Best Batteries for Apple Wireless Peripherals

[Corey Grandy]

Lately I've noticed that my own rechargeable batteries are slowly but surely dying out (a full charge as show by the battery charger reads as ~63% on my iMac) and have been wondering what there is to buying new batteries.

Personally, I've never before needed batteries to last terribly long and have never known whether there are many differences between various brands. Just looking to you all for some advice and personal experience as to whether or not I should look into buying a certain brand.

Thanks,
CG

 

[gsander]

Best Batteries for Apple Wireless Peripherals

As a user of significant quantities of rechargeable batteries for other applications in addition to computer peripherals, I highly recommend PowerEx rechargeables.
www.mahaenergy.com
I have not found anything that compares to their durability and life.
I have used them pretty much exclusively for a number of years in wireless mic applications and they "just work".

 

[CaptainChunk]

Are talking about wireless Apple keyboards and mice? On my wireless Mighty Mouse, I've always found that Energizer Lithium batteries (I think the mouse even came with a set of these from the factory) always last the longest - several months of regular use. Although these batteries aren't cheap, they far outlast the alkalines you'd go through, money-wise.

I've never had the same luck with NiMH batteries on the same mouse - even brand new batteries with a full charge will never report 100% in OS X. A single charge will last perhaps a week before I have to switch them out. Not a big deal if you're not into buying disposable batteries, I guess...

 

[jampat]

If you want rechargables, go for the low self discharge Ni-MH (like Sanyo Eneloops, other companies sell them too). Normal Ni-MH kill themselves quite quickly, the low self-discharge models can go a year without charging. They are about the same price as normal Ni-MH but a little harder to find (although Amazon carries them).

 

[bigdaddyp]

I have been buying Energizer and Duracell rechargeable Nimh batteries rated at 2500 mah. When fully charged the mac says the battery level is around 60%. They seem to last 4-6 weeks before needing to be recharged. About every three weeks or so the local grocery store puts them on sale for $7.50 U.S.D for a 4 pack. Since my kids have many high drain devices that use that size of battery I have stocked up on extra's when on sale and store the extra's after charging in the freezer (slows the self discharge tendency). Cost effective and good for the enviroment.

 

[marioman38]

eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop!!

I've tried Duracell, Panasonic, Energizer, they ALL die slowly.

Sanyo eneloop is great! I got a pack at costco with a charger, I use them in my mouse, camera, wii remotes, they last sooo much longer

 

[Gordy]

I use USBCell batteries in my magic mouse, and I've just picked up another set for when the batteries in my keyboard run out.

The are a brilliant idea, it saves the hassle of finding a charger as you just sling them in any usb port.

Picture:

Link to more info:
http://www.usbcell.com/product/1

 

[Le Big Mac]

eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop!!

I've tried Duracell, Panasonic, Energizer, they ALL die slowly.

Sanyo eneloop is great! I got a pack at costco with a charger, I use them in my mouse, camera, wii remotes, they last sooo much longer

Can eneloops be used with a standard battery recharger or do you need a proprietary one?

 

[flyfish29]

eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop, eneloop!!

I've tried Duracell, Panasonic, Energizer, they ALL die slowly.

Sanyo eneloop is great! I got a pack at costco with a charger, I use them in my mouse, camera, wii remotes, they last sooo much longer

I agree with eneloop however Rayovac makes one called Hybrid which is just like the eneloop that received great ratings online several places and I believe is cheaper and easier found. I have some AA and AAA of the Rayovacs that I got at target for $7.99 a four pack on sale and they work awesome for my sons Wii controllers, headlamps, etc.

Both of these brands (eneloop and rayovac Hybrid) have a much better shelf life than normal rechargeable. they don't drain after a short time and will hold their charge better. Do some research on google to find more.

Amazon seems to have good deals on them with 2 4-packs for $19
Amazon Rayovac Hybrids

 

[jampat]

Can eneloops be used with a standard battery recharger or do you need a proprietary one?

Any NiMH charger works fine.

 

[Corey Grandy]

Found myself at Costco today and checked out the batteries. Managed to pick up 24 of the eneloop (18 AA and 6 AAA) for less than $35.00 taxes in. They were on clearance at $9.97 for a pack of 6 AA and 2 AAA, so that was extremely convenient. I went back later after realizing the incredible deal I had got (and intending to get another 24) and there were none left.

Oh well, I think I did fairly well.

Thanks all