Walking Equipment and Accessories

GP Rechargeable Batteries | Review

Eco-friendly batteries and an alkaline powered portable charger that boasts multi-device compatibility

What We Chose GP Batteries: eco-friendly, versatile

Price: £4.99 (battery set), £25 (Charge AnyWay plus batteries)
Weight: n/a
More info: uk.gpbatteries.com

Now, for better or for worse, technology has become a huge part of our lives, even when we’re looking to escape it by heading out to the mountains. That technology, things like smartphones, Garmins and head torches, needs to be managed and their charge carefully looked after – and that’s where power banks, like the one featured here, which is called the GP Charge AnyWay, come in.

You’d be correct in sounding confused as to why we’d include a portable power bank in our Green Gear Guide. What’s so ‘green’ about a portable power bank? Well, that’ll be the nifty RecyKo+ batteries that come with it.

Related: Top 10 Portable Chargers

Instead of a regular a lithium-ion cell you’d expect to find within the casing of a regular power bank, the GP Charge AnyWay can run off the replaceable and rechargeable lithium-ion-free RecyKo+ NiMH batteries that GP make. These, as we’ve found at Outdoors Magic, are excellent, and the good news is that four of these in AA size are supplied with the bank (which also complies with AAA) to juice up your tech with.

These batteries can all also be used separately from the power bank in any battery operated appliance. Therefore, with the power bank and these batteries, you’ve got the versatility to power either lithium-ion items or standard replaceable ones (things like torches or walkie talkies).

The RecyKo+ batteries are charged up using the Charge AnyWay as a dock – with little green lights indicating the charge – or you can even slip them into GP’s Xplor Head Torch (purchased separately) and charge them via its Micro USB porch.

The Charge AnyWay pack and GP Xplor Headtorch. Photo: Chris Johnson

The Charge AnyWay works with AA and AAA. Photo: Chris Johnson

It’s good to see GP Batteries pulling outdoor enthusiasts away from their reliance on single use batteries – still so frequently found within our outdoor equipment. A single AA/AAA battery from GP is said to last up to 300 recharge cycles, meaning the same amount in single use batteries have been saved from finding their way into landfill.

On top of this, typical lithium-ion power banks tend to only be rated for 300 cycles, meaning you’ll have to throw the whole thing out eventually. With the GP Charge AnyWay, you’ll just need to replace the batteries, saving on a heap of plastic and metal ending up in the landfill.

Another benefit to the Charge AnyWay’s use of replaceable AA or AAA batteries over an inbuilt lithium cell in the power bank is that if you do find yourself out of juice and with no power source available, then you’ll be able to add in any other type of AAA or AA batteries (single use or rechargeable) that you manage to find around your campsite or steal from another electrical device – giving you emergency power to a vital device, such as your phone.

Watch Our Video Review

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, Outdoors Magic Editor

As you’ll gather from my video review above, I’m a big fan of this set from GP. This is the kind of stuff I’ve really needed on previous long distance treks I’ve been on, and am glad I’ll have for future ones.

I’ve got a bunch of kit that requires AA batteries, like my trusty pocket radio (retro, I know), but also things like my phone and and headtorch to keep charged, and the Charge Anyway and RecyKo+ batteries makes for the complete package when it comes to managing these.

With four rechargeable AA’s I’ve found I get about 75% charge of my Samsung, and I’m told you’ll get a fully charged iPhone. So, armed with a second pack of batteries, that could see me through, perhaps about four days of hiking. I’d say say, for that amount of charge, the GP approach means a lighter load than my lithium ion approach, and a hell of a lot more versatility.

Trade Secrets

James Tuck, Marketing Manager for GP Batteries UK

“With all the restrictions placed on hazardous lithium batteries by airlines, travellers can have trouble taking a power bank on board their flight, meaning their mobile devices risk losing power. Ideal for use with recyclable lithium-free batteries, which are safe for air travel, the Charge AnyWay offers a new generation hybrid power solution for use indoor, outdoor and during travel; giving you a one-stop-shop to keep in charge of your power supply– wherever and whenever!”