Are you tired of your flashlight always running out of batteries at the wrong time? Are you done spending money on disposable batteries? Are you in need of better batteries for your flashlight than what you are currently using? If you answered yes to any of these questions you are definitely in the right spot. Rechargeable batteries and flashlights often go hand and hand, but with so many sizes and brands to choose from how do you know you are getting the best. Keep on reading to discover even more about rechargeable batteries in 2024.
Short On Time? Here Is The Bullet List:
Best Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries on the Market:
- Best 18650 Battery: No products found.
- Best RCR123A/16340 Battery: No products found.
- Best 26650 Battery: No products found.
- Best 14500 Battery: No products found.
- Best 10440 Battery: TrustFire 10440 Li-ion Battery
Best NiMH Rechargeable Batteries on the Market:
- Best Rechargeable AAA Batteries: Panasonic BK-4HCCA4BA Eneloop Pro AAA
- Best Rechargeable AA Batteries: Sanyo Eneloop AA Batteries
- Best Rechargeable C Batteries: EBL 5000mAh Ni-MH
- Best Rechargeable D Batteries: Powerex Low Self-Discharge D NiMH Batteries
**Below are our more detailed reviews. Click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
What is a Rechargeable Battery?
Also referred to as secondary batteries, rechargeable batteries are just as the name suggests; they can be recharged and reused multiple times. Rechargeable batteries are assembled with heir active materials in a discharged state. This is why all rechargeable batteries need to be fully charged before their first use. Chargers and rechargers are used for recharging secondary batteries. The exact one required will depend on the battery purchased. For flashlight purposes, there are two main types of rechargeable batteries: Li-ion and NiMH. Li-ion batteries are designed for the light, while NiMH batteries can be used in place of regular alkaline batteries.
Benefits of Rechargeable Batteries
If you haven’t made the switch from disposable to rechargeable batteries let us briefly explain to you some of the benefits.
Economical
This might sound a little strange giving the price you pay upon first purchasing the batteries, but it is something that is true. The initial cost upfront is more for a single battery or even for multiple packs, but in the long run, you will end up saving money. Consumers save money with rechargeable batteries because they can be reused hundreds of times before they have to be replaced. Don’t believe us, just do the math. Even if you can only recharge the battery 100 times, think about how much money you spend on 100 disposable batteries.
Convenience
With rechargeable batteries, you always have batteries on hand. You don’t have to run to the store because you used the last disposable battery and now need to replace it because you forgot you were running low. If you think ahead of time you can even arrange it to where you have a set charged and ready to go before your current set dies.
Environmentally Friendly
This is one of those feel-good perks that not everybody thinks about. With single-use batteries, you have to toss them out each time you need a new one. The trouble with throwing away the old batteries isn’t just that they are taking up space in a landfill. The biggest issue with disposable batteries is they often contain toxic chemicals and metals that leach into the soil. Disposable batteries need special care to dispose of properly and not everybody does that. Rechargeable batteries use fewer natural resources to produce them, as they can be reused. Information shows that rechargeable use 23 fewer non-renewable natural resources than disposables. Rechargeable batteries also do not contain environmentally hazardous chemicals or metals.
Long-Lasting
If you are using a device that requires a lot of power, such as a high powered flashlight, you want a battery that is going to last. Often times the rechargeable batteries will last longer on a single charge than an ordinary alkaline battery. The key to getting a longer lasting battery is purchasing a high-quality rechargeable battery from the start.
Factors to Consider When Buying Rechargeable Batteries
Buying rechargeable batteries is not just as simple as walking into a store and grabbing the first pack you see. If you have ever walked into a battery store, you already know what I am talking about. Not only are there various brands to choose from there is also size and type and other factors to consider.
Compatibility
The first thing you need to do is determine if the batteries you are purchasing are compatible with your flashlight. Your flashlight manual will tell you what size batteries your light requires, as well as how many batteries you will need. Some lights may take more than one size battery, so make sure you pay close attention.
Type of battery
Nickel and lithium rechargeable batteries each have their pros and cons. You need to determine what style is right for your needs, as well as what type will work with your flashlight. Nickel batteries come in either nickel cadmium or NiMH. NiCd batteries have a shorter shelf life than NiMH batteries; their life decreases with each charge and should only be charged once fully depleted. NiMH can be charged at any time because they have no memory. Lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect and will hold their charge for months on end when not being used. These batteries can be charged at any time with no ill effects.
