Has EBL Improved?

[kilogulf59]

Most of the info I find on EBL cells is older. It's also not very flattering. Has their quality improved? Are they a viable alternative to Eneloops? Are there any decent alternatives to Eneloops? Seriously, I realize Eneloops have a following and for a good reason, but this is 2026 and they can't still be the only game in town. With all the other brands out there, someone must be making something that's at least close.

 

[alpg88]

no ebl is no match. , ladda from ikea are closest to eneloops you can get, it most likely are eneloops rewrapped, according to numerous tests

 

[kilogulf59]

Thanks, alpg88. They probably are, they're about the same price.

 

[alpg88]

They are about half the price, 4x aa is 10 bucks at ikea, 4 x aa eneloops go for about 18-20. i'm talking about 1900,

 

[snakebite]

Nope still lying about capacity and the life/consistancy is poor. Amazon basics are at least decent budget cells.

 

[kilogulf59]

Thanks. I just bit the bullet and bought some Eneloops. I figured why screw around.

 

[snakebite]

Yep if you are going to care for them correctly , not abuse them,and not let others accidentally throw them away they are a wise investment that lasts way beyond payback.
Which is rather short with the silly cost of alkaleaks

 

[MidnightDistortions]

I have a 20 pack of 800mA AAA EBLs I bought 9+ years ago that still function well. Not sure if the quality is about the same but they work better than other brands. Eneloop may still be the best option for longevity.

 

[wus]

I used to have a few EBL AAA's that I bought at least 8 years ago that never reached the specified capacity (EBL's spec: 1100mAh, measured with the SkyRC MC3000 when new: 790 - 810mAh).

At the same time I also bought 2 EBL AA/AAA chargers, model EBL U421 (4 AA/AAA slots) which were my first USB powered chargers, needing just a 5V 2.1A USB charger or powerbank. They can charge single cells (AA or AAA) in about 40min, which was very convenient. If you add more cells, the charging current is distributed to the cells and filling them all up takes accordingly longer.

Unfortunately, they can't charge cells that have increased internal resistance.

And increased internal resistance is the overall biggest problem that I have with NiMH. In addition to the EBL AAA's I have a big number of eneloop AA and AAA, both the white and the black, higher capacity versions. Many of the older ones - yes also many original eneloops! - have high internal resistance. They can still be used in low current applications, but require the use of a suitable charger.

I have a Sanyo NC-MQN04E which can charge them, but it needs 16 hours, and it charges only in pairs. Since I have numerous devices which need 3 AAA's, it is not really suitable. But until not long a go, this was my only charger for these older cells. Even the MC3000 "refuses" to charge them.

Last christmas, one of my friends presented me a POWxs LED smart charger model NL8. It is USB powered and charges NiMH and rechargeable 1.5V LiIon. Fortunately, this recharges also the older Hi-Z NiMH.

I then bought an 8-pack XTAR 1.5V AA CLR 4300 which perform well. Of course I don't yet know their long term behaviour, but since their capacity is higher than any NiMH AA that I ever measured I thought I should probably not buy NiMH anymore.

 

[Monocrom]

I have a few EBLs from a couple of years back.
Nothing to write home about. But not bad at all.