2006 Top 5 AA Rechargeable Batteries by Integrity ( Real Performance )

The 2006 Top 5 AA Rechargeable Batteries lists the top performing rechargeable batteries RBR received and tested in 2006. These Rechargeable batteries are not just ranked by the Actual or Real capacity provided, but also by quality as well. We call this ranking the Rechargeable Battery Integrity score.

Understanding the Top 5 AA Rechargeable Batteries by Integrity

The Top 5 AA Rechargeable battery ranking by Integrity is based on the Actual Capacity ( AC ) in mAh delivered which the manufacturers Promised or Advertised Capacity for each AA rechargeable 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 rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery label says 2000 mAh and the AA rechargeable 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 rechargeable 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 rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery will deliver a certain amount of energy. In some cases, these two product might provide the same quality.

Comparing Two Rechargeable Batteries with the Same Quality

If the AA 2500mAh rechargeable battery and the AA 2900mAh rechargeable 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 rechargeable batteries have the same quality ( say Q = 100% = 1x ), the 2900mAh rechargeable battery RBI will have a higher score than the 2500mAh rechargeable battery.

AA 2500mAh rechargeable battery:

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

AA 2900mAh rechargeable battery:

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

Comparing Two Rechargeable Batteries with the Different Quality

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

AA 2500mAh rechargeable battery:

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

AA 2900mAh rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery delivers just a wee bit more Actual Tested energy than the 2500mAh rechargeable battery, it finished with a lower score. Why is this?

What the RBI score does is handicap the AA rechargeable 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 Rechargeable Batteries Based on Integrity

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

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

You don't have to buy AA rechargeable batteries based on capacity. Sometimes you can find 2500mAh AA rechargeable batteries that provide excellent quality. Sometimes the newer and higher capacity AA rechargeable 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 rechargeable batteries. You can buy an excellent quality 2300mAh AA rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery.

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

The 2006 Top 10AA Rechargeable Battery Top2006_5C List below shows the Top AA rechargeable batteries based on actual capacity and quality.