Problems Using Rechargeable Batteries In Smart Home Devices

Rechargeable batteries are often seen as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable batteries. However, when it comes to smart home devices, they can sometimes present unique challenges that users should be aware of.

This article talks about common issues, highlights brands that perform well.

Why Rechargeable Batteries Can Cause Problems

Voltage Differences: Rechargeable batteries, such as NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or Li-ion (Lithium-ion), typically have a lower nominal voltage compared to disposable alkaline batteries. For example, AA alkaline batteries provide 1.5V, whereas rechargeable AA batteries often deliver 1.2V. This difference can lead to performance issues in devices that require higher voltage, causing sensors or controllers to malfunction or display low battery warnings prematurely.
Self-Discharge: Rechargeable batteries tend to lose their charge over time, even when not in use. This self-discharge rate can be problematic for smart home devices that rely on consistent power, such as security cameras or motion sensors.
Capacity Limitations: While rechargeable batteries are designed for repeated use, their capacity can degrade over time. This means they may not last as long as disposable batteries in high-drain devices, requiring more frequent recharging.
Compatibility Issues: Some smart home devices are specifically designed for alkaline batteries and may not function optimally with rechargeable alternatives. This is particularly true for devices that rely on precise voltage levels.
Temperature Sensitivity: Rechargeable batteries can be more sensitive to extreme temperatures, which may affect their performance in outdoor smart devices exposed to hot or cold conditions.
Charge Monitoring Challenges: Many smart home devices display the battery charge level in their app, allowing users to keep track of battery status. However, rechargeable batteries often lack accurate charge level reporting due to voltage inconsistencies or device software limitations. As a result, users may not receive timely low-battery alerts, potentially leading to unexpected device downtime.

Brands of Rechargeable Batteries That Work Best (but not perfect)

Despite these challenges, several brands offer high-quality rechargeable batteries that perform reasonably well in smart home devices:

Panasonic Eneloop: Known for their durability and long shelf life, Eneloop batteries maintain up to 70% of their charge after 10 years of storage. They are a popular choice for smart devices due to their consistent performance.
EBL Rechargeable Batteries: These batteries are designed for high-drain devices and offer a high capacity, making them more suited to smart home applications compared to other brands.
Amazon Basics Rechargeable Batteries: Affordable and reliable, these batteries are a good option for low-powered smart devices.

Rechargeable Button Batteries

Rechargeable button batteries do exist! These small, round batteries are commonly used in devices like remote controls, medical equipment, and smart sensors. Examples include:

LIR2032: A rechargeable lithium-ion button cell battery often used as a replacement for disposable CR2032 batteries.
LIR2450: Another rechargeable option for devices requiring button cells.

These batteries are available from brands like Eunicell and Panasonic, and they offer the advantage of being reusable, reducing waste and long-term costs. However, they can suffer the same poor performance issues of larger batteries. The only way to know for sure is to test them out in your smart devices.

Conclusion

While rechargeable batteries offer environmental and financial benefits, they are not always the perfect solution for smart home devices. Voltage differences, self-discharge, compatibility issues, and difficulties with charge monitoring can pose challenges.

Smartout recommend using non rechargeable batteries in smart home devices to get the best performance