The modern world is dependent on electricity as its primary form of power, with batteries playing a significant role in that.
While disposable batteries are still popular, there has been a movement toward rechargeable batteries. This is mainly because rechargeable batteries provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to disposable batteries. They are also a cost-effective investment, as you can continue recharging batteries you may frequently use for things like TV remotes or clocks.
What are rechargeable batteries?
Rechargeable batteries can be used multiple times. The right rechargeable battery must be paired with a compatible battery charger, which can be repeatedly recharged for reuse.
There are different types of rechargeable batteries, with some used for ‘low-drain’ devices like TV remotes and some used for ‘high-drain’ devices like cameras.
How do they work?
To understand how they work, we must first understand the basic science behind batteries. Every battery contains three main components:
- An Anode – a negative electrode
- A Cathode – a positive electrode
- An Electrolyte – a medium that sits between the positive and negative electrodes, allowing ions (electrically charged particles) to flow smoothly
Essentially, a battery powers a device because a chemical reaction happens between the anode and cathode, generating electrical energy. Once the materials in the battery run out, the chemical reaction stops and the battery no longer conducts electrical energy.
For rechargeable batteries, the battery charger can reignite or reverse the process by sending electricity back into the battery. Due to the external voltage, the chemical process begins again in the opposite direction and the battery becomes electrically charged.
The role of battery chargers
Investing in a good battery charger can significantly affect the longevity of your rechargeable battery. Good-quality battery chargers detect when batteries are full, preventing them from overcharging. Overcharging can have minor consequences, like reducing battery life but can also cause more serious damage and even become a safety hazard.
If you are regularly charging batteries like AA or AAA batteries, it is worth investing in a solid battery charger. Although the effectiveness and quality of a battery charger will depend on what you are charging, here is a list of popular battery charger brands for frequently used household batteries:
- The Panasonic Eneloop BQ-CC55 charges each battery individually and has an LED indicator to show the status of each battery cell.
- The Energizer Universal Charger charges multiple battery sizes, like AA, AAA, C, D and 9V.
- The Duracell Hi-Speed Charger is a good option for quickly charging batteries. Many of their chargers have overcharge protection and an auto-shutoff feature to prevent battery damage.
- The Ansmann Comfort Plus offers more advanced features like battery refresh and conditioning modes. These features are great for extending the life of older batteries that have lost some capacity over time.
Why go rechargeable?
There are several reasons to switch to rechargeable batteries, which explain their growing popularity.
Cost effectiveness
Although the investment in rechargeable batteries is more expensive than continuing to buy disposable batteries, the long-term savings will pay off. Equally, choosing a better battery charger will cost more in the short term but have great long-term savings benefits. A single good-quality rechargeable battery can replace hundreds of disposable batteries in its lifetime.
Environmental benefits
Using fewer disposable batteries means adding less to the global waste continually added to landfills and quickening the negative side effects of climate change. Not only this but batteries themselves can contain harmful chemicals that are damaging to natural environments. Transitioning from single-use batteries to rechargeable batteries can make a small difference in addressing this problem.
Convenience
You will always have a power source readily available with a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. If your remote dies, you won’t need to pop out to buy more batteries—you can just recharge the batteries already in it.
The key takeaways
Rechargeable batteries and battery chargers are increasingly popular products for good reason. The technology behind them may seem complicated, but the main message for consumers is that, as long as they choose quality and compatible rechargeable batteries and chargers, they will be making a wise investment.
