• The brightest flashlight is now the Imalent M18 which shines at 100,000 lumens. It costs about $670.
• Another very bright flashlight is the Acebeam X70 shines at 60,000 lumens. It costs around $550.

The Brightest Compact Flashlights and Headlamps

• The Acebeam X80-GT is the brightest compact flashlight — it shines with an impressive 32500 lumens. It costs around $280.
• The brightest headlamp is the Lupine Betty Rx14 — it shines with 5000 lumens and costs around $1095.
• The brightest flashlight that uses AA cells is the Nitecore EA81. It shines at 2150 lumens. It takes eight AA batteries and costs about $120.
• The brightest headlamp that uses AA cells is the Fenix 15-U — the maximum output is 900 lumens. See a full review.
• The brightest headlamp that uses 16580 cells is ThruNite TH30 — maximum output is 3350 lumens
• Surefire has released the Titan Plus, a new keychain flashlight that produces 300 lumens at the highest light mode. It costs about $81. See the full review.

Brightest Compact Light: Acebeam X-80-GT

The Acebeam X8-GT0 shines at 32500 lumens — impressive for such a compact light!

It runs on six 18650 rechargeable batteries and has a beam range of 525 meters.

It is waterproof and impact resistant to 1.2 meters.

Home page: Acebeam

Another Bright Compact Flashlight: Thrunite TN36 UT

The Thrunite TN36 UT6 is a compact flashlight that outputs an impressive 7300 lumens. It runs on four 18650 rechargeable batteries. It’s waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5 meters) and impact resistant to 2 meters.

The Thrunite TN36 UT6 is available on Amazon for about $230

The Brightest LED Flashlight That Uses AA Batteries: Nitecore EA81

The brightest flashlight with AA batteries is the Nitecore EA81, which shines at 2000 lumens. It takes eight AA batteries and costs about $200.

It’s waterproof to IPX-8 Standard (1.5 meters) and impact resistant to 1.5 meters.

The Nitecore EA81 is available on Amazon for about $280.

The Brightest Keychain Flashlight: Titan Plus

Surefire has released the Titan Plus, a keychain flashlight that produces 300 lumens in its highest light mode. Before this release, the brightest keychain light produced about 80-120 lumens, so this threefold increase is significant.

I’ve purchased this light and will be testing it soon. The 300-lumen mode lasts about 1 hour using a AAA Ni-MH battery.

All Surefire flashlights are designed and built in the USA, although some components are still sourced outside the US. Surefire says:

We do import a few components – most notably, the finest light emitting diodes (LEDs) from top-notch manufacturers outside the country – to incorporate into our products. All of that said, we do rely on as many American-made parts and components as possible, and the assembly of these components is done under our watchful eye in the U.S. to ensure optimal quality.

The Titan Plus is available from Amazon for about $81.

The post The Brightest LED Flashlights appeared first on Reactual.

• If you want the best energy capacity (2550 mAh) — get the Eneloop Pro (about $18 for a pack of 4)
• If you want maximum recharge capacity (2100 times) — get the 4th Generation Panasonic Eneloops (about $11 for a pack of 4)
• If you are on a budget, don’t mind a little less performance from your batteries —  get the Powerex AAs (about $10 for a pack of 4)

Overall, the best rechargeable AA battery is the Eneloop Pro. They have a high energy capacity (2550 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.

Also worthy of consideration is the Powerex battery, which is cheaper than the Eneloop Pro. These Powerex are also low-discharge, high-capacity batteries (2400 mAh), but they do not perform quite as well as the Eneloop Pro (see this review for the details on their performance).

The Details

Today, the best rechargeable batteries are the “low self-discharge” Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells.

These batteries have a lot going for them: they come fully charged (like alkaline batteries), and they can hold their charge over many months (unlike regular Ni-MH rechargeables). Because they can hold their charge for so long, they are suitable for low-drain devices like remote controls and flashlights. However, they are ideal for high-drain electronic devices like digital cameras, which outperform alkalines. See this graph for comparison:

Generally, the best low self-discharge batteries are made in Japan (the others are made in China). These are Panasonic’s Eneloops, Duracell, Energizer, and Sony. The Eneloop Pro batteries from Panasonic hold their charge the longest, and they are my top recommendation. I do not recommend the Energizer or Duracell rechargeable batteries — these name brands seem to produce inferior rechargeables, perhaps to protect their sales of alkaline batteries.

Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries by Panasonic

Better designed than other rechargeables, Eneloop batteries have become a best-selling battery. Eneloops can be recharged up to 2100 times, and they will retain their charged capacity even after years of storage. After 6 months, they retain 90% of their charge. After five years, they retain 70% of their charge (stored at 20 degrees Celsius). Panasonic recommends keeping the batteries in a cool location to maximize charge retention.

The AA-sized Eneloops are rated at 2000 mAh, and the AAA-sized Eneloops are rated at 800 mAh (mAh stands for “MiliAmp hours” — a unit that indicates how much energy a battery can hold.)

The charge times are as follows: AA Eneloops charge in 230 minutes, and AAA Eneloops charge in 135 minutes.