Battery life
Battery lifeAlways look at the milliamp rating (mAh) on the rechargeable battery. This rating tells you the amount of energy the battery holds. The higher the mAh the longer it will be able to power your flashlight before it needs to be recharged.
Charger
If you want to recharge your batteries you are going to need some type of charger. Purchase a charger that will work with the rechargeable batteries you are buying. You want to find a reliable charger that uses a constant current/constant voltage algorithm. Pay attention to what size batteries the charger will accept, your good ones will work with different sized batteries and different types of batteries.
Safety features
Look at the various safety features the batteries offer. “Protected” batteries are your best choice; some flashlights will only work with protected batteries. Avoid batteries that are or have been the subject of government or industry recalls.
Reviews
It is easy to simply purchase a battery based on its price, but often time cheap batteries are dangerous. Never purchase a battery based on priced online, despite its good ratings. Read through consumer reviews for both the batteries and chargers you are thinking about purchasing. Don’t just read one or two; look into different sources to get a true idea about the product.
Best Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries on the Market
Best 18650 Battery:
No products found.
No products found.The Sanyo GA Unprotected High Drain offers a flat top battery perfect for high drain devices. The unprotected battery offers a rating of 3500mAh maximum with a maximum continuous discharge rate of 10A. The voltage on the battery varies from 3.6 to 3.7 volts. The battery needs to be fully charged to 4.2 volts before its first use. After 250 charge and recharge cycles, the battery capacity will drop by 60%. To prolong battery life the batteries must be stored in the proper case in a cool dry place.
Pros:
- Excellent for high drain devices
- 2 batteries in a pack
- Fast charging time
- Comes with plastic case
Cons:
- Might not be as bright in some flashlights due to the 10A
No products found.
Best RCR123A/16340 Battery:
No products found.
No products found.Made by Fenix, the ARB-L16-700 battery is an excellent choice for flashlights that require an RCR123A/16340 battery. Even though it is made by Fenix it can be used in other lights without any problems. The ARB-L16-700 is rated at 700mAh with a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts. The Fenix ARB-L16-700 offers multiple layers of protection and will last for 500 charging cycles if it is properly maintained. The shell has been covered in steel for impact resistance and offers three sets of over-head protection. The battery also offers overcharge, discharge, overheating, and short circuit protection.
Pros:
- Offers impact protection
- Can be bought in multiples
- Long life
Cons:
- Must be careful with the type of charger used
No products found.
Best 26650 Battery:
No products found.
No products found.If you are looking for a reliable 26650 battery for your flashlight, the KeepPower IMR 26650 is an excellent choice. KeepPower is made by a well-known manufacturer with a solid reputation in the industry. The KeepPower IMR 26650 is rated at 5200mAh, has a 30A discharge rate and offers 3.7 volts maximum. The 5200mAh rating is when the battery is operating at its top performance; it has a minimum capacity of 5100mAh with a 0.2 C discharge rate. The 26650 takes 2 hours to fully charge and can be charged and discharged up to 2,000 times before it needs to be replaced.
Pros:
- Excellent for high drain devices
- 2 batteries in a pack
- Fast charging time
- Comes with plastic case
Cons:
- Positive end is a bit soft
- Magnets will not work on the positive side
No products found.
Best 14500 Battery:
No products found.
No products found.Nitecore NL147R 14500 is made by the well-known flashlight manufacturer Nitecore, but it can be used in any flashlight that requires a 14500 battery. The Nitecore NL147R has a rating of 750mAh with a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts. The battery itself is coated with a durable metallic film to protect the battery from abrasion. The battery also offers a built-in PTC to protect from high current surges. Other protections include a pressure relief valve and a microporous barrier. This battery also gives the benefit of not needing a separate charger since you can just plug it in with a standart micro-USB
Pros:
- Well-known manufacturer
- Long life
- Quick charge time
- mAh rating as stated
Cons:
- Does not come with charger
No products found.
Best 10440 Battery:
TrustFire 10440 Li-ion Battery
If you are looking for a 10440 battery for flashlights, the TrustFire 10440 is an excellent choice. One of the greatest things about this battery is it works for a long time and has no memory effect, so you can recharge at will. The TrustFire 10440 is one of the newest batteries on the market, but it has proven itself time and again. The battery is rated at 600mAh, which is one of the highest ratings you will find with 10440 sized batteries. The nominal voltage comes in at 3.7 volts. The battery fully charges within 2 to 3 hours and can be charged up to 500 times before it needs to be replaced.
