Article updated on 08/21/2023 – We have slightly restructured this guide in order to present to you at the beginning of the article the top 3 of the best chargers tested by us. If you want to know our opinion on the products, we invite you to go down a little further down the page to find the ratings we have assigned to them, the list of their advantages and disadvantages as well as the summaries of our tests.
1. Duracell Ultra Fast Charger CEF15EU: the best battery charger in terms of speed
2. Duracell CEF27EU Rechargeable Battery Charger: lbest charger for wall outlet
3. Panasonic Eneloop Pro BQ-CC55 (03): the most secure battery charger
Our rechargeable battery charger test procedures
In order to carry out this comparison, we identified the 16 best-selling chargers on the market, then selected and tested the 11 most promising of them for several days.
To test these battery chargers, we first judged their format as well as their connection system. Some have a cable, others plug directly into a wall socket. We have noted the number of available pitches and noted the presence or absence of batteries offered with the charger.
Then, our attention turned to their practicality. Do they have a light signal that indicates the end of charging? How many batteries minimum must be inserted to put it into operation? Is there a screen with more information? A USB port? So many questions that our comparison has elucidated. Finally, the actual performance test took place in timing the time it takes for each model to recharge 2 completely empty 850 mAh AAA batteries.
The fastest battery charger: Duracell Ultra Fast Charger 15 minutes CEF15EU
If a model has managed to convince us, it is this Duracell charger. In concrete terms, he demonstrated his performance very quickly since he didn’t have to more than 15 minutes for our 2 AAA 850 mAh batteries to be recharged. Unlike other models, the latter came out barely warm from the charger. This is due to the presence of an efficient fan, but a source of noise.
The charger itself is well thought out since it is able to accommodate from 1 to 4 batteries: it is equipped with 4 LEDs which indicate when each battery is charged, independently of each other. We found that it shuts off automatically to avoid overcharging. This charger is also supplied with 4 pre-charged 1300 mAh AA batteries and benefits from a 15-year Duracell guarantee. Finally, to spoil nothing, it is resistant to falls, vibrations and shocks.
Product Rating: 4.5/5
The best charger for wall socket: Duracell Fast Rechargeable Battery Charger 45 minutes CEF27EU
Here is the only model of our selection which is capricious in terms of the number of batteries to be recharged at the same time, since it only works when batteries are inserted in pairs. He is all the same managed to fully charge 2 AAA batteries in 1h19. Admittedly, we are moving a little away from the 45 minutes announced by the brand, but this is explained quite simply because the vaunted 45 minutes are effective for a 75% recharge of 750 mAh AAA batteries while we timed the charge at 100% 850 mAh batteries. At the end of charging, our testers found the batteries warm but not hot.
Regarding its other parameters, we noted that it comes with 2 x 1300 mAh AA batteries and 2 x 750 mAh AAA batteries pre-charged. Finally, its format is perfect for a wall socket but a little more cumbersome for a power strip.
Product Rating: 4/5
The safest battery charger: Panasonic Eneloop Pro BQ-CC55 (03)
This Panasonic Eneloop Pro BQ-CC55 (03) model is a charger that includes 4 pre-charged 2500 mAh rechargeable AA batteries in its packaging. Our tests have shown that the device can charge 1 to 4 batteries simultaneously.t and for each battery, an LED indicator indicates the level of charge: green when the battery is charged, yellow as long as it is partially charged and red if it is completely discharged.
By timing the recharge time of 2 AAA batteries of 850 mAh, we obtained 1h28 : less efficient than the Duracell 45 minutes, but still honorable. However, we would like to point out the many safeties provided on this charger which includes, among other things, protection against overheating and short circuits.
Product Rating: 3.5/5
The most aesthetic battery charger: Panasonic Eneloop SmartPlus BQ-CC55 (02)
This model is on the heels of its big brother Pro: it took 1h30 on the device to fully recharge 2 AAA batteries of 850 mAh, only 2 more minutes. It also supports 1-4 AA or AAA batteries. Overall, our product experts found it to offer the same level of satisfaction as its Pro version, except that they found particularly aesthetic in white, and silent since it does not include a fan.
It has an auto shut-off and has a red, yellow or green LED for each battery, so we didn’t have to wait for all the batteries to be fully charged. Finally, we note the ecological effort of the brand, because these two Panasonic models come in a box without plastic.
Product Rating: 4/5
women
How to choose a good battery charger?
Following the recommendations of our product experts, here are the key criteria to consider before buying a rechargeable battery charger.
1 – The loading speed
- The charging speed is a parameter that varies depending on the model and which is decisive depending on your use.
- Some chargers can recharge a large number of batteries, but in several hours. Is this compatible with your use or would it be more useful to charge only 3 or 4 batteries at a time, but in less than an hour? Good questions to ask yourself before opting for one model over another.
2 – Charging indicator lights
- There are several types of indicator lights depending on the chargers.
- Some models indicate the end of the charge by the LEDs going out.
- Others have an indicator light that indicates when the charge is halfway through. They can also emit sound signals or have an LCD screen.
3 – Design
- A battery charger is meant to be a small, inconspicuous device.
- Of course, the most powerful devices will surely be more bulky, and will often have a noisy fan. It is therefore a parameter to consider depending on where you want to place your future charger.
4 – The number and type of batteries to be recharged
- Many models unfortunately work in pairs of batterieswhich will limit you if you only have one or three batteries to recharge.
- On the other hand, they are generally more tolerant as to the types of batteries that you can entrust to them: all the models in our comparison accept the most common rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, therefore those that use NiMH (nickel metal hydride) technology. .
5 – Security
- Finally, and for quite obvious reasons, all the models we used when making this selection have overheat protection.
- This type of security is essential for the longevity of rechargeable batteries as well as for the protection of your home against fires.
The fastest battery charger: Duracell Ultra Fast Charger 15 minutes CEF15EU
The best charger for wall socket: Duracell Fast Rechargeable Battery Charger 45 minutes CEF27EU
The safest battery charger: Panasonic Eneloop Pro BQ-CC55 (03)
The most aesthetic battery charger: Panasonic Eneloop SmartPlus BQ-CC55 (02)
⋙ Rechargeable batteries and batteries: our comparison of the best models
⋙ Batteries: use them well to keep them longer
⋙ Lithium button batteries: an alert campaign on the risks in case of ingestion by children
⋙ Button batteries: this novelty that can save children’s lives