Rechargeable batteries are an efficient, economical way to power the battery-operated devices in your home. When your rechargeable batteries run low on power, pop them into your charger, and they’ll be ready to use again in a few hours.
Most chargers should also work with any brand of rechargeable battery that’s the right type and size. While AA and AAA are the most common sizes supported, some chargers fit other sizes like C or D; check each product for the complete list of compatible sizes. Others can charge up to 16 or even 40 batteries at once.
For most people interested in a basic and reliable charger, the Energizer Recharge Pro will get the job done for household devices. It comes with two AA starter batteries and is straightforward to use. To get more advanced features and controls, you might want to consider the Nitecore SC4 Superb Charger, which has a display and lets you customize the charging current.
If you use enough gadgets to warrant a supply of rechargeable batteries, here are the best rechargeable battery chargers to keep them topped off.
The Recharge Pro battery charger from Energizer does what most rechargeable battery users need their chargers to do, and it does the job well. It supports rechargeable AA batteries as well as the smaller AAA size. To use, insert your batteries into the charger, plug it into a wall outlet, and wait about three to five hours for depleted batteries to fill back to capacity. Charging will automatically stop when the batteries are full to prevent overcharging, which can damage your batteries and reduce their life cycle.
Best Overall
Energizer Recharge Pro AA and AAA Battery Charger
Fast, reliable charging
Charge indicator lights and sounds
Good value
Must charge in pairs
The Recharge Pro also provides quick, basic updates on your batteries’ charge status through a set of indicator lights on its front. Red means charging has started; yellow means halfway done; and green means full. You’ll also hear beeps when charging stops and starts or if the charger senses a problem with the battery.
One inconvenience is you have to charge batteries either two or four at a time; it can’t charge one or three. Fortunately, this isn’t too hard to get around, especially with the starter set of four Energizer rechargeable AAs that come included. The Recharge Pro offers substantial value for any home looking to keep a decent number of battery-powered devices going.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 or 4 | Charging Current: 500mA (AA), 220mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs, sounds
While having spare rechargeable batteries ready to go is ideal, sometimes you find yourself needing to charge a set ASAP. With the Eneloop Quick Charger from Panasonic, you can charge one or two typical rechargeable AA or AAA batteries in about 90 minutes, with a set of three or four taking about three hours. In comparison, the standard version of this charger lists seven hours for a full set.
Best for Quick Charging
Panasonic Eneloop Individual Battery Quick Charger
Faster charging than most models
Charge one to four AA or AAA batteries
Four rechargeable batteries included
Moderately pricey compared to slower chargers
Batteries can get warm
Adding to the convenience is the ability to charge those batteries in any number and combination, along with LEDs that change color to indicate each battery’s charge status. Eneloop also happens to be a trusted manufacturer of some of the best rechargeable batteries you’ll find, so the four included AA batteries offer excellent value.
One potential downside is that charged batteries may come out somewhat warm to the touch. This is due to the extra current that provides the faster charging speed. If charge time isn’t a factor for you, a slow charger is less expensive and slightly better for the longevity of your battery cells.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 4 | Charging Current: 750mA (AA), 275mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs
Best Budget
- Decently fast charging
- USB output
- Inexpensive
A red LED light turns on for each side that’s charging, shuts off when charging is complete, and blinks to warn of bad batteries. An auto cut-off function helps make sure your batteries don’t overcharge.
When you plug the unit into a wall outlet, a green light will indicate the USB port is ready to use. You can then plug in a USB cable to charge a smartphone or other device. This port is a convenient extra feature that lets the charger double as a USB wall plug, but note it will not charge your rechargeable batteries while it’s charging something else through the USB port. You also can’t unplug it from the wall and use your batteries as a portable power bank to charge other devices on the go.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 or 4 | Charging Current: 600mA (AA), 350mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs
For people who use an assortment of rechargeable batteries and want detailed control of the charging process to maximize their performance, the premium-level Nitecore SC4 Superb Charger may be worth the investment.
Best Features
Nitecore SC4 Superb Charger
Compatible with many battery types and sizes
Advanced charging control
High-end LCD display
More complex than most users need
Expensive
It automatically detects the type and capacity of each battery you put in and selects the optimal charging current. You can also fine-tune the settings manually, such as choosing a current as high as 3A (amperes) for faster charging. You can then monitor detailed information like the battery status and charge time on the high-definition LCD screen.
In addition to supporting standard rechargeable batteries at AA, AAA, AAAA, C, and D sizes, the Nitecore SC4 also works with a variety of lithium-ion batteries. You can charge batteries individually or, depending on the size, up to four at a time.
As a bonus, the SC4 offers USB output, so you can charge devices like a phone or laptop after your batteries are done charging. You can also buy it in a bundle that includes a battery case and a car adapter so you can charge on the road.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, 18650, many more | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 4 | Charging Current: Max 3A (x2), 1.5A (x4) | Input: 100-240V AC, 12V DC | Status Indicators: LCD screen
If the typical two- or four-battery charger doesn’t cut it for your needs, you can find devices out there with slots for eight or even 16 rechargeable batteries. This product from EBL, though, can charge a whopping 40 AA or AAAs at once, making it ideal for households that use up bulk quantities of batteries regularly.
Best for Bulk Charging
EBL 40Slot Battery Charger
Huge 40-battery capacity
Easy-to-carry design with handle
Four USB output ports
Must change in pairs
The charger is like a magnetic-locking case you can fold up, with convenient handles that make it easy to tote around. Each half has 20 battery slots and receives power from its own input port; the included power cable plugs into one wall outlet and splits up to power the two sides. This arrangement allows you to plug in just one side if you’re not using both. Also, note that you’ll need to charge in even pairs of batteries rather than odd numbers.
