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Romain Metaye

Ph.D. in Chemistry, École Polytechnique

September 25, 2023

9416 Views

Illuminate your outdoors all night long with the best batteries for solar lights of 2021.

Nowadays, solar lights are incredibly popular! With the proper battery, they are maintenance-free, they work off-grid, and ultimately, thanks to their solar panel, they can light your garden for hours.

In this review, you’ll find 20 of the best rechargeable batteries for your solar lights based on the following factors:

Ready for the outdoors
Durability
Capacity

Foreword

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20 Best Batteries For Solar Lights

Panasonic Eneloop AA 2100 Cycle Ni-MH, 2000 mAh

The most robust and durable rechargeable batteries for solar lights. With the highest life duration (6 years) and impressive storage life of 10 years, these Panasonic batteries will never let you down. For all types of weather, these are highly recommended.

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Pros

Best life duration (2100 cycles, 6 years)
Works at low temperature (-4°F)
Great capacity (2000mAh, 8 hours)
Storage life of 10 years

Energizer Rechargeable AA Batteries, NIMH, 2000 mAh,1.2V

One of our best picks for a rechargeable solar light battery. Built with quality material (4% comes from recycled batteries), it is long-lasting and extremely resistant to cold weather.

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Pros

Good storage capacity (2000mAh, up to 7 hours)
Long lifespan (5 years, 1500 cycles)
Works well at low temperature: -4°F
Made of 4% recycled materialu003cbru003e

Cons

Limited shelf storage (1 year)
Low performances at temperatures above 86°F
A bit pricey

Tenergy Premium PRO Rechargeable AA Batteries, 2800mAh NiMH

This pack of 4 premium rechargeable AA batteries is perfect for your solar light. It combines durability with up to 4 years of good service, high capacity to light up your nights for 12 hours, and robustness to deal with extreme temperatures (-4°F to 122°F).

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Pros

High capacity (2800mAh, 12 hours of light)
Long service life (1200 cycles)
1-year warranty
Perfect for outdoor use (-4°F to 122°F)
Built with high-quality material

ARCCI NiMH AA Rechargeable Batteries 2700mAh, 8 Counts

This product from ARCCI combines all the qualities we are looking for in a good solar light battery. It works under extreme temperatures. It offers a huge capacity for up to 10 hours of light. Finally, it is long-lasting (3 years) and very well priced.

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Pros

Fitted for the outdoors (-4°F to 122°F)
Great capacity (2700mAh, 10 hours of light)
Life duration of 3 years (1200 cycles)
Long shelf storage life (5 years)
Ready to use (pre-charged)
Well priced

Rechargeable AA Batteries, SUKAI 2800mAh, 8 pack

This pack from Sukai benefits from the latest innovation for NiMH rechargeable batteries. Make sure they are fully charged and insert them in your solar light. They will give you at least 3 years of maintenance-free service. In addition, they work in all types of climates and are very well priced.

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Pros

Great capacity (2800mAh, 12 hours of light)
Life duration of 3 years (1200 cycles)
Works well in extreme climates (-4°F to 122°F)
Long storage life (3 years, 80% initial charge)
12 Months warranty
Well-priced

Cons

Need to be fully charged before first use

VONIKO AA Rechargeable Batteries 12 Pack

We love these rechargeable batteries from Voniko. They are resistant to extreme weather (-4°F to 122°F) and will last for 3 years in your solar light. In addition, their capacity is good enough for up to 12 hours of light. A well-priced product.

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Pros

Great capacity (2600mAh)
Last long (1000 cycles, 3 years)
Fitted for the outdoors (-4°F to 140°F)
Long storage life

Cons

No warrantyu003cbru003e

POWEROWL AA Rechargeable Batteries, 2800mAh

These solar light batteries from Powerowl will last for years in your solar lights. They have the largest storage capacity and their value for money is top-notch. However, they are best suited to warmer climates.

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Pros

Large storage capacity (2800mAh, up to 12 hours of light)
Great life duration of 4 years (1200 cycles)
A well-priced pack of 16 batteries

Cons

Not fitted for cold winters

Duracell Rechargeable AA Batteries, 2650 mAh 1.2V

The Duracell rechargeable batteries for solar light feature a great storage capacity to keep your light on for up to 10 hours. In addition, they are durable and reliable, with 3 years of continuous operation in the outdoors.

