Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries, BK-3HCCA4BA

The eneloop Pro follows the long-standing eneloop tradition of NiMH batteries that run circles around most of the competition. This eneloop Pro battery is NOT designed for general usage, but rather high-drain applications. When paired with these high-drain applications, the Pro excels in a fashion that few other batteries can, giving you performance that other NiMH rechargeable and disposable alkaline AA batteries cannot provide.
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BACKGROUND & WHAT USAGE THE ENELOOP PRO IS INTENDED FOR
Eneloop is considered by many to be the tour-de-force of rechargeable NiMH cells (much like Panasonic is with lithium ion cells.) Gone are the days where NiMH cells did not give performance that came even close to alkaline. Things like memory, low service lives, rapidly fading capacity, etc. are over. Today we have NiMH cells that can dramatically outperform the finest of disposable alkaline batteries and can be charged thousands of times. Over a 10+ year period, you can save thousands of dollars with a good NiMH setup.

The eneloop Pro is eneloop’s (formally Sanyo and now Panasonic) follow-up to their highly successful eneloop XX series. Like the XX, the eneloop Pro is a SPECIALTY battery. It is NOT intended for usage with lower drain applications, and performs poorly when used for this purpose. However, when used in high-drain applications that tend to be brutal on the battery, the eneloop Pro gives unparalleled runtime that no alkaline can come even close to.
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THE STANDARD ENELOOP 2100 VS THE ENELOOP PRO: Which is right for you?
Eneloop’s newest innovation is 4th generation NiMH cells. Like previous generations, eneloop is offering a standard-use and a high-drain model. These eneloop Pros use 4th gen technology, as do the standard eneloop “2100”. This fourth gen technology gives both batteries a very wide operating temp range, improved stability in output, slower self-discharge, and increases in durability.

Eneloop Pro SPECS:
-Capacity: 2550 mAh
-Service Life: up to 500 recharge cycles
-Rate of self-discharge: about 85% capacity remaining at 1 year of storage

Eneloop 2100 SPECS:
-Capacity: 2000 mAh
-Service Life: up to 2100 recharge cycles
-Rate of self-discharge: Over 70% capacity remaining at 5 years of storage
-A substantial performance improvement with high-drain devices vs. the third gen

THE 2100 — The standard eneloop 2100 is designed to be a high-capacity battery that is capable of handling all but the worst of high drain devices. This battery makes substantial improvements over the third generation when it comes to handling higher-drain devices. It is ultra-low discharge (literally now it discharges SLOWER than many disposable batteries!) and high capacity at about 2000 mAh. This battery works great in both low drain and high drain apps. Additionally, with a cycle life of 2,100, this battery has serious longevity (literally the service life is four times that of the XX or Pro.) Because of this, most household devices should use this standard eneloop 2100. While it has a lower capacity than the eneloop Pro, the slower self-discharge and the ability to work better with low-drain devices will give better performance than the Pro with most devices. So if you are not using a device in which you constantly have to switch batteries out, the 2100 is what you want. The picture I uploaded shows a basic remote and Logitech wireless mouse; those devices get the best performance from the 2100s because they are not high-drain devices and so I use them exclusively in those devices.

THE PRO — However, there are some devices that are just plain brutal on batteries. These will benefit greatly from the Pro (or XX) design. For example, in my picture you can see a Fenix LED flashlight and a wireless gaming mouse. These devices put a world of hurt on batteries and run times are measured in hours. The eneloop Pro makes substantial improvements over the already outstanding 2100 in this sort of application. Cameras, audio players, high-output flashlights, medical devices, lasers, etc. will benefit here.

So which battery you need completely depends on your application. I own 4 XXs and 4 Pros to go along with about 20+ 2100s. I use my 2100s for standard applications, and the XX or Pro for high-drain devices.
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WHAT I LIKE
Like eneloops of the past, one thing that makes the brand unique is their advertising. Many battery makers advertise their batteries as having a MUCH higher capacity than they actually do. For example, I purchased 2500 mAh Tenergy batteries and brand new they only had a capacity of about 1700 mAh, and then rapidly shrank from there. I have had similar experiences with both Duracell and Energizer rechargeable cells. Eneloop guarantees each and every battery will meet their minimum mAh rating, and as a general rule all batteries exceed these ratings by a substantial margin. With these Pros, I purchased a 2550 mAh battery and I got a 2550 mAh battery. Additionally, eneloops do not rapidly shrink in capacity like other brands. Fives years or ten years down the line, these batteries will still work great if cared for. This longevity makes eneloop a much better value than inferior NiMH cells: spend a few extra bucks on eneloop today and enjoy their superior performance for years to come while simultaneously saving money.

Eneloop also sends their batteries pre-charged (and they were charged by solar energy.) With the low self-discharge of the Pro, and the extremely low self-discharge of the 2100, you can use these batteries immediately after purchasing them.

While the third generation batteries did a great job with colder temperatures, these 4th generation 2100s and Pros are outstanding. If you want to keep a flashlight in your car, these batteries are hard to beat given they work well in both hot-hot and cold-cold, and temperature extremes will not wreck your service life.
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CONCLUSION: WHAT I LIKE THE MOST
Ultimately, there are two things I like about this battery the most. One, I save a ton of money over disposable batteries. I am talking thousands of dollars while simultaneously supporting environmentally friendly technology. Two, I get better performance from these eneloops and can use my devices longer. As of mid-2015, this is really THE battery to have for your high-drain devices (and the eneloop 2100 is really THE battery to have for your general-use devices.) So I highly recommend the eneloop Pro, as do I recommend the eneloop 2100 and eneloop as a company.

If you are looking for a battery that gives you optimal performance with your high-drain devices, but would prefer an alternative to expensive lithium disposables, the eneloop Pro is the balanced choice of outstanding performance, outstanding value, and outstanding longevity. There really is no substitute.

okay for wireless guitar body pack

Drained down original charge, (2 trenches worth) down to dead. 200ma charge rate on lacrosse bc700 charger shows 2600ma+ put back into the cell. Eneloops are always very consistent compared to some of the other high capacity batteries. seem to hold up well, I usually get 2 years out of 4 of them. A good smart charger and a set of these is all you need for your high drain devices.

Great Product Works Perfect

After nearly 2 years of heavy use in video game controllers, the batteries recharge to full rated capacity! Amazing! I have tried several other rechargeable aa’s and after only about a year of use they are atleast 10% less of rated capacity.

Excelente articulo, muy buenas baterias, ampliamente recomendadas.