
Time taken to charge 329 mins
Varta Recharge Accu Power AA 2100 mAh
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 2,100 mAh
Time taken to charge 266 mins
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The best AAA rechargeable batteries from our tests
Only logged-in Which? members can view the AAA rechargeable battery test results below.
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| Rechargeable battery | Price | Test score | Battery life on single charge | Long-term use (overall) | Charge retention | Stated capacity achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:59 | Yes | |||||
| 3:29 | Yes | |||||
| 3:22 | Yes | |||||
| 3:35 | Yes | |||||
| 3:33 | Yes | |||||
| 3:25 | Yes | |||||
| 3:27 | Yes |
Dates tested: June 2023, June 2022, July 2020, December 2019, May 2019, June 2018. Page last checked: October 2024. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
Battery life on a single charge: The average lifetime in hours and minutes per recharge in a power-hungry device. We test batteries in high-drain conditions and measure how long they last until they are discharged to the point that they won’t work in a device. Long-term use (overall): This score indicates how well the battery maintains its capacity over hundreds of uses in high-drain conditions, taking into account the total battery life it gives during this time. Charge retention: How well the batteries retain their charge after 25 and 50 days when not in use. Stated capacity achieved: We measure the capacity (in mAh) achieved by the battery, using a smart charger, and compare this with the minimum capacity stated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
After something bigger? See our pick of AA rechargeable batteries
The AAA rechargeable batteries we tested
All the AAA rechargeable batteries we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best AAA rechargeable batteries from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Amazon Basics AAA Rechargeable Batteries 800mAh Pre-charged
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 229 mins
Ansmann Max E 800mAh
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Most recently tested September 2021
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 206 mins
Duracell AAA Recharge Plus
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Most recently tested May 2019
Capacity 750 mAh
Time taken to charge 223 mins
Duracell AAA Recharge Ultra
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Most recently tested May 2019
Capacity 900 mAh
Time taken to charge 262 mins
Energizer Recharge Extreme AAA
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Most recently tested June 2023
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 250 mins
GP ReCyko Pro 800mAh AAA
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Most recently tested September 2021
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 221 mins
Need more power on the go? Check out the best portable power bank chargers
Ikea Ladda HR03 AAA 1.2V 750mAh
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 750 mAh
Time taken to charge 238 mins
Panasonic Eneloop Pro AAA
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Most recently tested May 2017
Capacity 930 mAh
Time taken to charge 263 mins
Panasonic Eneloop Ready to Use AAA
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Most recently tested December 2022
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 221 mins
Philips Ready to use 1000mAh AAA
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Most recently tested September 2021
Capacity 1,000 mAh
Time taken to charge 230 mins
Varta Recharge Accu Power AAA 800 mAh
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Most recently tested June 2022
Capacity 800 mAh
Time taken to charge 210 mins
How we test rechargeable batteries
We test every rechargeable battery in the Which? test lab using a strict set of criteria to sort the exceptional models from the short-lived.
- How long will the rechargeable batteries last We test rechargeable batteries in high-drain conditions to reveal which keep even the most power-hungry devices running for longest on a single discharge.
- Do the batteries last for as long when recharged multiple times We recharge and discharge each rechargeable battery hundreds of times in some of the toughest conditions you could use them in at home, such as with a bright LED pocket torch, to reveal which batteries last the distance. We also measure each battery’s capacity throughout to find out for how long they can reach at least 80% of their initial capacity, and for how long they can reach 60% of their initial capacity (the point at which you’ll notice you have to recharge them more often).
- How long will rechargeable batteries stay charged All rechargeable batteries ‘leak away’ their charge over time, so we test this by fully charging eight batteries from each brand on test and then leaving them unused. We measure the amount of power remaining in four of the batteries after 25 days, and the amount of power remaining in the other four batteries after 50 days.
- Do rechargeable batteries live up to their capacity claims We measure the capacity of each battery, measured in milliamp hours (mAh), in our lifetime tests and compare it with the capacity stated on the packet. The higher the capacity rating, the longer the batteries should keep your devices powered.
- Which rechargeable batteries charge the fastest We measure how long each set of batteries takes to charge using our smart charger on the soft-charge (i.e. not super-fast) setting. However, charging time isn't factored into the total test score because it depends directly on the capacity of the rechargeable batteries you choose; smaller-capacity batteries typically charge faster.
We regularly revisit rechargeable batteries on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do so.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
Battery charger buying tips
We asked hundreds of Which? members what is important and useful to them about their battery charger. Read the tips below to help choose the best for you – and avoid purchasing a dud.
- An indicator to show when the battery is charging or fully charged (60% found this important).
- How many different sizes of batteries it can charge (51% found this important).
- Trickle-charge function. Useful especially if your batteries aren’t low self-discharge as this helps with battery longevity (45% found this important).
- A charger that shows you how much capacity remains. The maximum charge a rechargeable battery can achieve naturally decreases over time.
(Based on a survey of 1,346 Which? members)
Different types of battery charger
- Smart charger Also known as delta-V chargers, these monitor the voltage levels in each battery and stop charging (or switch to a low trickle-charge setting) when they’re full. They're usually the best choice for keeping rechargeable batteries in good shape, as they prevent overcharging, which can reduce battery lifetime.
- Trickle charger These push a low ‘trickle’ charge through batteries for a long period of time to help prevent damage and degradation. Some have timers, so they turn off automatically after a set period of time. This won’t necessarily prevent overcharging or undercharging because the time will vary depending on other factors, such as the battery’s capacity, chemistry and age. Trickle chargers are particularly useful if your rechargeable batteries aren’t ‘low self-discharge’ models (which have technology to stop them leaking away their charge when not in use).
- Other battery chargers If a battery charger isn't marked as a smart charger or trickle charger, it’s likely to be a more basic model that pumps a constant electrical current through batteries until you unplug it. These models are often cheaper but it can be hard to tell when batteries are fully charged - and the charger won’t stop charging them when they are. This increases the risk of overcharging, which can cause long-term damage. If left unplugged, this could result in the batteries being undercharged or even flat the next time you need them.
Battery charger speeds
The type of battery charger that's best for you will depend on how you plan to charge your batteries, and how much you want to spend.
Super-fast chargers Battery charging technology is constantly evolving, and many smart chargers are claimed to charge batteries in under an hour. The fastest models should be able to charge in 15 minutes – which is convenient, as you don’t need to think about charging your batteries before you want to use them. They tend to be pricier than other battery chargers, however.
Slower chargers Manufacturers often state the expected charging time on their battery chargers – for example, both Duracell and Energizer sell a ‘one hour’ charger, among other models. Exactly how long it will take depends on the capacity of your rechargeable batteries. In the same charger, higher-capacity batteries will take longer to charge than lower-capacity ones. Other chargers are designed to be left charging overnight – some have auto shut-off functions after certain time periods to minimise overcharging.
Can smoke detectors and other alarms use rechargeable batteries?
They can, but we wouldn't recommend it because of potential problems with charge retention. For devices such as alarms, this could become inconvenient, even dangerous. Matt Stevens, our expert on carbon monoxide, heat and smoke alarms, offers this advice:
If the alarms in your home (carbon monoxide, heat or smoke) are powered by replaceable batteries, you'll need to use disposables. Rechargeable batteries lose charge faster than disposables making them unsuitable for this critical task. When the batteries are running low, your alarms will chirp regularly to let you know. If changing the batteries isn't a task you're keen on doing, go for an alarm with a sealed battery. For this kind of alarm, the battery will last for the natural lifetime of the alarm itself.
Find the best smart smoke alarm for your home with our smoke alarm reviews
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