The Best Rechargeable Batteries To Have On Hand In Case Of An Emergency

Batteries are one of the most important emergency supplies that every home should have stocked. However, instead of chucking out single-use batteries every few days or months — based on your usage — opt for their slightly eco-friendly counterpart: rechargeable batteries. Since these batteries can be charged multiple times after their power drains, they lead to less introduction of heavy metals and hazardous chemicals into landfills. But how do you choose the best rechargeable batteries to include in your emergency kit? You must consider their power capacity, battery life, charge cycles, charge time, and costs.

For instance, reusable alternatives cost more than regular batteries (upfront cost). You might also have to shell out money for a compatible charger (extra cost) if it's not already included in the packaging. Similarly, you don't want to get saddled with a battery that requires constant charging and offers little power support. Plus, the charge time shouldn't be too high. Charge cycles, aka the number of times a battery can be charged, is another important criterion since they denote how many times your battery can be charged before it needs to be tossed out. You want to look at the battery's energy capacity, measured in mAh (milliampere-hour) or MWh (megawatt-hour), too. To ensure you have the right rechargeable batteries on hand while organizing your emergency kit and supplies, we went through several battery reviews by experts and pitted them against organic user reviews on Amazon. Keeping the discussed parameters in mind, here are our top picks.

Our first pick is Panasonic's Eneloop NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) AA rechargeable batteries. This battery didn't just make the expert review lists across the board, but it also has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 after being reviewed over 38,000 times. So, what makes these AAs so special? The battery promises to offer a minimum power capacity of 1900 mAh, with its regular being 2000 mAh. Moreover, it can be charged 2,100 times. They come pre-charged and the brand advertises that they'll maintain at least 70 percent of their charge even if they're not used for 10 years. Further, they can be used outdoors since they can withstand cold temperatures (up to -4 degrees Fahrenheit), but that doesn't mean your garage is the best place to store spare batteries. A pack of eight costs about $29 on Amazon. The only caveat? You'll have to purchase a charger if you don't already own one.

Another expert favorite? Energizer's NiMH Recharge Power Plus AA rechargeable batteries. Boasting an average rating of 4.6 after receiving more than 67,000 reviews, these AAs are made of 15 percent recycled materials and are specially designed to give you a leak-free experience. They're pre-charged and can hold their power for almost a year when not in use. Moreover, these batteries can be charged hundreds of times over a period of five years, but you'll have to spend on a charger. A pack of eight costs about $30 on Amazon.

EBL is another favorite in the rechargeable batteries category. Enjoying a rating of 4.6 (post ~11,500 reviews), the 1.2V (volt) NiMH pack comes in a set of four AA and four AAA batteries, along with an eight-slot LED charger. The AA batteries have a power capacity of 2800 mAh, whereas the AAA promises 1100 mAh. Additionally, these batteries are designed to be leak-free, and the pack costs about $25 on Amazon. On the downside, you won't be able to charge just one battery at a time.

Our next pick in this segment is POWEROWL's NiMH AA batteries. Rated 4.4 (after being reviewed over 12,500 times), the batteries are pre-charged and can be charged around 1,200 times. Further, they don't self-discharge more than 30 percent of their battery if they aren't used for three years. The batteries have an energy capacity of 2800 mAh and are marketed as eco-friendly. Regarding the charger, it can support even one battery at a time, and the smart chip helps it sense when a battery's power is full so it can stop charging. A pack of eight costs about $29 on Amazon.

The final item on our list is Duracell's NiMH rechargeable batteries, with a rating of 4.6 (post 54,200 reviews). The $34 pack (approximately) on Amazon consists of six AA and two AAA batteries and a Duracell Ion Speed 1000 battery charger. The pre-charged batteries won't self-discharge for a year and can be recharged 400 times or used for 10 years (whichever is earlier).