Nay, nay, Amazon! These rechargeable batteries are anything but basic. (Amazon)
With Christmas just around the corner, we bet you'll find a few battery-hungry gadgets under the tree. Batteries are an expensive but necessary part of life — and they seem to double down during the holidays. You can save money in the long run if you buy rechargeables, but the up-front cost for a pack is pretty pricy. Amazon has a solution: Its Amazon Basics Rechargeable Batteries, which cost way less than competing brands. Even better? They'll arrive at your door today with Prime.
If you want to save a little on an Apple wearable, the Series 10 is still worth the investment. It boasts an always-on Retina display and comes with useful features like ECG apps, a fitness tracker and more. And while the Series 11 has just been released, it sports the same processor, same design and nearly all of the same features. In other words, you're getting the bulk of the 2025 Apple Watch here, but at the 2024 discount.
"I upgraded from a Series 5," said this watch wearer. "The battery life is phenomenal, I can literally go two days without charging. When I do have to charge it, it's full in about 30 minutes. The price is on par for the quality. The health sensors are nice. I know I have sleep apnea and never got around to taking care of it. The watch notified me after about a month of use and provides data to bring in to the doctor's office."
Always know how many batteries you have — and whether they work, thanks to the included tester.
With up to 1,000 recharges and the ability to maintain capacity for up to two years, these batteries are an excellent option.
Amazon offers five quantities: four, eight, 12, 16 and 24 batteries per pack. The larger the pack, the less the per-battery cost. This 12-pack is just $12, with a unit price of just a few cents over a buck per battery. A 12-pack of Energizers is almost triple the price at $34.
Amazon promises that these batteries can be recharged 1,000 times before needing replacement. That’s potentially hundreds of dollars saved with just one pack. Rated for a five-year shelf life, you can store them for emergencies without worrying about a lost charge. No shocking surprises here.
"Great quality and long-lasting," says a fan. "After fully charged, these last just as long as Duracell rechargeables."
One five-star reviewer said these were the go-to batteries of choice for critical uses. "Every year I always purchase a set of these as our standby AAs for the wireless microphones at our church. ... We do not want a microphone to go dead in the middle of a service. ... Through the years, the Amazon Basic AA batteries have been consistent in terms of quality. Make sure to get the standard capacity Amazon Basic," the reviewer warns, noting anecdotally that the high capacity version "will start to fail if left on a trickle charger 24/7."
A parent praised the batteries for their multi-kid household: "I bought these in AA and AAA sizes and they work great for remotes, video game controllers, and toys. I have five kids, so we go through a lot of batteries. I had tried rechargeable batteries several years ago but wasn't happy with the longevity. These are great. They've come a long way since then. One charger works for both sizes."
Need a place for all of those batteries? Check out this organizer and save your junk drawer from a battery takeover.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
