Sanyo Eneloop batteries good for 1,500 recharges, maintain 70% charge even after 3 years in storage
By Thomas Ricker 
posted October 6th 2009 9:50AM
posted October 6th 2009 9:50AM
We've got a thing for Sanyo's Eneloops. Had it ever since Sanyo released us from the clutches of underperforming NiCad and NiMH batteries about five years ago. Its latest AA and AAA batteries can be recharged about 1,500 times, that's about 3 years of continuous service and 500 more cycles than competing rechargeables, according to Sanyo. The batteries also feature a low self-discharge rate so they remain usable even after they've been charged and stored in a drawer. In fact, an Eneloop will maintain about 75% of its charged power even after three years. Impressive, we know, and the reason they come pre-charged from the factory for immediate use of out the box. And compared to disposables, they're as good for the environment as they are for your wallet over the long run.
i need to buy batteries for my dslr and i dont know much about it, are this the best ones?
They are very good and hold their charge very well when not in use. Typical Ni-MH batteries will lose a lot of charge when not in use so you have to constantly keep them charged.
Apart from Li Ion batteries, yes. However, RCR-V3 have too much voltage for the few DSLRs that still use AA batteries. But are you sure your DSLR uses AA batteries? AFAIK only Pentax does that, every other manufacturer has moved on to the by far superior Li Ion technology.
Been out for few years now, nothing really special except they claim you get 1500 than the average 1000.
I'm not sure what happened to Uniross which made a similar battery called Hybrio, but I know they were supplied by the North American Battery Company, which seem to have their own version now called Ultralast Green.
The downside with the Sanyo chemistry is lower energy content than comparable Ni-MH cells. However, long term storage without complete self-discharge is a huge advantage for many markets.
Indeed. It means the hotshoe flash I keep in my camera bag is always ready to go when I occasionally need it.
You can usually get a big pack with 8-12 AA 2AAA and C & D adapters at Costco for 20.00.
Sort of hard to find, but I love the eneloops I have. My TiVo Remote has them, my GH guitars have them, and best of all the Wiimotes have them AND they match the Wii's color scheme.
These are hardly new, but they are nevertheless great. The fact they they actually hold a charge is awesome, and was the biggest problem with rechargeables in the past. I use these alot in my high power LED flashlight which can drain batteries quite fast and also in my wireless mouse which is just kinda crappy and eats batteries.
They actually have a really good deal on a bundle of these at Costco. It comes with like 8 AA's, 2AAA's, spacers to use them as C's or D's and a charger for about 28 bucks. Highly recommended.
I love eneloops!! Going more than a month strong in my Fenix TK40!(Used nightly and on high lumens!)
if this can hit laptops, we'll be good to go
We have a box of chargers and adaptors and Eneloops. Haven't bought any non rechargeable batteries (besides 9v) in two years. Every six months or so Costco runs a coupon special and we check to see if we should buy another pack of them. I think we're up to 6 of these packs now. I run them in my Bose headphones, our remotes, Wiimotes, kids toys, flashlights, etc. We don't have much that runs on C or D so we're totally happy with the adaptors (we have far, far more adaptors now than we need). Frankly, if it takes a C or D it must be large - so who wants it? (MagLights are great - but I've got to AA powered LED flashlights that are almost as bright)
Paid or not, I completely agree with Engadget's post. Great product.
Eric, what Costco do you shop at? I am in the US and I looked for them on the website and they weren't there. If anyone knows if they are sold in the US please let me know.
Thanks!
They always have stuff in the warehouse that isn't online. I see these *in store* all the time but after reading people's comments, I'm going to get them.
Donald, I always see them in stores, they might not be available on line.
Why is this on engadget now?
Eneloop have been out for years (as they said!)
Is the next post going to be about this new amazing Blu-Ray format?
Kodak pre-charged have better performance than eneloops. 8 for about $8 at walmart. Maha Imedeons are top dawg in this market, but the cost is quite a bit higher for similar performance to the Kodaks.
May be we aren't talking about the same WalMart (another country perhaps?), but according to their site,
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5639897
It's around $14 for a pack of AAx4, or around $3.5 apiece, not $1 per. Unfortunately, that's the downside for these pre-charged variety, that they cost around $3 a pop.
Slightly off-topic, but...
Any suggestions for home (120v-powered) chargers for these batteries?
La Crosse Technology BC-9009. 4.5 rating out of 597 reviews on Amazon. About 40 bucks, but it comes with C/D spacers, a carrying case, 4xAA and 4xAAA rechargeables. Has modes to reconditioning old batteries as well, great charger, imo.
What the? Good thing you got this advertorial out of the way before the new rules kicked in. Sheesh.
I love LSD (low self discharge) NiMH batteries, but they haven't been news for a while now. And the huge pic and the text that except for the first sentence reads as ad copy?
