Prices verified May 28 · Always confirm at the retailer before buying.
The Amazon Basics AAA 800mAh pack wins for most households — it's cheaper per battery, has more batteries, and great for the many devices that take AAA. Pick the AA 2000mAh pack if your household runs on AA.
The Verdict
Winner
Amazon Basics AAA 800mAh 12-Pack
Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh vs Amazon Basics 8-Pack Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 2000 mAh, side by side
Pros:
- 800 mAh capacity lasts longer than standard AAA
- 12-pack offers great value
- Low self-discharge: holds 80% charge for 12 months
Cons (honest weight):
- Lower capacity than high-capacity variant (850 mAh)
- No charger included
Pros:
- 2000 mAh suitable for most AA devices
- 8-pack at $10.49 is excellent value
- Low self-discharge: retains 80% for 2 years
Cons (honest weight):
- Not high-capacity for high-drain devices
- Only 8 batteries (vs 12 in AAA pack)
Where each one wins
8 dimensions scored head-to-head. Amazon Basics takes 5; Amazon Basics takes 1.
| Dimension | Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh | Amazon Basics 8-Pack Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 2000 mAh | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| PriceAAA pack costs less overall and per battery ($0.79 vs $1.31). | $9.44 (12-pack) | $10.49 (8-pack) | Amazon Basics |
| Capacity (mAh)AA delivers 2.5x the capacity per battery, essential for high-drain devices. | 800 mAh | 2000 mAh | Amazon Basics |
| Recharge CyclesBoth are rated for 1000 cycles, offering long-term reuse. | Up to 1000 | Up to 1000 | Tie |
| Self-DischargeAAA holds charge well, but AA holds it even longer — though AAA's 12 months is enough for most. | 80% after 12 months | 80% after 2 years | Amazon Basics |
| Best ForEach is ideal for its form factor; choice depends on your device mix. | Cameras, remotes, toys (low-drain AAA devices) | Flashlights, clocks, controllers (low-to-medium-drain AA devices) | Tie |
| RatingAAA slightly ahead in rating and review count, both are excellent. | 4.6 / 5.0 (223,931 reviews) | 4.5 / 5.0 (186,296 reviews) | Amazon Basics |
| Value per BatteryAAA pack is 40% cheaper per cell, making it the better deal for bulk buyers. | $0.79 per battery | $1.31 per battery | Amazon Basics |
| Battery CountAAA pack includes 4 more batteries, making it a better value for bulk buyers. | 12 batteries | 8 batteries | Amazon Basics |
| Overall | 5 wins | 1 win | Amazon Basics |
Price — AAA wins on value
The AAA pack costs $9.44 for 12 batteries, or $0.79 each. The AA pack is $10.49 for 8, or $1.31 each. That's a 40% premium per cell for AA.
For households that use both sizes, the AAA pack is the better deal per battery. But if you only use AA, $1.31 is still competitive with other brands.
Buy the AAA pack if you want the lowest cost per rechargeable cell. The AA pack makes sense if your devices are exclusively AA.
Capacity — AA delivers more power
AA batteries have 2000 mAh, AAA only 800 mAh. That's 2.5x more capacity per cell, meaning longer runtime in AA devices.
For high-drain AA devices like game controllers or flashlights, the AA pack is the only option. AAA simply doesn't offer enough capacity for those uses.
If you need maximum runtime in AA devices, the AA 2000mAh pack wins. For standard AAA devices, 800 mAh is plenty.
Recharge Cycles — Tie at 1000
Both packs are rated for up to 1000 recharges with minimal power loss. That's excellent longevity for the price.
In daily use, 1000 cycles means years of service before replacement. Even with weekly charging, they'll last nearly 20 years.
Neither pack has a clear advantage here — both offer industry-standard cycle life.
Self-Discharge — AA holds longer, but AAA is fine
The AA pack maintains 80% capacity for 2 years, the AAA for 12 months. The AA is better for emergency kits or rarely used devices.
For everyday devices like remotes and toys, 12 months is more than enough. You'll recharge long before significant self-discharge.
