# I've become a slave to rechargable batteries **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 28, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704 "2020-04-28T02:09:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/1 "2020-04-28T02:09:31Z")
There’s my phone, sports watch, tablet, a couple of laptops, an old phone I only use as music stream source, my earbuds, and finally this silly little light up plastic flower my wife bought that recharges by a solar cell. It seems I’m constantly checking the power levels on devices and plugging in any that need recharging. How many do you have? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/2 "2020-04-28T02:20:04Z")
Phone Kindle 2 power banks 2 bicycle headlights 2 bicycle tail lights Lighter Garmin Forerunner Beard trimmer ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/3 "2020-04-28T02:53:59Z")
Gosh, too many to easily count from memory. I’ve got loads of walkie talkies and other portable radios, each with a battery or two. I’ve got a bunch of flashlights, several laptops, assorted AA cells (mostly Eneloops), some [BB-2590s](https://www.bren-tronics.com/bt-70791ck.html) (with ‘gas gauges’), even my car has a big old rechargeable battery. ---
**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/4 "2020-04-28T20:19:14Z")
This sounds like the twice-a-year clock changes of the new century (how many clocks do you have to spring forward or fall back?). I don’t have that many: cell phone, headset, flashlights, a couple of power blocks that used to be for my phone but now are for my hats. Does the laptop count if it sits at my desk plugged in? Also some random things that I sometimes use a couple of times a year. I also have the rechargeable AA batteries but the power blocks are easier. I guess I have more than a couple. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/5 "2020-04-28T20:24:39Z")
> [@Fugazi](#): > > There’s my phone, sports watch, tablet, a couple of laptops, an old phone I only use as music stream source, my earbuds, and finally this silly little light up plastic flower my wife bought that recharges by a solar cell. It seems I’m constantly checking the power levels on devices and plugging in any that need recharging. > > How many do you have? the usual: ipad iphone ibuds (whatever their called) laptop (which is usually plugged in) And: Two cars ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/6 "2020-04-28T21:11:29Z")
Is this really a big deal? Almost all of my rechargeable devices are either 1. Plugged in, except when I’m carrying them around and using them (laptops, vacuum cleaner, electric bike). They get plugged back in when I’m done with them, or if I’m away from home, when I return or 2. Carried on my person throughout the day (phone, earpods) and plugged in at night. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-become-a-slave-to-rechargable-batteries/852704/7 "2020-04-28T21:41:10Z")
OP - Would you rather be a slave to expensive single-use batteries?