Best Rechargeable Battery Brand (9 Brands Tested/episode 2). Let's find out! 

Many thanks to everyone who requested this video! Rechargeable batteries are known for self-discharging while not in use. So, is the Eneloop better than AmazonBasics NiMH AA battery? Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order): PowerEx: amzn.to/2EmrKwO Ikea Ladda: amzn.to/3j43iz6 Amazon Basics High Capacity: amzn.to/3lazUJl Amazon Basics: amzn.to/2Yodkn3 Eneloop: amzn.to/3j7QrMf Rayovac: amzn.to/3aKwUyJ EBL: amzn.to/32dwrRQ Energizer: amzn.to/32dLevH Harbor Freight Thunderbolt: bit.ly/34l6VMX

I’m so glad to see your channel grow at such an exponential rate. Your content is top notch and as unbiased as it can get. Thank you for your hard work

Wow, Man- what a technical and detailed review! Changes in technology- 30 years ago I had a Rayovac Black Cat flashlight, 4 D cell, incandescent bulb + 1 in the base. It weighed a few pounds because of batteries, flimsy case, not very bright, lasted maybe an hour. Now- I have a Coleman camp flashlight, aircraft aluminum, 3 AAA NiMH, 1 SMD LED. Super bright, white light- lasts for hours. Waterproof, very rugged.

I’m stuck in this loop of watching all of project farms videos. Loving every minute of it ! Awesome videos, very informative, thank you for your work .

Great video! I never heard of the Varta brand before this video. It's wonderful that you take the time to perform these tests that few others will do on RU-vid. A+

Did you have to assemble the IKEA battery?

You are the hero we do not deserve. Thank you Todd!!!

Yes, more videos on various aspects of rechargeable batteries, please. These are GREAT!

By far, the most comprehensive review of rechargeable batteries I've seen on youtube. Keep up the great work!

Hey you used my idea! :D interesting results, I look forward to the next batch of data, solar lights was a brilliant solution!!

Love this channel and the real world testing that you do without bias! I’d love to see the update on this video after they batteries have cycled that many times. Again thank you so much for the work that you do it definitely helps up consumers seeing non bias testing in every project you do. KEEP IT UP! 👍

I thought I'd check RU-vid first before making my next rechargeable battery purchase after being disappointed by Rayovacs I purchased earlier this year. Great video, very informative! You answered all I was curious about and then some. After browsing your channel, you now have a new subscriber. Cheers!

Seriously man, you are what makes youtube great!

I would love to see updates on the life of the batteries! I say keep testing until the last one becomes ineffective! As always, thank you for performing these tests. It’s nice to have information I can trust to be unbiased!

I appreciate your channel 200% man. I utilize almost every product you test. So you are definitely an influencer. I would suggest, because it'll help grow your channel, and get you some more revenue, that you create compilation videos as well. As in monthly recap, yearly recap, and best in class videos. With the top 3 products in each category and why. I think you do a great job, and you are clearly always learning new innovative ways of testing these products. Thank you for your hard work! Keep it up! ***ALSO*** Look into linking your product reviews inside Amazon.com and posting your own reviews as well. Your opinion and statements hold more water than most everyone else on there. And you are becoming the people's champion of product reviews.

One of my favorite videos from you. My biggest reason is because of the control of the tests. Very wise setup. Always a pleasure to watch your channel and I hope you continue to expand to other products. Can't wait for the future videos of this series! Well done, and good luck!

I could watch you compare dictionary brands and be enthralled I know it is not really in your wheelhouse but Id love to see a side by side of silicone vs rubber windshield wipers. Do they really last longer and "coat the glass" producing a near rainX like effect or are they junk. There are so many shapes for traditional blades too, hard to see through the marketing to the truth. Thanks for what you do, your videos are always the highlight of my day, entertaining and informative. The whole family appreciates all you do

Project Farm is the best!

So glad to see an update on this, can't wait for the next one.

It's been seven months and I still keep coming back to your battery videos. They're so good! Can't wait for the update video on the rechargeables 😁

I was hoping to see Eneloop Pro added, a great video none the less Thank you!

It would be neat to test the durability/longevity/value of ratchet straps from some of the most popular retailers

This is the best channel I have found yet on youtube for product testing! I have been watching him around two years now.

You deserve some respect for all your hard work and kind manners!

Thanks Tony!!

Yes, Please do a video on 365 days/one year of charge/discharge cycles... Much Thanks.

Yes please! Continue testing and rating the rechargeable batteries, I appreciate free will you conduct your testing. I value your work and look forward to more content! Thank you.

quite possibly the best series of rechargeable battery test on youtube!

