Between low self-discharge NiMH and alkaline cells, 13 of the 16 characteristics in the full table below differ; one is the same and 2 can’t be compared because our sources give no figure or rating for one or both.
1.2 V · 84 Wh/kg · 2,100 cycles
An AA or AAA you can recharge up to 2,100 times that still holds 70 % after 10 years in a drawer.
Watch out: 1.2 V instead of 1.5 V: a few devices show a low battery early. Panasonic advises against devices with airtight battery compartments.
1.5 V · Single use
1.5 V, sold everywhere and 10 years on the shelf: fine for low-drain devices you rarely touch.
Watch out: The usable capacity depends strongly on the load, it works only down to −18 °C, and it is single use.
| Feature | NiMH low self-discharge | Alkaline |
|---|---|---|
| Differences (13) | ||
| Basics | ||
| Type | Rechargeable | Single use (primary) |
| Nominal voltage | 1.2 V | 1.5 V |
| Voltage range | 0.9 V (empty) to 1.4 V (full) | 1.5 V nominal; Energizer’s tests stop at 0.8 V |
| Formats | AA and AAA | AA, AAA, C, D and 9 V |
| Example (source of the figures) | Panasonic eneloop AA | Energizer E91 (AA) |
| Energy | ||
| Energy per kilogram | 84 Wh/kg | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) |
| Energy per litre | 273 Wh/L | No single figure: the capacity depends strongly on the load (Energizer gives it as a chart) |
| Life and storage | ||
| Cycle life | Up to 2,100 (IEC 61951-2:2011); 600 with the 2017 method (Panasonic) | Single use |
| Self-discharge and storage | 70 % left after 10 years at 20 °C (Panasonic estimate) | Shelf life 10 years at 21 °C (Energizer E91; 12 years on the newer E91 Max sheet) |
| Temperature | ||
| Charging temperature | 0–40 °C · fast charge (Panasonic BK-3MCC) | Not rechargeable |
| Discharge temperature | from −20 to 50 °C · rated for use (Panasonic) | from −18 to 55 °C |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Charging | NiMH smart charger (2–3 hours) or 0.1C for 12–14 hours; trickle below C/40 (Energizer) | Not rechargeable |
| Uses | ||
| Typical uses | Remotes, toys, game controllers, camera flashes, wireless keyboards | Clocks, remotes, low-drain devices |
| Same on both (1) | ||
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Air transport | Not restricted by air when the terminals are protected against short circuits (IATA special provisions A199 for NiMH, A123 for dry cells) | |
| Can’t be compared (2) | ||
| Current | ||
| Maximum continuous discharge | Not stated in our sources | No rated maximum; internal resistance 150–300 mΩ when fresh (Energizer) |
| Safety, charging and shipping | ||
| Fire risk | Not rated here | Not rated here |
Open the battery comparison →Tick what your project needs and see which of the 15 chemistries fits.
Voltage and charge chart: NiMH low self-discharge →
With low self-discharge NiMH: recharging. With alkaline cells: a higher voltage that some devices need.
Recharge cycles for low self-discharge NiMH: up to 2,100 (IEC 61951-2:2011); 600 with the 2017 method (Panasonic). Storage for alkaline cells: shelf life 10 years at 21 °C (Energizer E91; 12 years on the newer E91 Max sheet).
In most devices, yes: both come as AA and AAA cells. NiMH runs at 1.2 V, so a few devices show a low battery early.
NiMH low self-discharge vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) Lithium AA (Li-FeS₂) vs alkaline Li-SOCl₂ vs alkaline LiFePO4 vs Li-ion (NMC/NCA) LiFePO4 vs lead-acid AGM Li-ion (NMC/NCA) vs LiPo (pouch) LTO (lithium titanate) vs LiFePO4
Figures from one or two named cells or batteries per chemistry, from the makers’ datasheets; checked in November 2026.