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Best rechargeable batteries in Australia 2024

We examined customer reviews and ratings to find the 5 best rechargeable batteries you can get in Australia right now.

The best rechargeable batteries in Australia

How did we pick this list?

For this list, we selected rechargeable batteries based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and key product features. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below..

Duracell Recharge Ultra

Best overall rechargeable batteries

Duracell Recharge Ultra
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Stays charged up to 12 months in storage
  • Value for money

Cons

  • Larger than standard AAs at 14.5mm in diameter
  • Some customers said the batteries didn't come pre-charged

Duracell Recharge Ultra is our pick for the best overall rechargeable batteries. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 19,000 reviews.

Duracell's Recharge Ultra is the brand's "#1 long-lasting per charge" battery. It comes in various sizes, including AA, AAA and 9V. One AA 2,500mAh battery stays charged for up to 12 months when not in use. Recharge Ultra also boasts 100 cycles of recharge and can last up to 5 years. These batteries are suitable for wireless controllers, toys and other electronics.

Customers gave positive feedback on the battery's value for money, durability and performance. One single charge lasts up to 15 days. In particular, the AA batteries can last up to 85 hours when used to power a wireless mouse. Customers said that the build feels durable and high-quality. However, the AA options seem larger than standard ones, measuring 14.5mm in diameter.


Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro

Best rechargeable AA batteries

Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Can hold up to 70% even after 10 years
  • Suitable for high energy consumption

Cons

  • Some customers reported product reliability issues
  • A bit more expensive than other rechargeable AA packs in the market

For the best AA option, we recommend the Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

With up to 2,550mAh of capacity, the Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro is suitable for high energy consumption. It can power high-current-consuming devices such as wireless keyboards, game controllers and other household devices. It comes pre-charged and can be recharged up to 500 times. According to the company, it can hold up to 85% of energy after a year and up to 70% after a decade.

The general sentiment is that this high-powered AA battery is a reliable option if you use high-energy devices. Several buyers said one full charge could last up to 20 days of heavy usage. The battery also has a longer lifespan compared to other options in the market. At over $20 for a pack of 4, it is a bit pricey, but most buyers said its durability and higher mAh are well worth it.

Today's Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro deals

Deal

20% off Panasonic AA Eneloop Pro

Was: $37.13Now: $29.70

Energizer Recharge Extreme

Best rechargeable AAA batteries

Energizer Recharge Extreme
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Made with 4% recycled batteries
  • Suitable for high-current-consuming devices

Cons

  • Can only be recharged up to 100 times
  • Only 800mAh per battery

With a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected Energizer's Recharge Extreme as the best rechargeable AAA battery available online.

Energizer's Recharge Extreme AAA batteries are made of 4% recycled batteries. They also last up to 6 times longer in digital cameras compared to the brand's basic alkaline options. Additionally, the batteries can retain their charge for up to 12 months even when not in use. The pack comes pre-charged as well.

Customers gave positive feedback on the product's reasonable price, long-lasting power and performance. These AAAs last up to 10 days out of the package and can be recharged up to 100 times. They take about 6 hours to be fully charged, according to some buyers. But because each battery only has an 800mAh capacity, they're still a bit weaker than competitors in the market.


EBL Rechargeable Batteries

Best cheap rechargeable batteries

EBL Rechargeable Batteries
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Available in bulk
  • Low self-discharge

Cons

  • Doesn't come pre-charged
  • Not as durable as other options

If you're on a budget, we recommend EBL Rechargeable Batteries as the best cheap option. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

EBL's rechargeable batteries are the most economical option on our list, with a pack of 8 AAs costing just $28.95. The AA model also has 2,800mAh, which is slightly more powerful than some pricier options in the market. These are suitable for household devices, including remote controls, wireless devices and electric toothbrushes. According to the company, these have ProCyco technology, extending the batteries' lifespan to up to 1,200 recharge cycles. AAA options are available as well.

Thousands of reviews are impressed by these batteries' excellent value for money, performance and versatility. They have a low self-discharge, allowing the batteries to hold up to 75% of energy for 3 years when unused. However, they arrived with just about 20% capacity, which means they need to be fully charged before use.


Panasonic Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger

Best rechargeable batteries with an included charger

Panasonic Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger
Image: Supplied/Finder

Pros

  • Quick charge time
  • Charges both AA and AAA batteries

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Produces a hissing sound during the first few charges according to some reviews

Our pick for the best option with an included charger is Panasonic's Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Designed for the brand's entire Eneloop range, this Panasonic smart and quick charger can fully charge 4 AAA batteries in just 3 hours and 4 AA batteries in just 4 hours. It also has an auto-detect feature that recognises different voltages from 100-240 AVC. Additionally, the charger has a 270-minute protection timer and comes with pre-charged batteries.

Panasonic's smart and quick charger is a handy device for a busy lifestyle. It has a quicker charging cycle compared to other options out there, making it a suitable choice if you use multiple high-energy household devices. The included Eneloop batteries are durable and can last up to 15 days, according to customers. Several buyers said the charger creates a loud hissing sound during the first few uses, but this seems to be an isolated issue.

