Are rechargeable battery chargers safe?

When used appropriately, yes. This means charging only the supported rechargeable batteries to ensure they're receiving the correct voltage and current. Reliable, modern chargers like the ones on this list also employ several safety features, like "smart charging" functions to cut off the power when a battery is detected to be complete, damaged, or running too hot. This helps prevent problems that come with batteries overcharging or overheating.

Can you use any brand of rechargeable batteries with any charger?

Generally, yes—as long as they are the type of rechargeable battery the charger is designed for, any battery brand should work with that charger. It's still best to charge batteries of similar types, sizes, and charge levels together, particularly with chargers that charge batteries in pairs.

Do the charger or batteries get hot while charging?

It can be expected for rechargeable batteries to get somewhat warm during the charging process, especially with a fast charger using a higher charging current. If the batteries or any part of the charger becomes noticeably hot, you should stop charging and check for issues with the batteries or the charging unit.

The Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers of 2024

Rechargeable batteries are an efficient, economical way to power the battery-operated devices in your home. When your rechargeable batteries run low on power, pop them into your charger, and they'll be ready to use again in a few hours.

If you use enough gadgets to warrant a supply of rechargeable batteries, here are the best devices to keep them topped off.

Best Overall

Energizer Recharge Pro

PHOTO: Amazon

$23 at Amazon $24 at Walmart $29 at Best Buy

Pros

Fast, reliable charging
Charge indicator lights and sounds
Good value

Cons

Must charge in pairs

Energizer's Recharge Pro battery charger supports AA batteries and the smaller AAA size. To use, insert your batteries into the charger, plug them into a wall outlet, and wait about three to five hours for depleted batteries to fill back to capacity. Charging will automatically stop when the batteries are full to prevent overcharging, which can damage your batteries and reduce their life cycle.

The Recharge Pro also provides quick updates on your batteries' charge status through a set of indicator lights on its front. Red means charging has started; yellow means halfway done; and green means full. You'll also hear beeps when charging stops and starts or if the charger senses a problem with the battery.

One inconvenience is that you must charge batteries two or four at a time. Fortunately, this is pretty easy to get around, especially with the starter set of four Energizer rechargeable AAs that come included. The Recharge Pro offers substantial value for any home looking to maintain a decent number of battery-powered devices.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 or 4 | Charging Current: 500mA (AA), 220mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs, sounds

Best for Quick Charging

Panasonic Eneloop Quick Charger

Panasonic Eneloop Individual Battery Quick Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$32 at Amazon $34 at Walmart $37 at Best Buy

Pros

Faster charging than most models
Charge one to four AA or AAA batteries
Four rechargeable batteries included

Cons

Moderately pricey compared to slower chargers
Batteries can get warm

While having spare rechargeable batteries ready is ideal, sometimes you must charge a set as soon as possible. With the Eneloop Quick Charger from Panasonic, you can charge one or two typical rechargeable AA or AAA batteries in about 90 minutes, with a set of three or four taking about three hours. In comparison, the standard version of this charger lists seven hours for a complete set.

Adding to the convenience is the ability to charge those batteries in any number and combination, along with LEDs that change color to indicate each battery's status. Eneloop is a trusted manufacturer of some of the best rechargeable batteries, so the four AA batteries offer excellent value.

One potential downside is that charged batteries may come out somewhat warm to the touch due to the extra current providing faster charging speed. If charge time isn't a factor for you, a slow charger is less expensive and slightly better for the longevity of your battery cells.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 4 | Charging Current: 750mA (AA), 275mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs

Best Budget

AmazonBasics Battery Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$15 at Amazon

Pros

Decently fast charging
USB output
Inexpensive

Cons

Must charge in pairs

If you're looking for a low-cost battery charger with few frills, Amazon offers a usable option under its in-house brand, Amazon Basics. It can hold up to four AA or AAA rechargeable batteries at a time, though, like most budget-level chargers, it can charge only pairs of batteries of the same size.

A red LED light turns on for each side charging, shuts off when charging is complete, and blinks to warn of bad batteries. An auto cut-off function helps make sure your batteries don't overcharge.

When you plug the unit into a wall outlet, a green light indicates the USB port is ready to use. You can then plug in a USB cable to charge a smartphone or other device. This port is a convenient extra feature that lets the charger double as a USB wall plug, but note it will not charge batteries while the USB port is in use. You also can't unplug it from the wall and use your batteries as a portable power bank to charge other devices on the go.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 or 4 | Charging Current: 600mA (AA), 350mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs

Best Features

Nitecore SC4 Superb Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$56 at Amazon

Pros

Compatible with many battery types and sizes
Advanced charging control
High-end LCD display

Cons

More complex than most users need
Expensive

For people who use various batteries and want detailed control of the charging process to maximize their performance, the premium-level Nitecore SC4 Superb Charger may be worth the investment.

It automatically detects the type and capacity of each battery you put in and selects the optimal current. You can also fine-tune the settings manually, such as choosing a current as high as 3A (amperes) for faster charging. You can then monitor detailed information like the battery status and time on the high-definition LCD screen.

In addition to supporting standard rechargeable batteries at AA, AAA, AAAA, C, and D sizes, the Nitecore SC4 also works with various lithium-ion batteries. Depending on the size, you can charge cells individually or up to four at a time.

