I think so, but I think it's a bad development. Rechargeable devices tend to be non-repairable and ultimately bad for the environment. A, AAA, etc are ultimately just standardized interfaces with standardized form factors and voltage, the actual batteries are available in both one-time-use and rechargeable variants. I think we should keep them around as they enable us to use our devices for a longer time without costly repairs or even disposal of the device itself. This does not apply to very complex and energy intensive devices like smart phones though, as they obviously require more sophisticated and space optimized batteries.
this post was submitted on 28 Nov 2025
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I'd much rather see modern rechargeable batteries (Li-ion, maybe Na-ion in the future) in standardized, field-replaceable form factors.
This is already common in flashlights. In my pocket today is a flashlight running on an AA-size 14500 Li-ion. There's a magnetic pad to recharge the battery with a proprietary cable, but I can also unscrew the tailcap and replace it with a spare, as most people expect from a flashlight. I can use AA in a pinch with reduced performance, though I'll note supporting both voltage ranges takes extra work on the manufacturer's part.
Being complex and energy-intensive doesn't preclude batteries being standardized or field-replaceable. The issue with smartphones is that they have a highly optimized form factor.
A good percentage of rechargeable cells are standardized too, they’re just not easily accessible. I don’t think it would take much to adjust the design of a thing to accept a replaceable battery in most simple items.
For example, I have a laser pointer that runs on rechargeable lithium batteries, you just unscrew it and put any standard 18650 cell in directly.
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If my PlayStation or Switch controller dies, it becomes a wired controller I'm now tethered to. If my Xbox controller dies, I swap a couple eneloop batteries in and it's good for another month. Advantage: replaceable rechargeable batteries.
This. I don't have to wait for something to charge. I just swap and go.
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I sure hope not, the only devices more than a few years old that still function are those with replaceable batteries. Removable batteries make devices simpler, more robust, and longer-lasting. Rechargeable, replaceable, removable, standardized batteries are the sweet spot for sure.
D and C are almost obsolete already.
AA and AAA I have bought things that require them this year so I doubt it will happen in our lifetime.
As for rechargeable it's twice the effort to find the charger every two years instead of just using the one time batteries.
As for rechargeable it’s twice the effort to find the charger every two years instead of just using the one time batteries.
I've actually seen USB to USB-C rechargeable AA batteries for sale. I've never tried them so I have no idea personally how good they are but the reviews seem positive. I think that could be the way forward as long as it's a standard charging cable for the batteries.
These are the way. They usually come with a cable that splits from one USB A to four or more USB C. So you have a spot to charge them normally, but you can also give them a quick charge when you're out and about with any random cable you have if you can't find the splitter. And they charge much quicker than using a battery charger.
They seemed 12 times more expensive than the one use batteries. So only makes sense for stuff you use often.
They can be good but the voltages don't always match alkaline cells so you can sometimes burn through them quicker than if you'd use standard alkaline.
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As for rechargeable it’s twice the effort to find the charger every two years instead of just using the one time batteries.
I recommend keeping some charged spares and the charger in the same place.
Yeah, OP surely has a place they keep batteries so they don't make a trip to the store every time a remote dies.
Anyway, I'd recommend that charger be one that charges AA/AAA individually instead of requiring pairs. Mine is a Panasonic BQ-CC17 that came with a set of Eneloops.
That does raise another issue: some of the retail-grade chargers are pretty terrible and may have led some people to a bad impression of how rechargeable batteries perform.
A charger should charge cells individually, at a reasonably fast rate, and terminate correctly to prevent overcharging. Yours hits two points out of three: it's individual and correct, but slow.
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I can’t wait to throw out all my flashlights because they don’t have USB-D and I don’t have the right cord to charge them anymore. This is almost certainly better for the shareholders.
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Mimd blown:
I prefer the regular ones. Seems weird to have a port on my battery
Yeah that extra circuitry costs 400mAh vs my rechargeables with a base, plus it makes them more stealable.
Putting the charger circuit inside the battery takes away battery capacity, so I still buy the external chargers
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Non-rechargable batteries are the only possible solution for things that draw very, very little power.
Like watches and clocks, smoke detectors, etc.
Things where you replace the battery every 1-10 years. A rechargable battery wouldn't really make much sense in that context, even if it was possible to make one that lasts that long.
YSK: Nitecore makes USB-C rechargeable AA batteries that are 1.5 volts like a standard alkanine batteries and not 1.2 volts like your typical rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries.
And if those specific ones aren't available where you live, there's a very similar range from a brand called "Pale Blue".
Theirs are available in AAA, AA, C, D, 9V, and CR123.
Obsolete would imply a better in every way alternative. Kinda think they fall into the technology category of timeless and always useful. It's hard to think of a safer, cheaper, higher capacity, disposable and more utilitarian form factor. Kinda like asking "will shovels ever become obsolete?"
