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What’s the difference between the eneloop and eneloop pro AA batteries?

If you are looking for a rechargeable AA battery, then you may have found out aboth the eneloop and eneloop pro during your research. So, what are the main differences between these two Panasonic products?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the eneloop and eneloop pro AA-sized batteries.

Quick Summary

When compared to the eneloop AA, the eneloop pro AA has a 27.5% bigger maximum capacity, which means that you can get more longevity with the pro version from a single full charge.

On the other hand, the eneloop AA has a much better storage life and can tolerate a higher number of charging cycles than the eneloop pro AA.

If you want to get the most usage time out of a fully charged battery, then we recommend getting the eneloop pro AA.

If you don’t mind having to recharging the battery more often, then the eneloop AA is the battery choice as you most likely won’t have to rebuy them as often as the pro verion.

eneloop AA batteries vs. eneloop pro AA batteries Comparison Chart

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the eneloop AA and eneloop pro AA below.

eneloop AA batterieseneloop pro AA batteries
ChemistryLSD Ni-MHLSD Ni-MH
Capacity1900 mAh to 2000 mAh2500 mAh to 2550 mAh
Storage Life90% charge for up to 1 year

70% charge for up to 10 years
85% charge for up to 1 year
Camera Flash Usage TimeAround 600 shotsAround 800 shots
Digital Cameras Usage TimeAround 1000 shotsAround 1200 shots
Shaver Usage TimeAround 3 hoursAround 4 hours
Mouse Usage TimeAround 80 daysAround 100 days
LED Light Usage TimeAround 5 hoursAround 7 hours
Games Usage TimeAround 20 hoursAround 30 hours
Toys Usage TimeAround 6 hoursAround 8 hours
DECT Phones Usage TimeAround 15 hoursAround 20 hours
Wall Clock Usage TimeAround 2 yearsAround 2 years
Charging CyclesUp to 2100 timesUp to 500 times
Pre-Charged with Solar Energy?YesYes
Recyclable?YesYes
Lowest Operating Temperature-4°F (or -20°C)-4°F (or -20°C)
Charging Temperature Range0°C to 40°C0°C to 40°C
Discharging Temperature Range5°C to 50°C5°C to 50°C
PricingCheck price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned)

Chemistry

When it comes to the chemistry, the regular and pro versions of the eneloop AA batteries are composed of LSD Ni-MH.

Capacity

The eneloop pro AA has a 27.5% bigger maximum capacity when compared to the eneloop AA. As a result, you should be able to get more usage out of a fully charged eneloop pro battery than a fully charged eneloop battery.

You can find the capacity specs for both below:

  • eneloop AA: 1900 mAh to 2000 mAh
  • eneloop pro AA: 2500 mAh to 2550 mAh

Storage Life

On the other hand, the eneloop AA has a much better storage life than the eneloop pro AA.

For the uninformed, storage life measures how capable a battery is when it comes to holding a charge after not being used for a certain length of time.

The eneloop AA battery is able to hold a 90% charge for up to 1 year as well as a 70% charge for up to 10 years. The eneloop pro AA battery is able to hold an 85% charge for up to 1 year.

Usage Times

According to the theoretical usage times from Panasonic, you should be able to get more out of a fully charged eneloop pro AA than a fully charged eneloop AA battery in a vast majority of cases.

You can find the theoretical usage times for both products below:

Camera Flash Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 600 shots
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 800 shots

Digital Cameras Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 1000 shots
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 1200 shots

Shaver Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 3 hours
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 4 hours

Mouse Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 80 days
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 100 days

LED Light Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 5 hours
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 7 hours

Games Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 20 hours
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 30 hours

Toys Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 6 hours
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 8 hours

DECT Phones Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 15 hours
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 20 hours

Wall Clock Usage Time

  • eneloop AA: Around 2 years
  • eneloop pro AA: Around 2 years

Charging Cycles

The maximum charging cycle for the eneloop AA is 1600 times more, or 320% more, than the eneloop pro AA. Therefore, you won’t have to buy new eneloop AA rechargeable batteries as much as you would if you are using the eneloop pro AA rechargeable batteries.

You can take a look at the charging cycles for both products below:

  • eneloop AA: Up to 2100 times
  • eneloop pro AA: Up to 500 times

Pre-Charged with Solar Energy

Both of these batteries have been pre-charged with solar energy.

While you should be able to use the eneloop AA and eneloop pro AA immediately right out of the box, Panasonic recommends recharging these products first in order to prevent any potential damage that could shorten the lifespan of the batteries.

By being pre-charged with solar energy, both of these products are environmentally friendly as well.

Recyclable

The eneloop AA and eneloop pro AA contain up to 90% of recyclable materials.

Therefore, Panasonic recommends recycling the batteries when they are no long useable.

Lowest Operating Temperature

The eneloop AA and eneloop pro AA can both be used in temperatures as low as -4°F (or -20°C).

Charging Temperature Range

The recommend temperature range for charging the eneloop AA and eneloop pro AA is 0°C to 40°C.

Discharging Temperature Range

The recommended discharging range for these two batteries is also the same at 5°C to 50°C.

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