We go through a ton of batteries. Probably everyone does, every single day. As the kids grow up, there are game controllers, RC cars, and these days even some LEGO sets that need batteries. I used to just buy a few dozen at a time at Costco, but I really started to feel like we needed to switch to rechargeables. Looking into it more closely, it turns out there are different battery types, and if you use the right one for each job, it’s cheaper and more convenient too.
Alkaline – The easiest to find, and the type you’ll see in regular AA and AAA batteries. The upside is that they don’t lose much charge sitting unused, but the downside is that the voltage drops as you use them, and they can’t be recharged. *Good for things that sit around a long time without much use, like a TV remote.
NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) – The upside compared to alkaline is that the voltage stays steady. They’re rechargeable, but unlike lithium, you should run them all the way down before recharging; otherwise the usable capacity shrinks. Opposite of alkaline, they slowly lose charge when sitting around. *Great for game controllers and toys the kids use constantly and recharge once they’re drained.
Lithium ion – Known as the best of all the battery types, and priced accordingly. They can deliver serious power even in small devices. Unlike NiMH, running them all the way down shortens their life, so you should recharge before they’re empty. Like NiMH, the voltage stays steady, and they also lose charge over time. Because they’re so powerful, there’s also a risk of explosion (Lithium Polymer was developed to improve on that). *Good for things you charge regularly, like phones, plus cameras and power tools.