Best AAA rechargeable currently available?

[I like Skol]

I've been running Eneloops in the bike lights for donkeys years now but recently a few have started dying off a bit quick and sure enough, a charge test shows they have lost a fair chunk of capacity.

I'm looking to replace the worst, they have done their duty in less than ideal conditions (left out in subzero temps when at work, sometimes left flat for short periods etc) so don't owe me anything.

Just a quick question to see what is the best (value) battery at the moment? I know Eneloops were touted as the best a while ago, but these have changed from Sanyo to Panasonic as the manufacturer and some internet tales suggest they ain't what they used to be. Has anything else surpassed these now?

Suggestions and best suppliers please

 

[DCBassman]

The name change was just that - a name change. Doubt if anything except new Eneloops are better than old Eneloops.

 

[Slioch]

I've been using Duracell rechargeables the last couple of years. The main reason I got these is because they hold their charge really well when not being used.

 

[Jenkins]

7dayshop's own brand "Good to go" range. Don't bother with the higher power and ECO versions. Another one that holds the charge very well when not in use.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Ikea LADDA batteries are eneloops, and much cheaper

https://www.slrlounge.com/panasonic-eneloop-vs-ikea-ladda-are-they-the-same/

 

[Drago]

Panasonic/Eneloop for sure. They're to ones that seem to garner most praise in the ham radio world.

 

[ianrauk]

7dayshop's own brand "Good to go" range. Don't bother with the higher power and ECO versions. Another one that holds the charge very well when not in use.

These, very good batteries.

 

[I like Skol]

So, to summarise, it seems there are alternatives that can be as good or almost as good as Eneloops, but for a lower price. As price is not the main consideration I think I will stick with the classic Eneloops as these have a high usage cycle and I can mix them with the best of my existing stock (although will probably mark them and use seperately).
The Ikea ones sound good, except I would rather shove a 4R25 up my jacksy than visit the Ikea store to pick some up (and my nearest store is less than a mile away, I will be passing it later this morning) just to save a few quid.

Thanks for all the suggestions. A pack of 8 classic Eneloops are now speeding towards my home from the Amazon warehouse.

 

[mjr]

Yep, still eneloops. I've tried various others (including green/eco-branded competitors from Uniross and Duracell, plus some from Lidl) and the only ones which came close are maplin hybrid (so not getting them any more!) and infrapower low-discharge.

Recent eneloops don't seem to like being run flat in low-discharge applications like rear bike lights or little in-cupboard lights. I've managed to bring most of them back with a battery wizard but I'd recharge them at the first sign of trouble, or periodically just to be sure.

 

[I like Skol]

Recent eneloops don't seem to like being run flat in low-discharge applications like rear bike lights or little in-cupboard lights. I've managed to bring most of them back with a battery wizard but I'd recharge them at the first sign of trouble, or periodically just to be sure.

This might be my problem. I tend to run them until the lights start to lose brightness then charge them at the end of that ride. I guess at that point they are well into the damaging discharged part of the cycle?

I will try to get into the habit of charging them more regularly just to be sure, this shouldn't cause any problems as they are not supposed to develop a memory like the old NiCds. This also confuses me with the recovery thing. I have a charger that has a 'refresh' option. This will repeatedly charge and drain the batteries until they have achieved the maximum capacity, but how does this work if they don't suffer 'memory effect' to recover from? Surely any recovered capacity will be short lived if the batteries are at end of life?

 

[mjr]

This might be my problem. I tend to run them until the lights start to lose brightness then charge them at the end of that ride. I guess at that point they are well into the damaging discharged part of the cycle?

I'm not sure, but I think the problems start when one cell is almost totally flat but others are still supplying enough power to light it up, the near-flat cell keeps getting discharged until the point it fails. This may be why batteries that I've kept together in a light seem to last longer than just taking the last charged AAs from the tray, as they lose capacity at a similar rate and so one isn't near-flat long before the others.

I will try to get into the habit of charging them more regularly just to be sure, this shouldn't cause any problems as they are not supposed to develop a memory like the old NiCds. This also confuses me with the recovery thing. I have a charger that has a 'refresh' option. This will repeatedly charge and drain the batteries until they have achieved the maximum capacity, but how does this work if they don't suffer 'memory effect' to recover from? Surely any recovered capacity will be short lived if the batteries are at end of life?

I don't understand how that would work either. As far as I can tell from watching its display, my battery wizard only discharges once (and then not as flat as a battery can get in a low-drain light), then tries charging until it can't charge any more, then discharges for a few seconds before restarting charging.

 

[Wobblers]

The name change was just that - a name change. Doubt if anything except new Eneloops are better than old Eneloops.

Alas, that's not actually the case. When Panasonic bought Sanyo, the y were required by the competition authorities to sell off sanyo's battery business. The Japanese factory making Eneloops was bought by FDK. Panasonic have opened a new factory in China making Eneloops, though they still source Eneloops from FDK as well. So now we have "made in China" and "made in Japan" Eneloops. Someone over on Candlepower forums actually tested both -and the original Japanese cells lasted a good deal longer. (Now that's dedication for you!)

My advice is to look for low self discharge cells that are made in Japan, because the only place they can come from is the FDK plant. They're Eneloops in all but name. The Ikea Ladda batteries are supposed to be Eneloops (though I've yet to get my hands on any to confirm this) but the precharged Duracell batteries were, at least when I got some a couple of years ago. FDK actually sell their batteries through the "Fujitsu" brand. I do have those batteries, and they do indeed perform exactly like Eneloops. 7 Day Shop sell them, and they're a good deal cheaper than the Panasonic Eneloops.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I have used the Vapex ones for years with no problems and component shop have been good to deal with.

https://www.componentshop.co.uk/batteries/standard-rechargeable/low-self-discharge.html

 

[I like Skol]

I forgot to come back with an update. My Eneloops arrived quickly, the main worry was the place of manufacture. Apparently Japan is good, China not so good. Mine are from Japan