Everything needs batteries, and instead of getting rid of disposable batteries after every use, choosing rechargeable batteries is the better way to go, especially if you're concerned about your environmental impact.

As the name suggests, you don’t throw them away immediately after use, as they can be recharged hundreds of times. This not only makes them environmentally friendly but also cost-efficient. Using rechargeable batteries can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

Here are some of the best rechargeable batteries you can buy today.

Our Top Choices of Rechargeable Batteries in 2023

Panasonic Eneloop Pro
Panasonic Eneloop Pro
Best Overall

High Capacity Ni-MH AA and AAA Batteries

$37 $47 Save $10

The Panasonic Eneloop Pro offers more convenience and less charging time with its high 2,550mAh capacity for AA size and 950mAh for AAA. And, with its low self-discharge rate, the battery can still hold up to 85 percent of its power even after a full year of non-use. 

Pros
  • High capacity
  • Low discharge rate
  • Can be used in low temperatures (4 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Pre-charged from solar power
Cons
  • Average number of recharging cycles

The Panasonic Eneloop Pro is the best overall choice for a rechargeable battery. It comes in AA or AAA size, with or without a charger, and with the option of packs of four or eight.

They are Ni-MH batteries with an exceptional capacity of up to 2,550mAh for the AAs and 950mAh for the AAAs. This extra capacity will give your devices more run-time than other batteries can deliver, meaning less charging, more convenience, and less environmental impact.

With the Eneloop Pro’s low self-discharge rate, the batteries can maintain up to 85 percent of their power after lying idle for a whole year, and they are all solar-charged at the factory before packaging.

You can recharge both sizes up to 500 times, which is somewhat less than non-Pro Eneloop batteries. However, this is the trade-off for a higher capacity, and even with a weekly charge, the batteries will still last just short of a decade.

ebl rechargeable batteries
EBL USB-Rechargeable Battery
Best Lithium Ion

Lithium-Ion Batteries You Can Charge Direct from a USB Cable

If you need powerful AA lithium-ion batteries, these USB rechargeables have a high capacity and excellent recharge cycle times. They come with dual-port USB cables for direct charging from a USB-A port and feature convenient LEDs that tell you when they are still charging or are fully powered.
 

Pros
  • High capacity
  • 2x dual port USB cables included
  • LED indicators
  • High number of charges
Cons
  • Relatively slow charging

For high-performing AA lithium-ion batteries, consider this choice from EBL. They offer a 3,300mWh capacity (roughly equivalent to 2,200mAh). This battery also doesn’t need a wall charger. Instead, it comes with a pair of dual-port USB cables you can connect directly to the battery from your laptop, power bank, or adapter. The built-in LED lights blink when the batteries are charging and remain solid once fully powered.

Lithium-ion batteries like these are a better option for power-hungry devices like digital cameras, even though they generally have a lower capacity than Ni-MH batteries. This is because they run at a higher voltage, which means they have more power. However, since they have more usable capacity and you must charge them by a standard USB port with a low current, charging time can take up to three hours.

With the EBL AA Lithium-Ion Battery, you get as much as 1,200 recharge cycles as well as protection against short-circuiting, overcharging and discharging, current and voltage, and overheating.

Energizer Recharge Universal
Energizer Recharge Universal
Most Eco-Friendly

Affordable and Made from 15 Percent Recycled Batteries

$15 $17 Save $2

For a green choice, consider the Energizer Recharge Universal batteries. They are made from 15 percent recycled batteries to help lessen your environmental footprint. You can purchase packs of four or eight, or if you need a lot, you can even buy a cost-effective pack of 16. The batteries come pre-charged, retain power for up to 12 months, and have a five-year lifespan with regular usage.

Pros
  • Good charge retention
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Available in various pack and battery sizes
  • Pre-charged
Cons
  • May drain quickly when used with power-hungry devices

Another excellent rechargeable Ni-MH battery is the Recharge Universal battery from Energizer. It’s available in AA and AAA sizes in packs of up to 16 for AA and up to eight for AAA. The batteries come pre-charged from the factory, and you can also buy the affordable Energizer charger.

Made from 15 percent recycled batteries, the Energizer Recharge Universal goes a little bit further to help reduce your environmental impact. With a capacity of 2,300mAh for the AAs and 800mAh for the AAAs, they have a slightly lower capacity than some premium choices. However, their price is more affordable, and you still get approximately 1,000 charges for each battery with regular use.

Throw in 12-month charge retention for batteries in storage and a five-year lifespan with regular use, and it’s a battery that truly delivers good value.

A pack-of-four Duracell Rechargeable AA Batteries
Duracell Rechargeable AA Batteries
Best Value

Powerful Batteries at a Surprising Price

$15 $20 Save $5

Duracell is synonymous with power. While that reputation derives from its more popular disposable batteries, the company’s rechargeables are excellent too. With a large 2,500mAh capacity, they can drive power-hungry devices, while their low self-discharge rate ensures they will still have plenty of power even after a year’s storage.
 

Pros
  • Affordable
  • High capacity
  • Low self-discharge rate
Cons
  • Lower recharge cycles than competitors

While Duracell is better known for its disposable batteries, these AAs show it is now making significant inroads into the rechargeable battery market. If you need power, the battery’s 2500mAh capacity certainly provides, and it’s an ideal choice for power-hungry devices like digital cameras, portable speakers, and remote-controlled toys.

This pack contains four Ni-MH AA batteries that perform well across the board. In addition to their high capacity, they have a low self-discharge rate. The batteries will keep up to 80 percent of their charge over the course of a year.

