I used to go through AA and AAA batteries like candy. Especially for my TV remote. Every few weeks, it would die right when I was ready to watch something, and I was scrambling through drawers, pulling batteries from clocks or flashlights or whatever other junk had a half-decent charge hiding in it.
It got annoying. Wasteful. And just… kinda dumb. The money down the drain, the hassle of changing batteries in the middle of a movie, and knowing that pile of used batteries was just building up with no chance of recycling it properly. Eventually, I started to search for alternatives. Not a quick fix—but something more permanent, more sustainable, maybe even smarter.
So, I tried a few things. Some were simple, some were a little ridiculous. Some worked better than I expected, and others I definitely wouldn’t do again. If you’re tired of dealing with batteries for your remotes too, here’s what I figured out.
Step One: The Obvious Solution—Should’ve Done This Sooner
The first thing I did—and honestly, I should’ve done this years ago—was switch to rechargeable batteries. AA and AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries. This one change made a massive difference.
No more trips to the store. No more dead remotes, right in the middle of a movie. I got two complete sets of batteries and a smart charger, and just started rotating them. Pop a fresh pair in, toss the old ones in the charger, done.
I did end up scoring Eneloops (you don’t have to, but they have lasted the longest for me thus far). And if you’re going to do this, get a smart charger—one that shows levels and shuts off automatically. The cheap ones can overheat your batteries and kill them early. Lesson learned.
Also: if you have remote controls that you hardly ever use—like for a guest room or garage TV—take the batteries out. Even rechargeable batteries slowly lose charge just sitting there. You might as well store them until you want to use them again.
Then I Got A Bit Nerdy (USB-Powered Remote Hack)
At one point, I had an older remote control for a TV I didn’t care about anymore. Not sentimental, out of warranty, and barely used. So like any reasonable person… I ripped it open and ripped/soldered wires to the battery terminals.
I’m that person now.
I’ve a USB cable going through the back of the remote with a small voltage regulator to bring the 5V down to about 3V—close enough for it to work. Plugged into the wall, hit the power button, and it worked. No more batteries, ever.
Now, obviously, this isn’t universally applicable. You will have to be comfortable with basic wiring. You will void any warranty. You could fry your remote control if you mess up on the polarity (I checked it five times before I touched the soldering iron).
But for a wall mount TV set-up where the remote never really moves? That little Frankenstein remote is still going strong. I love it.
My Favorite Discovery: The Solar Remote
Ok, this one was an entire surprise. I recently got a new TV and part of the reason I chose this model is because of the remote (it charges with ambient light). Just light, in the room. No batteries to swap out, no cords to plug in anywhere. It even has a USB-C port, just in case!
During the day I keep the remote snug close to the window, and it just…charges. I haven’t even had to tap into the USB port yet. I really wish all remotes worked like this.
The only downside is, it’s not universal. These remotes are made for specific brands. But, if you’re shopping for a new TV, or streaming device, and solar is on the table? Buy it. It’s honestly the simplest sustainable choice I’ve made in a long time.
I Also Tried Wireless Charging Remotes
They’re still kind of niche, but I played with one a while back, while installing the smart home hub as a part of my demo. It worked like a flat surface and once you’re going, you just plop the remote on the little charging pad, and it charges—no batteries, no plugging in anywhere, just stays topped off.
It was a surprisingly good experience, especially given that the remote had a “home base” to return to, like how we all charge our phones now. However, the wireless charging option is definitely a premium product. You really need the entire system built out to support it, and then there’s the reality that if you misplace the remote… yeah, you’re out of luck.
It’s cool, it’s futuristic, it’s kind of convenient—but probably excessive unless you’re already going down the smart home rabbit hole.
Mistakes? Oh Yeah.
Look. I’m not gonna pretend I didn’t mess a few things up.
The first time I tried soldering in a remote, I melted a plastic contact because I held the iron too long. Dude, I’ve wired a remote backwards once—it literally wouldn’t turn on until I flipped the polarity. Swear to God, I wasted a bunch of money on no-name rechargeables that couldn’t hold a charge to save my life. Don’t do that.
Oh, I also once left a solar remote in a windowless room for too long. Whoops. Like us, it just wants some light every now and then, too.
Anyway, I learned. Use low heat. Label your terminals. Buy decent batteries. Don’t put solar stuff in the box. No drama—just trial and error.
So Where Am I Now?
Currently, I have a solar remote in my living room. A rechargeable one in my bedroom. The garage TV is still plugged into the USB-powered mutant I built. And I haven’t purchased a disposable battery for a remote in over a year.
I really don’t miss it. The waste. The cost. The last-minute scramble when the remote stops working, and the only thing I can find to assist my efforts is a package of mismatched batteries, which may or may not be from 2015.
It’s crazy how satisfying it is to not deal with replacements and rechargeables. One small annoyance is simply…gone.
So yeah. If you’re even considering doing something smarter with your remotes—just do it. Start small. Buy a couple junk rechargeables. Or hell, if you’re crazy, solder a USB cable to something old and see what you get.
One less thing to toss. One more thing that just works.