Choose the AA pack if you need batteries that sit idle for long periods. For regular use, AAA's 12-month retention is sufficient.
Service & Support — Both are Amazon Basics
Both come from Amazon's own brand, backed by easy returns and reliable customer service. They share the same 1-year warranty.
Amazon Basics batteries are consistently rated high for quality and consistency. You get the same reliable experience regardless of size.
Neither has an advantage in service — buy whichever size you need.
Which should you buy?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| AAA-dominant household (cameras, remotes, toys) | Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh | AAA pack offers more batteries at lower cost per cell. |
| AA-dominant household (flashlights, clocks, controllers) | Amazon Basics 8-Pack Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 2000 mAh | AA pack delivers the capacity and form factor you need. |
| Mixed usage (both sizes needed) | Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh | Buy the AAA pack first; supplement with AA pack if needed. |
| Budget-conscious buyer | Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh | Lower per-battery cost and more batteries included. |
| High-drain AA devices (gaming, photography) | Amazon Basics 8-Pack Rechargeable AA NiMH Batteries, 2000 mAh | AA pack's 2000 mAh supports longer runtime. |
| Emergency kit batteries | Amazon Basics 12-Pack Rechargeable AAA NiMH Batteries, 800 mAh | Both work, but AAA pack's lower price and longer shelf life (5 years) make it better for stockpiling. |
AAA pack offers more batteries at lower cost per cell.
AA pack delivers the capacity and form factor you need.
Buy the AAA pack first; supplement with AA pack if needed.
Lower per-battery cost and more batteries included.
AA pack's 2000 mAh supports longer runtime.
Both work, but AAA pack's lower price and longer shelf life (5 years) make it better for stockpiling.
What if neither is right?
Amazon Basics 16-Pack AA High-Capacity 2400 mAh
$20.06
Best for high-drain AA devices like game controllers and toys, with 2400 mAh per cell.
Amazon Basics 12-Pack AAA High-Capacity 850 mAh
$12.36
50 mAh more per cell than the standard AAA pack, for extended runtime in cameras and toys.
Energizer Recharge Pro Charger + 4 AA Batteries
$16.99
All-in-one kit with a fast charger and starter AA batteries for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amazon Basics AAA 800mAh vs AA 2000mAh — which is better?
The AAA 800mAh pack wins for AAA-dominant households due to its lower per-battery cost and more batteries. The AA 2000mAh pack is better if your devices primarily use AA batteries. Both are excellent values from the same brand.
Is the Amazon Basics AAA 800mAh pack worth the extra cost over the AA pack?
The AAA pack costs $9.44 for 12 batteries ($0.79 each), while the AA pack is $10.49 for 8 ($1.31 each). The AAA pack is cheaper per battery, but capacity per cell is lower. If you need AA batteries, the AA pack is the right choice despite the higher per-battery price.
Can I use these batteries in high-drain devices like game controllers?
The AA 2000mAh pack is suitable for low-to-medium drain AA devices like remotes and clocks. 06) for longer runtime.
How long do these batteries hold their charge when not in use?
The AAA pack retains 80% capacity for 12 months. The AA pack retains 80% for 2 years. Both have a shelf life of up to 5 years in storage. The AA pack is better for emergency kits or rarely used devices.
Do I need a special charger for these batteries?
Yes, you need a NiMH-compatible charger. Neither pack includes one. The Energizer Recharge Pro charger ($16.99) is a good option. Avoid using chargers designed for other battery types like Li-ion or NiZn.
What's the difference between the standard 800mAh and high-capacity 850mAh AAA pack?
The high-capacity AAA pack ($12.36 for 12) offers 850 mAh (50 mAh more) but only 500 recharge cycles versus 1000. It's better for devices that need maximum runtime, like digital cameras.
How we compared. We analyzed 410,227 verified Amazon reviews across six rechargeable battery packs, plus manufacturer specifications and expert reviews from Wirecutter and Tom's Guide (expert sources did not cover these specific products, so we relied on Amazon data).
Who wrote this and where's the data from?
Mubboo Editorial Team — independent US-market consumer research. Picks based on buyer reviews and technical specifications. Prices update weekly from Amazon.