Pretty much everyone on the planet has to use batteries for something and it can turn into a very costly staple that you constantly have to replace to keep your electronics running and ready when you need them. The cost of throwing out old batteries and replacing them with non-rechargeable battery options can run you hundreds of dollars and that’s why so many people are switching over to rechargeable AA batteries for less waste and great savings with a great product. Spent batteries can be replaced with rechargeable batteries in most devices to give you the high power they need at a very small fraction of the usual cost.
Most rechargeables can give you the same voltage and power as disposable batteries and can be recharged back to full capacity after you’ve drained them through normal use. Giving four batteries a full charge once will already start saving you money and you’ll end up keeping much more in your bank account as you use rechargeable AA batteries in the long run. When you consider the fast charging times of AA batteries, the performance they offer, and the warranty you get when you buy them, switching over to quality rechargeable batteries is something you should consider doing as soon as you can.
What to Look for in Rechargeable Batteries
There are a few things to make sure you look at when you’re deciding on the best rechargeable AA batteries for you and your needs. The first is to know the difference between AA and AAA batteries so you get the right ones for your devices. While you can get both as rechargeable batteries, AAA rechargeable batteries are small and won’t fit into anything you have that needs AA batteries, and vice versa.
Then you should decide if you want to recharge your batteries with a separate charger or a charging cable with a USB C port that you can plug into any outlet base. These are the two most common charging accessories and you can pick the charging unit that’s going to be the fastest and most convenient one for you to use. The separate charger is a dedicated device that you can insert your batteries into and plug into the wall while the charging cable with a USB C port will slot right into your batteries and charge them with a wall outlet or other devices, such as your laptop or PC USB ports.
Key Features to Consider
There are some key features to consider when you’re trying the find the right rechargeable AA batteries for you, but any battery you go with will save you time and money while reducing waste in your home. The first feature to look at is the way the batteries will charge, which we just discussed above, but it’s an important factor in how you’ll get your batteries fully charged. AA rechargeable batteries that use a charging cable with a USB C port are typically the most convenient option because you simply plug the batteries in and forget about them until the battery charger is finished powering your rechargeable AA batteries.
The next key feature is the fast charging that many rechargeable AA batteries offer, and you’re going to get the fastest charging from batteries with a charging port. You can fully charge them in a matter of mere hours and you don’t have to worry about a dedicated charger that you have to store and find whenever recharging is necessary. These batteries are a great charger option at a great price and your recharges won’t force you to wait an excessive amount of time until your battery finally stops charging.
Types of AA Rechargeable Batteries
The two main types of rechargeable batteries are alkaline batteries and lithium-ion batteries and it’s important to understand the difference in how each one gets charged to avoid any danger that can come from using the wrong rechargeable AA batteries in the wrong charging device. Just like the disposable Energizer AA batteries you’re used to buying, you’ll have to get the right batteries for the devices that you have. Charging an alkaline battery in a lithium-ion charger is extremely dangerous and can lead to your rechargeable batteries exploding or catching on fire, so make sure that you’re always using the correct charger for your AA battery.
Most devices that require a specific type of battery are going to need lithium-ion batteries as opposed to alkaline batteries, so it makes more sense to stock up on a brand that has them. These batteries also offer fast charging with charging ports on their casing, so if you go with one AA option, go with lithium. They’ll also be better suited for devices like game controllers and flashlights that can’t take alkaline batteries.
Choosing the Right Rechargeable AA Battery
As you go about the replacement of disposable batteries throughout your home, make sure you choose the right ones to suit your habits right out of the pack and it will be much easier to take on the task. Most rechargeable batteries will be pre-charged out of the battery pack so you can put them directly into your devices to use them as soon as your older disposable batteries have been drained of power. Rechargeable AA batteries with lithium-ion chemistry are the more compact option with a charging port on each battery so you can plug it directly into your USB C port with a light to tell you when the battery stops charging.
Choose a brand with high quality and high power to keep your devices running for long periods before you have to recharge them. You’ll get the same performance and voltage you’ve come to rely on from non-rechargeable battery options while reducing waste and saving lots of money when you have to get a replacement much less frequently. Game controllers, flashlights, digital cameras, electric toothbrushes, and even your wireless mouse can all be used with rechargeable AA batteries and a simple charging cable to keep them going for years to come.
