Swap toxic old-school AAs for these eco USB-C batteries

Using rechargeable batteries makes a lot of sense. We are happy to do this with our high-tech gadgets—laptop, phone, wireless keyboard and so on—but a lot of other consumer electronics rely on old-school alkaline cylindrical batteries, usually AA or AAA.

Items such as LED flashlights, blood pressure monitors, wireless gaming controllers and children’s toys typically eat through standard batteries.

When your standard batteries are done you should be taking them to be properly recycled to prevent their toxic chemicals from leaking into landfills and water sources.

It makes better environmental and financial sense to buy rechargeable batteries that you can refill when they run out rather than having to dispose of them and go out to buy some more. Those batteries are mostly of the Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) variety that allows for recharging unlike cheapo alkaline. The problem is that they require a special dock for charging.

Simon Jary

For a long time, I’ve owned an Energizer battery charger, a dedicated dock that you insert the compatible rechargeable batteries into when they need refilling. This isn’t difficult but the bulky dock needs a decent amount of space to be stored, and it’s usually hidden behind a bunch of other everyday utilities.

These older NiMH rechargeable batteries quickly lose their charge while sitting in a drawer. Superior Lithium-Ion batteries have a lower self-discharge and hold a strong and consistent voltage while in use.

I have now taken my box of NiMH rechargeable batteries to be recycled as I’ve started using high-performance Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via USB-C—so there’s no need for a bulky charging dock. Each battery has a built-in USB-C port and a smart LED battery-life indicator that lets you know when the power is topped up and ready to go.

The brand of eco-friendly rechargeable battery I use is Statik, which sells USB-C rechargeable Lithium-Ion AA and AAA batteries in packs of 4 ($25.99), 8 ($42.99), or 12 ($55.99) at its online store.

Depending on your USB power source, AAA batteries should fully charge in under one hour, and AA batteries in under two hours.

Statik

Statik includes a 4-to-1 charging splitter cable so you can plug up to four batteries directly into a standard USB wall adapter, power bank or even laptop—just like charging your phone. Note that you need to use a USB-A to USB-C cable rather than USB-C to USB-C due to technical details I won’t bore you with here.

Each Statik AA High-Density Lithium-Ion battery has a capacity of 2,800mWh, with the smaller AAA at a lower 850mAh. They should be good for over 1,200 charging cycles, saving you and the planet thousands of disposables.