For shame, Engadget.
RTFA, these are new Eneloop batteries with a 75% retention over 3 years and 1500 recharge cycles (vs 1yr/1000 cycles, if I remember correctly)
I use these, they are fantastic. They're the best batteries.
My experience with the Energizer rechargeable batteries is that they're bad for devices that use a high amount of power. For example I have this label maker that I use probably 2-3 times a week. I can print out 1 label, then put it away in my drawer. Then when I try to use it again in the middle of the week, the label maker shuts off abruptly, not warning sign of low battery. However fresh rechargeable batteries bought from the store will not do this, but I bought these batteries less than 1 year ago. And also I bought the 4 AAA rechargeable batteries for my TI-92 calculator, the calculator is very good in giving you a warning if the batteries are low, but just like the label maker, it shuts off abruptly with no warning.
The good news: I have 2 LED MagLights that use the D size rechargeable batteries, and I've only charged them 3-4 times. Then again, LEDs have a low power consumption.
My experience on rechargeables so far.
Your problem is the rationale for these LSD (low self-discharge) batts. For devices with intermittent use like flashlights, calcs, remotes, etc, LSDs are more suitable than "normal" NiMHs, i.e. you can use LSDs as substitute for alkalines, as they retain their charge for a long time. Their higher usefulness is reflected in their higher prices.
As other have mentioned, a "smart" charger like the La Crosse BC-9009 or the Maha equiv is recommended, if only because these batts cost so much. Unfortunately, the chargers add another wallop to the substantial upfront cost of going green.
Sanyo has both high capacity "traditional" NIMHs as well as these lower capacity but low discharge Eneloops. For the vast majority of applications, there is very little reason not to go with the Eneloops. Unless you are literally charging up your batteries and then using it that very same day to complete discharge such as in remote control vehicles and the like (which usually go w/ lithium batteries nowadays anyway), get the low discharge. And I've read on the forums where a bunch have been benchmarked, and the Eneloops consistently perform on top. Be sure to get a good charger though.
Fuck NiMh batteries....
When are we ever going to get AA/AAA Re-Chargable Lithium-Ion Batteries or Li-Polymer?
What is the hold up?
LI rechargeables & chargers are already available. Search on '18650 battery' (which is one of several form factors). A problem with LI, other than their higher costs, is that they can explode when charging. Many batts have 'regulator' electronics built into them to prevent overcharging, but some don't. I think the main reason is that NiMH is still in use is because it packs enough juice for most CE devices, and is safer and cheaper. At some point, this aforementioned LSD NiMH variety will be standard fare, and cost will drop to what "normal" NiMH batts are today.
From what I understand Li-Ion AAs also have a much higher voltage... too high to be used in most devices.
Fcuk Li-Polymer, lets get some cold fusion up in this bithc!
Eneloops are defnitely the ones to get. The cost is so minimal compared to disposable batteriesd. Seriously, does anyone even use alkalines anymore? Be careful of high capacity NiMH's. New Duracell 2650's had 31% loss in 5 days. That's rediculous.
It depends on your frequency of use. My multimeter has a "heavy duty" 9V, not even alkaline, and the batt is still supplying juice after 5+ years. Granted, I only use it occasionally, but the bang/buck just can't be equalled when compared to a rechargeable.
Also, the LSD batts are only commonly available in AA and AAA. You can find C & D types online, but they are very rare (and expensive). I haven't seen a LSD 9V.
is this supposed to be infomercial? why is this old product on the front page?
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/dell-4xaaa-eneloops-11-family-pack-30-targus-active-noise-reduct-headphones-15-a-785663/
Hmmmm ... good point. Maybe someone thought that this sleeper needed another spin on the marquee.
I don't mind for a hands-down better product. It was only a fluke that I found about them myself. They're great.
WOW this is great!
Can these be charged with any old Ni-Mh charger or is a special Eneloop charger needed?
Yep and as a matter of fact they don't need to be broken in!
When I bought my new Nikon D700, I got the big battery grip and loaded it up with these babies. They are fantastic and when coupled with a no-nonsense Powerex recharger you're running the best technology.
These are great batteries. Li-ion is too proprietary and not really safe. Not to mention having multiple charger for each multiple device with its own li-on battery. This is getting ridiculous. My phone battery keeps dying quick on me but i don't want to buy a spare battery because i might not have this particular phone for long. So instead I bought me those portable mobile phone chargers that runs of AA and now hearing this news is great!!.
They do have AA lithium which is sold. So far it is the energizer Ultimate Lithium. Though they can't be recharge but they are much better than alkaline batteries. Just becareful using them on high drain devices. These batteries get hot. So NiMh rechareables are the way to go!
Lotsa burger-flippers in this thread crying about this being a commercial. If so don't read it FFS!
Was it really that hard to figure out?
What's new? I've had Eneloops since 2007.