When it comes to rechargeable batteries, it’s hard to tell if premium brands like Sanyo Eneloop can beat out more value-priced contenders like Ansmann. Take a look at this match-up between the two:

It is true that we have been espousing our love and extolling some of the virtues of the Ansmann rechargeable batteries. This affair began with the AA high-capacity, moved on as we found their ability to perform with R/C vehicles, and has culminated in looking at the larger batteries in their line.

What we needed to know next was if this was just a reaction to the new and different. We had to be sure that we were not being lured in by a fresh face on the market. To do this, we called on an old friend. A battery that has stood by us for years, in the face of much adversity. We needed to call out our Ansmann rechargeable batteries and see how they performed, not just in the lab or on the street, but when put up against the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries. Continue reading ‘Rechargeable Battery Match-up: Ansmann Versus Sanyo Eneloop’

Sanyo Eneloop‘s claim that their new generation of rechargeable batteries can hold their charge for five years confirms them to be the industry leaders. But does a shelf life of 5 years make a real difference to the consumer?

It seems that with every passing year, Sanyo Eneloop continues to advance its rechargeable battery technology and keep their products are the forefront of the industry. This year’s newest generation of Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries boast new features and performance specs that improve on previous batteries’ longevity.

According to Gizmodo, on a full charge, “. . . their latest rechargeable nickel-metal hydride AA and AAA Eneloop batteries will retain up to 70% of their capacity after sitting unused for five years.” There’s no doubt that this is an impressive new feature, but like many of the features often touted for rechargeable batteries, the practical application of having rechargeable batteries sit on a shelf for five years and still retain up to 70% of the charge may seem like an empty feature for the practical consumer who, aside from building and outfitting a bomb shelter, would probably have no need for rechargeable batteries to retain their charge for so long. Does it really benefit the average person?

In fact, it does.

Continue reading ‘Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries Now Hold Charge For Over Five Years’

Read how giving people a pre-charged option for buying NiMH rechargeable batteries changed the industry forever — and what the real differences are between standard and “instant” rechargeable batteries.

For the decades that NiCad rechargeable batteries were king, one of the main reasons why they failed to catch on in mainstream popularity were the fact that many consumers couldn’t be bothered to charge them initially. While NiCad rechargeable battery technology was toxic and clumsy compared to today’s NiMH rechargeable batteries, it was nothing more than the fact that NiCads didn’t come pre-charged in their packs. Simply put, batteries are often purchased on an as-needed basis, making an uncharged pack of rechargeable batteries unhelpful for many consumers who are not shrewd enough to plan their battery useage schedule.

It is for this reason why, in today’s consumer electronics market, more and more NiMH rechargeable battery manufacturers are offering pre-charged or ” “instant” alternatives to their standard rechargeable batteries. Now, when your digital camera is completely dead, or if you’re an organisation who recently invested in a large quantity of devices that all need AA rechargeable batteries, you can now go to the store and pick up NiMH rechargeable batteries that offer both the “instant gratification” of alkalines with the longevity of rechargeables. It was the rechargeable battery industry’s way of further competing with the immediacy of disposable alkaline batteries.

Now that the choice between pre-charged and standard rechargeable batteries exists, which ones are better?

Vapex’s AA rechargeable batteries offer the best comparison. In price, they are generally identical — you can pick them up on EW’s website for AUD$14.99 a 4-pack. So, if the prices are the same, why would anyone buy the un-chanrged over the pre=charged? The answer has to do with battery capacity and mAh.

All rechargeable battery companies are careful to make sure that they give their standard NiMH rechargeable batteries a bit more capacity than their pre-charged counterparts, as an incentive for investing in them over the instants. Using the Vapex example, they just recently released an upgrade of their instant model — they now have a quite impressive Instant AA 2500mAh NIMH Rechargeable Battery option. These Vapex “instant rechargeable batteries” actually feature more mAh than even Sanyo Eneloop’s competing model.

But for as impressive as this may be, Vapex’s standard AA Rechargeable Batteries are 2900 mAh. So, what you lack in an instant charge, you make up for in capacity.

To be sure, the set-up for standard NiMH rechargeable batteries can take much longer. Imagine, for example, that you need to buy several dozen AA rechargeable batteries for a set of new walkie talkies. It could take you days to charge all of them, which may not be an option if you need them to work straight away. In this case, you’re going to probably want to go with instants.

In the end, the decision on whether to buy instant or standard rechargeable batteries will depend on how important mAh is in your purchase, and how much time you have to charge them (if any at all).

Sanyo continues to recreate the revolutionary Eneloop rechargeable battery.

From its beginnings, the Sanyo Eneloop was revolutionary because it was one of the first NiMH rechargeable batteries that came charged right out of the packaging, making it ready to use immediately after purchasing it. It also lasted longer than other lackluster battery brands on the market, making it the first truely “premium” rechargeable battery brand/

The all new Sanyo Eneloop is now even stronger and lasts even longer — it is now rechargeable up to 1500 times. To top that, the Eneloop can be stored for three long years and they’ll still retain 75% of its capacity. You can even use Sanyo Eneloops in freezing cold temperatures.

Now for the technical aspects; The Mignon-eneloop (AA) has a 2000 mAh capacity and the Micro-eneloop (AAA) has an 800 mAh capacity. For all the green, tree-saving rechargeable battery users out there, these batteries are factory pre-charged using solar energy in Japan using photovoltaic generation. This gives the eco warriors of the world an added incentive to invest in Sanyo Eneloop: even the charge on these instant rechargeable batteries do not contribute to the world’s “carbon footprint.”

In addition, the Sanyo Eneloop is the most cost-effective rechargeable battery design for the average consumer to use compared to other NIMH rechargeable batteries. Not only is it more powerful, but it is also much more cost efficient. With normal alkaline batteries, you have to replace them every other couple months. The Eneloop can last for up to ten years! Now for me, I’d rather pay a few more dollars to get rechargeable batteries that I won’t need to swap out every month. Each time you charge your Eneloop batteries, it only costs 4 cents.

Continue reading ‘Sanyo Recharges the Eneloop: What You Need to Know’