Best value AA batteries

[lustyd]

Alkalines normally stay active for a long time, rechargeables can self discharge making them useless for safety equipment

Again though, quality modern ones don't do this and will hold a charge for a year easily.

 

[mickywillis]

CPC don't seem to stock multi pack any more.

Strange as I bought a 40 pack from CPC last week, (Order Code BT05619) for £6.35 +VAT???

 

[ghostlymoron]

Strange as I bought a 40 pack from CPC last week, (Order Code BT05619) for £6.35 +VAT???

As I said in earlier posts. They are available, I was mistaken but the delivery charge on small orders makes them unattractive.

 

[PilotWolf]

Damn I can buy 40 for about £5 or very often one store gives them away as a promotional deal if you buy something else.

W.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Can anyone recommend any rechargeables that actually work?

I went through a phase several years ago of trying to run with rechargeables but found many cases where they didn't work well (maybe 1.2V vs 1.5V) and when you can get alkaline batteries at 20p each they aren't really cost effective either

But I would like to try again - if I could find a style that would deliver high current at 1.5V

That's two questions.

The Eneloop is widely regarded as the best AA rechargeable for capacity, discharge curve and life. Mentioned above is the fact that the Ikea rechargeable is suspected to be a rebadged Eneloop. I've just checked, and I bought the first of about 40 of them in Jan 2013 (I'm a bit surprised at how long ago it was) and none have shown any noticeable difference in discharge. Like @JumbleDuck I got very used to dead NiCads, but other brands of Lithium Ion have been almost as bad.

Eneloops are bound to be a target for fakes, so only buy them from somewhere reputable.

Rechargeable chemistry limits them to a nominal 1.2v ⃰ . That's not really a problem in things like torches - you just recharge more frequently. Where it can be a problem is in electronics that have an inbuilt low voltage cutoff, The window between a fully charged rechargeable working or not can be frustratingly small. Manufacturers cater for the fact that most people use disposables, but thankfully, a few have software that let you specify.

⃰ (I've just checked three Eneloops which have been sitting for a while, and saw 1.43, 1.46 and 1,49v).

 

[WoodyP]

Screwfix - Varta, currently pack of 24 AA at £6.99. Was £9.99

I had a pack that leaked and lost power. Never again

 

[savageseadog]

Again though, quality modern ones don't do this and will hold a charge for a year easily.

The problem is, which rechargeables are good and which aren't. Alkaline cells are normally pretty consistent in their ageing and charge delivery.

 

[savageseadog]

The problem is, which rechargeables are good and which aren't. Alkaline cells are normally pretty consistent in their ageing and charge delivery, I've known them to last a decade.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I bought some "Energizer" lithium non rechargeable AA batteries from I think Superdrug. They are about £5.50
for four.

They lasted forever in my H/H GPS and will definitely use them again. I don't use them that often though.
Slight downside. They pack up without too much warning.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The problem is, which rechargeables are good and which aren't. Alkaline cells are normally pretty consistent in their ageing and charge delivery.

Eneloop, as per post #45 and others.

 

[jim.howes]

Screwfix DIALL batteries very good.