GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA Review
Decent mid-range rechargeable batteries
Verdict
Capable of handling a greater number of recharge cycles than the higher-capacity version of this batteries, the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA are decent mid-range units that hold their charge. However, these batteries aren’t the cheapest available – you can pick up higher-capacity units for less.
Pros
- Retains charge
- Decent number of charge cycles
- Tested capacity consistently above rated capacity
Cons
- A little expensive
Availability
- UKRRP: £9.99
Key Features
- TypeThese are NiMH (rechargeable) AA batteries
- CyclesYou can charge and discharge these batteries 500 times
Introduction
As part of the normal GP ReCyko range, the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA offer competitive performance, a decent number of recharge cycles, and the ability to hold a charge.
However, price-wise, they’re a little more expensive than the competition.
Design and Charges
- Able to handle 500 charge cycles
- Hold 80% of charge after 12 months
Although of a lower capacity than the GP ReCyko 2600mAh AA, the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA have an advantage over its stablemate: it offers a higher recharge cycle count. These units can be cycled (charged and discharged) up to 500 times, which is 200 times more than the higher-capacity batteries. That’s good mid-range territory, and 100 cycles more than the Duracell Rechargeable AA 2500mAh.
That figure still comes in lower than the GP ReCyko Charge 10 batteries, which can last up to 700 cycles when slow-charged.
In terms of holding a charge, the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA match both Duracell and the higher-power GP batteries, with these units able to maintain 80% of their charge after 12 months. That makes these batteries suitable for either charging and storing, or for lower-power use, where longevity is better than total capacity.
Performance
- No fading in my tests
- Higher tested capacity than rated
I tested the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA using an Ansmann Energy XC3000 battery tester. First, I measured the starting voltage, which should be a minimum of 1.2V for NiMH rechargeable batteries. Fully charged, I measured the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA at 1.35V.
Next, I measured the starting capacity after a full charge, which came in at 2316mAh. This is a couple of hundred mAh more than the rated capacity.
I then ran the batteries through 50 charge cycles, taking measurements every 10 cycles. I found that the results fluctuated a little – by around 48mAh – over time; but each result was above the rated capacity and there were no signs of the batteries starting to fade.
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Should you buy it?
If you can find these at a good price, the GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA are a solid and reliable mid-range set of batteries.
You can get cheaper batteries with higher capacities for more demanding use, while there are batteries that last a longer, too.
Final Thoughts
The GP ReCyko 2100mAh AA are a reliable set of mid-range batteries, with a good number of cycles and the ability to hold a charge. Whether or not you opt for them will come down to the type of use. The Duracell Rechargeable AA batteries are a bit cheaper and deliver more capacity; but for longevity, the Eneloop AA or GP ReCyko Pro AA batteries are a better choice.
How we test
Unlike other sites, we test every rechargeable battery we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
We use an Ansmann Energy XC 3000 to drain batteries, so that we can test capacity in mAh. After the first run, we charge and discharge 50 times, measuring the capacity every ten runs.
We measure the initial voltage of the batteries, checking that the starting voltage is at least 1.2V.
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Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