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Pros

Great storage capacity (2650mAh, up to 10 hours)
1000 life cycles (3 years)
Long storage life (10 years)
Built-in high-quality material from Duracell

Cons

More expensive than similar batteries

Amazon Basics 8-Pack AA Rechargeable Batteries, 2000 mAH

A great battery pack for your solar light by Amazon, with the right balance between capacity, and durability vs price. You’ll get 6 to 8 hours of light every night, and 3 years of good service. A perfect choice for smaller budgets.

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Pros

Affordable
Great capacity (2000mAh, up to 8 hours)
Ready-to-use
Good battery life (1000 cycles, up to 3 years)

Cons

Limited shelf storage life (2 years)

EBL AA Rechargeable Batteries, 1.2V, 1100mAh, NiCd

The EBL rechargeable battery for solar lights is a great product that features NiCd technology. Therefore, it is resistant to extreme temperatures, such as cold winters. The low battery capacity (5 hours of light) is balanced by the most competitive pricing in our review.

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Pros

Most affordable solar light battery
Great performances at very low temperature (NiCd technology)
Quality product

Cons

Limited capacity (1000mAh, 5 hours)
Short life duration (500 cycles, 1.5 years)
Contain toxic material (Cadmium)

Geilienergy Solar Light AA Ni-CD, 1000 mAh

A rechargeable battery pack (8 pieces) built for extreme weather thanks to the NiCd technology. Durable, they will last for up to 3 years in your solar light giving a maximum of 6 hours of light per day when fully charged under the sun.

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Pros

Fit for extreme temperatures (-4°F to 122°F)
Good life duration (2 to 3 years)
Up to 6 hours of lightu003cbru003e

Cons

Not ready to use (need to be discharged and charged first for better performance)
Less durable than NiMh

Tenergy AA Rechargeable Battery NiCd, 1000 mAh, 1.2V

These rechargeable batteries for solar light feature NiCd technology. Therefore, they are extremely resistant to cold temperatures. They are your best choice for an all-weather solar light battery, at a very affordable price.

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Pros

Ni-Cd technology for extreme temperature
Great pricing
Built with quality material

Cons

Average capacity (1000 mAh, 5 hours of light)
Limited life cycle (500 cycles or 1.5 years)
Contain Cadmium, highly toxic to the environment

RayHom AA Rechargeable Batteries, 2800mAh Ni-MH

These RayHom rechargeable batteries are a great choice for your solar light. We selected them because of their high capacity. They will provide up to 12 hours of light when fully charged. They are also durable with 3 years of service or 1200 cycles.

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Pros

Great capacity of 2800mAh (up to 12 hours of light)
Good battery life of 3 years
Low self-discharge rate
1-year warranty

Cons

Not recommended for cold weather
Need to be charged 3 to 5 times at first to get 100% of its capacity

HAOHIYO AA Rechargeable Battery 2800mAh 1.2V NiMH

A great product from Haohiyo, this pack of 8 rechargeable batteries will perform well in your solar light. Thanks to its high capacity, you’ll be able to enjoy up to 12 hours of light (when fully charged), for 3 years without maintenance. Works best in warm climates.

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Pros

Great capacity (2800mAh, 12 hours of light)
Up to 1000 cycles (3 years)
Long shelf storage life (up to 5 years)

Cons

Not fitted for extreme temperatures
Should be first fully charged/discharged 3 to 5 times

ITEHIL Rechargeable AA Battery, 2700mAh, 8 pack

This pack of 8 NiMh rechargeable batteries from ITEHIL offers the best price vs capacity ratio. With 2700mAh, you will enjoy up to 10 hours of light, for up to 3 maintenance-free years in your solar light. The battery of choice for warmer climates.

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Pros

Well priced
Great storage capacity (2700mAh, 10hours)
Long lifespan (1200 cycles, 3 years)
Low self-discharge rate (3 years, 80%)

Cons

Not fitted for cold winters
No warranty

Fufly AA Rechargeable Batteries 2800mAh (Pack of 12)

This is a good entry choice for your solar light rechargeable battery. The capacity is great, it will provide up to 12 hours of light when fully charged. It is durable with 3 years of good service in your solar lights. Only for warmer temperatures (min. 20°F)

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Pros

High capacity (2800mAh, 12 hours)
1200 life cycles (3 years)
Long shelf storage life (up to 5 years)
Well priced

Cons

Only for warmer weather
No warranty
Should be fully charged 3 to 5 times to reach 100% capacity

Rayovac Rechargeable NiMH, AA Batteries (4 Count)

Durability is the best quality of the Rayovac rechargeable batteries. They will last more than 4 years in your solar lights. They are also covered by a 5 years power warranty. Their capacity is good, with up to 6 hours of light.

