I was buying a 24-pack of AA batteries every two months for remotes, kids’ toys, wireless mice, and a thermostat that eats batteries like candy. That is about $40 every two months, or $240 a year, going straight into the trash.

I bought five brands of rechargeable AA batteries and ran them through actual use for three months. Here is what held up.

The Test

I put each set through identical use: six hours daily in a kids’ toy (constant moderate drain), one week in a TV remote (low drain), and one charge-discharge cycle on a battery tester. I measured runtime, charge retention when unused, and capacity after 20 charge cycles.

The Winner: Eneloop Pro

Panasonic Eneloop Pro (black label) delivered 2,550 mAh — nearly double the capacity of the weakest competitor. In the kids’ toy, they lasted 14 hours versus 7-8 hours for most others. After sitting unused for a month, they retained 85% of their charge. After 20 charge cycles, capacity was still at 98%.

They cost about $18 for a 4-pack, which is expensive for batteries. But they are rated for 500 charge cycles. If you use them in one high-drain device and recharge weekly, they pay for themselves in about four months.

Runner-Up: Amazon Basics High-Capacity

2,400 mAh, about $12 for a 4-pack. Performance was very close to the Eneloop Pros — within 5% on runtime. The tradeoff: they lose charge faster when unused (about 70% retained after a month) and Amazon does not publish the cycle rating. For devices you recharge frequently, they are excellent value.

The Rest

Ikea Ladda 2450 performed well (2,450 mAh, $8 for 4) but availability is spotty. EBL and Energizer Recharge both tested around 1,800-2,000 mAh — fine for remotes and clocks, underwhelming for toys and gadgets.

I switched all my high-drain devices to Eneloop Pros six months ago. I have not bought a disposable battery since.