A great alternative to disposable alkaline batteries.
Effectively delivering the same performance as alkaline batteries, in terms of capacity and the constant 1.5V output, the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA are a neat eco-friendly alternative. Available as a two- or four-pack, there’s a bit more flexibility here than with the direct competition. That said, if you need more capacity, regular NiMH rechargeables can provide this at a lower overall price.
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Two- or four-pack choices -
Integrated USB-C charging -
Constant 1.5V output
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Low capacity compared to NiMH batteries -
Expensive
Key Features
Introduction
Another set of Li-ion batteries, the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA are designed to hold their charge and output a constant 1.5V, making them compatible with any device that requires alkaline batteries.
Where they’re needed, they’re good, but they’re expensive and have a relatively low capacity compared to standard rechargeables.
Design and charging
- Available in two- and four-pack
- USB-C charging
As with the company’s Trust USB-C Rechargeable AA USB-C batteries, the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA USB-C batteries use Li-ion rather than the NiMH that most rechargeable batteries use.
Li-ion has its advantages. First, these batteries output a constant 1.5V, the same as alkaline batteries. For devices that require this, the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA USB-C batteries can be a direct replacement, only more eco-friendly. And, constant voltage output can help in some applications, such as having a torch that outputs the same brightness from start to finish.
Secondly, Li-ion holds its charge brilliantly, so these batteries can be charged and stored ready for use; or you’ll find that they last a long time in low-power devices, such as remote controls, as they won’t discharge while sat idle.
Trust sells the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA USB-C as a pack of two or a pack of four, so there’s a bit more choice than you get with the rival Paleblue AAA USB-C Rechargeable Batteries, which come in a four-pack only.
Nominally, the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA cost the same per battery as the Paleblue options, but I’ve seen Trust’s batteries for sale, and they’re often a lot cheaper.
With the two-pack you just get the batteries; the four-pack gets you a four-way USB-C cable so that you can charge all the batteries with one USB-A port. In both cases, you do need to charge via the integrated USB-C port, as these batteries will be damaged by a standard battery charger.
Once plugged in, these batteries have a green light that flashes to show that they’re charging. Once charged, this light ring goes solid green.
Trust says that these batteries will last for 800 charge cycles, which is 200 fewer than the Paleblue ones.
Total capacity has a slightly lower rating, too at 500mAh. That’s a little low for rechargeable batteries. Buy regular NiMH batteries and you’ll get higher capacities: the HiQuick AAA 1100, for example, are rated at 1100mAh, and even the budget Amazon Basics Rechargeable AAA are rated at 800mAh.
If you want batteries where capacity is the most important factor, regular NiMH cells may be a better choice.
Peformance
- Works anywhere alkaline batteries will
- Tested capacity just below quoted capacity
I used an XTAR XV4 battery tester to test the capacity of the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA batteries. It’s a new model of tester that’s compatible with Li-ion batteries. After draining the batteries, I found there was a total capacity 534mAh, which is 10mAh higher than the Paleblue batteries, which are quoted as being able to store 100mAh more.
Although that tested figure is low compared to NiMH rechargeable batteries that I’ve tested, it’s actually a higher figure than I’ve seen from regular alkaline batteries.
Should you buy it?
You want an eco-friendly alkaline replacement
Similar capacity and the same voltage as alkaline batteries, these ones can be reused saving on waste.
If total capacity is the most important factor, regular NiMH batteries will be a better choice, and they’re cheaper, too.
Final Thoughts
In terms of pure specs, there’s not much between the Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA and the Paleblue equivalent in terms of features and tested capacity. However, I have found that Trust’s batteries are generally cheaper to buy, and it’s nice to have a choice of buying a two-pack or four-pack.
If you want an eco-friendly alternative to alkaline batteries, these are the ones to buy. If you have devices that work happily with NiMH batteries, you’ll find these cheaper to buy and with higher capacity. You can see some alternatives in my guide to the best rechargeable batteries.
How we test
We test every rechargeable battery we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- We use a battery tester to drain batteries, so that we can test capacity in mAh. After the first run, we charge and discharge 50 times, measuring the capacity every ten runs.
- We measure the initial voltage of the batteries, checking that the starting voltage is at least 1.2V.
FAQs
No, a regular NiMH battery charger will damage these. Charge via the integrated USB-C port only.
Yes, the constant 1.5V output here is the same as you get from disposable alkaline batteries.
Test Data
| Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA | |
|---|---|
| Battery tested capacity | 534 mAh |
Full Specs
| Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | – |
| Battery | 500 mAh |
| Size (Dimensions) | x x INCHES |
| Release Date | 2025 |
| First Reviewed Date | 04/12/2025 |
| Model Number | Trust USB-C Rechargeable AAA |
| Battery type | Rechargeable |
| Battery technology | Lithium-ion |
| Battery size | AAA |
