Which rechargeable AA batteries last longest? We charged them up, loaded them into identical Mini Maglites, turned on the lights and waited to see how long they took to run flat.
Milliamp hours (mAh) is a unit of measurement for electric power over time. Put simply, it tells us the amount of energy stored inside the battery – the higher the number, the better the battery’s lifespan.
Torch test winner
GP Professional
mAh: 2500
Torch test results: 5 hours, 33 mins
Cost per battery: R34,98
Best value
Energizer
mAh: 1400
Torch test results: 3 hours, 50 mins
Cost per battery: R23,47
Uniross
mAh: 2100
Torch test results: 3 hours, 39 mins
Cost per battery: R35
Duracell
mAh: 2450
Torch test results: 4 hours
Cost per battery: R32,49
Logik
mAh: 1200
Torch test results: 3 hours, 17 mins
Cost per battery: R34,99
Super Power
mAh: 2500
Torch test results: 4 hours, 26 mins
Cost per battery: R22,49
Although these batteries should have won the Best Value award, we found them to be irregularly shaped, with some not fitting the Maglite torch.