I don't know if it has been mentioned or not, but there is only one NiMH battery factory in Japan. And that is the Fujitsu/Sanyo/Panasonic Eneloop Pro/White Label Industrial plant. So if you buy an NiMH battery that says "Made in Japan" on it....it is, for all intents and purposes, an Eneloop battery. This is why the Ikea, Amazon Grey/White, Energizer, and Duracell batteries all perform similarly. Because they are all effectively the same, and within margin of error tolerance in manufacturing. Now, the white label manufacturing side of the plant DOES do custom orders. And as such some batteries may be rated at a lower mAh, or have a higher or lower C rating, or have a weaker shelf life. But, the point is, if you buy an NiMH battery from Japan, you know you are getting a quality manufactured product, with quality materials, in a state of the art facility, made by people who know what they are doing. Unfortunately, both Energizer and Duracell have started to put Chinese made cells in. And I suspect some of the people here who have expressed bad experiences with them, have likely gotten a batch of Chinese batteries, and not the top tier Japanese ones. Anyway, some interesting food for thought I thought you might want to know, and that country of origin does matter.

Yes another video on the batteries after a lot of cycles!!!

This might be the most comprehensive review of rechargeables out there. I really like the "real world" testing, especially the honest evaluation of capacity (I have long thought that the rechargeables did not have the capacity they claimed), and what happens when they are charged and re charged through their cycles? "LET'S FIND OUT!" Great test as always. Looking forward to the long term results as well. OH, and love that you test so many different brands, you never know who will float to the top. I have gone on the rechargeables band wagon for a while, then dropped off, then back on.... I look at the tub of batteries I end up recycling then go back to rechargsables again. This test helps me to decide what devices to use rechargeables in.

Me and my boyfriend watch all your videos we think your brilliant and it’s so nice to see how happy and enthusiastic you are! Keep up the amazing work xx

Yes please do another! I cant wait for the next episode!

Yes! Looking forward to the battery tests! Can you do a windshield wiper test?

Most thorough and imaginative reviews ever! You never fail to impress!

Thank you for all of the detail. Im appreciate your hard work and so much energy to this video

Yes.... keep on testing please. Great info! 👍 PS... The Eneloop & Amazon Basics (black) are the same battery, just different wrappers. 😉

I have yet to see someone that reads every comment of their videos as you do

You where featured in an Jalopnik article, I nearly fell over. You're doing great. Love this channel.

Because of you, I now read all Amazon comments in your voice and mannerisms. Excellent video. :-)

This is the hardest working man on youtube.

Hey can you do a year recap and just include all "WINNING" products. I.e(best epoxy- jb weld) and so forth.

Thank you for all your work in testing these. I am a Eneloop fan because I have them (& spent good money on them) I have been happy so far.

Concise logical approach which is a breath of fresh air. Just subscribed. Thanks for the time and effort.

I like you. You're a cool dude. Keep up the interesting tests.

Thanks for the video Project Farm! Great you used the 1900mAh rating this time for the Eneloops :) If you are doing another (discharge/long run) test I'm very interested in seeing the results. Eneloops, and probably other LSD batteries have the quickest drop in the first 10%, then slows down over time. People have tested 10 and also 12 year old eneloops still holding between 60-70% charge.. Interesting results... the top 3 of lowest self discharge are all from the same factory in Japan.. Previously owned by Sanyo, and now part of Fujitsu FDK. This means that they are actually all Eneloops! (kind of anyway ;) If you are willing to do another discharge after 1year... that would be awesome! And I'm glad you are using a proper discharge to test this, instead of a dumb battery checker that is worthless to do these kind of tests. +1

Holly freck that's a bunch of nice testing! Big kudos to you Project Farm!

I’ve been watching your videos for a while now, they are dam informative and have helped me make my final decision on quite a few products for the projects. I appreciate the hard work and effort brother, keep up the great work. Thank you!

Great video as always. I would love to see Li-ion perf tests, maybe some ubiquitous 18650s? LiPo would be cool to compare as well.

I would most definitely like to see how these batteries fare after 100 days in solar lights. I’ve been using Eneloop for years. Nice to see how these other brands compare.

This video was 1000 times more informative than i'd have expected a vid on batteries to be! Awesome stuff haha

Excellent testing methods. Makes me glad that I have a lot of Eneloop batteries in my emergency comms gear. None of my 54 batteries have given me problems.

consistent with what i have found owning and using Duracell, EBL, Powerex , Harbor Freight rechargeable batteries

Excellent video as always. I am curious about one thing, would you be willing to store a set of batteries in the freezer and compare them to a set stored in room temperature to see if they discharge at the same rate? Thanks and keep up the good work!

Thank you for all the time & hard work & money you put into making these videos. I hope you know how much we appreciate it.

Very well done and very interesting! Yes please keep the battery test videos coming!

