• ZTS MBT-1 can test more than 30 different battery types and gives meaningful, accurate readings.
• The ZTS Mini is an affordable and portable alternative. It tests 15 battery types.

The Details

Musicians, professional photographers, hobbyists, parents, and anyone else who is a frequent battery user should invest in a quality professional-grade battery tester. Be cautious of the slew of cheap Chinese battery testers available for sale on the internet. These products do not give an accurate reading, and instead will do little more than tell you whether or not your battery is dead.

Consider the Amprobe, the best selling battery tester on Amazon. It is available for $7, which sounds too good to be true because it is. As expected, it is flimsily constructed and gives iffy reports on rechargeable batteries. As many reviewers noted, it is only good at identifying dead batteries. Worse, it gives inaccurate battery readings and gives artificially high “good” readings on batteries that are on the precipice of death. That can cause unfortunate mix ups, like taking a battery “good” on charge to an important photo-shoot, only for the flash to die after a few snaps.

Luckily, ZTS makes a quality tester that gives a dependable reading. This battery tester is manufactured here in the United States and gives an accurate measurement in a very short period of time. Just place the battery on the nickel-plated brass contact and wait for the bar at the top to show what percentage charge the battery holds.

It tests almost every battery type, including NiMH, Lithium-Ion, Alkaline Lithium, Coin Cells, CR1620 Cells. It has a row of six LED testers that gives percentage reading of how much life the battery has left.

This is not a portable tester — it weighs over a pound and is 8 inches tall.

A Portable Option

If you want a professional quality battery tester that can fit in a purse or glove box, ZTS has the MINIMBT. The Mini is exactly half the MBT: half the size, it can test half the number of batteries (15), and is half the price.

The Mini tests 1.5v alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N), 1.2v NiMH/NiCd, 3v photo lithium, and 9v alkaline batteries.

The post The Best Battery Tester appeared first on Reactual.

Panasonic’s Eneloop Pro AA Batteries.

These are made with Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) chemistry and have low standard discharge, meaning they can hold a charge for years.

AmazonBasics AA High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries are a reliable low-cost alternative. They are about 30% cheaper than Panasonic cells, but last only 75% as long per charge.

The Details

Panasonic eneloop pro batteries are high-capacity lower-cycle AA battery popular with electronics reviewers and photography enthusiasts. First launched back in 2006, Sanyo eneloop batteries (since acquired by Panasonic) use eco-friendly NiMH cells designed for use with a wide-variety of products, ranging from flashlights to cameras. Up until the eneloop’s debut, rechargeable batteries were prohibitively expensive and couldn’t hold a charge for anywhere near the length of their alkaline competitors.

Eneloop changed that, but still lacked a little when compared to alkaline batteries or newer competitors. Panasonic’s upgraded option, eneloop pro, can maintain a charge for an extended period of time, with a capacity of 2,550 mAh and Low Self Discharge (LSD) technology. LSD tech is thanks to a highly-durable super lattice alloy that prolongs battery life with increased hydrogen stability that leads a stable voltage output and reduced self-discharge. Expect an eneloop pro to still have 85% of its charge after a year and 70% of its charge for ten years.

What really sets eneloop pro apart is the increased performance in high drain devices, such as DSLR cameras and ultra-bright flashlights. Eneloop pro lasts longer and omits more power in these high power consumption devices when compared to similar NiMH rechargeable batteries on the market. Simply put, these are the best choice for photographers and survivalists.

The added power comes at a payoff, however. Eneloop Pro batteries are among the most expensive NiMH batteries on the market, and last for fewer lifetime charges. Panasonic estimates that an eneloop pro can be recharged 500 times, but number is even lower in reality. Compare that to Powerex’s Imedion AA, which boast 1000 recharges.

Another Option

AmazonBasics offers pre-charged high-capacity NiMH batteries for an affordable price. They are rated at 2400mAh, giving them a longer run-time than similarly priced competitors. They are ideal for everyday uses in low drain devices, like TV remotes and electronic alarm clocks.

Wirecutter found that AmazonBasics did not perform as well in high power devices, such as flashlights and digital cameras.

The post The Best Rechargeable AA Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

Currently, the best rechargeable C-size battery is the ELB 5000 Battery. A pack of 6 costs $24.

