Rechargeable AA Batteries

[Thulsa Doom]

My current crop of rechargeable AA batteries have became greedy, where they consume electricity during recharge (and appear to charge) but don't seem to want to relinquish any of it.

So I'm looking at getting another 8-10 batteries but want to get quality ones.
Will be using in digital cameras etc.

Any recommendations?

[Penfold]

Ansmann all the way for me (with an Ansmann Energy 8 charger)

I use them for all the kids' toys as they have an irritating habit of not switching them off.

I've tried several and the cheaper brands - like Uniross - just didn't cut it for me.

I know Duracell now do them and I haven't tried those.

hth

PEN

[Carr0t]

I use the Duracell 2600 mAh ones in my 360 and Wii controllers. They certainly last a good long time. I do a lot of gaming and they seem to last about as long as the official 360 recharge packs. I charge them up about once a fortnight, often less frequently if i've not been able to game every night.

[Gandalf]

Ansmann all the way for me (with an Ansmann Energy 8 charger)

I use them for all the kids' toys as they have an irritating habit of not switching them off.

I've tried several and the cheaper brands - like Uniross - just didn't cut it for me.

I know Duracell now do them and I haven't tried those.

hth

PEN

Duracell are ok, as are uniross. It's the charger that makes the difference.

Ansman as suggested is the way to go. I've got a powerline 5 LCD which is an intelligent charger. Since using this I've not had any problems, even with cheaper batteries.

[BigFatCat]

I got some 2800mah AAs from Lidl, 4 for a quid. Been fine for me.

[OldBloke]

I got some 2800mah AAs from Lidl, 4 for a quid. Been fine for me.

Too 'pikey' for Aldi eh?

[T-Bag]

Look for anything 2800mAh, they should all be fairly similar for quite a few recharge cycles.
I found Duracell ones expensive for what they did. I got some free Uniross ones with a charger (800mAh) which are only good for remote controls, but not tried their higher power ones.
Maplin had some at a reasonable price...but because they were a reasonable price I got so many I've lost track how many times I've charged each of them so don't know about the long run, but it's all good so far, had them over a year.
(not a huge user of batteries though)

[Dr Sadako]

Sure there is quality differences between different brands. However, most batteries will not survive more than 600-1000 cycles anyway. The most important thing regarding rechargeable batteries is to run them dry _before_ recharging them. That will a) increase the number of cycles you get out of the battery and b) increase the number of cycles.

[Penfold]

..... is to run them dry _before_ recharging them.

I think most decent chargers - Ansmann anyway - empty the batteries before charging them up.

PEN

[Anonymous]

The most important thing regarding rechargeable batteries is to run them dry _before_ recharging them.

Yes for NiCad and NiMH but not if they are Lithium Ion

[Dr Sadako]

Yes for NiCad and NiMH but not if they are Lithium Ion

True, but they are more expensive and have only about 400 recharge cycles. Life time is about 2-3 years.

[Anonymous]

True, but they are more expensive and have only about 400 recharge cycles. Life time is about 2-3 years.

Agreed, so far I haven't been too impressed with Li-on batteries - a Bosch sander lasted 3 months before it stopped recharging