There’s no reason to not buy this one simple gadget

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AmazonFor as common as USB-powered devices have become, the standard AA battery is still a necessary part of many devices sitting around your house.

That doesn't mean it hasn't gotten smarter. Now, the next time you have to buy spares for your remote, headphones, or what have you, there’s little reason to buy the disposable pairs that still populate your local convenience store.

Instead, you should buy rechargeables. As our friends at Tech Insider have noted, now that the tech inside of them has improved, there isn’t much they do wrong. They still get the job done, and still require zero thought to use, yet they cause less waste and pay for themselves over time. They’re simple, effective, and efficient.

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There are some differences in capacity and reliability here, but so long as they use the latest LSD NiMH tech, most of the major players will perform around a similar level. Just fill them back up when the power’s out, and they should last you a few years.

For most people, it’s probably more important to look for value. For that, try this $18 pack from Panasonic, which pairs four of its Eneloop rechargeables with their own charger. The Eneloops may not be the strongest option out there, but they work well enough for this to be a good buy if you don’t have a charger already. If you do have one, the Energizer Power Plus looks to be a cost-efficient alternative.

The only real downside here is that actually recharging these things can take a few hours. Otherwise, a good set of rechargeables should help you waste less time, money, and energy.

Panasonic Advanced Cell Battery Charger with 4 Eneloop Batteries, $17.78, available at Amazon.

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