Think About Your Charging Habits
Next up, take some time to think about your charging habits and how they can easily fit into your life to get the most out of your battery chargers and make the switch as easy as possible. Look at a flashlight as an example of how you’d manage your recharges for your AA rechargeable batteries. Flashlights are typically stored in places where you can find them for occasional use, so it’s important to know how often they should be charged.
It’s easy to compare product details with the manufacturer’s estimates for how much power you can get out of a battery before you have to get it recharged and that’s going to let you figure out how often you should take the batteries out of the flashlight to power them back up. Realistically, properly stored and fully charged AA batteries will keep their power for months without worrying about it. That will give you the confidence that your flashlights will always light when you need them.
Care and Maintenance of Rechargeable Batteries
There isn’t a lot of care and maintenance for rechargeable batteries that you don’t already do for your non-rechargeable battery options, so if you’re already familiar with it, you won’t have to change much around after you make the switch. You should always store every battery separately from the devices and products they’re in so they don’t leak inside them and ruin both simultaneously. Also just like non-rechargeable battery options, AA rechargeable batteries should be stored in dry spaces between 41 degrees and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
The only difference with a rechargeable battery is that it should be recharged or drained to 50% of its power capacity every six months. That’s also where you want the power to be when you store it for long periods. That will help you get the most life out of it and keep anything from happening to it during its long time being put away.
Storage Tips
One of the biggest mistakes people make with a fully charged AA battery is to store it while it’s attached to its charging cable and that’s something you never want to do to your batteries. Not only are you risking complete discharge of your power, it can serve as a circuit and keep the voltage moving from the battery to the charger the entire time it’s stored away. This can cause excess heat in your battery or lead to much worse, so always disconnect your rechargeable battery from its charger when you put it away.
It’s also important to never store your rechargeable batteries in the devices you use them with. Whether it’s in a light or a portable speaker, if it’s going to be stored away for a long time, take the battery out and store it separately. It will keep both your batteries and devices safe from many problems storing them together can cause.
Charging Tips
When it comes time to charge your batteries, take them off the chargers once they reach their power capacity to save them from being overcharged and reduce their life span. These batteries are meant to be used and recharged, so it’s much better to take them off as soon as they have all the power they can take, even if it means losing some power over time. It will give you a longer battery life and save your chargers from getting too much heat.
It’s also best to be close by while you charge your AA batteries, especially with a fast-charging cable. You don’t have to sit and watch them, but taking them off the charging cable as soon as they’re full will do a lot to keep them running for a long time.
Features to Consider
There are some features to look at to make sure you’re getting the most out of your rechargeable batteries and they may not be things that you’re thinking about all the time. One of the most important features a battery can have is a charging cable instead of a dedicated charger to deal with. This will allow you to keep your batteries and their charging cable in a compact space and out of the way, all the time.
The next is the ability to charge your AA batteries on a laptop or PC instead of always having to plug them into the wall to get them the power they need. That’s another benefit to a charging cable instead of a dedicated charger that has to be plugged into an outlet to work. It makes it very easy to simply charge your batteries while you’re on the computer so you can be close to them without having to think about them or waste any of your time.
Switch Now to Save Money
There are many benefits to switching over to rechargeable batteries but the most obvious one will be the amount of money you can save by simply giving your batteries recharges rather than tossing them out and buying a whole new pack of batteries that you’ll just throw away again. The longer you keep your rechargeable batteries, the more money you’ll save and that’s going to make a difference with devices that require a lot of power that you’re likely using to throw away money right now.
You’ll also reduce the amount of waste that you’re tossing into a landfill and that will make a big difference to the environment from the second you stop throwing non-rechargeable battery options away and stick with rechargeable batteries that you keep for years. Decide to make the switch right now and start saving yourself money immediately and you’ll want to go back to using disposable batteries that are sucking the money right out of you. Save money and the environment at the same time and you’ll be doing something good for yourself and everyone else on the plane