What are the best AA rechargeable batteries?

[DisneyCrazy2]

The batteries in my digital camera are not holding the charge very long and I am going to buy new ones. Please provide your input on the best AA rechargeable batteries.....

 

[11290]

I started using the RayOVac Hybrids (same as eneloops) in my flashgun. Work great. Got mine 4 for $10 at Target.

 

[zackiedawg]

Look up PowerEx batteries. In most reviews I've seen, they rank at or near the top in every power range. They've got some of the higher capacity AAs out there, and hold their charge surprisingly well. I have 4 PowerEx AAs I bought for my camera back in May 2006, and I used them thoroughly through June 08 when I bought my DSLR - I passed them on to my stepfather for his camera, and he's still using them currently. He just took a 50-day cruise around South America armed with his Sony H1 and those 4 batteries - 2,100 shots and no complaints of running out of juice!

 

[GrumpyOne]

Batteries are rated in mAh (miliamp hours). For AA, 1800 is a fairly low rating, 2300 and 2500 are sort of high for the more common batteries and 3000+ are available but take some effort to find. The higher the number, the more juice they have and the longer they'll last on a charge,

 

[boBQuincy]

The batteries in my digital camera are not holding the charge very long and I am going to buy new ones. Please provide your input on the best AA rechargeable batteries.....

It depends. There are two basic types of NiMH chemistries, one has a higher capacity but a quicker self-discharge, the other (Eneloop and such) has a smaller capacity but a very low self-discharge.

If you need capacity and will use the batteries shortly after charging then the standard NiMh is your battery. If you expect the batteries to work a month after charging then the Eneloop type is your best choice. I like the Powerex/Maha batteries from Thomas Distributing, their Imedion series is the Eneloop type.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Ditto on the PowerExs. I have used them for 7 years now and wouldn't buy anything else!

TC

 

[WillCAD]

I've had good experiences with Monster Cable brand AAs. I've had two pair that I've used in my Fuji camera and my Canon flashes for about 6 years, and they still hold a full charge.

 

[boBQuincy]

Batteries are rated in mAh (miliamp hours). For AA, 1800 is a fairly low rating, 2300 and 2500 are sort of high for the more common batteries and 3000+ are available but take some effort to find. The higher the number, the more juice they have and the longer they'll last on a charge,

mAh is the only rating we can find on most batteries, unfortunately there is no standard on how to test for mAh. A less than scrupulous supplier can claim almost any rating they please (and some appear to do just that). Buying according to mAh is a good idea but be wary of exaggerated claims.

 

[YesDear]

I also endorse Powerx and Thomas Distributing. They also have a great charger that will charge 1-8 batteries at a time. Made by Maha which is powerx. It is not cheap but you get what you pay for! Powerx currently has 2700mh batteries. That is what you want!

I also have a tip for you. Say your camera takes two batteries. Mark them with a letter on them. Use them, charge them, etc. as pairs or sets and you will not run into older and newer batteries!

Bob also has a great tip about the batteries that hold a charge over time. I have a set of those I use if I need them quickly and cannot plan to charge before hand.

 

[manning]

I hear Sanyo is also good.

 

[Evad]

Here is a vote for energizers. I use the 2500mAh AA batterys. They work really well in my SB400





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