I have been using IKEA brand rechargeable double and triple a batteries in various household items for awhile and I like them. However they aren't high enough volts to operate some items. I also want a different charger because currently for short power outages I have a small fold out solar panel I can use to charge power banks, which I then can charge phones, some of my lights, and really any device that has either a USB or USB-C connection. I use the power banks as a "middle man" because I read the solar panels varying input can damage batteries in more expensive devices like a phone. Less expensive to replace the power bank. I also dont want to have to leave phones and things out in the elements and especially the direct sun. The battery charger I have now doesn't have the right connector for a power bank. So I am looking for:

  1. Brand recommendations for rechargeable AAA and AA batteries. I hate waste so I don't want to buy crappy ones and have them stop working quickly but I also don't have a ton of money.

  2. A charger for said batteries than can pull power through USB or USB-C connectors, preferably that can charge both sizes of battery in one charger since I don't have much space (I live in a tiny house).

More info if you have time: Interested in other tips on this setup too. My solar panel is in good condition but old so maybe there are other ones out more recently you would recommend? It's just a small anker brand one designed for travel. Maybe you also have a specific power bank you recommend? I wouldn't need to power larger items like the AC unit or stove so a generator would be overkill (we also do have one if it came to it, it's a little weird because I live on the property I work at so larger items like generators or permanent modifications to the building are up to them) so I'm focused on small lights and "quality of life" items like cell phones, my switch, and daily use items like my computer mouse or small kitchen items just to save money and waste. It would be cool to setup something that could charge my laptop but I think i would need one of those big power blocks like a jackery for that right?

Thanks for any tips!

  • Rumor is that the IKEA LADDA batteries are made in the same factories as eneloop, and are essentially Eneloop Pros in all but name!

    For USB charging of batteries: plenty of options online. I like the PowerOwl 8-bay one, it can do AA and AAA and it can take USB-C or micro-USB. They are simple, and weigh next to nothing.

    For rechargeable batteries with more voltage: look at rechargeable lithium batteries, which usually run at 1.5V and not 1.2V. They aren't common in retail stores; look online i.e. Amazon.

    A few caveats with Lithium:

    • Lithium rechargeables tend to publish their capacity in mWh, which is a little different than mAh. (For example, 3000 mWh / 1.5v = 2000 mAh).
    • You need a separate charger that supports recharging lithium- you can't use a NiMH battery charger on them. That is why many come with their own charger.
    • Pick a brand that has been around a while. I use PowerOwl and get all the same type/color, to keep them distinct from my Eneloops- but check the reviews of whatever brand you pick.

    Another unusual option, are AA lithium batteries with on-board USB-C charging. This sidesteps the need for an extra charger (just a USB splitter cable for convenience). Being a specialty item, I don't expect them to last as long- because they have more parts that can fail, and they don't have the long track record that brands like Eneloop have.

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    The USB-C AA batteries have the advantage that they self shutdown at 0% in always-on use. NiMH batteries can become un-chargable if you continue draining them when already discharged.

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  • I’ve been happy with ebl rechargeable aa and aaa size batteries I got from Amazon.

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  • Kratax rechargeable lithium ion batteries are great….1.5V like normal alkaline AA and AAA batteries, not the 1.2V of NiMH batteries. I have also had problems with the 1.2 V batteries. The Kratax batteries can also be recharged like 1600 times! You can easily buy a set of 8 plus a charger made for them from Amazon.

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    +1 for rechargeable lithium AA/AAAs. But beware that they need to be specifically AA or AAA because there are other lithiums (14500) that are the exact size of an AA but they have a 3.6v nominal voltage.

    XTAR lithium AA/AAAs are awesome as well. Eneloops for others, I had a bad experience with Duracell NiMhs, they were basically brand new, have a quarter of the cycles of eneloops (in the 100 tops) and they are starting to crap out on me. So Duracell < Eneloop.

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  • By far the best I've used are these EBL lithium 1.5v batteries. I use them in my cell game cams and they last a long time. Only use with the charger that comes with them. I have some of the AAA ones too, they're great.

