2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Integrity ( Real Performance )

The 2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries lists the top performing rechargeable batteries RBR received and tested in 2006. These NiMH batteries are not just ranked by the Actual or Real capacity provided, but also by quality as well. We call this ranking the NiMH Battery Integrity score.

Understanding the Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Integrity

The Top 10 AA NiMH battery ranking by Integrity is based on the Actual Capacity ( AC ) in mAh delivered which the manufacturers Promised or Advertised Capacity for each AA NiMH battery ( RBI = Rechargeable Battery Integrity = Actual Capacity x Quality ).

The RBI ranking uses the Actual Total Capacity or Energy available multiplied by the quality score of the NiMH battery. The quality score is a weighted score of the "Actual Capacity by %" and the capacity remaining after self discharge after 7, 14 and 28 days of non-use.

Example : If a AA NiMH battery label says 2000 mAh and the AA NiMH battery delivers only 1800 mAh, then the battery delivered only 90%. You only got 90% of what you thought you paid for.

100% is expected. A higher the number means a better battery.

What Does Ranking by Integrity Mean?

When you are buying AA NiMH batteries, you can find different capacities at different price ranges. You might see a AA 2500mAh NiMH battery selling for $1.50 per battery and a AA 2900mAh NiMH battery selling for $2.00 per NiMH battery. Which is a good buy?

All this tells you is that the each manufacturer claims that its AA NiMH battery will deliver a certain amount of energy. In some cases, these two product might provide the same quality.

Comparing Two NiMH Batteries with the Same Quality

If the AA 2500mAh NiMH battery and the AA 2900mAh NiMH battery both deliver 100% of their rated capacity and they self discharge ( lose energy while not being used ) at the same rate, they provide the same quality (eg. 100% of 2500mAh = 2500mAh, and 100% of 2900mAh = 2900mAh, lets say Q = 1 ).

In this case, where both NiMH batteries have the same quality ( say Q = 100% = 1x ), the 2900mAh NiMH battery RBI will have a higher score than the 2500mAh NiMH battery.

AA 2500mAh NiMH battery:

AC = 2500mAh
Q = 1
RBI = AC x Q = 2500 x 1 = 2500

AA 2900mAh NiMH battery:

AC = 2900mAh
Q = 1
RBI = AC x Q = 2900 x 1 = 2900

Comparing Two NiMH Batteries with the Different Quality

If the AA 2500mAh NiMH battery delivers 100% and the AA 2900mAh NiMH battery delivers 80% of their rated capacity and they self discharge ( lose energy while not being used ) at different rates, they do not provide the same quality.

In this example, the 2500mAh AA NiMH battery might have a Q of 0.9 and an Actual Capacity of 100% ( it delivers 2500mAh ) of what it promises. The 2900mAh AA NiMH battery might have a Q of 0.85 and an Actual Capacity of 87% ( it delivers 2523mAh ) of what it promises.

AA 2500mAh NiMH battery:

AC = 2500mAh x 100% = 2500
Q = 0.9
RBI = AC x Q = 2500 x 0.9 = 2250

AA 2900mAh NiMH battery:

AC = 2900mAh x 87% = 2523
Q = .85
RBI = AC x Q = 2523 x 0.85 = 2144

As you can see from the example above, even though the 2900mAh AA NiMH battery delivers just a wee bit more Actual Tested energy than the 2500mAh NiMH battery, it finished with a lower score. Why is this?

What the RBI score does is handicap the AA NiMH battery that delivering below its promised or labelled capacity. The bigger the difference between the Actual or Real capacity and the promised or labelled capacity, the bigger the handicap.

Buying AA NiMH Batteries Based on Integrity

Buying AA NiMH batteries based on integrity means that you are buying a product that is delivering quality and performance. Really, why buy a NiMH battery rated at 2900mAh if it only delivers 2523mAh?

We don't want to give you the wrong message either. Many AA NiMH batteries deliver an AC 90% and higher. Sometimes these AA NiMH batteries might have a higher Q Score than some AA NiMH batteries that deliver 100% AC.

You don't have to buy AA NiMH batteries based on capacity. Sometimes you can find 2500mAh AA NiMH batteries that provide excellent quality. Sometimes the newer and higher capacity AA NiMH batteries like the 2700mAh, 2800mAh and 2900mAh come with a premium price.

It should be obvious from browsing our website that price is not the only factor you should consider when buying AA NiMH batteries. You can buy an excellent quality 2300mAh AA NiMH battery and get excellent value. After you take into consideration the quality or actual capacity, you might actually come out ahead when you buy a lower capacity, high quality AA NiMH battery.

For more information on the AA NiMH Battery Performance Test, check out the Test Methodology section for a description.

The 2006 Top 10AA NiMH Battery Top2006_10C List below shows the Top AA rechargeable batteries based on Integrity and not total or actual capacity available.

2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Integrity ( Real Performance )

Battery	Rank	Type	Rated Capacity (mAh)	DEALS
Powerex	1	NiMH	2700
Sanyo	2	NiMH	2700	SHOP
Energizer	3	NiMH	2500	SHOP
Ansmann	4	NiMH	2700
Rayovac	5	NiMH	2500
Sanyo	6	NiMH	2500	SHOP
Powerex	7	NiMH	2500
Duracell	8	NiMH	2500
Sanyo	9	NiMH	2300	SHOP
Ansmann	10	NiMH	2800