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Pros

Highly durable (1500 cycles, 4 years)
Average capacity (1350mAh, 5-6 hours of light)
5-year power warranty

Cons

A little bit pricey
Not the best for cold weather

PKCELL NiMH AA 1300mAh 1.2V Battery- 4Count

A good entry-level battery for your solar lights in warm weather. With a capacity of 1300mAh, you can expect 5 hours of light. Rated at 1000 cycles, it will last 2 to 3 years in your solar light without maintenance.

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Pros

Up to 5 hours of light
1000 cycles for 2 to 3 years life duration
Low self-discharge rate

Cons

Not fitted for cold climates
Should be fully charged 3 to 5 times first for better performances

Mr. Batt Rechargeable AA Batteries, 1600 mAh, pack of 8

One of the most affordable batteries for your solar light. They come pre-charged in a pack of 8. Install them in your solar light and you are good to go maintenance-free for 3 years. After being charged under the sun, they will light up your night for 6 hours.

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Pros

Great pricing
Durable (1200 cycles, up to 3 years)
Good storage life
Capacity of 1600mAh (5-6 hours)

Cons

Work best in warm weather (30°F at the lowest)

NiMH Rechargeable AA Battery High Capacity, 1.2V, precharged

A great choice for a smaller budget, this pack of 12 rechargeable batteries for your solar light will give you up to 12 hours of light per day. Its short life duration (1.5 years) is balanced by a low price. Recommended for warmer climates.

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Pros

Great storage capacity (certified 2400mAh, 12 hours)
UL-certified batteries (they are safe)
Affordable

Cons

Low battery life duration
Not fitted for cold weather

FAQs

What should be considered when selecting batteries for solar lights?

When selecting batteries for solar lights, consider the battery’s capacity (mAh), which affects the duration of light provided, life duration (number of cycles or years), whether they are suited for extreme temperatures, especially if they are to be used outdoors, self-discharge rate, and whether they come pre-charged.

Also, consider the battery’s technology, such as Ni-MH or Ni-Cd, as it affects the performance, environmental impact, and suitability to weather conditions.

Why is it important for the batteries to work well at low temperatures?

It’s crucial because solar lights are often used outdoors, where they are exposed to varying weather conditions, including cold temperatures.

Batteries that work well at low temperatures ensure consistent performance and reliability of the solar lights even in winter or in regions with colder climates, preventing the light from dying out quickly.

Are higher capacity batteries always better for solar lights?

Not necessarily. While higher capacity batteries can store more energy and can potentially power the lights for a longer period, they may also be more expensive and may not be necessary for all users. It’s essential to balance capacity with your actual needs and budget, considering also other factors like lifespan and temperature resilience.

How does NiCd technology in batteries benefit solar lights?

NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) technology allows batteries to perform well in extreme temperatures, especially in very cold conditions, making them suitable for outdoor solar lights. However, they usually have a lower capacity compared to NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries and contain cadmium, a toxic material that poses environmental concerns.

How does the self-discharge rate affect the performance of solar light batteries?

The self-discharge rate affects how much energy is retained by the battery when not in use. Batteries with low self-discharge rates retain more of their charge over time, making them more reliable, especially during periods when there is less sunlight to charge the solar lights, ensuring that the lights remain operational for longer periods.

Is it necessary for solar light batteries to come pre-charged?

While not strictly necessary, having batteries come pre-charged can be convenient as it allows for immediate use. Some batteries may require several charge and discharge cycles before reaching their full capacity, so having them pre-charged can save time and ensure immediate optimal performance of the solar lights.

Final Thoughts

Choose a rechargeable battery accordingly to your solar light charging abilities. If the battery capacity is too high, your solar light will not be able to charge it fully.

Expose your solar light to full sun for best charging performances.

Finally, select NiCd batteries only if you experience cold winters.