You have probably heard about nickel metal hydride battery packs, commonly called NiMH batteries. These batteries are designed to be charged and re-charged many times. But is NiMH the best choice for your needs? Let’s take a closer look at the technology to see.
What is NiMH?
NiMH is a newer technology than NiCad. Both batteries are rechargeable but nickel-metal hydride battery packs offer greater capacity than NiCad. In addition, NiCad utilizes a heavy metal called cadmium which is very toxic and not good for the environment.
Why NiMH?
NiMH can be used to give products more battery life and run time. In addition, this extra capacity does not come at the cost of larger size, so it takes up the same amount of space as the old battery options.
Memory effect is another important consideration. For example, NiCad batteries may work fine when they are brand new. Gradually, they may hold a smaller and smaller charge as they age. This can be very frustrating for laptop and smart phone users. Thankfully, this is not a problem with NiMH, as they tend to keep their maximum capacities.
Not Perfect
Nickel-metal hydride battery packs do have a few downsides to consider. For example, they may not be compatible with some older devices. In other words, if it came out with NiCad batteries you may need to buy NiCad replacement batteries.
You will need special battery chargers for NiMH batteries. Plus, if they are not used on a regular basis, they will slowly lose their charge. They are more costly than standard alkaline batteries but their recharging benefits make them a cost effective option to alkaline.
Lithium
Lithium ion batteries are becoming common these days. They are also eco friendly like NiMH and somewhat smaller in size for the same capacities.