Eneloop batteries are available at Amazon in 8 packs, 16 packs, and 32 packs. They are also available with a charger: 8 Eneloop Batteries with a Charger. Note that these links to the second-generation 2000 mAh eneloops.

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.

The Best Battery Chargers

How about some good battery chargers to go with these batteries? The chargers featured below are some of the smartest out there — they have built-in protection to prevent overcharging or undercharging. They can also handle most battery sizes.

PowerEx MH-C9000 WizardOne Charger-Analyzer

The PowerEx MH-C9000 is one of the more sophisticated NiMH AA battery analyzers/chargers available. It has excellent ratings on Amazon — an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from about 300 reviewers.

The drawback is that the single-status LCD panel has a long programming sequence, making it difficult to use for multiple cells. If this is an issue for you, consider the Maha charger listed below.

The PowerEx MH-C9000 is available at Amazon for about $60.

Maha PowerEx “Ultimate Professional” Charger

The Maha’s Ultimate Professional Charger lives up to its hyperbolic name. This compact charger can charge any combination of 1 to 8 batteries. You can mix and charge AA, AAA, C, and D-sized cells simultaneously on individual charging circuits. Each battery has its own fixed contact charging points (i.e. not a spring). An LCD display shows the charging and conditioning status of each rechargeable battery.

Maha’s chargers can restore batteries to optimal performance by repeatedly charging and discharging them. It also has intelligent charging technology and overcharge protection. It also comes with an international AC adaptor, and short-circuit protection.

It’s available from Amazon for around $110.

The post The Best Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers appeared first on Reactual.

The Details

Low-self discharge 9v Ni-MH batteries have become available in the last few years.

The “low-self discharge” label means these batteries will hold their charge for a year, unlike previous NiMH batteries.

This makes this 9V battery much more compelling, because 9V batteries are often used in applications like fire alarms, where the battery must sit for a year or more.

Centura 9V NiMH Battery by Tenergy

You can find the low-discharge, 200 mAh “Centura” Tenergy 9V rechargeable battery on Amazon, $26 for a pack of 4, including a charger.

9v Lithium Ion Rechargeables

You can also get Lithium Polymer 9v rechargeable batteries that use a new gel-type electrolyte. This gel has an energy density of 20% more than typical lithium-ion batteries (550 mAh in capacity). They also last 2 to 3 times longer than rechargeable 9V NiMH batteries, and they hold their charge longer.

There are available here: EBL 9V Lithium Ion Batteries

See also our review of this year’s best rechargeable AA NiMH batteries and chargers.

The post The Best 9V Rechargeable Batteries appeared first on Reactual.

Yes, they are finally available. However, only a few Chinese companies manufacture them. These batteries are AA and AAA rechargeable lithium polymer batteries that output 1.5 volts.

• Tenavolt Lithium-Ion AA Batteries (2775 mWh)
• Deeleepow Lithium-Ion AA Batteries (3400mWh)

Lithium-ion batteries normally operate at 3.7V per cell. The circuitry inside the cells reduces the voltage to 1.5 volts. The batteries have a capacity of 3400mWh, which matches Eneloop Pro (NiMH batteries with the highest capacity). Additionally, lithium-ion cells are lighter than NiMH cells.

Other Lithium-Ion Rechargeables

There are also some lithium-ion rechargeable batteries made for high-performance flashlights and cameras in these sizes: 18650 and CR123.

A single 18650 battery can replace two CR123A batteries, although at a lower voltage (but much higher amperage). However, the 18650 is a wider cell and will not fit into a flashlight designed strictly for the narrower CR123As. Most modern tactical LED lights are designed to use a single 18650 or two CR123As, but it’s best to check before buying. See our article on The Best 18650 Batteries for more information.

There are also numerous other types of lithium-ion batteries made for specific laptops and other electronic gadgets. There is currently no standard size for these lithium-ion cells.

The post Do Rechargeable Lithium-Ion AA Batteries Exist? appeared first on Reactual.

• 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.

The Best Overall Charger: The Maha Smart Charger

Maha’s Smart Charger can charge any combination of 1 to 8 batteries. You can mix and charge AA, AAA, C, and D sized cells simultaneously on individual charging circuits.

Each battery size also has its own fixed contact charging points (i.e., not a spring). An LCD display shows the charging and conditioning status of each rechargeable battery.

Maha’s chargers can restore batteries to optimal performance by repeatedly charging and discharging them.

It also has intelligent charging technology and overcharge protection.

It is available from Amazon for around $40.

The Most Affordable: The Maximal Power FC999 Universal Rapid Charger

The Maximal Power FC999 Universal Rapid Charger is versatile and reliable. It has a microprocessor to intelligently monitor and control the charging cycle in each charging port for overcharge and short-circuit protection.

It is capable of charging a wide range of batteries, namely: AA, AAA, C, D, N, 9V, Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride), Ni-CD (Nickel Cadmium), RAM (Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese), and even Alkaline (previously Non-Rechargeable).

It’s available on Amazon for about $30

The post The Best Battery Chargers (For D and C Size Batteries) appeared first on Reactual.