Battery cost calculator: rechargeable vs disposable batteries
Enter your devices and how often you change batteries and see the yearly cost and the break-even for rechargeables.
Battery cost calculator
Tell us how many batteries you go through. The charger price and recharge count are starting assumptions: change them to match your cells.
Prices are Amazon listing prices as of 2026-11-05; check the price on Amazon before you buy.
Common questions
1Are rechargeable batteries worth it?
They pay off when you use a lot of batteries: each rechargeable cell costs more up front but can be recharged hundreds of times. Enter your devices and how often you change batteries above to see the break-even point against the cheapest disposable listing.
2How long do AA batteries last?
Battery life depends entirely on the device and brand: a TV remote may run a year on two AAs, a wireless mouse a few months and a high-drain toy or camera only hours. Enter how often you replace them to turn that into a yearly cost.
3What is the cost of batteries per year?
Batteries replaced per year times the price per battery. The calculator multiplies devices, batteries per device and replacements per year by the cheapest price per battery we track for the size you pick.
4AA vs AAA batteries: what is the difference?
AAA cells are smaller and hold less energy than AA, so they last less time in the same device. The size has to match the device; you cannot swap them. Compare the price per battery of each size in the tables.
5How many times can a rechargeable battery be recharged?
Makers commonly rate NiMH cells for hundreds of cycles, 500 to 2,000 for good ones. The calculator uses 500 as a cautious starting figure: change it to the rating on your cells.
6Does the price include a charger?
No. You need a charger for rechargeables, so the calculator adds an editable charger price to the rechargeable total.