An eco-friendly alternative to alkaline batteries.
Using Li-ion rather than NiMH, the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries hold their charge for longer and they output a constant 1.5V, so are compatible with any devices that would normally need disposable alkaline batteries. Impressively, tested capacity was better than other alkaline batteries I’ve reviewed.
That said, the high price and lower capacity compared to NiMH batteries mean that regular rechargeables may be a better choice in a lot of situations. If you do have devices that work best with alkaline batteries, though, these are a great, eco-friendly alternative.
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Constant 1.5V output -
Handy carry case and USB cable -
More powerful than most alkaline batteries
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Expensive -
Lower capacity than NiMH batteries
Key Features
Introduction
The Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries are Li-ion cells, which means that they output the same constant 1.5V as alkaline batteries, expanding their compatibility to devices that don’t like conventional rechargeables.
With handy USB-C ports on their side for charging wherever you are, these batteries are good for life on the road, but they are expensive.
Design and charging
- Charges via USB-C
- Four-way USB-C cable provided
- Only available in a four-pack
Similar to the company’s Paleblue AA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries, the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries use Li-ion rather than the NiMH that standard rechargeables use.
Li-ion has several advantages. Foremost, these batteries operate at a constant 1.5V, the same as alkaline batteries, whereas normal rechargeables are rated at a nominal 1.2V (typically, for NiMH batteries, they’ll start at a higher voltage, which drops as the batteries drain).
Secondly, Li-ion batteries hold their charge for a long time, so you can pre-charge these, store them and have them ready to go at near full capacity.
Using Li-ion means that the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries are compatible with a wider range of devices, and you may see better performance out of them, such as constant light output from a torch.
The slight downside is that these batteries can’t be used with a standard battery charger. If you do, then you risk damaging the batteries. Instead, they should be charged via their USB-C port on top.
Usefully, Paleblue includes a four-way USB-C cable in the box, which can charge all four batteries in the pack using a single USB-A port.
This cable and the batteries all come in a hard plastic carry case, which makes these batteries neat to store or carry around. However, if you want fewer batteries, you’re out of luck, as these are available in a four-pack only.
Once plugged in, an LED ring flashes green to show that the batteries are charging, and it turns solid green when the batteries are fully charged.
Each battery is rated at 600mAh, which is a little low for AAA batteries. Buy regular NiMH batteries and you’ll get higher capacities: the HiQuick AAA 1100, for example, are rated at 1100mAh, and even the budget Amazon Basics Rechargeable AAA are rated at 800mAh.
If you want to use batteries in high-drain devices, such as for some toys, regular rechargeable batteries may prove a better choice.
Paleblue says that these batteries will last for more than 1000 charge cycles, which puts them in a similar league to most standard NiMH AAA batteries.
Performance
- Slightly low tested capacity
- Works anywhere alkaline batteries will
I had to use an XTAR XV4 battery tester for these batteries, as it’s a new one capable of working with Li-ion batteries. Using this, I found that the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries managed a discharge level of 524mAh on average. That’s very similar to the result I got from the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA batteries, and a little lower than NiMH cells.
However, tested capacity was better than I got for a lot of alkaline batteries, which is impressive.
This kind of capacity is fine for lighter use and for applications where little power is required but longevity is important, such as in a remote control.
Should you buy it?
You want an eco-friendly alternative to alkaline batteries
Capable of everything alkaline batteries can do, these rechargeables a good way to cut down on disposable cells.
If capacity is more critical, then standard rechargeable batteries may be a better (and cheaper) choice.
Final Thoughts
Compared to NiMH batteries, the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries are expensive for a pack of four. But, if you need batteries that will hold their charge or you must have AAA batteries that can output a constant 1.5V, then these are excellent and easy to charge wherever you are. For standard rechargeables, check out the guide to the best rechargeable batteries.
How we test
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 baattery tester 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.
FAQs
No, the Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries must be charged using their USB-C port.
These operate at a constant 1.5V, the same as alkaline batteries.
Test Data
| Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries | |
|---|---|
| Battery tested capacity | 524 mAh |
Full Specs
| Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries Review | |
|---|---|
| UK RRP | £19.99 |
| Manufacturer | – |
| Battery | 600 mAh |
| Size (Dimensions) | x x INCHES |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 04/12/2025 |
| Model Number | Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries |
| Battery type | Rechargeable |
| Battery technology | Lithium-ion |
| Battery size | AAA |
