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I'm a pretty recent convert to rechargeable batteries having bought an Energizer Pro Charger set 11 months ago. While that charger (and the included batteries) has performed well and has been very reliable, it only charges in pairs so I decided to upgrade to a smart charger capable of charging cells individually. Some reviewers of the BQ-CC55 noted that the batteries get too hot or complained of noise coming from the charger while in use. Charging two Energizer 2000 mAh AA cells at a time, the batteries did get warm but not hot. It also charges those two AA cells in about an hour and-a-half which is quite a bit faster than the 3-4 hours it takes for the Energizer charger. After using the charger for the fourth time, I did notice very faint, sporadic, high-pitched beeps that I didn't notice the previous times I used it. Since then, I haven't heard any sound produced by the charger so it's a non-issue. The colored LED status indicators are well-designed and one of the best features of this charger in addition to the fast, smart charging. The lights begin at red (<20%), turn to yellow (20%-80%), then green (80%+). Charging is complete once the LED shuts off after turning green. One feature I like better in the Energizer charger are the audible tones generated when the charging process starts and when it finishes. It's helpful to have an audible alert when charging has finished in case the charger isn't within line-of-sight, but that's a small nit. The BQ-CC55 is a step up from the Energizer Pro Charger and the one I wish I had bought in the first place. UPDATE 02/2019: After a year and four months of using this charger a few times a month, it developed strange high-pitched electronic noises (the closest sound I can compare it to is electronic squeaking). I've read other reviews which described this issue and now I have it also. The noise fluctuates in volume and also changes tone so it isn't one consistent type of noise. It seems the charger still works just fine as the batteries were charged to full capacity. It's just that the noise is annoying and an unwanted development in a lightly-used product. Hopefully, it's a minor issue and one that won't affect the charger's performance in the long run because this a a really good product otherwise. UPDATE 07/2019: Ever since the one instance when the charger started emitting sound, the sound has vanished. Thankfully, it was a temporary issue. I've used it many times since then and it's been silent. After 2 years of use, this charger is still working very well.

I've had this charger for over 2 years. It gets light use aroung the home. It has been reliable. It is stylish to use. The indicator light for a narrow band of color - red, yellow, green - to show charging state. The eneloop batteries combined with this charger are money saving and a pleasure to use. We have the eneloop batteries deployed in 5 Panasonic telephone handsets around the house and they have been utterly reliable over 2 years. Other uses are in some temp senors around the house and in a couple of FRS handi-talkies around the house. Rechargeable batteries are best served by particular charging schedules. I believe having paired brand name batteries with the same brand chargers has resulted it the success I've had with these products.

I originally bought this charger to keep my Panasonic Eneloop batteries charged for my SteelSeries mouse, and it’s been one of those purchases that’s worked exactly as I hoped. Instead of constantly swapping disposable batteries, I can recharge my Eneloops whenever they start getting low and get right back to using my mouse. One of the first things I noticed was how compact and lightweight it is. It doesn’t take up much room on a desk, shelf, or in a travel bag, making it easy to store when it’s not in use. Even with four batteries installed, it still feels surprisingly portable. The functionality is excellent. I really like that each battery charges independently, so I don’t have to wait until I have multiple batteries that need charging. The LED indicators are clear and easy to understand, letting you quickly check the charging status at a glance without any guesswork. The batteries fit securely into the charging slots without feeling loose or difficult to insert or remove. Everything lines up well, and the overall build quality gives the impression that it’s designed to last through years of regular use. Since it plugs directly into a standard wall outlet, setup couldn’t be much easier. Just insert the batteries, plug it in, and let it do its job. The quick charging speed has also been a huge convenience, especially when I need a fresh set of batteries without waiting all day. Considering the charging performance, compact design, independent charging capability, and overall build quality, I think it offers excellent value for the money. If you’re already using Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries—or any compatible AA or AAA rechargeables—this charger is an easy recommendation. It’s reliable, easy to use, and has become a permanent part of my desk setup.

It works as advertised and is fairly unobtrusive when in use.