Awesome test. I got locked out of my house at 11pm on Christmas eve because of Rayovac rechargeable batteries. I had dual key or code entry on my front door to my house and got lazy about taking my physical keys out because I charged the batteries religiously. They were only a few months old and failed on me from a combo of charging too often and/or sitting without being used. I wish RU-vid land warned me that some batteries are worse than others for holding charge or charging too often. It would be good to get a balance of a mid priced battery that has a good shelf life plus does not gunge up if you charge it too often. Try finding a locksmith at 11pm on Christmas eve...Luckily I found one. His name was Smashy Mc Window.

Interesting test, and good info. I've switched to using the Amazon Basics in both AA & AAA sizes and they do very well. The AAA size actually last LONGER in my portable MP3/FM radio (about 15-20 yrs old) than the Duracell Alkalines I'd been using. There are still a few items where I'd use an Alkaline battery, where the battery is in use for months (like in a battery powered clock). However, I would NEVER use either Eveready or Rayovac alkalines again. I've found them both to be subject to leaking .. which causes a mess. The corrosion can be cleaned off with a tooth brush and some vinegar and/or scraping with an Xacto blade. In some applications, which require 6 or 8 AA cells which are held in some kind of battery box/case, I've replaced them with an appropriate sized LiPO battery. LiPO batteries, when fully charged, give 4.2v per cell. You can buy them in 1S (1 cell), 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S & 6S versions, with varying capacities. Since I use LiPOs in all my UAVs (drones), I have multiple chargers and can charge these batteries quickly. They can source a LOT of current .. over 100 amps in some cases, so you have to be careful with them. If you don't abuse them, the will last, especially the Graphene LiPOs. If you do abuse them, you could be in for some VERY unpleasant surprises (like fires or mini-explosions). Thanks for the test video.

Dude! I love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make them. You always perform fair and accurate testing. Please keep the great content coming.

Great Job!! I love the no-nonsense delivery of the info. Keep it up Project Farm. Many thanks mate

Hi mr PF, i feel everyone here just asks about videos but nobody actually asks how are you. How are you?

I would love to see a video on masking/painters tape comparing brands like blue and 3m

definitely looking forward to the sequel to this!!

Thank you Todd for these very detailed videos, I know you put a ton of time and effort into them. My 8 year old son and I watch everyone. Have a great week!

18650 please !!! There’s sooo many it’s overwhelming to know what’s the best for your buck! I unfortunately spent 20 dollars for 2 batteries that only lasted about 3 weeks before giving out :( I thought the more I paid the better the result I guess.

Just curious why didn't you include the original factory batteries in the testing of the lights? I would be interested to see just how the "free" batteries compared.

Knocked it out of the park with this one. Love this kind of content!

Yes please, continue updating on the rechargeable batteries... I've also had very poor luck with rechargeable batteries so hoping to find out which comes out on top over all.

Do a video on insulation, I'm building a tiny house this year

I think I like the Duracells. They just fall under the 10% discharge rate you mention and have a higher capacity then the amazons blacks , panasonics, and energizers. Plus with sales they are comparative in price to the amazons.

Nice video. I have watched EVERY video you made for the past year or two. Not a single video you made was boring. Just like this one. Very interesting.

Battery tech and this sort of review and testing are one of those few things that wont go out of usefulness. Humans will always need a source of portable power and this is a great resource of what the best ones are in the AA category (and probably other sizes of the same model types). Thanks

Cool video, nice presentation, and nicely executed and consistent testing. I would be very interested in how these batteries perform under much lower discharge rates. Many electronics will only sip current compared to your lowest test of 300 mA. For example, I have a garmin GPS that runs about 24 hours off of a set of AA batteries, which I estimate puts it's discharge current at about 80 mA. I consider this device to be a relatively power hungry device! Also, I have some AA flashlights that have both high and low settings, some of which are supposed to last for several days in their "moonlight" setting. I am curious (and I'm sure I'm not alone) which rechargeable battery were last the longest in that type of use. I realize that a lower discharge rate will make the tests painfully slow, so I propose that you start with a selection of your 4 favorite, readily available batteries, e.g., Eneloop, Amazon, Energizer, Duracell, and do a 100 mA test and a 30 mA test. 100 mA and 30 mA are nice because they are exactly a factor for 10 below your 1000mA and 300 mA. The batteries' mAh values vs the discharge current could be plotted to show how ideal each battery's behavior is. This would also give insight as to each battery's Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR). Every battery has a small resistance that causes a voltage sag when under current load. That voltage sag (i.e., V_sag = V_unloaded - V_loaded) is equal to the current draw, I, and the internal resistance, R_internal: V_sag = I * R_internal When a battery powers a device, it is also dissipating power due to its internal resistance. Therefore, when you measure how much power the battery delivers, you are only measuring the power delivered after the internal voltage sag due to ESR. The battery is doing the work to power your device AND heat itself, P = P_internal + P_load. The classic equation for electrical power is P = V * I; hence, P_internal = V_sag*I and P_load = V_loaded*I. Therefore, we can write the total power is P = V_sag*I + P_load. Using our above equation for V_sag, we can see how the power dissipated by the battery due to its ESR is related to the discharge current: P = R_internal*I^2 + P_load. The internal resistance will affect the battery capacity in mAh in roughly a square relationship with the load current. Thus, batteries show better capacity with lower load currents, in part because they dissipate less of their power internally as heat. This is also why shorting out a battery can lead to an explosion: because the power dissipated to internal resistance could cause it to rapidly heat to failure. The important result here is that the battery's self-dissipated power is proportional to the SQUARE of the current draw. This is wasted power! Therefore, when choosing a AA battery for a high current draw devices, say 300 mA and up, it is really important to choose a battery with a low internal resistance (ESR). The batteries that you've tested that show the least capacity drop off at the highest current draw are probably the batteries with the lowest ESR. However, the flip side of this is that when using a device that only draws a small amount of current (say less than 100 mA), the ESR of the battery is relatively unimportant. Finally, because we live in an imperfect, complicated world, there are many other effects at play inside the battery, so I doubt your results will show a perfect current-squared relationship with the change in mAh capacity. That is why it would be really fascinating if you did a test with some batteries at the low current draw end of the spectrum, so we can see how the results change across different orders of magnitude of current draw. I wouldn't use a battery's performance at 1 Amp of current to determine which battery will last the longest in an LED flashlight in moonlight mode that draws 10s of mA. If you read this far, cheers!

