Best AA and AAA rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable batteries are an investment, and the best will last for hundreds of hours of use. 

They have several advantages over disposable batteries. Although they cost more to buy, rechargeable batteries can greatly reduce costs over the long run and are kinder to the environment than disposables.

Our rigorous testing gives a complete picture of every battery's performance. We measure their longevity when they're powering high-drain devices, test their capacity and how it changes after many recharges, as well as assess any leakage when they're left idle for a long time.

We compare batteries from the biggest brands on the market, including Duracell, Energizer and Varta, as well as testing own-brand batteries, such as those from Amazon and Ikea, and have found some surprising results.

The AA and AAA rechargeable batteries we tested

The biggest brands and the most popular ten rechargeable batteries are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our rechargeable battery test results. 

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Amazon Basics AA Rechargeable Batteries 2,000mAh Pre-charged

Most recently tested June 2022

Capacity 2,000mAh

Time taken to charge 257 mins

Amazon Basics AAA Rechargeable Batteries 800mAh Pre-charged

Most recently tested June 2022

Capacity 800mAh

Time taken to charge 229 mins

Duracell Rechargeable AA HR6 1,300mAh

Most recently tested September 2025

Capacity 1,300mAh

Time taken to charge 168 mins

Duracell AAA Recharge Plus

Most recently tested May 2019

Capacity 750mAh

Time taken to charge 223 mins

Energizer Universal AA HR6 1,300mAh

Available from Battery Station (£6.49, pack of 4)

Most recently tested September 2025

Capacity 1,300mAh

Time taken to charge 171 mins

Need more power on the go? Check out the best portable power bank chargers

Energizer Recharge Extreme AAA

Most recently tested June 2023

Capacity 800mAh

Time taken to charge 250 mins

Ikea Ladda HR06 AA 1.2V 2,450mAh

Available from Ikea (£8.00, pack of four) 

Most recently tested June 2022

Capacity 2,450mAh

Time taken to charge 319 mins

Ikea Ladda HR03 AAA 1.2V 750mAh

Available from Ikea (£4.00, pack of four) 

Most recently tested June 2022

Capacity 750mAh

Time taken to charge 238 mins

Varta Recharge Accu Power AA 2,100mAh

Most recently tested June 2022

Capacity 2,100mAh

Time taken to charge 266 mins

Varta Recharge Accu Power AAA 1,000mAh

Most recently tested September 2024

Capacity 1,000mAh

Time taken to charge 312 mins

More AA and AAA rechargeable batteries from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the rechargeable batteries from our tests measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

Which? Don't Buy AA and AAA rechargeable batteries

Our tests uncover the best and the worst. If a product performs so poorly that we think you should avoid it, we call it a Don't Buy. We've tested two rechargeable batteries that we've named Don't Buys.

Don't Buys typically struggle with retaining their charge when not in use - inconvenient if you need them to be ready at a moment's notice. This also results in more frequent recharging, which speeds up natural capacity decline.

Log in or join Which? to reveal those batteries we've named Don't Buys.

How we test rechargeable batteries

We test every rechargeable battery in the Which? test lab using a strict set of criteria to sort the exceptional models from the short-lived.

• How long will the rechargeable batteries last We test rechargeable batteries in high-drain conditions to reveal which keep even the most power-hungry devices running for longest on a single charge.
• Do the batteries last for as long when recharged multiple times We recharge and discharge each rechargeable battery hundreds of times in some of the toughest conditions you could use them in at home, such as with a bright LED pocket torch, to reveal which batteries last the distance. We also measure each battery’s capacity throughout to find out for how long they can reach at least 80% of their initial capacity, and for how long they can reach 60% of their initial capacity (the point at which you’ll notice you have to recharge them more often).
• How long will rechargeable batteries stay charged All rechargeable batteries ‘leak away’ their charge over time, so we test this by fully charging eight batteries from each brand on test and then leaving them unused. We measure the amount of power remaining in four of the batteries after 25 days, and the amount of power remaining in the other four batteries after 50 days.
• Do rechargeable batteries live up to their capacity claims We measure the capacity of each battery, measured in milliamp hours (mAh), in our lifetime tests and compare it with the capacity stated on the packet. The higher the capacity rating, the longer the batteries should keep your devices powered.
• Which rechargeable batteries charge the fastest We measure how long each set of batteries takes to charge using our smart charger on the soft-charge (i.e. not super-fast) setting. However, charging time isn't factored into the total test score because it depends directly on the capacity of the rechargeable batteries you choose; smaller-capacity batteries typically charge faster.

We regularly revisit rechargeable batteries on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do so.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

Battery charger buying tips

We asked hundreds of Which? members what is important and useful to them about their battery charger. Read the tips below to help choose the best for you – and avoid purchasing a dud.

• An indicator to show when the battery is charging or fully charged (60% found this important).
• How many different sizes of batteries it can charge (51% found this important).
• Trickle-charge function. Useful especially if your batteries aren’t low self-discharge as this helps with battery longevity (45% found this important).
• A charger that shows you how much capacity remains. The maximum charge a rechargeable battery can achieve naturally decreases over time.

 (Based on a survey of 1,346 Which? members) 

Different types of battery charger

• Smart charger Also known as delta-V chargers, these monitor the voltage levels in each battery and stop charging (or switch to a low trickle-charge setting) when they’re full. They're usually the best choice for keeping rechargeable batteries in good shape, as they prevent overcharging, which can reduce battery lifetime.
• Trickle charger These push a low ‘trickle’ charge through batteries for a long period of time to help prevent damage and degradation. Some have timers, so they turn off automatically after a set period of time. This won’t necessarily prevent overcharging or undercharging because the time will vary depending on other factors, such as the battery’s capacity, chemistry and age. Trickle chargers are particularly useful if your rechargeable batteries aren’t ‘low self-discharge’ models (which have technology to stop them leaking away their charge when not in use).
• Other battery chargers If a battery charger isn't marked as a smart charger or trickle charger, it’s likely to be a more basic model that pumps a constant electrical current through batteries until you unplug it. These models are often cheaper but it can be hard to tell when batteries are fully charged - and the charger won’t stop charging them when they are. This increases the risk of overcharging, which can cause long-term damage. If left unplugged, this could result in the batteries being undercharged or even flat the next time you need them.

Battery charger speeds

The type of battery charger that's best for you will depend on how you plan to charge your batteries, and how much you want to spend.

Super-fast chargers Battery charging technology is constantly evolving, and many smart chargers are claimed to charge batteries in under an hour. The fastest models should be able to charge in 15 minutes – which is convenient, as you don’t need to think about charging your batteries before you want to use them. They tend to be pricier than other battery chargers, however. 

Slower chargers Manufacturers often state the expected charging time on their battery chargers – for example, both Duracell and Energizer sell a ‘one hour’ charger, among other models. Exactly how long it will take depends on the capacity of your rechargeable batteries. In the same charger, higher-capacity batteries will take longer to charge than lower-capacity ones. Other chargers are designed to be left charging overnight – some have auto shut-off functions after certain time periods to minimise overcharging.

Can smoke detectors and other alarms use rechargeable batteries?

They can, but we wouldn't recommend it because of potential problems with charge retention. For devices such as alarms, this could become inconvenient, even dangerous. Matt Stevens, our expert on carbon monoxide, heat and smoke alarms, offers this advice:

Find the best smart smoke alarm for your home with our smoke alarm reviews