How Long Do Rechargeable Batteries Last? (Per Charge In Total)
Rechargeable batteries are a great way of powering your devices. Not only do they stop you from needing to constantly pay for new batteries, but you’re also helping the planet by cutting back on how many need to be manufactured in the first place.
They don’t always last forever though – both in terms of an individual charge (of course) but their overall lifespan. Eventually, a rechargeable battery may need replacing.
But how do they compare with regular batteries, and how long will they last before you need to buy more? Let’s take a look.
How long do rechargeable batteries last per charge?
There is no simple answer for how long rechargeable batteries last per charge. It depends on the battery capacity, and what it is being used for. But rechargeable batteries will normally last slightly less than regular alkaline batteries due to power leakage.
This is referred to as self-discharge, where the battery loses power even when it’s not being used, or it’ll lose more charge than the device it’s powering actually needs.
Again, there’s no clear percentage of how much worse rechargeable batteries are compared to disposable ones since battery capacities, types, and even quality vary so much.
But to return to the original question – how long does a rechargeable battery last per charge – you can work that out based on the total capacity of the battery and the power draw of the device you’re using it with.
For example, these Amazon Basics Rechargeable AA batteries have a 2400 mAh capacity, so a typical flashlight that uses 6 of these batteries and draws 3 amps of power would last for just under 5 hours.
The way you work it out is you look at the power draw of the device, and the total power of the batteries. A flashlight using 6 batteries would therefore have 6 x 2400 mAh, which is 14,400 mAh or 14.4 amps. Divide that by the power draw of the flashlight and you get 4.8 hours of usage.
Do rechargeable batteries wear out?
Older rechargeable batteries would wear out completely after around 1,000 charges, but more modern rechargeable batteries have a higher capacity and can be fully charged for 1,000 cycles before they even start to lose overall capacity.
There are essentially three types of rechargeable batteries:
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd)
These are the oldest batteries that are relatively cheap to buy, and are becoming less popular. They would last for around 1,000 charges in total, depending on how you used them. The best way is to completely drain them between charges.
Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
Much more common now, these batteries are a bit more expensive but it’s easier to find a charger for them. They will start to deteriorate after 1,000 charges and lose some capacity, but they will still remain usable for a long time after that.
Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
These batteries have a much higher voltage, and don’t have the same problems with self-discharge as other types. But they will still wear out – after anything from 300 to 1,000 charges. They’re specialist batteries and are common in smartphones, but you can sometimes get them in typical AA sizes (though how safe they are is debatable). They also require a special charger.
How To Test a AA battery?
There are a number of different tools that can be used to test a AA battery. One of the most used methods is to measure the electrical resistance that the battery offers in its unloaded state.
To do this, a voltmeter or multimeter is connected between the battery terminals. Alternatively, you can use a couple of other methods that don’t require a special meter.
Ultimately, the method that is best depends on what specific information you are looking for about your AA battery. So it’s important to carefully consider which test is most convenient for you and will provide you with the most relevant and reliable data.
What’s The Difference Between a Voltmeter And a Multimeter?
A voltmeter and a multimeter are two common tools used by electricians and engineers to test the voltage output of different devices. While they are both battery testers and measure electrical current, there are some key differences between the two.
A voltmeter is designed to measure DC voltage, while a multimeter can measure both types of current and also has the ability to test other aspects of circuits, such as resistance and continuity.
Additionally, while most voltmeters have only a few basic functions, multi-meters tend to be more versatile, providing users with many useful measurement options in one convenient device.
Ultimately, whether you need to measure DC or AC voltage or perform other circuit testing functions, a good multimeter will serve you well.
How To Test a AA Battery With a Voltmeter?
To test a AA battery with a voltmeter, first, make sure that the voltmeter is on DCV and set it to 20.
Attach the red probe to the positive terminal of the battery, then attach the black probe to the negative terminal of the battery and wait for a reading. Make sure to write down this reading, as it will indicate how much charge is left in your battery.
If the voltage reading is low or zero, it may mean that your battery is no longer functional and needs to be replaced. If you are testing an alkaline-type battery, you may need to perform this test multiple times before obtaining an accurate reading.
Regardless of which type of AA battery you are testing, however, following these steps should give you an accurate indication of its level of charge and help you determine whether replacement is necessary.
How To Test a AA Battery With a Multimeter?