Is it a time already to revisit these rechargeable batteries?

I just wanted to say thanks for making such interesting and informative battery comparison videos. Your hard work is quite detailed and thorough. Good Job!

Please continue the battery tests. Thank you for all the effort you put into these vids!

What happened to the 2 year self discharge test. Still waiting for the last test!

"The EBL shown very small improvement from 2406 to 2407" *You tried, EBL. You tried.*

Absolutely please keep these videos coming!

Another great video as always! Thanks to the Guy who sent the Varta and Aldi batteries, we have had both in the past, never bought either again, but it appears that Varta has really raised the bar! We bought the Duracell after your last testing, they gave the best value for money, very happy with the purchase!

Fantastic, batteries are like a box of chocolates...ya never know what you are going to get.....until you watch the Project Farm :-) I hope you will do testing on the Low Self Discharge Rechargeables also especially the 9 volts batteries that can be used in Smoke Detectors that are swapped out twice a year. Thanks for another great test.

Can you test the different types of oil each car manufacturer makes? (Ford Motorcraft, AC Delco (Chevy), Mopar Maxpro, etc.) And see how they compare to normal oils like Valvoline, Mobil One, and the new Amazon oil?

Thank you for the informational videos and the effort you put into them! And congrats on 500k subs!

One of my favorite go to channels, keep up the awesome content!!! Thanks!!!

It would be cool if you could test chisel toughness of cheap chisels

Rechardable C-cell vs Rechargable 3xAAA (to C-cell adapter).

GREAT VIDEO!! As far as follow up videos regarding longer term stand by and recharge cycles all I can say is YES PLEASE!

I have watched many of your outstanding videos. You do a really good job of setting up fair comparisons. Your channel is about the only one I trust to tell the truth about these different products. Like you I gave up rechargeable batteries many years ago. But with this video I think I am willing to give the Amazon Blacks a try. Thanks for doing such OUTSTANDING videos!! You are the best!

PF, Very nice video, very nicely created! I don’t know if you’re ready to answer this question. I know the answer but I don’t want to blow it if it’s a future video.I don’t know if you want to do a video on it or if you want to pin this at the top with the answer or again do a video on it. I think the viewers would like to know what is the reason for the self discharge on the nickel metal hydride batteries ? Thank you General repair

I am married, so I have about a 98% self discharge....lol

Absolutely. As a part-time photographer, I am a huge fan of the ENELoops. They've saved me a fortune (I started out w/Energizer Lithiums, one EXPENSIVE albeit Long-Lasting Battery). That said and as you alluded to, the technology changes... so which battery self-discharges best (least)? which is the most cost-effective? Anyone who uses rechargeable batteries wants to know the answer to that question. And as far as we know, Project Farm is the only one asking it. So Yes & Thank You. If there was a Vote for Most Useful Channel on RU-vid, Project Farm would have my vote. Carry On.

Please keep these tests going. Great information.

I love you

YOU NEVER INCLUDE PRICE TO PERFORMANCE METRICS!

Best content on RU-vid. I look forward to seeing your channel grow even more!

Thank you for the independent testing, please keep going!

HI!

You just got a new supporter on patreon. This is my favorite RU-vid channel, I'm happy to support!

Awesome work again! I'm beyond impressed. Technology has definitely improved for sure.

Thanks Farmer Dude ! Always appreciated.