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Home › FAQ › What's the difference between a Ni-MH battery charger and a Ni-Cd battery charger ?

Q: What's the difference between a Ni-MH battery charger and a Ni-Cd battery charger ?

A: The biggest differences are in the charging current (or charge rate, that means how fast the charger can charge batteries) and the charge control (how the charge determines when to stop the charge).

Many of the inexpensive Ni-MH battery chargers are simply Ni-Cd chargers that have been modified slightly.

Ni-MH smart chargers have been designed to detect when a Ni-MH battery is fully charged and then shut off or go into a trickle charge mode. Because of the more complex circuitry, this type of charger costs more to make, but should lead to longer battery life.

It is recommended to invest in a smart charger for Ni-MH batteries.