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  • We've had great performance from eneloop rechargeable AA and AAA.

    Not sure if there is a USB charging option for them though

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    There's the regular and pro version as well, not sure the difference, but I have the pro version of AAs and AAAs. I bought four of each about 6 or 7 years ago and they still seem to fully charge. Unfortunately I have no idea how many cycles I've put them through. They seem like a cry once, buy once item to me.

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  • For anything remotely serious, look to move to 18650 cells.

    AA/AAA stuff is still suitable for remotes and other very-low-power or "bursty" uses. Using AAs for anything power-draining like a light in 2026 is .. just wrong.

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    I don't have any larger lights in my roster, they're all smaller ones designed to just light a small area for you to read or work in, think lanterns and flashlights. Not sure where I would use a big one that uses that type of power.

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    That being said, I'd suggest getting a good charger that can charge a wide variety of batteries in case you get into 18650 or 21700. I'm using the XTAR VC4SL which has USB-C input and it's been great for the last 3 years.

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    Just saying that IF you are investing to a redo/upgrade, look for lights that accept 18650 cells.

    Keep what you have, but do not invest in AA-based stuff anymore.

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    It's 2026, need to make the switch to 21700.

    JK. 18650 still work great, 21700 just have higher capacity.

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    I was considering that a few years ago, but the recent advances of 4000mah+ or tabless 36A CDR 18650s are great to see

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    Well, 21700 and 18650 are just the form factors, the 21700 being about 40% bigger with about 45% more capacity due to volume scaling better with size than surface.

    Being heavier/bigger they are not a good option as the *universal* cell size for things where one would have used two AAs before. In practice, one cannot really avoid having 18650s for many use cases and having two cell sizes to mess with is not worth it for most "casual" users in turn.

    IMO the ideal combo is Eneloop NiMH AAAs for the really small stuff and 18650 LiIon cells for everything else. And an advanced charger with profiles to take care of charging both.

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  • Tenergy has had some bizarre problems with all my other chargers: EBL, Xtar, and Eneloop. The charger says the cell is defective and stops charging it. Tenergy support tells me all these chargers are in fact defective. I believe the Tenergy cells are just goofy.

    If you're going with NiMH, I'd stick to Eneloop. Lithium, I'd try EBL.

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  • Another + for eneloop, my big set from 15 years ago is still going strong. Including those left outside. Note: get the low capacity models, they have thicker internal walls so are more durable

    Recommend a power station so you can run smaller AC volt items. Nebo’s rambler 100 is the size of a power bank and under $100 on eBay.

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    chiming in another vote for eneloop.  mine still work well after years.  have surpassed all my previous batteries, would buy again.

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  • I saw something at Costco the other day that I'm very interested in getting but have not yet. They are AA batteries that have a little USB c port on the side for recharging them. Has anyone used them?

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  • Energizer rechargeable batteries, Coast Zithion-X uses a USB C to charge.

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  • Eneloops are the gold standard for a reason. Low self-discharge means they'll actually hold a charge when you need them six months later. Pair with a decent solar charger and you've got a sustainable system. Just don't cheap out on the charger - a bad one will cook your batteries.

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    Do you have a particular charger you like for the enloops? I have a little solar panel now but I'm open to upgrading since modern ones are probably better

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  • I only use Lithium Batteries. I have done a ton of testing but the results come down to this.

    For Rechargeable Lithium, I like Kratax.

    For Disposable Lithium, I like Powerowl.

    If you are going to store them for longer than 10 years OR use them in -10°F or lower, spend the money for Energizer Ultimate Lithium.

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  • olight has a nice charger the Ostation 2 Pro that come with AA, AAA and NIMH. It's pretty slick, even has 2 spots to charge olight flashlights. it rolls them out and looks pretty cool. The Pro version is kinda pricey at $200 but comes with 24 batteries.

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  • We have a Bluetti Elite 30 V2. It has USB and DC outputs and can be charged with solar. It’s really portable, but with only 288 Wh, I mainly use it for phones, lights, and laptops (it should work for a Switch too). Seems like it would cover your needs.

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