What Batteries Are Best?
Read the discussion at the bottom of this page. (click here)

PowerEx C9000
Maha

BC-900 Alpha Charger
LaCrosse

Delta V
Powerfilm

PowerEx C401fs
Maha

DigiCharger Vario Pro
Ansmann

12V Charger /LED
Wagan

Mini Charger
Targus

USB AA/AAA Charger
Impact

USB AA/AAA Charger
Targus

myPowerGo 1550
Tekkeon

Solar Battery Chargers
Comparison
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Products
covered...

New

Top Pick

Top Pick

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Top Pick

New

 Top Pick

 New

Top Pick

Updated

AA Solar Charger
Charges AA NiMh batteries

AA/USB Solar Charger
Top Pick
AA battery charging plus USB port output

Solar ePower
Compact battery charger & back-up

SolarDuo
ON SALE NOW!
Solar USB port Popular for iPods

What's the attraction?

The top charger for taking care of your rechargeables.
Charges, conditions, analyzes, & more

Charges, conditions, & analyzes.

Includes a fantastic set of accessories
(BC-700 model excludes the accessories)

Handles almost every size of rechargeable battery

Not much larger than a deck of cards, handles 1-4 batteries, with two charging speeds

Can charge 2 cells, can charge almost any camera / camcorder battery, & also offers USB output from your charged cells

Compact & very easy to use with standard solar panels & 12V vehicle sockets

Compact & very easy to use with standard solar panels & 12V vehicle sockets

Small & light, making it a great choice for use with small USB solar panels

The smallest AA/AAA charger we have, making it the best choice for use with small USB solar panels

Charges 4 batteries, and can use the stored power for your 5V USB devices

Battery Capacity

4

4

4

4

2

2

2

2

2

4

Battery Charging Channels
(ie how many batteries can it charge at one time)

1,2,3,4

1,2,3,4

2,4

1,2,3,4

2

2

2

2

2

4

Battery Sizes

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA
AAA
C
D
9v

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA
AAA

AA

Battery Chemistries

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

NiMh
NiCd

Charging Rate
(anything over 750mA could be considered 'Rapid'.
1000mA will charge a typical AA in about 2 hours.
200-400mA is best for battery life)

200mA to
2000mA
(selectable)

200mA to
1000mA
(selectable)

800mA
(max)

Rapid:
1000mA (AA)
500mA (AAA)

Gentle:
300mA (AA)
200mA (AAA)

1000mA
(max)

AA: 900mA
AAA: 400mA

800mA
(max)

450mA
(max)

200mA

1000mA
(max)

AC (Home use)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

DC 12V (Car / Solar)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

USB (Computer / Small Solar)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Connects direct to solar?

Yes
(via 12V)

No
(requires
voltage
converter)

Yes
(via 12V)

Yes
(via 12V)

Yes
(via 12V)

Yes
(via 12V)

Yes
(via 12V)

Yes
(small USB panels only)

Yes
(small USB panels only)

Yes
(small USB panels only)

Recommended Solar

Best if used with solar power systems that include solar power storage battery so that the charger can execute functions without being at the mercy of solar variation

Would require an AC inverter, or a DC converter operating from a solar storage battery

Direct:
PowerFilm 10
Rollable 14

Any complete portable power system

Direct:
PowerFilm 5
Rollable 7
(up to 14 watts)

Any complete portable power system

Direct:
PowerFilm 10
Rollable 14

Solio

Any complete portable power system

Direct:
PowerFilm 5
Rollable 7
(up to 14 watts)

Any complete portable power system

Direct:
PowerFilm 5
Rollable 7
(up to 14 watts)

Any complete portable power system

Solio
ePower II
Solaris USB

Solio
ePower II
Solaris USB

ePower II
Solaris USB

DC Output?
(to provide power from the batteries it charges)

No

No

No

No

Yes
(USB)

No

No

No

No

Yes
(USB)

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