2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Quality

The 2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Quality lists the top performing rechargeable batteries RBR received and tested in 2006.

Understanding the Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Quality

The Top 10 AA NiMH battery ranking by quality is based on the "Actual Capacity (%)" by percentage delivered by each AA NiMH battery.

This ranking is based on a weighted calculation of the Actual Total Capacity available and the percentage of the total 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 Quality Mean?

When you are buying AA NiMH batteries, you can find different capacities at different price ranges. You might see a AA 2000mAh NiMH battery selling for $1.50 and a AA 2500mAh NiMH battery selling for $1.75. 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.

If the AA 2000mAh NiMH battery and the AA 2500mAh NiMH battery both deliver 95% of their rated capacity and they self discharge ( lose energy while not being used ) at the same rate, they provide the same quality ( 95% of 2000mAh = 1900mAh, and 95% of 2500mAh = 2375mAh).

If the AA 2000mAh NiMH battery delivers 95% and the AA 2500mAh NiMH battery delivers 80% of their rated capacity and they self discharge ( lose energy while not being used ) at the same rate, they do not provide the same quality ( 95% of 2000mAh = 1900mAh, and 80% of 2500mAh = 2000mAh). In this case, the 2000mAh AA NiMH battery is a higher quality product.

Buying Based on Quality or Capacity

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_10Q List below shows the Top AA rechargeable batteries based on quality and not total or actual capacity available.

2006 Top 10 AA NiMH Batteries by Quality

Battery	Rank	Type	Rated Capacity (mAh)	DEALS
Rayovac	1	NiMH	2000
Sanyo	2	NiMH	2300	SHOP
PureEnergy	3	NiMH	2100
Powerex	4	NiMH	2700
Rayovac	5	NiMH	2500
Energizer	6	NiMH	2500	SHOP
Duracell	7	NiMH	2500
Powerex	8	NiMH	2500
Sanyo	9	NiMH	2500	SHOP
Sanyo	10	NiMH	2700	SHOP