The main reason that they're nearly impossible to obsolete is that AA, etc. are just shapes (and voltages).
- Zinc-Carbon AAs have become functionally impossible to find because alkaline cells are better in basically every way.
- Lithium disposables beat alkaline in longevity, but lose in cost ~~and are only 1.2V.~~
- NiMH are ~~also~~ 1.2V, but are rechargeable; they last longer overall, but are much more expensive and have much worse self-drain while not in use
- Li-Ion cells are far too high-voltage for AAs, but they're also so much higher-density that it's sometimes worth putting a step-down circuit in the battery to get it to 1.5V. That removes most of the density advantage, but it's the only way to use rechargeable batteries to power devices that can't run at 1.2V.
Lithium disposables beat alkaline in longevity, but lose in cost and are only 1.2V.
They're about 1.6V open-circuit, and maintain 1.5V under light load for a large portion of their discharge cycle. They maintain 1.5V much longer than alkaline.
They're terribly expensive for regular use compared to pretty much any other option though.
My mistake, fixed.
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I would really hope we will start replacing them with 18650s and the like soon. Rechargeable NiMh batteries just suck in comparison to Li-Ion batteries
For people confused about the naming of Li-ion batteries: 18650 batteries are have 18mm diameter are 65mm long and cylinder shaped. 21700 have a 21mm diameter are 70mm long and cylinder shaped.
When I learned this they went from confusing to really intuitive.
And 18350s and 13400 (very common in "disposable" vapes), and a bunch of other sizes.
The issue with 18650 is honestly that it's too big for most applications, especially when you look at what currently uses disposable batteries - remotes etc. - and their sizes.
Also, for li-ion, a cylinder isn't an optimal shape, for a number of reasons, first being physics - the rolled up layers result in gaps that reduces the per volume capacity. The form factor also requires a very strong can, is prone to shorts, and doesn't allow for easy addition of protective electronics.
For household purposes I think the best approach would've been utilising Nokia's standardised battery formats (BL-5 family is still ubiquitous even though Nokia hasn't made a phone that uses it in nearly 15 years), scaling them as necessary, while keeping a standardised pinout - with Li-Ion you kinda need more data than just the two poles can provide on a cylinder battery (temperature, internal resistance, etc.).
I've only recently stumbled on 18650's potential (lol) by using the 4Ah Kobalt 24v batteries for some experiments with solar, 12v loads, and inverters. Holee hell nuts. Theoretically around 44amp continuous draw in 4Ah arrangement (though I'm aiming to be well under 30 in most circumstances).
Also need to mod kids power wheels with these.
Wait until you hear about 21700s.
I was looking into them! Basically I'm just trying to utilize what I already have with my kobalt batteries for odd-end projects and camping, etc. The price-to-performance for the XTR line that has the 21700s just isn't justifiable for my use-cases.
My hope is that the size/voltage standard lasts forever while traditonal alkaline pile chemistries become obsolete and fade away. Seems like that's kinda what's happening too, love seeing all the rechargable AA fans in this thread :)
No. Primary cells are easy and cheap to manufacture, and hold much more charge than rechargeable equivalents.
And so much of everyday tech is already built around the form factor and voltage. You cannot change one without also changing the other. While I'm sure some battery sizes will go away with time, as some already have (Type B, anyone?), I'm willing to bet AA batteries will still be around in some form 100 years from now. Internals might change a little, and capacity might increase, but we're still going to see 1.5V packed into those dimensions.
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something something my cold dead body
I Hope C cells specifically do.
The A battery has been obsolete for a long time now.
C, D, and 9v are on their way as what's left of their dwindling niche use cases that are progressively being replaced by rechargable ones. Think of boombox, or flashlight. Maybe the 9v is still solid for something like multimeters, and I've seen that automatic room sprayer with C or D batteries.
For AA and AAA, tho? They're not going anywhere for a long time. Even when all the flashy fun stuff all have their batteries in Lithium, or whatever comes next, a lot of the boring stuff would still be having them. I have this portable microphone I got from late 2010s that still use AA, and so are all my wall clocks. Also, there are good reasons why the walkie talkies have them as options.
Some rechargable forms have become universal now, like the 18650, but I think they won't replace the smaller ones.
A already is and D and C seem on their way out. AA and AAA will likely need an equivalent that's worth it to change over. 9v for smoke detectors is unlikely to be replaced by a battery, but I swear by mains connected smoke detectors.
Ultimately I wish these were being replaced by standardized rechargeable. Take common voltages/amperages and sizes and just make RA,RAA,RB… for simplicity. I love my rechargeable AA and AAA cells until then
Do you not have a tv remote?
Apple TV remote has a USB C port for charging
Depends on the version of the remote, my old 1080p only one had a lightning port.
At some point they can just stick a lithium cell inside the remote and add a charge port
I haven't owned a TV in 20 years 🤷🏼♀️ I gave up on TV when it became all shitty programming & commercials.
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