A rechargeable battery is an energy storage batteries that can be charged again after being discharged by applying DC current to its terminals.

These batteries allow for multiple usages from a cell, reducing waste and generally providing a better long-term investment in terms of dollars spent for usable device time. This is true even factoring in the higher purchase price of rechargeable and the requirement for a charger.

These cells are a sagacious and sustainable replacement to one-time use batteries, which generate a current through a chemical reaction in which a reactive anode is consumed. The anode in a rechargeable batteries gets consumed as well but at a slower rate, allowing for many charges and discharges.

In use, rechargeable cells are the same as conventional ones. However, after discharge the batteries are placed in a charger or, in the case of built-in batteries, an AC/DC adapter is connected.

Do not overcharge them, as this could lead to decreased lifespan capacity. To prevent this act from happening, simply shut off when charging is complete. NiCd and NiMH batteries also need to be charged, which means you should completely discharge and recharge them again every once in a while to minimize any loss in capacity. Li-ion batteries, on the other hand, have sophisticated chargers that prevent overcharging and never need to be reconditioned.

Even rechargeable batteries also eventually die, though it may take hundreds of charges before that happens. When they finally do give out, be sure to dispose of them at a recycling facility.

Rechargeable batteries are used in many applications such as cars, electronic toys, TV remote and even off-grid and supplemental facility power storage.