Pros:
- Comes in a 4 pack
- Quick charging time
- Protection Circuit Board
Cons:
- Circuit board makes the battery a bit too long
Best NiMH Rechargeable Batteries on the Market
Best Rechargeable AAA Batteries:
Panasonic BK-4HCCA4BA Eneloop Pro AAA
For your AAA batteries, the Panasonic Eneloop Pro is the best choice for NiMH rechargeable batteries. They have a typical rating of 950mAh with a minimum rating of 900mAh. The high capacity batteries are ready to use straight out of the package; no need to charge before use. The Eneloop Pro will work in extreme temperatures all the way down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The Eneloop Pro batteries can be recharged up to 500 times after that they will need to be replaced. With no memory effect, they can be charged when fully or partially charged without any adverse effects to the battery. When properly stored the batteries will maintain 85% of their charge for an entire year when not in use.
Pros:
- Pre-charged using solar power
- Works in low temperatures
- Better power for high drain devices
- Low self-discharge
Cons:
- Takes up to 10 hours to charge once fully dead
Best Rechargeable AA Batteries:
Sanyo Eneloop AA Batteries
The Sanyo Eneloop battery is actually one of the best selling batteries in the industry with a 2000mAh rating. The Sanyo Eneloop AA batteries have the ability to be recharged up to 2100 times before they need to be replaced. Even after years of storage, the Sanyo Eneloop will retain its charge. When properly stored at around 20 degrees Celsius the Sanyo Eneloop AA battery will retain 90% of its charges after 6 months and after five years will retain 70% of its charge. These batteries can be used in any device, including high drain devices that accept AA batteries and can be recharged with any NiMH battery charger. With no memory effect, the batteries can be recharged at any time and will work in temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius.
Pros:
- Can be recharged with any NiMH charger
- Faster charging times than Eneloop Pro
- Low self-discharge rate
Cons:
- Can not be used straight out of the package
Best Rechargeable C Batteries:
EBL 5000mAh Ni-MH
The EBL C battery is an upgraded cell that uses ProCyco Technology and offers a rating of 5000mAh with a nominal voltage of 1.2V making them an excellent choice for high drain devices like flashlights. These batteries have an improved low self-discharge rate so they will be able to retain 75% of their charge capacity after not being used for 3 years. The EBL 5000mAh Ni-MH batteries can be recharged up to 1200 times and come pre-charged so they are ready to use right out of the package. The EBL 5000mAh Ni-MH C battery can be safely used in any device requiring C sized batteries and will charge with any NI-MH charges designed for C batteries.
Pros:
- Comes with storage case
- Use any Ni-MH charger for C batteries
- Low self-discharge
Cons:
- Only charged up to 20% with solar power before being packaged
Best Rechargeable D Batteries:
Powerex Low Self-Discharge D NiMH Batteries
The Powerex Low Self-Discharge batteries can be purchased in a variety of packages (1, 2, or 4). The D battery offers a typical rating of 10,000mAh with a nominal voltage of 1.2V. The minimum capacity of these batteries is 9,000mAh. The low self-discharge aspect allows the battery to retain a nearly full charge even after being stored for a period of time. After 1 year of storage, the battery can retain up to 85% of its charge. The retention ability of these batteries will vary based on actual storage conditions. For best retention ability store them in a cool, dry place. The Powerex batteries come pre-charged for use directly out of the package. The rechargeable Ni-MH batteries are able to be recharged hundreds of times before needing to be replaced.
Pros:
- Low self-discharge
- High power capacity
- Rechargeable hundreds of times
Cons:
- Pre-charge isn’t always at full capacity
Best Rechargeable Batteries Final Thoughts
Rechargeable batteries are not just better for the environment, they are actually better for you. With rechargeable batteries you have the convenience of always having batteries on hand; you can always have a set charged and ready to go. Low self-discharge rates and high power capacity make rechargeable batteries the best choice for high drain devices. The best rechargeable batteries for your flashlights will depend on what size battery your light needs. The best batteries will offer high power capacity, a low self-discharge rate, and the ability to be recharged hundreds of times without affecting performance.
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