Harbor Freight rechargables and eneloop, vs others?

[the86d]

I have been out of the rechargeable battery loop for a while now, while using things such as 3rd party 360 controller battery packs (USB rechargeable), and such.

Anyway, I am jumping back on the AA and AAA rechargeable NiMH train, after a hiatus due to some energizers that didn't last long... in number of charges.

Anyone have some moderate to long-term use of these (in # of charges before they stopped performing) brands such as Eneloop (4th gen it appears), X2Power, and Harbor Freight NiMH, or even other brands that lasted "quite a long time" ("few hundred") minimum charges?

Are the Harbor Freight brands of AA and AA NiMH complete-crap?

Hell, drop some knowledge of some that lasted the least number of charges if care to share... I am interested.

[fishmonger]

i gone with others even amazon brand but ended up with eneloop from costco for the best price.

[M1NM]

Are the Harbor Freight brands of AA and AA NiMH complete-crap?

I don't see any reason their batteries should be any different than the rest of their products.

[EXTREMEOPS1]

Yep total crap

I don't see any reason their batteries should be any different than the rest of their products.

My harbor freight batteries took a charge then faded out over a week returned them and got my money back Enerloop have a good rep but I haven't seen them in costco in a while

[the86d]

Welp, I got 24 Fujitsu AAA's, and 12 Eneloop Az's, and added an authentic eneloop charger. The Fujitsu's look like the same number of charges and (750 vs. 800mah) specs as the eneloop. We'll compare and contrast longevity. All are listed as LSD. Each set was about $30/pk.

[sholling]

I'd avoid Harbor Freight but that's just because their other products seem flakey. Mostly I use Enloops, but I've had good luck with Amazon rechargeables as well. For what it's worth The Wire Cutter recently tested and compared rechargeable AA batteries.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/

[the86d]

I'd avoid Harbor Freight but that's just because their other products seem flakey. Mostly I use Enloops, but I've had good luck with Amazon rechargeables as well. For what it's worth The Wire Cutter recently tested and compared rechargeable AA batteries.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/bes...ble-batteries/

Yes, I came across that page when researching, but "their pick" was $5/each energizers ($20/4)...
And that is the brand that stopped charging and why I stopped buying rechargeable NiMH batts for YEARS.

Granted I could be screwed on the ebay batts in the mail, but I'll be looking for counterfeits, and all us sellers.

[ExtremeX]

I used to buy a lot of NiHM cells... mostly generic, ebay, or whatever I came across in local stores. Every one of them has died and is now out of service. Some just die sitting in storage...

After buying Eneloop cells, I never looked back. Its well worth its price.

I've had the same big Costco pack of Eneloops in service for years, and some sit in storage for a while, months on end before they get used. Most in flashlights and higher end test equipment.

At first they seemed really expensive but it was worth it IMO.

[fishmonger]

At first they seemed really expensive but it was worth it IMO.

they only seem expensive when you look at it one battery vs the other brand one battery. when you take into account you will replace the other brand 2-3 times while the Eneloop keeps going it starts looking very cheap.

[SkyHawk]

Eneloop

/thread

[Merc1138]

Harbor Freight products are sometimes great for the "use once then throw it away because it'll just break the 2nd time you try, and you really only got that item at HF because it's the only time in 20 years you've ever needed it". That's pretty much the opposite use case one would expect for a rechargeable battery.

[tuolumnejim]

Another vote for Eneloops, I have the harbor freight crap ones somewhere and I tried to give them away with no takers.

[sholling]

Yes, I came across that page when researching, but "their pick" was $5/each energizers ($20/4)...
And that is the brand that stopped charging and why I stopped buying rechargeable NiMH batts for YEARS.

Granted I could be screwed on the ebay batts in the mail, but I'll be looking for counterfeits, and all us sellers.

Formulations change, but I suspect that your problem was the charger. I've seen a cheap charger ruin Enloops and I've seen a good charger work great with Enloops, Energizers, and Amazon branded batteries. I own a couple of EBL 12-bay chargers for AA and AAA batteries, and a Nitecore charger for my 18650 and RCR123 batteries. A good charger charges, maintains and does not overcharge batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OT7HSBO

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBGDK8M

[Fizz]

I've been using eneloops in every application that will take them for years.

I haven't kept any stats, but I haven't needed to replace any of them.

I have a branded Panasonic Eneloop charger that charges cells individually. I think this is a lot better than the units that charge them in groups

[Tovarish]

Eneloops are quality. Get the starter kit at Costco. I'm referring only to AA and AAA. Even C is a different ball game.