When Ni-MH Still Makes Sense
Standard AAA to D cell sizes, appliance service packs and 1.2V systems where nickel metal hydride remains the practical choice.
Lithium Did Not Replace Everything
Nickel metal hydride is still the right answer in three situations, and we keep the full cell range in production for them.
Products Locked To A 1.2V Cell
Emergency lighting, remote controls, electric toothbrushes, solar lawn lights and toys are designed around a cell holder. A lithium cell is 3.2V or 3.7V and will not drop into that holder. The choice is Ni-MH or a redesign.
Service And Replacement
Installed equipment outlives its original pack supplier. Robot vacuum packs are the clearest example: our 14.4V SC type packs cover 3000mAh to 4000mAh for the Roomba 500 series, packed for both retail and service channels.
The Capacity Ladder
One physical size covers a wide capacity range, which lets one housing serve several SKUs. AA runs from 600mAh to 2500mAh in the same 50.5 by 14.5mm can. D runs from 5000mAh to 9000mAh in the same 61.5 by 33.0mm can.
What You Give Up
Energy density and self discharge. A Ni-MH pack is heavier and larger than a lithium pack of the same energy. If the product can be redesigned around a lithium cell, it usually should be.
Products Referenced In This Guide
Robot vacuum cleaner battery
Voltage: 14.4V · Capacity: 3000mAh, 3300mAh, 3500mAh, 3800mAh, 4000mAh
View data sheet