About C-Size Batteries

Although they are no longer as popular as they used to be, C-size batteries are one of the most common alkaline batteries today. They have kept the same dimensions (50 millimeters by 26.2 millimeters) since 1926 and are used in medium-drain electronics such as toys and instruments. Disposable 1.5V alkaline dominated the C battery market for years due to its high capacity and long shelf life.

Rechargeable C-size batteries are rapidly gaining marketshare over their throw-away counterparts, thanks to crucial technological advances within the past decade. Instead of alkaline, they are using 1.2V Nickel-Metal Hydride Chemistry (NiMH) that allows for greater capacity that doesn’t atrophy after long stretches of inactivity. Whereas in the past rechargeable batteries would drain by themselves via discharge even when they weren’t in use, they now retain up to 85% of their charge capacity for months at a time. No more pulling out a rarely used flashlight the night before a camping trip only to find that the charge has evaporated in your garage.

Of all the rechargeable batteries on the market, ELB offers the best C-size battery. The 1.2V NiMH cells have a 5000mAh capacity, almost as much as the standard 8000mAh of disposable alkaline batteries and much higher than other NiMH cells, and close to the capacity of a lithium cell.

For a charger, I recommend the Maha PowerEx MH-C808M. This smart device can charge 9 C-size batteries at a time.

The post The Best Rechargeable C-Size Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

• Kentli makes the best rechargeable lithium-ion AA batteries currently available. They are rated at 2800mWh, and are the only 1.5 V li-on AA batteries, making them the best choice for consumer-grade electronics.
• EXCELLENT makes 3.7V li-on batteries compatible with high drain devices like LED flashlights.

The Details

Not long ago, disposable alkaline batteries enjoyed an undisputed mastery of the AA battery market. Improvements in rechargeable battery technology upended that dominance over the past decade. As we reported in this article, Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) AA batteries such as Panasonic’s Eneloop have made rechargeable options more cost-efficient in the past 10 years.

A 1.5V lithium ion battery has recently been made available to consumers. Lithium ion cells have a high energy density, long cycle life, and have a lower self discharge rate than NiMH batteries. In other words, they last longer and maintain a more even voltage than other types of cells.

Kenli’s 1.5V offering is an ideal choice for everyday household needs. The batteries have the same voltage as a brand-new alkaline battery and won’t overpower devices that just need a stock battery.

2800mWh is a respectable capacity, equivalent to around 1866mAh. By comparison, the Eneloop Pro has a capacity of 2550mAh. Like most NiMH batteries, the eneloop pro is 1.2V.

This equation explains the difference between mWh and mAh:

miliWatt x Hour = Volts x miliAmpere x Hour or mWh = V x mAh. For more on the conversion process, read here.

Other Options

Higher voltage lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are made for high-performance flashlights and cameras, but they are not intended for use with many products. They are higher energy density and rated at 3.7V.

EXCELLENT is one company producing higher energy density lithium ion batteries. Their 18650 batteries have a 2600mAh capacity and high quality cells. They are 3.7V and great for UV or high powered LED flashlights that consume a lot of energy.

One word of warning too consumers: there is currently no standard size for these lithium-ion cells. Make sure to read the dimensions of each battery on Amazon before you buy to guarantee that they will fit in your device.

The post The Best Lithium-Ion AA Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

LED lanterns that run on AA batteries are particularly useful. These lanterns are small yet bright enough to light up a tent. You can power them with low-discharge rechargeable AA batteries (or regular AA alkaline batteries).

Budget Choice: Coleman 3AA High-Tech LED Mini Lantern

This LED lantern from Coleman is the highest rated AA-battery powered LED Lantern on Amazon. It shines with 85 lumens of light for 6 hours using just three AA batteries.

The Coleman 3AA High-Tech LED Mini Lantern is available at Amazon for around $20.

Best Overall: Black Diamond Apollo LED Lantern

The Black Diamond Apollo lantern runs on 4 AA batteries. Reviewers like the even light of this lantern, which can shine at a maximum of 80 lumens for 15 hours or at (up to 60 hours at 10 lumens). The Apollo also features a dimmer switch and battery-life indicator.

