5 universal battery chargers

In the low-cost segment of battery chargers, Liitokala Lii-402 is of great interest. This is a universal automatic charger with four independent channels.

Four slots for all common types of cylindrical rechargeable batteries are visible on the front panel of the device case. Spring-loaded negative contacts in each of the landing nests are adjusted to the length of the battery. Liitokala Lii-402 is equally well suited for charging AA and AAA batteries, as well as for batteries from 14500 to 26650.

The device automatically detects the type of batteries and controls the charging process. You can charge Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh, Li-Ion and LiFePO4 batteries in it, and different types overnight. When the maximum battery level in a particular slot is reached, the device stops supplying power to it. The charge level is displayed for each slot separately.

The rightmost charging slot provides a choice of charging current (0.5A, 0.7A, 1A or 2A). And when an 18650 battery is installed in this slot, the device can work as a power bank - it shares the battery charge with mobile gadgets via the USB output. The power supply to the "charger" is established through the microUSB socket. And if the appropriate cable is included in the standard package of the model, then the adapter will have to be selected independently. Fortunately, almost any power supply from a smartphone is suitable for the device.

The EnerGenie BC-USB-02 device can be used both for charging a variety of batteries and as a Power bank battery for mobile gadgets. How is it implemented in the model in practice? Let's figure it out.

The device is designed to charge nickel-metal hydride A, AA, AAA and C batteries, as well as lithium-ion batteries of cylindrical form factor from 10440 to 25650. The type of batteries is automatically recognized; in total, there are four independent slots for rechargeable batteries in the charger.

All EnerGenie BC-USB-02 slots have a movable negative contact to ensure a tight fit for batteries of different lengths. Also, each slot has its own indication of the charge level. A separate line notes that charging quietly starts lithium batteries with zero voltage (capacity recovery mode).

The device is powered through the microUSB and USB type C ports. The cables for them are supplied with the charger, but without an adapter to the outlet. Next to these ports is a full-size USB A connector, which serves to charge mobile gadgets from a pre-installed 18650 battery. With all its advantages, the model pleases with an affordable price that minimally hits the thickness of the wallet.

To regularly charge one or two rechargeable batteries, it is not necessary to purchase a charger with multiple slots. It is quite possible to get by with the services of the “charger” Olight Omni-Dok.

The model is assembled in a round case with two seats for rechargeable batteries. The charging channels in the device are independent, which means that different types of batteries can be charged simultaneously in the slots. Their proper alignment is ensured by movable negative contacts in each of the cells.

The device is supposed to be used to replenish energy reserves in AA, AAA battery cells and some "digital" standard sizes of rechargeable batteries (in particular, CR123, 18650, 26500, etc.). For nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) batteries, the maximum charging current is limited to 500 mA, for lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion) - at 1000 mA.

For greater clarity , LED-indicators of the charge level are placed on the sides of the slots (4 pcs. on each side). It is convenient to use them to navigate how charged the battery is. Olight Omni-Dok security systems are represented by auto-shutdown of the device after 8 hours of continuous operation, protection against overcharging and reverse polarity of batteries.

Panasonic Basic USB Charger is a simple and unpretentious charger without any frills, sharpened to work with rechargeable Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh batteries.

The model is assembled in a white case made of durable plastic. Its design provides four charging slots for batteries of "little finger" and "finger" formats. Batteries in the device can only be charged in pairs, moreover, pairs must be made up of batteries of the same size.

AA-size batteries are charged in the device with a current of up to 200 mA, AAA batteries - up to 80 mA. Small indicators of charging currents are the key to a long life cycle of batteries. That's just the charging time the user needs to detect on their own. For AA models with a capacity of about 1000 mAh, it is about 5 hours, 2000 mAh - up to 10 hours. Mini-finger batteries take longer to charge: 8-10 hours depending on capacity.

The status of the charger is indicated by two green indicators that should be continuously lit. After 10 hours of continuous use, the Panasonic Basic USB Charger will automatically turn off. Powered by charging via microUSB socket from any USB port. You can even charge the batteries in the device from a power bank. This model compares favorably with its closest relative - Panasonic Eneloop Basic BQ-CC51E with a plug built into the body for plugging into an outlet.

Varta AG specializes in the production of a wide variety of batteries - from very tiny batteries to car batteries. To keep rechargeable batteries in good shape, the brand portfolio has several charger offers. One of them is Varta LCD Universal Charger.

They called it a universal device for nothing. Judge for yourself, the model copes with charging AA, AAA, C, D and PP3 nickel-metal hydride batteries. All types of batteries, except for the last one, are charged only in pairs. Under PP3, in charging, two contacts are provided in the center. In total, the model has four slots for batteries.

In the expanded device name, you can see the prefix LCD. It says that there is an information display on board charging. In daylight, it is difficult to see the data on it - you need to look at the screen strictly at a right angle. However, in a darkened room, there are no particular problems with the readability of the screen.

The Varta LCD Universal Charger has a battery failure detection function. In addition, the device was equipped with a USB output for charging mobile gadgets. According to security systems, the model has protection against reverse polarity, short circuit and overcharge. The high-quality assembly is designed to strengthen the charging positions.