2024-02-19 06:32:43
The inexpensive Ladda batteries from Ikea have long been considered an insider tip. Inside there are supposed to be branded products that cost twice as much. Are they just as good?
Rechargeable batteries are needed everywhere. This makes you wonder: Which batteries are the best? And what are the price tips? The relatively inexpensive batteries from Ikea could provide an answer to both questions. They are called “Ladda” and only cost 7.99 euros (4 pieces, AA, 2,450 mAh).
The comparable branded product from Panasonic is called Eneloop Pro and costs significantly more: it costs around 13 euros on Amazon (4 pieces, AA, 2,500 mAh). For conventional Eneloops (without “Pro”, 2,000 mAh) the price is 9 euros.
The key data for Ladda and Eneloop Pro read similarly: The capacity is practically on par, they promise up to 500 charging cycles – and according to the label, they are both “Made in Japan”. At this point you might be suspicious: doesn’t the Swedish furniture store operate battery factories in Japan for its Ladda batteries? It must be a supplier – or is it…
Ikea Ladda = Panasonic Eneloop?
… the Japanese company Panasonic, which is behind the cheap Ikea batteries? Evidence of this has been around for a while, for example at SLR Lounge: “Panasonic Eneloops have gained the trust of passionate photographers. It has now become known that the favorite is most likely packaged under a number of other brand names, many of which cost significantly less. One of them is Ladda from Ikea. On paper, the Ladda batteries are very similar to the Eneloop Pros,” said blogger Justin Heyes around 6 years ago.
In a report on the current generation of Ladda, Michael Barton from Akkutest.org is quite clear: “Ikea Ladda batteries are Eneloop batteries, just at a fantastic price. In my experience, these are reliable, have the advertised capacity and of course the price a dream.”
Metin Karal from IZReviews also comes to a similar assessment: “Ikea Ladda batteries are perfect and inexpensive rechargeable batteries. It seems that they are made in Japan by Fujitsu, where Panasonic Eneloop batteries are also made.”
We asked Ikea directly, but no clarifying answer came back: The press office is not allowed to give us any details about the supplier or the battery technology installed (as of September 2023). But perhaps it is not so important whether Ikea Ladda and Panasonic Eneloop Pro are actually identical. In the end, what matters is that the measured values at Ladda are convincing and the price is comparatively low. An insider tip that is not so secret among well-informed technology fans.