Disposable or rechargeable batteries: which is better? – News Block

Disposable batteries have lower initial costs and can last longer in low-drain devices. Rechargeable batteries, however, are more profitable in the long run despite the higher initial costs. They reduce e-waste and have a longer life per charge in high drain devices.

It is a common riddle; disposable or rechargeable batteries? One is cheap and easy, but perhaps more expensive in the long run, while the other costs quite a bit of money up front, but might turn out to be a better deal.

Disposable or refillable: which is really cheaper?

At first glance, disposable batteries may seem like the cheapest option. They are less expensive up front, but their cost adds up over time because they need to be replaced frequently. If you’re powering a high-drain device like a digital camera or toy, you may often need to replace disposable batteries.

Take a video game controller like the Xbox series controllers. These use AA batteries and depending on how much you play, you might be trading in for a fresh pair every week! If you’re powering a clock, it might not matter, so power consumption is a big factor.

Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, have a higher initial cost, but pay for themselves after a few cycles of use. Considering that a good quality rechargeable battery can be recharged hundreds or even thousands of times, the cost per use becomes mere pennies. Therefore, in the long run, rechargeable batteries are the clear winners in terms of profitability.

Are the rechargeable ones more ecological?

When considering their environmental impact, rechargeable batteries have a significant advantage. Disposable batteries generate a significant amount of e-waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills. This is a waste of resources and can cause dangerous substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury to leak into the environment.

Note: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans dispose of billions of batteries each year, most of which are alkaline. When they end up in landfills, they can contribute to soil and water pollution as their casing corrodes and potentially harmful materials are released.

However, it’s worth noting that modern alkaline batteries are mercury-free (since the mid-1990s), making them less toxic and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors.

Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, can be used repeatedly for several years before they need to be replaced, reducing waste. Additionally, many types of rechargeable batteries contain fewer toxic elements than their disposable counterparts. Many regions have recycling programs for spent rechargeable batteries, which can help further minimize your environmental impact.

RELATED: Why do alkaline batteries leak?

Who has the best battery life?

Battery life is a bit more complex as it depends on your specific use case. For low-drain devices like wall clocks or TV remote controls, a high-quality disposable battery can last longer than a rechargeable one. However, rechargeable batteries typically have a longer life per charge for high drain devices.

Rechargeable batteries also have the advantage of “recharging”. You can recharge them whenever it’s convenient instead of waiting for them to run out of power completely. This flexibility can result in a functional increase in battery life.

Another wrinkle here is in the actual battery capacity. Some rechargeable batteries may have a lower power capacity than alkaline batteries of the same size. Still, since you can recharge them repeatedly, and you can use two sets to switch between charging and using, the effective battery life is only limited by the wear and tear on the batteries.

Charging times and convenience

When it comes to convenience, disposable batteries have an edge. You can put them in and that’s it; They are also available at most stores.

Rechargeable batteries require an initial charge, which can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the type of battery and the speed of the charger. They also need you to have a charger and remember to recharge them. However, as mentioned above, this perceived drawback can be mitigated by planning and rotating batteries: some in use, some charging, and of course these days some come fully charged and ready to go.

In addition, technological advances have led to the development of fast chargers, significantly reducing the waiting time of rechargeable batteries. Some modern rechargeable batteries also have a very low self-discharge rate, meaning they can hold their charge for a long time when not in use.

While both disposable and rechargeable batteries have their pros and cons, rechargeable batteries generally win out in terms of cost effectiveness, environmental impact, and battery life for high drain devices. As long as you’re willing to invest a little more up front, that is.