Sanyo Eneloop "pre-charged" batteriesWhen it comes to rechargeable batteries, your best bet is to load up on the newer "pre-charged" variety of NiMH batteries.

First, they're ready to go straight out of the package just like traditional alkalines. Second, and very much unlike regular rechargeables, they hold a charge for a long, long time with very little drain.  Generally, you can expect to have as much as an 85% charge a year after you've taken them off the charger (you can use your current NiMH charger). If you're familiar with rechargeables you've gotten used to not relying on them. I can't count how many times I've popped in a set of rechargeables taken off the charger maybe a day earlier and...nothing. That's an untenable situation. Thankfully you have "pre-charged" batteries available to you. They're fairly hard to find in stores as of this entry, but easy to find online.

I prefer Sanyo Eneloops myself and would recommend them if you only need a set or two. But, if you're like me and you need many sets of batteries I'd recommend getting various brands. By doing so it's easier to keep track of them in your bag. It's highly recommended that you always charge your batteries as a group and keep that set together. In other words, you don't want to mix batteries taken off the charger today with ones taken off yesterday. Always charge and use them together and you'll get more performance out of them. So if you have a set of Sanyo Eneloops, a set of Rayovac Hybrids, a set of Kodak Pre-Chargeds, a set of Duracell Pre-Chargeds, etc. it'll be easier to keep track of them.

By moving to the environmentally friendly pre-charged category of rechargeables NiMH batteries you'll have power and reliability when you need it. Pop a set or two of these batteries in your bag and don't worry about having power when you really need it.

Update on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 12:01AM by Mike James

In the December 2009 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, the magazine ranks Sanyo Eneloop at the very top of its list of rechargeable batteries giving it a rating of "Very Good".

In my own non-scientific tests, I've found the Sanyo Eneloop Pre-Charged batteries to provide the best overall performance.  Charge them, set them aside and they'll be there ready to go when you are.