Headlamp Battery Replacements – Best Recommendations

[Page updated: 1 June 2022]

Eventually, headlamp batteries wear out and won’t hold a full charge anymore. With recent 2020-2022 headlamps, a decent headlamp battery should last a year or 300 recharge cycles – whichever is longer. Personally, I just can’t stop recommending the Petzl brand headlamps, I believe there is nothing better on the market – so, why buy any other light? Let’s see what 2022 Headlamps come out of Petzl. At the moment I know about the Petzl DUO RL, and the NAO RL. I’m exciting for the new year!

Choose a Headlamp Battery Replacement

18650 Batteries

There are dozens of absolute worthless, cheap 18650 batteries on the market, and you must avoid them all. The one company’s headlamp batteries I know are durable and reliable – Fenix 18650 batteries. You can find a couple of different strengths of Fenix battery below.

Fenix ARB-L18-2600 18650, 2600 mAh Battery

Fenix ARB-L2S 18650, 3400 mAh Battery

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AA Batteries

I have found that the Panasonic Alkaline batteries that look just like this, are the best for my headlamps and flashlights. See image below.

AAA Batteries

Just like above, the Panasonic AAA batteries are great for modern LED headlamps, and I highly recommend them.

Rechargeable AA or AAA Batteries?

I know, it would be nice to be environmentally conscious and use rechargeable batteries, but headlamps take so much energy, that rechargeables are not able to power them at full power. If you use rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, you’ll notice a massive drop-off that lasts for the duration of the charge. If you MUST use rechargeables, the best you can get are the Panasonic Eneloop PROS pictured below.

Buy Here > Eneloop PRO AAA Batteries

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Petzl Nao, Nao 2, Nao 3 Headlamp Batteries

These two batteries are compatible with all the headlamps listed above.

Battery model numbers: E36200, E36200 2
Rating in mAh: 2600
Recharge Time: 5 hours
Guarantee: 1 year or 300 recharge cycles – whichever is longer.

Buying Info Here >

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Petzl Nao+ Plus Headlamp Battery

Battery model number: E36200 2B
Rating in mAh: 2600
Recharge Time: 6 hours
Guarantee: 1 year or 300 recharge cycles – whichever is longer.

Buying Info Here > Petzl Nao Plus Battery Replacement

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Petzl Reactik, Reactik+ Plus Headlamps

All of these headlamps take the same replacement batteries. In addition, each of these headlamps takes a replacement battery cartridge that will let you switch to using regular AAA batteries instead of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that come with the headlamps.

1. Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack

Battery model number: E92200 2
Rating in mAh: 1800 mAh
Recharge Time: 3 hours
Guarantee: 1 year or 300 recharge cycles – whichever is longer.

Buying Info Here > Petzl Reactik Lithium Ion Battery Replacement

NOTE – in 2022-23 you shouldn’t be buying headlamps requiring this battery or trying to replace old batteries like this. It’s time to upgrade your unit to something far more efficient and filled with features like the SWIFT RL or RL PRO or NAO RL.

2. AAA Battery Pack

Battery model number: E92300, E92300 2

Buying Info Here > Petzl Reactik Battery Replacement

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Petzl Tikka+ and Tikka RXP Headlamp Batteries

1. Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery Pack

Battery model number: E92200
Rating in mAh: 1800 mAh
Recharge Time: 3 hours
Guarantee: 1 year or 300 recharge cycles – whichever is longer.

Buying Info Here > Petzl Tikka Lithium Ion Battery Replacement

2. AAA Battery Pack

Battery model number: E92300, E92300 2

Buying Info Here > Petzl Tikka RXP Tikka Battery Pack for AAA

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Petzl Ultra Rush Headlamp Batteries

Both of the following batteries work with the Ultra Rush, DUO S, Ultra Vario, and Ultra Wide headlamps. The ACCU 4 requires an Ultra E53 AC waist belt and cable, and the ACCU 2 can use the belt option (model Ultra Belt E53 AC), but it’s optional because this battery fits right on the headband of the headlamps.

NOTE – June 2022. this ULTRA RUSH has been discontinued and it is difficult to find new batteries for it.

ACCU 2 – 2600 mAh

Battery model number: E554502
Rating in mAh: 2600
Recharge Time: 3.5 hours
Guarantee: 3 years

Buying Info Here > Petzl ACCU 2 Battery Replacement

ACCU 4 – 5200 mAh

Battery model number: E55400 2
Rating in mAh: 5200
Recharge Time: 6 hours
Guarantee: 3 years

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Here is a chart showing the compatible batteries and battery belts & cables for the Petzl NAO and NAO+ Plus headlamps. Very helpful!

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