The Black Diamond Apollo LED Lantern is available at Amazon for about $42.

The Black Diamond is no longer being made. I now recommend these Vont lanterns instead.

The post The Top Rated LED Lanterns (Powered By AA Batteries) appeared first on Reactual.

• If you want the best energy capacity (2550 mAh) — get the Eneloop Pro
• If you want maximum recharge capacity (2100 times) — get the 4th Generation Panasonic Eneloops

Overall, the best rechargeable AA battery is the Eneloop Pro. They have a high energy capacity (2500 mAh), and they perform better than similar high-capacity AAs. They can only be charged 500 times (versus 2100 times for regular Eneloops). But most people will never charge their batteries that many times. For example, if you charged your batteries twice a week consistently, it would take 5 years to reach 500 charges.

Sanyo Eneloop

Top Review Sources:

• Consumer Reports: Recommended
• Doc’s Charger and Battery Reviews: “Good performance for a 2000 mAh rated battery, and fantastic shelf life for a Ni-MH”
• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (1,600+ reviews)

Eneloops are currently the top rated rechargeable AAs, and we have found them to perform well.  We should also mention Imedion batteries, which are similar to Eneloops but rated at 2400 mAh (this stands for milli Amp hour, and indicates a battery’s energy storage capacity). Eneloops, by comparison, have a lower rated capacity — 2000 mAh (or 1980 mAh according to my informal tests).

You’ll find the Sanyo eneloop AA four pack ($11) on Amazon. You can also buy an eneloop AA four pack with included recharger ($18) as well as an eneloop AA eight pack ($20).

Eneloop Pros

The Eneloop Pro is a high-capacity version of the regular Eneloop cell. The Eneloop Pro has a capacity of 2500 mAh –this is 500 mAh more than the regular Eneloops. Their only potential downside is that they can be charged 500 times — not 2100 times like the regular Eneloops. However, on average most people will charge their batteries about 100-200 times over a 5 year period.

Eneloop Pro batteries are available on Amazon.

Energizer Ultimate

Pros:

• Great for high-drain devices and maximum runtime
• Fantastic shelf life

Cons:

• Not rechargeable

Top Review Sources:

• Consumer Reports: Recommended
• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (150+ reviews)
• CHOICE Online (Australia): “The ENERGIZER e2 Lithium was by far the top performer in our test”

The Energizer Ultimate is a disposable battery meant for high-drain devices and long periods of time away from another power source. It is the successor to the similar Energizer e2. Like the e2, the Ultimate is a lithium battery. One of lithium’s advantages over other types of batteries is a longer runtime. The Ultimate AA is a 3000 mAh battery that operates at about 1.7 volts; it is able to energize a high-drain device (such as a powerful camera) for a longer period of time than most other batteries. If you have a gadget that needs the higher voltage, or if you need a battery that will last in a high-drain device for as long as possible, lithium is a great option. Another lithium advantage is its 10+ year shelf life, making it a good backup battery to have around for emergencies. Lithium batteries also operate in sub-freezing temperatures, unlike alkaline disposables.

The Energizer Ultimate four pack ($5) is available on Amazon. Also for sale is an eight pack ($15).

Duracell CopperTop

Pros:

• Low initial cost
• Long shelf life

Cons:

• Not long-term cost-effective

Top Review Sources:

• Amazon: 4.5/5.0 (125+ reviews)
• PC Magazine: Longest runtime in flashlight test (of seven batteries tested)
• CandlePowerForums.com Alkaline Battery Shoot Out: 4^th place (of 19 batteries tested for watt-hours)

Duracell CopperTop batteries use alkaline technology to deliver reliable performance at a low cost per battery. While rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run, disposable alkalines like the CopperTop have advantages such as lower initial cost and longer shelf life (7+ years). CopperTops are not suited for high-drain devices; they won’t last as long as NiMH or lithium batteries. However, if you use batteries very infrequently or need a long-lasting, inexpensive solution for a smoke detector or rarely-used remote control, the CopperTop offers a compelling price/performance balance.

The Duracell CopperTop 20 pack is for sale on Amazon.

See also our extensive review of rechargeable batteries and chargers on MetaEfficient.

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