The batteries also have a decent number of recharge cycles, especially when you consider their affordable price. At 400 cycles, they don’t match more premium-priced batteries, but they should still last you for years to come. However, if serious longevity is what you’re looking for, there are better options out there.

Amazon Basics Rechargeable AAA 4-pack
Amazon Basics Rechargeable AAA
Most Affordable

Powerful Yet Affordable Rechargeable Batteries

Amazon Basics rechargeable batteries are a very affordable alternative to the competition. The more you buy, the more the savings, and these batteries are available in packs of up to 24. Even at a lower price point, they still offer respectable capacity at 850mAh and 500 charge cycles, while the low-discharge rate compares with competitors.
 

Pros
  • Cost efficient
  • Available in large money-saving packs
  • Good performance
  • Easy-to-open packaging
Cons
  • Not as high capacity as alternatives

For the ultimate rechargeable battery in the highly affordable price bracket, consider this option from Amazon Basics. This is a four-pack of AAAs with a decent capacity of 850mAh for powering low-drain devices such as clocks and remote controls.

This four-pack has a very pleasing price tag, too. Yet, for even more savings, you can buy these batteries in packs of up to 24. So, if your household has a lot of battery-powered gadgets, they are well worth considering for cost-efficiency.

Amazon Basics rechargeables come pre-charged and can endure a further 500 cycles after that. They also have a low self-discharge rate and will maintain 80 percent of their power for up to two years.

EBL Rechargeable C batteries
EBL Rechargeable C
Best C Batteries

A Larger C-Size for Power-Hungry Devices

$18 $20 Save $2

EBL Rechargeable C batteries have 5,000mAh of power for charging your high-drain devices. They also feature ProCyco technology that boosts charging performance and battery life. The batteries are safe and free from harmful chemicals.

 

Pros
  • High 5,000mAh capacity
  • Low self-discharge rate
  • ProCyco technology
  • Safe and leakproof
Cons
  • Not fully charged from the factory

For power-hungry devices, you will probably need a C battery or two. EBL Rechargeable Cs are Ni-MH batteries with a power capacity of 5,000mAh, ideal for high-drain devices like power tools, emergency lights, large flashlights, and remote-controlled toys. They also boast a very low self-discharge rate and can hold up to 90 percent of power when kept in storage over the course of a year.

With EBL’s proprietary ProCyco technology, multi-stage charging and individual cell monitoring maximize charging performance and extend battery life. Safety is also prioritized as they do not contain harmful chemicals, and the stainless steel shell ensures no leakage.

You can find these excellent batteries in various packages for extra savings from two- to eight-pack sizes. However, they are not fully charged on delivery and instead have a 20 percent solar charge, which still enables you to use them straight out of the pack.

Four Tenergy Premium D batteries
Tenergy Premium D
Best D Size

Powerful Rechargeable D Batteries for Smart Home Gadgets

$28 $30 Save $2

D-size batteries offer even more power, and the Tenergy Premium D batteries each have a capacity of up to 10,000mAh. They are an excellent choice for smart home devices and will ensure your devices all run smoothly and efficiently.

 

Pros
  • High 10,000mAh capacity
  • Maintains an 85% charge over one year when in storage
  • Cost-effective when buying in bulk
  • Efficient in freezing conditions
  • 80% pre-charged
Cons
  • May drain quicker than expected

If you have a smart home setup with all the latest gadgets, you’ll need more power to keep everything running smoothly. Tenergy Premium D batteries are an excellent choice because they can provide that power while remaining cost-effective.

They are Ni-MH batteries with a high capacity of 10,000mAh, and you get up to 1,200 recharge cycles. The four-pack is affordable for batteries with this power. But, if you have a lot of smart home devices, you can enjoy even more savings by buying in bulk. These batteries are available in pack sizes all the way up to 48 batteries for a pocket-friendly experience.

Additionally, if you live in an area with frigid winters, they are effective in extreme temperatures from as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. So you don't have to worry about keeping outdoor devices like video doorbells and security cameras running.

Choosing the Right Rechargeable Batteries

Your first consideration is the battery capacity. For smaller devices, AA or AAAs with a capacity of 2,000–2,500mAh is likely what you need. But, for high-drain devices, you might need something a little bigger. C and D batteries have much higher capacities and can feed energy to power-hungry devices more efficiently. The Tenergy Premium D and EBL Rechargeable C batteries are what you should consider if you need more power.

However, you’ll usually just need AA or AAA batteries. So, you should consider what type of battery chemistry you prefer. Ni-MH is the most common type. It has high energy density and low self-discharge rates. Lithium-ion batteries tend to have an even higher energy density with even lower self-discharge rates, but they also tend to be a little pricier. However, if this is what you are looking for, you can’t really go wrong with EBL USB-Rechargeable AA Lithium-Ion batteries. The USB charging port at the top of the battery even adds a level of convenience for the price.

However, the Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries are our top choice. While they are not lithium-ion batteries, both the AAs and AAAs have a high capacity for their sizes and a low self-discharge rate.

Panasonic Eneloop Pro
Panasonic Eneloop Pro
Best Overall

High Capacity Ni-MH AA and AAA Batteries

$37 $47 Save $10

The Panasonic Eneloop Pro offers more convenience and less charging time with its high 2,550mAh capacity for AA size and 950mAh for AAA. And, with its low self-discharge rate, the battery can still hold up to 85 percent of its power even after a full year of non-use. 

Pros
  • High capacity
  • Low discharge rate
  • Can be used in low temperatures (4 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Pre-charged from solar power
Cons
  • Average number of recharging cycles