2006 Top 5 AA NiMH Batteries by Quality

The 2006 Top 5 AA Rechargeable Batteries by Quality lists the top performing AA rechargeable batteries RBR received and tested in 2006.

Understanding the Top 5 AA Rechargeable Batteries by Quality

The Top 5 AA Rechargeable battery ranking by quality is based on the "Actual Capacity (%)" by percentage delivered by each AA Rechargeable 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 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 rechargeable battery.

What Does Ranking by Quality Mean?

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

If the AA 2000mAh rechargeable battery and the AA 2500mAh rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery delivers 95% and the AA 2500mAh Rechargeable 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 rechargeable battery is a higher quality product.

Buying AA Rechargeable Batteries Based on Quality or Capacity

You don't have to buy AA rechargeable batteries based on capacity. Sometimes you can find 2500mAh AA NiMH 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 NiMH 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_5Q List below shows the Top AA rechargeable batteries based on quality and not total or actual capacity available.