EBL Rechargeable Batteries with Charger, 1.2V NiMH AA Batteries 2800mAh 4Counts & AAA Batteries 1100mAh 4Counts with 8-Bay Smart Battery Charger

Why I reached for this kit

I go through a lot of AA and AAA cells across remotes, wireless mice, headlamps, and kid gadgets. I wanted one setup that could handle the routine without forcing me into odd charging rituals or proprietary batteries. The EBL kit—an 8-bay charger with four AA and four AAA NiMH cells—has been my “set it and forget it” solution for months. It isn’t flashy, but it nails the fundamentals: safe charging, predictable runtime, and the flexibility to handle mixed chemistries (NiMH/NiCd) and mixed sizes (AA/AAA) in any combination.

What you get and how it’s built

The charger’s footprint is compact, and the spring-loaded bays make good contact without being stiff. All eight slots are truly independent—you can charge one cell or eight, AAs and AAAs together, and you’re not forced into pairs. The LED indicators are simple (charging vs. finished/abnormal) and, mercifully, not the blinding kind that turns your nightstand into a runway. If you charge overnight, the subdued glow is appreciated.

The included batteries come in EBL’s signature green wrappers: four AA (rated 2800 mAh) and four AAA (rated 1100 mAh). They’re standard NiMH cells—no gimmicks here—and they feel like a sensible match for the charger: everyday-ready rather than performance-exotic.

Charging behavior and speed

This is a conservative, protective charger. It uses negative delta-V detection to terminate the main charge and then flips to a gentle trickle. In practice, that means you can throw in a mixed batch and walk away without babying it. I’ve intentionally left cells in overnight on trickle several times; they came out warm to the touch but not hot, with no signs of overcooking or venting.

It’s not a fast charger. Expect a full AA charge to take the better part of an evening and AAA a few hours less. That’s the trade-off for battery health and a wide margin of safety. If you need “emergency top-ups,” this isn’t the quickest tool in the drawer, but for routine cycling it’s right on tempo.

Battery performance in real devices

In day-to-day use, the AAs punch above their price point. In a wireless mouse I use heavily (work, study, and a fair amount of evening browsing), a single AA lasted roughly four to five months per charge, and that’s without being meticulous about switching the mouse off at night. In LED flashlights and bike lights, the cells deliver stable brightness with the predictable, gradual fade characteristic of NiMH.

The AAAs have lived in TV remotes and a small Bluetooth keyboard. One set ran for months before the remote even hinted at sluggishness. That reliable baseline matters more to me than squeezing a few extra percentage points of peak capacity.

A small but important note: some electronics expect 1.5 V alkalines and report “low battery” sooner on 1.2 V NiMH cells even though there’s plenty of usable energy left. Functionally, most devices run just fine; it’s the indicator that’s pessimistic. If your gadget is picky about voltage, test before committing all your cells.

Self-discharge and storage habits

These are not low self-discharge (LSD) specialty cells. If I charge and then shelve them for weeks, they don’t hold near-peak capacity. After a couple of weeks sitting in a drawer, a top-off is often in order. In active rotation—charge and use within a few days—that characteristic becomes a non-issue. If you need batteries that can sit for months and still be ready for a surprise trip or emergency light, you might prefer a dedicated LSD set for standby duty and keep this kit for daily cycling.

Practical habit that helps: store charged cells together and label sets with a fine-point marker (A1–A4 for AA set 1, etc.). Rotate sets so they’re used and recharged regularly, which keeps NiMH chemistry happy.

Safety and thermal behavior

Charging safety is where this kit earns trust. Termination is consistent, the unit sheds heat well, and the trickle is appropriately gentle. I intentionally tested some older NiCd cells and a couple of oddball, well-used NiMHs; the charger correctly identified a bad cell and wouldn’t complete a normal cycle on it. Short-circuit and input-voltage protections are in place, and I never saw runaway temperatures even with a full 8-cell load.

Everyday usability

• Independent bays let you charge whatever you have—no waiting to pair cells.
• LEDs are easy to read at a glance; green means done, and it’s obvious when something’s not right.
• Spring tension is right; AAAs don’t get lost in the slots, and AAs don’t pop out.
• Because the charge rate is moderate, the unit itself doesn’t stress your batteries, which pays off over many cycles.

Where it falls short

• Not a speed daemon: If you want 1–2 hour fast charges with active cooling and LCD readouts, this isn’t that.
• Self-discharge is noticeable: Charge-and-shelve for weeks and you’ll want a top-off before use.
• Basic feature set: No selectable charge currents, no capacity readouts, and no USB power input. It’s a straightforward AC charger.
• Narrow compatibility by design: AA/AAA NiMH and NiCd only. No C/D/9V, and absolutely not for lithium-ion cells.

None of those are deal-breakers for routine household use, but they’re worth knowing upfront so you can match expectations to needs.

Value and positioning

What makes the kit compelling is the balance: eight independent slots, batteries included, and sensible charge behavior at a price that’s hard to argue with. If you primarily power remotes, toys, mice, keyboards, and a few lights, you’ll feel the savings quickly and cut down on disposable waste. Power users—photographers hammering through flashes, for example—might want a second set of cells and perhaps a higher-feature analyzer down the road. For most households, though, this kit hits a sweet spot between simplicity and reliability.

If you are particular about long-term storage readiness, consider complementing this set with a few low self-discharge AAs kept at the ready. Use the EBL kit for everything that cycles weekly; reserve the LSD set for go-bags and gear that sits.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Top off before big events if your batteries have been sitting for more than a week or two.
• Avoid mixing cells of very different ages or capacities in the same device.
• Let cells cool after heavy use before recharging, and likewise let them cool after charging before use.
• Label sets and rotate; it’s the simplest way to keep performance consistent.
• Don’t leave cells on trickle indefinitely. Overnight is fine; unplug once you’re back to green the next day.

The bottom line

The EBL kit earns its keep by being easy to live with. The charger is steady and forgiving, the batteries deliver solid runtimes in everyday devices, and the system works with you rather than demanding your attention. Its weaknesses—slower charge speed and higher self-discharge than premium LSD cells—are real but predictable, and they’re easy to plan around.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for households and hobbyists who want a reliable, budget-friendly charging setup for AA and AAA devices they use often. It’s a sensible, low-maintenance way to move off disposables without fuss. If your priority is “grab-and-go after months on a shelf” or advanced analytics and fast charging, pair this with a set of low self-discharge cells or step up to a feature-rich charger. For most everyday use, this EBL kit is exactly the kind of dependable workhorse that makes rechargeable life simpler.