Helping you keep track of all your charging batteries are lights for each pairing that change from red to blue when fully charged. There are even four total USB output ports if you want to charge other devices simultaneously.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 to 40 (in pairs) | Charging Current: max 200mA (x20) | Input: 100-240V AC | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs
The unique circular design of Powerowl’s 16-bay charger makes it an elegant way to blend functional electronics into modern decor. While it may not save as much space as more compact chargers, it does allow you to charge as many as 16 AA or AAA batteries one by one, with a small light for each battery to indicate if it’s charging, full, or damaged.
Best Design
Powerowl Rechargeable Battery Charger
Distinct circular design
16 individual charging slots
Vents to reduce heat
Charging is on the slow side
The design also includes practical advantages, like vents built into each bay to keep temperatures lower while charging is in process. Overheating shouldn’t be a big problem anyway, as the charge current is on the low side compared to other home chargers. You’ll typically be leaving it running overnight to charge multiple standard AAs to full capacity.
The latest version of the product lists a new feature meant to detect and automatically repair damaged cells, but actual performance will vary.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 16 | Charging Current: 200mA (AA), 150mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs
If you own gadgets that call for different battery sizes—or want to be ready in case you do in the future—EBL offers a charger flexible enough to cover most household needs. It has adjustable slots for up to eight AA or AAA batteries or four of the larger C or D batteries, and you can mix and match them in any combination. A pair of small LCD screens show the charge status of the slots in use.
Best Versatility
EBL LCD Universal Battery Charger
Fits a variety of battery sizes
Two USB input options
Good value
Relatively slow charging
No power adapter included
The charger comes with a Micro USB cable that you can plug into a power source, with the added option of a more modern USB-C input if you want to use a USB-C cable instead of Micro USB. Unfortunately, the unit doesn’t come with the USB power adapter that goes into your wall outlet, and it specifically requires a 5V 2A adapter.
This type of adapter is usually a larger plug compared to the smaller 1A adapters that won’t provide enough power for the charger to work properly. Even with the right power supply, charging tends to be slower than with standard AC-powered chargers, especially if you’re trying to charge multiple large batteries.
Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA , C, D | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 8 | Charging Current: 900mA (AA/AAA), 1800mA (C/D) | Input: 5V 2A DC (Micro USB or USB-C) | Status Indicators: LCD screens
What to Look for in a Rechargeable Battery Charger
Supported Batteries
Each charger will list the types of batteries it supports, and you only want to use the batteries your charger is built to handle. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries at AA and AAA sizes are the most common ones that devices use and are the easiest to find chargers for. Other chargers also support larger sizes like C or D, or other rechargeable battery types like lithium-ion batteries.
Number of Batteries
It’s usually easy to see how many slots a battery charger has. Many can hold four batteries, though others can fit eight, 16, or more. Chargers that support larger battery sizes may have them taking up two of those slots. You’ll also find that inexpensive chargers often require you to charge batteries in pairs and that charging more batteries at once often means longer charge times.
Charge Time
The age, condition, and capacity of your rechargeable batteries affect how fast they can charge. In terms of the charger, supplying stronger electrical currents means quicker charging times. Chargers on the fast side can typically fill a set of four AAs in about three or four hours. Some people may prefer a slower charge, however, as it tends to be slightly better for preserving a rechargeable battery’s lifespan in the long run.
About Our Trusted Experts
Anton Galang started working as a tech writer and editor in 2007 and has covered a variety of products, gadgets, and games for Lifewire. He uses an Energizer Recharge Pro to maintain the battery supply for the many toys in his home (both his kids’ and his own).
- Are rechargeable battery chargers safe?
- When used appropriately, yes. This means charging only the supported types of rechargeable batteries to make sure they’re receiving the right voltage and current. Reliable, modern chargers like the ones on this list also employ several safety features, like “smart charging” functions to cut off the power when a battery is detected to be full, damaged, or running too hot. This helps prevent problems that come with batteries overcharging or overheating.
- Can you use any brand of rechargeable batteries with any charger?
- Generally, yes—as long as they are the type of rechargeable battery that the charger is designed for, any brand of battery should work with that charger. It’s still best to charge batteries of similar types, sizes, and charge levels together, particularly with chargers that charge batteries in pairs.
- Do the charger or batteries get hot while charging?
- It can be normal for rechargeable batteries to get somewhat warm during the charging process, especially with a fast charger using a higher charging current. If the batteries or any part of the charger become noticeably hot, however, you should stop charging and check for issues with the batteries or the charging unit.
When used appropriately, yes. This means charging only the supported types of rechargeable batteries to make sure they’re receiving the right voltage and current. Reliable, modern chargers like the ones on this list also employ several safety features, like “smart charging” functions to cut off the power when a battery is detected to be full, damaged, or running too hot. This helps prevent problems that come with batteries overcharging or overheating.
Generally, yes—as long as they are the type of rechargeable battery that the charger is designed for, any brand of battery should work with that charger. It’s still best to charge batteries of similar types, sizes, and charge levels together, particularly with chargers that charge batteries in pairs.
It can be normal for rechargeable batteries to get somewhat warm during the charging process, especially with a fast charger using a higher charging current. If the batteries or any part of the charger become noticeably hot, however, you should stop charging and check for issues with the batteries or the charging unit.