If you want faster charging or slightly more informative charging of your AA and AAA NiMH (nickel-metal hydride) cells ("batteries") and don't need a full battery analyzer , then the Panasonic BQ-CC55 may be for you. Size: The BQ-CC55 is more than 1/2" taller and slightly wider than its slower, less informative sibling, the BQ-CC17 , so if you want a smaller charger for tightly-packed travel use, you can weigh whether to give up some features to save space. Lights: Status lighting is larger and brighter on the BQ-CC55 than on the BQ-CC17. Whether that's an advantage or a (sleep) disturbance is up to you. Choose wisely. Status lighting is also more informative on the BQ-CC55, adding charge progress indication (red for early, yellow for amid, and green for late in the charging process) and suspect-cell indication (flashing yellow after charge completion instead of dark) to the charging (lit), done (dark after having been lit), and failed (flashing) indications of the BQ-CC17 (failed is flashing red on the BQ-CC55). Fun: On powerup with some cell(s) present or on detection of a cell insertion, the BQ-CC55 briefly sweeps the status lights ("Cylon" effect for "Battlestar Galactica" fans or "K.I.T.T." effect for "Knight Rider" fans). Mystery: I notice the Amazon pages append SBA to the charger models I've mentioned. In contrast, the pamphlet with my BQ-CC55 calls it BQ-CC55A. I don't know what the suffixes mean and so hope they don't matter (much?). Shopping Hint: Panasonic also offers various bundles of charger and cells ("batteries") from small 4-cell bundles through "power pack" and "super power pack" bundles with more cells and sometimes with adapters to let you use your smaller rechargeables in place of C or D size cells. Be sure to check whether one of the bundles or separate purchase of charger and your favorite cells best suits your intended use(s) and budget. Hints to Come: I'll dispute the instructions and maintain how you insert a cell depends on which size cell. AAA's should be inserted bottom (negative) first, just as the instructions say, yet still require a hint. Hint: When seating a AAA, push somewhat _below_ _center_ to suit the angled, _partial_ AAA backrests. Hint: You can remove a AAA by pressing in near its top: the angled, partial backrest will lever the bottom (negative) end out for you, freeing the cell. Hint: AA's should be inserted top (positive) first, opposite what the instructions say. On the BQ-CC55 this may prove unimportant because the cell bay openings are a little taller, but on the BQ-CC17 this is the only way to insert some larger AA cells without undue force, so maintaining the habit may prove useful. If you examine the flange around the charger's upper terminals and the ramped shape of the AA bottom (negative) terminals, you can discern the physical design directly implies top-first AA loading. The AAA bottom terminals are not ramped and the angled positioning of AAA's minimizes flange interference at the upper terminals, hence the opposite loading technique (bottom first) for AAA's. Hot Swaps: Yes, you can remove, insert, and swap cells with the BQ-CC55 powered up and operating. I don't know whether that's _recommended_, but I do it routinely and so far without apparent trouble. Noise: My BQ-CC55 emits faint beeps while charging. I assume they're subharmonics from some part of the power conversion circuitry. So far, even in quiet conditions I've only noticed them while within arm's length of the charger and so have found them nonbothersome. If you, on the other hand, need some "serious quiet" they might be a concern. Suspect Cell Indication: At first, I was only able to find cells the BQ-CC55 approved (my usual in-use bunch) or promptly failed (my "rogues gallery" of worn-out, seriously ailing cells). Finally, though, I remembered a well-aged (if not aging well?) pair of Duracell 2 A*h (or 2,000 mA*h, for the "big numbers sound impressive" crowd) cells. Aha! One cell finished charging somewhat sooner and got flagged suspect (flashing yellow light) while the other simply finished charging (status light went dark) after a somewhat longer wait. I waited a day and then popped the cells into my IQ-338XL battery analyzer to see whether it might detect some difference. Well, only a little. Both cells exhibited suitably low impedances (27 and 31 milliohms) and both delivered just over 1.7 A*h. There was only a small difference in recharge behavior. The suspect cell again finished sooner, accepting just over 1.9 A*h while the "good" cell again took longer, accepting almost 2.2 A*h. I've taped a note to the suspect cell in hope of learning whether it may fail first and in what way. So I haven't yet learned what to think of the BQ-CC55's suspect cell indication, but I like the idea of possibly having some warning instead of just suddenly finding a cell unchargeable some day.

I really like these chargers. They are well built and charge fast. They only charge AA and AAA. I have rechargable batteries in just about everything. When i need to recharge, i reach for the Panasonic charger. I have three. Home, work, laptop bag.

Working as advertised.

Best charger of its type around. Lightweight, easy to use and well-made. This is my second purchase of this item. (I wore out the first after 12 years. Best if you only charge Eneloop batteries. 3-hour quick charge is a great advantage. If you are a heavy battery user like me, purchase 12-16 AA or AAA Eneloop batteries to compliment this charger - Its a great investment and with care the batteries will perform well up to 4-5 years.