Recommend rechargeable battery brands and describe their pros and cons

The extra-ordinary thing about the world in which we live with all its technological advancements is that battery technology has fallen way, way behind...I don't know what it is about battery manufacture and supply but you always seem to get the feeling that they are not living in the same world as us.

Many devices that now use batteries use an odd number, say 3 but you can only buy batteries in packs of 2 or 4. Many devices come with batteries inbuild that you can re-charge by plugging in but there is a growing trend to have devices that you can only charge by plugging them into your computer, so you have to leave that on overnight if you want to charge those things - think iPod and many digital cameras.

The reality is that all batteries start deteriorating the minute they leave the factory and once you start using them and re-charging them they deteriorate even more. Have you noticed that your mobile phone gradually needs to be re-charged more and more frequently?

At least now we don't have to completely 'flatten' the battery regularly before re-charging it - wasn't that a great excuse by the manufacturers for poor quality goods? "Oh, bad luck, you did not discharge it completely before recharging it so no wonder it is useless now"

While it seems an annoying small thing for those us who rely on handheld devices and an irritation for parents with kids toys to power, the amazing thing is that even those with a big stake in battery technology are struggling with solutions and have yet to find them. Electronic cars should be a reality and every part of their manufacture has been solved except one - yes, you guessed it - batteries! They are still too big, too heavy and too weak to make electric cars truly viable.

The best advice at the end of that rant is that no one brand is necessarily better than another so, as often as possible, go with the brand that is recommended or supported by the manufacturer of the item you are powering. In terms of care try to avoid dropping batteries and keep them, as much as you can in an even temperature, extremes in either direction put pressure on them and make them less durable.

Some of the links attached might also be of interest.