Today's Panasonic Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger deals

Deal

20% off Panasonic Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger

Was: $22.95Now: $18.36
Deal

8% off Panasonic Eneloop with Smart and Quick Charger

Was: $29.89Now: $27.50

Amazon prices last updated on 19 March, 2024 at 05:01 am
eBay prices last updated on 19 March, 2024 at 11:53 am

Methodology

14
Brands considered
45
Products compared
5
Best products chosen
  • We compared 45 rechargeable batteries from 14 brands.
  • We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

Why you can trust our picks

We considered the following brands of rechargeable batteries:

  • Blister
  • Bonai
  • Duracell
  • EBL
  • Enegon
  • Energizer
  • GP
  • Jintion
  • Nanfu
  • Panasonic
  • Tenavolts
  • Tenergy
  • Varta
  • Wincell

For this list, we carefully picked products with the highest customer ratings on Amazon. We ended up with a total of 45 rechargeable batteries to compare.

We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon (as of October 2021). We came up with what we believe are the 5 best rechargeable batteries available online.

Quick fact about rechargeable batteries:

  • Buying rechargeable batteries is an investment, so you need to be sure you're getting reliable long-term performance.
  • When choosing batteries, consider what gadgets you want to power with your batteries and how much you're willing to spend.

Why buy rechargeable batteries?

It wasn't all that long ago that rechargeable batteries were widely seen as being unreliable and offering poor performance compared to their single-use cousins. However, modern technology allows rechargeable AA and AAA batteries to hold a much larger charge, retain their charge for longer and go through hundreds of charge cycles.

As a result, there are a few simple reasons why rechargeable batteries are a sensible purchase:

  • They're cost-effective. While prices and performance vary between brands, you'll generally start to get value for money from rechargeable batteries after about a dozen (or sometimes fewer) uses. While they might cost more than single-use batteries up front, the extra investment is worth it in the long run.
  • They're better for the environment. Single-use batteries need to be disposed of as soon as they run flat, but rechargeable batteries can be reused hundreds or thousands of times. While rechargeable batteries still contain toxic chemicals, they're much better for the environment than throwing out hundreds of single-use batteries.
  • They can power a wide range of devices. Torches, wireless mice, wireless keyboards, remote control cars, TV remotes, portable media players, kids toys – the list of high-use household gadgets powered by batteries is a long one, so there are plenty of ways you can use rechargeable batteries around the home.
How to dispose of rechargeable batteries
ALDI offers a free battery recycling service at all of its Australian stores. Rechargeable and non-rechargeable AA, AAA, C, D and 9V sized batteries are accepted through the program – all you have to do is drop your used batteries in the recycling bin at your nearest ALDI store.

Rechargeable vs single-use batteries

While rechargeable batteries have their advantages, there are some situations where single-use batteries are a better choice. For clocks and those devices that you only need to power every so often, such as an emergency torch you only use during power blackouts, single-use alkaline batteries are the preferred option.

Single-use batteries are designed to kick into action straight away after extensive periods of inactivity. And because they'll only be used sparingly and won't need regular replacement, you can take advantage of the cheaper price tag.

What types are available?

There are three main varieties of rechargeable batteries:

Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries

Once the leader of the rechargeable battery space, newer technology that offers better performance has superseded nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium is also highly toxic, which has prompted the European Union to restrict its use in batteries to all but a handful of medical applications.

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries

Most modern rechargeable batteries are made of nickel-metal hydride, which provides a larger capacity and the ability to hold a charge for longer. They're cheaper to manufacture than NiCd batteries and are a suitable choice for most household applications.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have emerged in recent years and are capable of holding a higher capacity and offering a longer shelf life than NiMH batteries. However, they're rarely available in standard sizes like AA or AAA as they often have too much power for most consumer devices – most operate at 3.7V. If you do decide to buy a Li-ion rechargeable battery, make sure it has a voltage of 1.5V or 1.2V.

How to compare rechargeable batteries

Once you know which type of battery is the best choice for your needs, you can start comparing rechargeable batteries based on their size, capacity, lifespan and cost.

Rechargeable battery prices vary depending on the brand and size of battery you purchase, Remember to consider the number of batteries in a pack to make sure you're comparing apples with apples. As a general guide, a four-pack of AA rechargeable batteries will cost somewhere in the $15-$35 range.

Don't forget to also include the cost of a battery charger in your calculations if you don't already own one – most are around $20-$40.

Here are the additional key factors you'll need to consider:

Size

Rechargeable batteries are available in standard battery sizes including AA, AAA, C, D and 9V. It's always a good idea to double-check that you're selecting the right size of battery for your electronic devices before you buy.

Charge cycles

Check how many charge cycles the manufacturer claims you will be able to get out of a battery. Some claim up to 300, 500 or 1,000 uses, while some pricier options can be recharged more than 2,000 times.

Low-self discharge (LSD)

Low-self discharge batteries, which are sometimes also referred to as "ready to use" or "pre-charged" batteries, are NiMH batteries that are specially designed to better retain their charge when not in use. The fast rate of self-discharge is a common criticism of regular NiMH batteries, which lose about 1% of their charge per day, so it's worth checking how much charge you can expect a battery to maintain during a long period of inactivity.

Capacity

The capacity of a battery is measured in milliamp hours (mAh) – the higher the mAh figure quoted on the box, the more usage time you'll get out of the battery. This means a 2,500mAh battery will be able to power a device for longer than a 1,300mAh battery, but it will also take longer to charge.

Recycled materials

If you care about the environment, you may want to consider one of the several products available that are manufactured in part from recycled materials, including recycled batteries.


Frequently asked questions

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