Testing the battery voltage on a multimeter is similar to testing it on a voltmeter. To test the functionality of a AA battery using a multimeter, you will need to set the DC setting on your meter and attach the red probe to the positive terminal of the battery.
Next, attach the black probe to the negative terminal of the battery. If there is an indication that power is flowing through the battery, it will likely be in millivolts (mV).
If you do not see any indication of power being generated by the battery, it may be time to replace it. This simple test can help ensure that your AA batteries are functioning properly and providing reliable power to your devices.
What Should the Voltage Read On a AA Battery?
When testing the voltage on a AA battery, there are several factors to keep in mind. Generally, a fresh AA/AAA lithium or alkaline battery should read 1.5 volts or higher, while a used battery will likely read lower than this threshold.
However, a AA/AAA rechargeable battery should read 1.25 V. In addition, it is essential to consider the type of AA battery that you are using.
Different manufacturers may have slightly different cutoff points and values, so it is necessary to ensure that you are using an accurate multimeter and following all recommended procedures for testing an AA battery.
Ultimately, the most reliable way to determine whether or not a AA battery is functioning correctly is by testing its voltage level directly and comparing your results with established standards.
Myoguide Power: Alkaline Versus NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
Even though the NiMH rechargeable batteries have a lower specified capacity (2300mAH) and lower voltage (1.2V) compared to a typical Duracell ProCell Alkaline AA battery (2850mAH, 1.5V), they tend to provide more capacity in a higher current draw situation. The following article covers Myoguide Battery Strategies to get the longest battery life.
NiMH rechargeable batteries provide a steadier discharge than an alkaline battery. i.e. Alkaline batteries have a steeper discharge curve as the load current requirements increase.
The downside to using a NiMH rechargeable in the Myoguide is that the battery display icon is calibrated for a 1.5V (Alkaline) battery and hence when using NiMH rechargeables, the battery icon will only display ¾ full when the NiMH are at full charge and will show empty when batteries are 50% discharged. i.e. The unit will run for quite a considerable time when the battery icon shows empty.
Note: Due to the fact that battery discharge is not linear, but rather is logarithmic. The battery detection circuit is designed to linearly display the current battery voltage; hence, the display is not a truly accurate rendition of the state of charge. i.e. when the display shows one bar, there still may be considerable battery capacity remaining. The batteries should be replaced when the display indicates “ Battery Low!”. This is one of the best Myoguide Battery Strategies.
Battery Test Comparison
Test 1:
80% EMG mode with 200Hz, 1mVp-p signal in, Vol:4. 20% Stimulation @ 1mA, 500uS pulse width, 1 Hz frequency into a 10 KΩ load
Alkaline batteries (Duracell MN1500): 8 Hr. 20 min.
Alkaline batteries (Duracell ProCell PC1500): 8 Hr. 10 min.
NiMH Rechargeable (Energizer NH15): 14 Hr. 39 min.
Test 2:
Constant Stimulation @ 4mA, 500uS pulse width, 1 Hz frequency into a 10 KΩ load
Alkaline batteries (Duracell MN1500): 3 Hr. 5 min.
Alkaline batteries (Duracell ProCell PC1500): 2 Hr. 15 min
NiMH Rechargeable (Energizer NH15): 4 Hr. 35 min
Test 3:
Constant Stimulation @ 1mA, 500uS pulse width, 1 Hz frequency into a 10 KΩ load
Alkaline batteries (Duracell MN1500): 3 Hr. 33 min
Alkaline batteries (Duracell ProCell PC1500): 3 Hr. 6 min
NiMH Rechargeable (Energizer NH15): 5 Hr. 17 min
Test 4:
80% EMG mode with 200Hz, 1mVp-p signal in, Vol:4.
20% Stimulation @ 4mA, 500uS pulse width, 1 Hz frequency into a 10 KΩ load
Alkaline batteries (Duracell MN1500): 7 Hr. 47 min.
Alkaline batteries (Duracell ProCell PC1500): 7 Hr. 35min.
NiMH Rechargeable (Energizer NH15): 9 Hr. 33 min.
Conclusion:
NiMh rechargeable battery use in the Myoguide unit provides considerably more run time compared to disposable alkaline batteries. This is especially true when the unit heavily used in Stimulation Mode.
NiMH Rechargeable Batteries have the longest Myoguide battery life!
