Rechargeable Batteries: Are some brands better than others at holding a charge and lasting longer?

Question

How many times can they be charged and how long should they last?

Answer 1

I'd go with the "bunny"!   He keeps going and going and going...

Answer 2

energizer one looks best to me.....

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Answer 3

I've been using rechargeable batteries for 15 years. I've had good ones and bad ones; treasures and trash.

Stick with any major brand that you recognize as a battery manufacturer; Duracell, Eveready, etc. Keep away from off-brands.

Avoid the NiCd's. Yes, some places still sell them, and at rather bargain prices. But they don't have the storage capacity of newer NiMh batteries. And the new NiMh batteries don't have problems with memory effect, so you can keep them on a charger when not in use.

Look for capacity ratings in mAh, milliAmpere hours. Don't get anything lower than 2000 mAh. Some Energizer's are 2500, and Duracell 2650. I have a dozen of the 2500, and they are fantastic.

One brand I avoid completely is Digital Concepts\Sakar. I have had a number of these, and asside from (1) not supplying rated capacity, (2) having lower cell voltage under load, I have found (3) they do not take as many charge\recharge cycles. Whether or not they will work for you is a decision you will have to make for yourself.

Most of the major brands should be able to deliver 500 or more charge\discharge cycles, and I've found them fully capable of meeting this ability. Some of my rechargeables have been in and out of my equipment for several years. I use two to three pairs a week, always keeping several pairs in the charger so that they will be ready to go.

Be aware that the NiMh have a faster self-discharge; that means if you charge them then remove them from the charger, they will discharge over the course of several weeks. Some of the newest ones boast that they no longer suffer this problem, but I haven't had the need to purchase any of them yet, so I don't have a feel for this claim.

Answer 4

more the most part they are all the same, as far as life of the battery, that depends on how often you use them, rechargble batteiies are like a piece of  elastic, evenualy they loose their ability to both vharge and hold a charge, if you keep pull elstic it eventualy stops streching and gets streched out

I work in consumer electroins retail for 30 years and sld rechargeable batteries daily