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This article goes through the benefits of rechargeable batteries and gives recommendations for products to choose. Also the cases when you should stick to disposable batteries are discussed.
The first rechargeable battery was invented way back in 1859 by a French physician Gaston Planté. After that rechargeables have gradually got better and better by becoming more efficient, affordable and more friendlier for the environment.
How much then you can actually save by switching to rechargeables? We have a provided a simple calculator to find out how much it costs to get as much use out of non-rechargeble batteries as it would from a single set of rechargeable batteries. In this calculation the reference number of cycles used is based on Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries (2100 cycles).
It is good to note that this calculator doesn´t take into account the cost of a charger and electricity that is needed to charge the rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, the possible loss of capacity with rechargeables is not considered. Still, this exercise should give you an idea of the savings you could rack up by making the switch. Based on the research by The Wirecutter, when compared to disposable batteries, rechargeables pay for themselves back after five to six recharges, even when the cost of the charger is included.
How about the rechargeables and the environment? They are significantly better against disposable alkaline batteries. For example, a research published in The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment discussed that rechargeables can be up to 131 times less harmful to human health. This number was calculated with 400 charging cycles. Many rechargeble batteries can handle significantly more cycles than that.
Still, whether talking about disposable or rechargeable batteries, it is important to recycle them. This not only prevents the harmful chemicals on batteries leaching to the environment but also gives raw material that can be used for making new batteries.
There are numerous brands offering rechargeable batteries. Our recommendation is the Eneloop line of products made by Panasonic. Yes, the same manufacturer that also happens to be the main battery supplier for Tesla.
Eneloop batteries can be recharged up to 2100 times, handle cold well, and are made in Japan. The batteries are also pre-charged by using solar power so you don´t have to charge them before first use. Further, they are exceptional with retaining their charge and also do not suffer from a memory effect: this basically means that you don´t have to completely discharge the battery before recharging it.
Below we have listed two Eneloop combos, first one with charger and AA batteries and the other with charger and AAA batteries included.
Per an article provided by the New York Times, disposable batteries should be still used with low-power devices such as wall clocks. Same guidance goes also for smoke alarms and other mission critical cases such as emergency kits.
This post is one of the saving tips on our list, 100+ Ways to Save Money.
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