Disposable vs. Rechargeable Batteries: Which Is Better? 一次性电池与可充电电池：哪个更好？

Disposable batteries have lower up-front costs and may last longer in low-drain devices. Rechargeable batteries, however, are more cost-effective in the long run despite higher initial costs. They reduce electronic waste and have longer lives per charge in high-drain devices.
一次性电池的前期成本较低，在低耗电设备中可能使用寿命更长。然而，从长远来看，尽管初始成本较高，但可充电电池更具成本效益。它们可减少电子废物，并在高耗电设备中具有更长的每次充电寿命。

It’s a common conundrum; disposable or rechargeable batteries? One is cheap and easy, but perhaps more expensive in the long term, while the other costs a pretty penny at first, but might turn out to be the better deal.
这是一个常见的难题;一次性电池还是充电电池？一个既便宜又容易，但从长远来看可能更贵，而另一个一开始要花一分钱，但可能会变成更好的交易。

Disposable or Rechargeable: Which Is Really Cheaper? 一次性或可充电：哪个真正更便宜？

At first glance, disposable batteries might appear to be the cheaper option. They’re less expensive upfront, but their cost accumulates over time because they must be replaced frequently. If you’re powering a high-consumption device like a digital camera or a toy, you may often find yourself replacing disposable batteries.
乍一看，一次性电池似乎是更便宜的选择。它们的前期成本较低，但它们的成本会随着时间的推移而累积，因为它们必须经常更换。如果您正在为数码相机或玩具等高消耗设备供电，您可能会经常发现自己更换一次性电池。

Take a video game controller like the Xbox Series controllers. These use AA batteries and depending on how much you game, you might be changing in a fresh pair every week! If you’re powering a clock, it may not matter, so energy consumption is a big factor.
以像 Xbox 系列控制器这样的视频游戏控制器为例。这些使用 AA 电池，根据您的游戏量，您可能每周都会更换一对新电池！如果您为时钟供电，这可能无关紧要，因此能耗是一个重要因素。

Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, have a higher initial cost, but they pay for themselves after a few cycles of use. Considering that a good quality rechargeable battery can be recharged hundreds or even thousands of times, the cost per use becomes mere pennies. Thus, in the long run, rechargeable batteries are the clear winner in terms of cost-effectiveness.
另一方面，可充电电池的初始成本较高，但它们在使用几个周期后就能收回成本。考虑到优质的可充电电池可以充电数百甚至数千次，每次使用的成本仅为几美分。因此，从长远来看，可充电电池在成本效益方面是明显的赢家。

Are Rechargeables More Eco-Friendly? 充电电池更环保吗？

When considering their environmental impact, rechargeable batteries have a significant advantage. Disposable batteries contribute to a significant amount of electronic waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills. This is a waste of resources and can lead to hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury seeping into the environment.
在考虑其对环境的影响时，可充电电池具有显着的优势。一次性电池每年产生大量的电子垃圾，其中大部分最终进入垃圾填埋场。这是对资源的浪费，并可能导致铅、镉和汞等有害物质渗入环境。

Note: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans dispose of billions of batteries each year, most of which are alkaline. When they end up in landfills, they can contribute to soil and water pollution as their casing corrodes and potentially harmful materials are released.
注：根据环境保护局的数据，美国人每年处理数十亿个电池，其中大部分是碱性的。当它们最终进入垃圾填埋场时，它们会导致土壤和水污染，因为它们的套管腐蚀和潜在的有害物质被释放出来。
However, it’s worth noting that modern alkaline batteries have been mercury-free (since the mid-1990s), making them less toxic and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. 然而，值得注意的是，现代碱性电池（自1990 年代中期以来）一直是无汞的，这使得它们的毒性更小，更环保。

Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, can be used repeatedly for several years before they need to be replaced, thereby reducing waste. In addition, many types of rechargeable batteries, contain fewer toxic elements than their disposable counterparts. Many regions have recycling programs for spent rechargeable batteries, which can help minimize their environmental impact further.
另一方面，可充电电池在需要更换之前可以重复使用数年，从而减少浪费。此外，许多类型的可充电电池比一次性电池含有更少的有毒元素。许多地区都有废旧可充电电池的回收计划，这有助于进一步减少对环境的影响。

Who Has the Better Battery Life? 谁的电池寿命更长？

Battery life is slightly more complex as it depends on your specific use case. For low-drain devices like wall clocks or TV remotes, a high-quality disposable battery might last longer than a rechargeable one. However, rechargeable batteries often have a longer life per charge for high-drain devices.
电池寿命稍微复杂一些，因为它取决于您的特定用例。对于挂钟或电视遥控器等低耗电设备，高质量的一次性电池可能比可充电电池的使用寿命更长。然而，对于高耗电设备，可充电电池的每次充电通常具有更长的使用寿命。

Rechargeable batteries also have the advantage of “topping up.” You can recharge them whenever it’s convenient rather than waiting for them to run out of power entirely. This flexibility can lead to a functional increase in battery life.
可充电电池还具有“充电”的优点。您可以在方便的时候为它们充电，而不是等待它们完全耗尽电量。这种灵活性可以延长电池寿命的功能。

A further wrinkle here is in the actual battery capacity. You may find that some rechargeable batteries have smaller power capacities than alkaline batteries of the same size. Still, since you can recharge them repeatedly and can use two sets to swap between charging and use, the effective battery life is only limited by the wear and tear on the batteries.
这里的另一个问题是实际的电池容量。您可能会发现某些充电电池的功率容量比相同尺寸的碱性电池小。尽管如此，由于您可以反复充电，并且可以使用两组在充电和使用之间切换，因此有效的电池寿命仅受电池磨损的限制。

Charging Times and Convenience 充电时间和便利性

When it comes to convenience, disposable batteries have an edge. You can pop them in and go; they’re also readily available in most stores.
在便利性方面，一次性电池具有优势。你可以把它们放进去然后走;它们在大多数商店也很容易买到。

Rechargeable batteries require an initial charge, which can take a few hours to a full day, depending on the battery type and charger speed. They also need you to have a charger and remember to recharge them. However, as mentioned above, this perceived inconvenience can be mitigated by planning and rotating batteries: some in use, some charging, and of course these days some come fully charged and ready to go.
可充电电池需要初始充电，这可能需要几个小时到一整天，具体取决于电池类型和充电器速度。他们还需要您有一个充电器并记得给他们充电。然而，如上所述，这种感知的不便可以通过规划和旋转电池来减轻：有些在使用中，有些正在充电，当然现在有些已经充满电并准备就绪。

Also, technological advancements have led to the development of fast chargers, significantly reducing the waiting time for rechargeable batteries. Some modern rechargeable batteries also have a very low self-discharge rate, meaning they can hold their charge for a long time when unused.
此外，技术进步导致了快速充电器的发展，大大减少了可充电电池的等待时间。一些现代可充电电池的自放电率也非常低，这意味着它们在不使用时可以长时间保持充电。

While both disposable and rechargeable batteries have their merits and demerits, rechargeable batteries generally win regarding cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and battery life for high-drain devices. As long as you’re willing to invest a little more upfront, that is.
虽然一次性电池和可充电电池都有其优点和缺点，但可充电电池通常在成本效益、环境影响和高耗电设备的电池寿命方面获胜。只要你愿意提前多投资一点，就是这样。