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Eneloop Pro vs counterfeits - self-discharge test after a year
Do you remember our test from a year ago, where we tested "occasionally" purchased Eneloop batteries? The products turned out to be counterfeit, with performance about 25-40% worse than the originals available in our warehouse. We are supplementing our test with a self-discharge test – measuring capacity after 13 months of storage.
See our first article, in which we compare Eneloop AA batteries with counterfeits (2021) and our latest counterfeit test of Eneloop (2022)
Promotion (continue reading below)
You can buy original eneloop batteries at hurt.com.pl - the latest ones available since April 2022 come in new, eco-friendly packaging that does not contain plastic.
4 x AA / R6 Panasonic Eneloop Ni-MH 2000mAh BK-3MCDE/4BE (blister)
4 x R6 / AA Panasonic Eneloop PRO NEW Ni-MH 2500mAh BK-3HCDE/4BE (blister)
Each of us sometimes puts previously charged Ni-MH batteries in a drawer thinking that they will be used in the near future or just to have a backup for the flash during the next photo session.
For most batteries, a storage period of several weeks or even several months is not a major problem, but in the case of the black Eneloop Pro, we can count on up to 85% charge retention after a year out of the charger, according to the manufacturer's promises. This makes them truly batteries always ready for use – it is also a distinguishing feature of this brand's batteries compared to competitors, where this indicator is usually noticeably worse. Eneloop Pro is one of the most stable and predictable high-capacity batteries.
Ni-MH batteries are of course recommended to be recharged more often than once a year – especially batteries of such high capacity degrade quite quickly due to the passing time – they age even when not in use. Nevertheless, the ability to maintain energy over time is the domain of Eneloop Pro batteries.
How did counterfeit branded batteries perform on this front?
We checked this exactly. After 13 months from charging, a set of batteries was placed in a specialized measuring device. The discharge current was 500 mA, and the discharge ended when the voltage on any of the batteries dropped below 1.0V.
The batteries in the set of 4 were connected in series to make the test as practical as possible and reflect typical usage.
Eneloop Pro AA batteries 2500 mAh vs counterfeit “2500” mAh
The chart leaves no illusions.
Original Eneloop batteries from our warehouse lasted over twice as long, additionally at a distinctly higher output voltage.
Note that the Eneloop battery pack discharged at a voltage of 4.533V, while the average voltage from the entire discharge process of the counterfeits was only slightly higher – just 4.592V. It is possible that in some devices, counterfeit batteries would not even start…
Partial capacity results after 13 months from charging for each of the cells:
- Eneloop Pro AA: 1724 mAh, 2104 mAh, 2180 mAh, 2198 mAh
- Counterfeits AA: 1311 mAh, 1284 mAh, 658 mAh, 685 mAh
The manufacturer of Eneloop batteries assures that we can count on up to 85% of the remaining capacity after 12 months of storage, while we obtained results from 69% to 88% after 13 months, which we consider a very good result.
For 3 out of 4 batteries, the result obtained after 13 months of storage is still better than that of the counterfeits measured directly after charging.
On the packaging of the counterfeits, we also find the proudly sounding statement that they retain up to 85% of capacity after 12 months of storage. If we hypothetically assume that they are indeed 2500 mAh batteries, the results obtained are only 26% - 52% of the remaining capacity after 13 months.
In fact, as we proved earlier, these are not 2500 mAh batteries, but only about 1900 mAh. We then obtain results in the range of 35% - 69%.
Batteries with slightly lower capacities are often more consistent and more reliable – but not this time. The variation in the obtained values is very high – higher than any of the batteries with a capacity of 1900-2000 mAh from our offer.
Eneloop Pro AAA batteries 930 mAh vs counterfeit “950” mAh
Similarly to the AA model, there is a gap between the counterfeits and the originals.
Original Eneloop Pro batteries used after 13 months from charging were also functional for over twice as long as the counterfeits. In this case as well, Eneloop batteries maintained distinctly higher voltage. The final discharge voltage of the pack made up of original Eneloop Pro was 4.399V, while the average operating voltage of the counterfeits was 4.45V.
As with the AA model, some devices might not even start on counterfeit batteries or operate very briefly, with significantly reduced performance.
Partial capacity results after 13 months from charging for each of the cells:
- Eneloop Pro AAA: 759 mAh, 762 mAh, 754 mAh, 603 mAh
- Counterfeits AAA: 274 mAh, 283 mAh, 324 mAh, 293 mAh
The originals achieved a remaining capacity result of 65% - 82% after 13 months of storage.
The counterfeits (in the optimistic variant, where we assume that their true capacity is 800 mAh) can ‘boast’ a result of 34% - 41%. The results obtained by the counterfeits are very poor – below expectations for new generation batteries with a low self-discharge rate.
Our complementary test proves that the available counterfeits of Eneloop batteries offer incomparably lower quality than the original batteries.
In some applications, we may face an unpleasant surprise in the form of several times shorter operating time. This is complemented by much lower operating voltage, poor charge retention over time, and of course distinctly lower nominal capacities.
To save yourself the nerves, we encourage you to purchase original Ni-MH batteries “from the source” – Baltrade sp. z o.o., the owner of hurt.com.pl offers only original products – we are an authorized distributor of Eneloop batteries in the EU.
You can buy original eneloop batteries at hurt.com.pl - the latest ones available since April 2022 come in new, eco-friendly packaging that does not contain plastic.
4 x AA / R6 Panasonic Eneloop Ni-MH 2000mAh BK-3MCDE/4BE (blister)
- higher capacity min. 2000 mAh
- up to 2100 charging cycles
- retains 70% energy after 10 years from charging!
- operates in low temperatures down to -20°C!
- charged in the production process with solar energy
4 x R6 / AA Panasonic Eneloop PRO NEW Ni-MH 2500mAh BK-3HCDE/4BE (blister)
- highest capacity among new generation rechargeable batteries 2500 mAh
- retains 85% of energy after 12 months from charging!
- operates in low temperatures down to -20°C!
- charged during production with solar energy