Comparison Energizer 1HR Charger + 4xAA 2300 mAh vs Duracell CEF14 + 2xAA 1300 mAh + 2xAAA 750mAh

The battery technology that the charger is compatible with. Modern batteries can be manufactured using different technologies (Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh, Li-Ion, LiFePO4, IMR), each has its own characteristics and requirements for the charging procedure; therefore, for a specific battery, it is worth choosing a charger for which compatibility with the corresponding technology is directly stated.

— Ni-Cd. Nickel-cadmium batteries are one of the oldest types of rechargeable cells. Nevertheless, they are still used quite widely today — in particular, Ni-Cd batteries are considered optimal for devices with relatively high current consumption and increased reliability requirements. Such batteries are resistant to low temperatures, easy to store, reliable and safe. One of the main disadvantages of this technology is the “memory effect”: the battery capacity decreases after it is put on charge without being completely discharged. However, this point is more related to the features of charge controllers, and not to the technology itself, and the use of advanced controllers can be reduced to almost zero. But from the unambiguous shortcomings, one can mention the “non-environmental friendliness” of both the batteries themselves and their production.

— Ni-Mh. Nickel metal hydride cells were created in an...attempt to improve on the nickel cadmium cells described above. The creators managed to achieve a higher capacity (with the same battery size), in addition, Ni-Mh cells are environmentally friendly and completely devoid of the memory effect even when using the simplest charge controllers. The disadvantages of this option, compared with Ni-Cd, are relatively low resistance to frost, shorter service life and more difficult storage conditions, especially for long periods.

— Ni-Zn. A technology that is the same age as Ni-Cd and also survived to this day. Nickel-zinc cells are notable for their higher capacity than other "nickel" batteries, as well as higher voltage, which, moreover, remains at the operating level almost until the charge is exhausted. The latter is especially convenient for digital cameras — this technique is quite demanding on voltage. However, for a number of reasons, Ni-Zn technology has not gained much popularity. The main of these reasons is the short service life (about 300 – 400 charge-discharge cycles).

— Li-Ion. A type of battery, widely known primarily for portable electronics like smartphones or players, but has recently been successfully used in other types of equipment. Lithium-ion batteries combine good capacity with compactness, charge fairly quickly and are devoid of the "memory effect". Their main disadvantages are high cost, poor suitability for work at low temperatures and some probability of fire during overloads and failures.

— LiFePO4. A variety of the Li-Ion batteries described above, the so-called "lithium iron phosphate". The advantages of such cells over classical lithium-ion ones are, first of all, a stable discharge voltage (until the energy is exhausted), high peak power, long service life, resistance to low temperatures, stability and safety. In addition, due to the use of iron instead of cobalt, such batteries are also safer to manufacture and easier to dispose of. At the same time, they are noticeably inferior to lithium-ion in terms of capacity.

— IMR. This abbreviation is used for lithium-ion-manganese-oxide batteries, another variation on lithium-ion technology; the designation LiMn also occurs. Improvements introduced in this version include thermal stability (reduced risk of ignition in case of failure), durability and low self-discharge rates (the latter simplifies long-term storage). At the same time, many IMR batteries are claimed to be compatible with standard "chargers" for lithium-ion cells, but it is best to use specialized devices (in particular, due to low internal resistance and increased risk of overdischarging).

The number of independent charging channels provided in the design of the charger.

If the voltage, charging current and other parameters in this model are regulated on all battery slots at the same time, this means that the device has only one channel. The presence of several charging channels allows you to set your own operating parameters on separate slots and, accordingly, simultaneously charge different types of batteries in one device. In this case, the channel can cover both one slot and several: for example, many models for 4 batteries have only 2 channels (one for every 2 slots).

The abundance of channels expands the capabilities of the "charger" and will be especially useful in cases where you often have to charge different types of batteries; on the other hand, it significantly affects the cost of the device.

The highest current that the device can provide when charging the battery (or the nominal value of the charging current, if it is not adjustable).

Charging current is one of the most important parameters for any charger: it determines the speed of the process and compatibility with certain batteries. In general, the higher the current, the faster the process, the less time it takes to charge. At the same time, some batteries may have recommendations for the optimal current strength and restrictions on its maximum values. Therefore, mindlessly chasing a powerful charger is not worth it: at first it's ok to clarify how justified such power will be.

Note that in multi-channel devices (see "Independent channels"), the maximum current strength can be achieved when only part of the channels are operating. The indicators provided when all channels are operating simultaneously are indicated separately for such models (see "Charge current (all channels)").

The highest current provided by a multi-channel charger (see "Independent channels") at full load, with all slots (and, accordingly, channels) operating. In fact, a guaranteed maximum current provided by a multi-channel charger, regardless of the number of channels involved.

For the total charge current, see “Maximum charge current. Here we note that the full load is a rather complex mode in which the current strength can decrease. Therefore, this parameter is specified separately.

A system that determines the location of the "plus" and "minus" of the connected battery and determines whether these contacts correspond to the contacts of the charger itself. The capabilities of such systems may be different: some, in the event of an error, issue a warning signal and block the power supply, others are able to automatically switch the polarity on the contacts, depending on which side the battery is installed. In any case, checking the polarity minimizes the possibility of connection errors and the corresponding consequences.

A diagnostic system capable of detecting faulty batteries, disconnecting them from power and notifying the user. The fault detection function is useful not only for checking the performance as such: a battery malfunction that is not detected in time is fraught with equipment damage, and in some cases even fires.

A function that prevents critical heating of the batteries installed in the charger. Excessive heat on its own is usually a sign of a problem or abnormal operation, and an increase in temperature can cause a fire or even an explosion of the battery. Overheating protection systems usually use special sensors that monitor the state of the battery and turn off the heating if necessary.

In addition to the main charger, the package may include batteries, cigarette lighter adapter, adapter to another type of battery and bag (case). More about them:

- Battery. Some modern chargers can be equipped with batteries - of course, the latter are best suited for this model. Buying such a kit is often more convenient than buying a "charger" and batteries separately (at least it's faster).

— Cigarette lighter adapter 12 V. Presence of a charger adapter for connection to a car cigarette lighter socket. For more information about this connection, see "Charging from the cigarette lighter"; here we note that not all models with the possibility of such charging are initially equipped with auto adapters. Therefore, if it is important for you to be able to connect the charger to the cigarette lighter out of the box, you should pay attention to the models in the appropriate configuration.

- Battery adapters. Such adapters allow you to use the charger with batteries of "non-native" sizes (see above), and, as a rule, larger than standard ones. For example, a model for AA and AAA batteries can be equipped with adapters for C or even D. This is more convenient than using a charger that was originally designed for large sizes: the device turns out to be more compact, and if necessary, a large battery is connected...without problems through an adapter.

- Storage bag. The bag plays the role of a protective cover and can be used not only for storage, but also for transporting the charger. At the same time, it often provides additional compartments for various items - both complete, such as an external power supply, and additional, such as batteries. Therefore, and also because it fits optimally in size, a complete storage bag is much more convenient than impromptu cases.

The charger has a built-in plug for connecting to a power outlet.

In this case, we mean a plug protruding from the case — thus, when the charger is connected, it actually “hangs” directly on the outlet (or lies directly on it if the outlet is installed horizontally). Such devices do not have wires that can get confused and create other inconveniences. On the other hand, their connection requires quite a lot of free space around the outlet, which is not always available.