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TESTED: Bonai AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries
I’ve used several different rechargeable batteries in my flashes over the years, but I usually stick with brands I know: Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloops, Duracells, and even Amazon Basics. Recently, though, I ran across Bonai AA batteries on Amazon with a claimed 2800 mAh capacity and a nearly perfect user rating, and I was intrigued. I’d never heard of the brand, but they were inexpensive (especially in larger quantities), so I contacted the company and they sent me a free set to test. This is what I found:
Price
Most photographers trust Eneloops in their flashes, so why would they choose another brand? The price would be a big factor. Purchased in packs of four, the price difference with Eneloops is modest: the Bonai cost 8.99. However, if you buy 8, they cost only 12.99 (currently on sale. Regular price is 15.99), which is less than the price of four standard Eneloops (14.95). Buy 16 pack and they’re an even better deal.
Capacity
My standard Eneloops claim a capacity of 1900 mAh, but the Bonai batteries claim 2800mAh! As soon as I unboxed my batteries, I ran them through a charging test cycle to get an idea of their capacity. The four batteries measured as 2267, 2228, 2226, and 2243 mAh. That’s significantly lower than the claimed 2800, but it’s not too bad compared to standard Eneloops. For comparison, I also measured my high-capacity Amazon Basics (rated at 2400 mAh) at 2397, 2403, 2403, and 2356.
As a second test, I loaded the set of Bonai batteries into a flash and fired it on full-power until the batteries died, then did the same with the Amazon Basic High Capacity. The Bonai gave me a solid 244 pops. The Amazons gave me 256.
This was on the Bonai set’s first charge, while the Amazons are about a year old. Some batteries need a bit of a break-in period, so I used these in a flash for a week, completely discharging and charging them multiple times. My second capacity test put them at 2321, 2344, 2320, and 2369. This jump gave me hope that with a little more break in, they might actually reach something near the stated capacity. Unfortunately, a third test reverted to the original numbers.
Output
Knowing how much energy they could store, I set about testing how fast they could get rid of it. I loaded the freshly charged set into a variety of different flash units and checked to see how fast they’d recycle them on manual full-power. I fired the flash 25 times in a row and averaged the results.
As you can see, the Bonai batteries are pretty comparable to Eneloops and Amazons, depending on the flash, although they’re perhaps 10% slower in some instances. However, these differences are modest, even at full-power. Again, these batteries are new, and their internal resistance may change slightly with time. The other batteries tested were older.
Fit
These batteries will fit into your products just fine. Unlike some cheap NiMH batteries, these ones don’t have an extra-thick or doubled-up wrap that makes them too large to slide into your battery slots.
Self-Discharge
Testing the self-discharge of these batteries has been, necessarily, a slow process and it is ongoing. However, I can give you my initial findings. With all four batteries charged to around 2260 mAh, I tested the first pair after two weeks and was disappointed to discover that they had dropped by 10% to 2055 mAh. I tested the second pair after another two weeks, and things looked better. The pair were not much lower (2050 and 2017), so I thought that they may have reached a stasis point.
Unfortunately, the six week test of the first pair confirmed that the discharge was still on the original trajectory. This time, they had dipped to 1928 mAh, or about 85% of the original charge.
Conclusion
These batteries do not live up to their claims of 2800 mAh, but compared to standard Eneloops, they still perform well. It’s a shame that these weren’t simply marketed as 2200 or 2300 mAh cells; then I’d at least trust the company rather than feeling like they’re trying to pull one over on us. My tests show that these batteries are not low self-discharge, despite claims by the manufacturer. I can’t recommend them for critical, professional use. Go with Eneloops or AmazonBasics instead, or any of the others listed on my battery page.
At best, if you use them within a couple of weeks of charging these batteries will perform about as well as my other favorites, and will cost about half as much… even compared to Amazon Basics (high capacity) batteries, which cost about 20 for 8. Bonai AAs cost 24 for 16. Still, I’d get the Amazon Basics high capacity.
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Things to Consider Before Buying The Best Rechargeable Batteries
Chemistry
NiCad: Most early rechargeable batteries were Nickel Cadmium (NiCad). However, cadmium is toxic, and batteries are considered hazardous waste. NiCad batteries also suffer from what’s called ‘memory effect.’ They don’t discharge completely, so each recharge is less effective, thus shortening useful life.
NiMH: Nickel Metal Hydride were the next round of batteries. They can store more energy, are not considered toxic waste, are cheaper, and suffer negligible memory effects. The majority of AA, AAA, C, and D cell rechargeable batteries available today are NiMH.
