Americans throw away around a billion AA and AAA batteries every year. That's a huge pile of stuff entering landfill at a time when we should be conscious of the harm we're causing the planet. The good news is that there are alternatives to disposable alkaline batteries in the form of rechargeable NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) and lithium-ion batteries. They're the same size and output the same power as the AA and AAAs that we used to chuck into the bin -- the only difference is that they can be used and reused time and time and time again. Also: The best portable power stations of 2026: Expert and lab tested
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Best solar deals of the week $250 (save $120) $190 (save $10) $500 (save $100) $126 (save $10) $349 (save $80) Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best rechargeable battery right now? I've tested a lot of rechargeable batteries, and without a doubt, my top pick right now is the Olight Ostation 2 Pro 3-in-1 Smart Battery Charger -- this is a super-innovative, all-in-one charger, tester, and battery organizer that's perfect for home or work. You take the used AA and AAA cells and feed them into the hopper at the top, and like magic, recharged cells appear in the drawers at the bottom of the charger. And to get you going, the charger also comes with a dozen AA and AAA batteries, which is more than enough to satisfy the power needs of most households.The best rechargeable batteries of 2026 Amazon/ZDNET Why we like it: The Olight Ostation 2 Pro totally rewrites everything I expect from a battery charger. All I have to do is load the dead batteries into the top, and it does everything else for me. It tests each cell, charges the ones that pass the test, and then organizes them into drawers at the bottom. There's no having to slot batteries into spring-loaded contacts, no having to decipher flashing LEDs, and no having to find somewhere to put the charged batteries.It supports both traditional Ni-MH AA/AAA batteries, along with Olight's own 1.5V Li-ion batteries, making it a great choice for everything from toys to professional equipment. It also looks good on a desk.Who's it for: You want a charger that does it all, without any fuss. This is the charger for you. Who should look elsewhere: If you're the sort of person who has a couple of rechargeable AA batteries powering a remote control, this is overkill.Olight Ostation 2 Pro features: All-in-one charger, tester, and battery | Works with most AA/AAA Ni-MH batteries and Ecolast 1.5V lithium batteries | Comes with 12 AA and 12 AAA batteries