As a bonus, the SC4 offers USB output, so you can connect devices like a phone or laptop after your batteries are done. You can also buy it in a bundle with a battery case and a car adapter.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA, AAAA, C, D, 18650, many more | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 4 | Charging Current: Max 3A (x2), 1.5A (x4) | Input: 100-240V AC, 12V DC | Status Indicators: LCD screen

Best for Bulk Charging

EBL 40Slot Battery Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$70 at Amazon

Pros

Huge 40-battery capacity
Easy-to-carry design with handle
Four USB output ports

Cons

Must change in pairs

If the typical two- or four-battery charger doesn't cut it for your needs, you can find devices with eight or even 16 slots. However, this EBL product can charge a whopping 40 AA or AAAs at once, making it ideal for households that regularly use bulk quantities of batteries.

The charger is like a case you can fold, with convenient handles that make it easy to tote around. Each half has 20 battery slots and receives power from its input port; the included power cable plugs into one wall outlet and splits up to power the two sides. This arrangement allows you to plug in just one side if you're not using both. You'll need to charge in even pairs of batteries rather than odd numbers.

Helping you keep track of all your charging batteries are lights for each pairing that change from red to blue when a battery is ready. There are even total USB output ports for charging other devices simultaneously.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 2 to 40 (in pairs) | Charging Current: max 200mA (x20) | Input: 100-240V AC | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs

Best Design

Powerowl Rechargeable Battery Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$30 at Amazon

Pros

Distinct circular design
16 individual charging slots
Vents to reduce heat

Cons

Charging is on the slow side

The unique circular design of Powerowl's 16-bay charger makes it an elegant way to blend functional electronics into modern decor. While it may save less space than more compact chargers, it does allow you to plug in as many as 16 AA or AAA batteries one by one, with a small light for each battery to indicate its status.

The design also includes practical advantages, like vents built into each bay to keep temperatures lower while charging is in process. Overheating shouldn't be a big problem, as the charge current is low compared to other home chargers. You'll typically leave it running overnight to get multiple standard AAs to the total capacity.

The latest version of the product lists a new feature meant to detect and automatically repair damaged cells, but actual performance will vary.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 16 | Charging Current: 200mA (AA), 150mA (AAA) | Input: 100-240V AC outlet | Status Indicators: Colored LEDs

Most Versatilile

EBL LCD Universal Battery Charger

PHOTO: Amazon

$17 at Amazon $17 at Walmart

Pros

Fits a variety of battery sizes
Two USB input options
Good value

Cons

Relatively slow charging
No power adapter included

If you own gadgets that call for different battery sizes—or want to be ready in case you do in the future—EBL offers a device flexible enough to cover most household needs. It has adjustable slots for up to eight AA or AAA batteries or four larger C or D batteries, and you can mix and match them in any combination. A pair of small LCD screens show the charge status of the active slots.

The charger comes with a Micro USB cable that you can plug into a power source, with a more modern USB-C input if you want to use a USB-C cable instead of a Micro USB. Unfortunately, the unit doesn't have the USB power adapter that goes into your wall outlet, requiring a 5V 2A adapter.

This type of adapter is usually a larger plug than the smaller 1A adapters, which will need more power for the charger to work correctly. Even with the correct power supply, charging tends to be slower than standard AC-powered chargers, especially if you're trying to charge multiple large batteries.

Supported Battery Sizes: AA, AAA, C, D | Number of Charge Slots: 1 to 8 | Charging Current: 900mA (AA/AAA), 1800mA (C/D) | Input: 5V 2A DC (Micro USB or USB-C) | Status Indicators: LCD screens

What to Look For in a Rechargeable Battery Charger

Supported Batteries

Each charger will list the types of batteries it supports, and you only want to use the batteries your charger is built to handle. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries at AA and AAA sizes are the most common and easiest-to-find chargers. Other chargers also support larger sizes like C or D or rechargeable battery types like lithium-ion batteries.

Number of Batteries

It's usually easy to see how many slots a battery charger has. Many can hold four batteries, though others can fit eight, 16, or more. Chargers that support larger battery sizes may take up two of those slots. You'll also find that inexpensive chargers often require charging batteries in pairs and that charging more at once usually means longer charge times.

Charge Time

Your rechargeable batteries' age, condition, and capacity affect how fast they can charge. Chargers on the fast side can typically fill a set of four AAs in about three or four hours. However, some people may prefer a slower charge as it tends to be slightly better for preserving a rechargeable battery's lifespan in the long run.

FAQ

Are rechargeable battery chargers safe?

When used appropriately, yes. This means charging only the supported rechargeable batteries to ensure they're receiving the correct voltage and current. Reliable, modern chargers like the ones on this list also employ several safety features, like "smart charging" functions to cut off the power when a battery is detected to be complete, damaged, or running too hot. This helps prevent problems that come with batteries overcharging or overheating.
Can you use any brand of rechargeable batteries with any charger?

Generally, yes—as long as they are the type of rechargeable battery the charger is designed for, any battery brand should work with that charger. It's still best to charge batteries of similar types, sizes, and charge levels together, particularly with chargers that charge batteries in pairs.
Do the charger or batteries get hot while charging?

It can be expected for rechargeable batteries to get somewhat warm during the charging process, especially with a fast charger using a higher charging current. If the batteries or any part of the charger becomes noticeably hot, you should stop charging and check for issues with the batteries or the charging unit.