Li-ion: Lithium-ion is a more recent technology in batteries, though it is now widely available. The batteries are also non-hazardous, are capable of storing more energy than NiMH, and have no memory effect at all. However, they are more expensive and less tolerant of temperature variations.
Flow Batteries: Currently under development, this technology allows for an instantly rechargeable battery by swapping out the electrolyte fluid inside. It’s a bit like emptying a bucket of dirty water and filling it up with clean. Flow batteries are a very fast alternative to typical electric vehicle charging, but are unlikely to be practical for small rechargeable types.
Volts (V) and Amps Hours (Ah)
In most cases, voltage is of little concern. AA, AAA, C, and D rechargeable batteries all produce 1.2 volts. It’s simply a question of inserting the required number of batteries into the device. With other rechargeable battery types, voltage is normally made clear by the description, 9V, 12V, etc.
Amp-hours, or milliamp-hours (mAh) in the case of smaller batteries, can best be described as the amount of ‘fuel’ available. For example, with two otherwise identical AA batteries, one might be rated 900 mAh, the other 2,000 mAh. Although they are both putting out the same voltage, the latter will deliver the same level of performance for much longer before it needs to be recharged.
Recharge Cycles
All batteries degrade eventually, but the speed with which they do so is an important consideration. The usual figure for comparison is the number of times a battery can be recharged. Again using AAs, as a guide, one brand might be rated as rechargeable several hundred times, while another could recharge a couple of thousand times. The latter, though initially more expensive, might actually work out to be a better value.
Although NiMH batteries have almost no memory effect, the amount of charge they hold does diminish if they are not used and recharged regularly. It is called self-discharge. In a typical example, manufacturer figures state that by the time the battery is a year old it will only retain 90 percent of its charge. By the time it is five years old, that figure has diminished to 75 percent.
Why Should I Use Rechargeable Batteries?
On the whole, rechargeable batteries cost almost twice as much as regular batteries. However, when you consider that rechargeable batteries can be charged and recharged for years, it’s a worthwhile investment. Our winner, the Panasonic Eneloop can be charged a whopping 2,100 times. Yes, battery charging capabilities diminish over time, but the life cycle of a set of batteries will pay off after a mere handful of uses.
Then there are the issues of sustainability. According to the Sierra Club, if you use your rechargeable batteries for 150 cycles or more, the investment won’t simply be money Smart, but environmentally friendly. Plus, it keeps single-use batteries out of landfills, considering less than 10 percent are recycled.
FAQs
Q: How much do rechargeable batteries cost?
It depends on the type, brand, and pack quantity but popular AA and AAA rechargeable batteries cost between 450 and 3 each.
Q: What brand of rechargeable battery is the best?
Generally speaking, Energizer, Panasonic, and Duracell consistently rank among the best rechargeable batteries in independent tests. The text above provides useful information to help you select the best rechargeable batteries of different sizes.
Q: Which rechargeable battery lasts the longest?
Some lithium-ion and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries can be recharged more than 2,000 times. They might also offer a storage life of up to 10 years. Li-ion versions charge faster, but NiMH is more tolerant of temperature variations and usually less expensive.
Q: How much should I charge my iPhone?
Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other popular devices all run on lithium-ion batteries. While it’s tempting to charge your devices to their limits, experts recommend you perform what’s known as a shallow charge, to preserve the life of the battery. Begin recharging when your device dips to 50 percent power, but stop before the battery reaches 100 percent power.
Q: What is the best way to recycle rechargeable batteries?
The best way to recycle rechargeable batteries is to dispose of them properly with a retailer that sells rechargeable batteries, at a Safe Disposal Event, or at a designated drop-off location. It is illegal to put rechargeable or most single-use batteries in the trash, as they can be flammable.
Q: How long do rechargeable batteries last?
How long do rechargeable batteries last? As time goes on, you get diminishing returns, especially after about a year of use. On average, the lifespan of a rechargeable battery is about four years, but some brands tout lifespans as long as ten years, like the Panasonic Eneloop AA Battery.
Final Thoughts on the Best Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries allow you to create less waste and the technology is only improving. The Panasonic Eneloop AA Battery first came onto the market as Sanyo Eneloop, and quickly built a reputation for high performance and reliability. But if you’re looking for a battery for your vehicle, the Optima 12V battery is the best model currently available.
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