If you've been shopping around for a new two way radio lately, you may have noticed something missing when it comes to the battery. Not too long ago, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery packs were common on handheld radios. Today, nearly every new model ships with a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery instead.
So, what happened?
There are a few reasons for this. First, lithium batteries offer more energy in a small, light package. That means longer operating time without making the radio much larger or heavier. For users who carry a radio all day, that difference is easy to appreciate.
Second, lithium batteries also hold their charge well when stored. Traditional NiMH packs self-discharge fairly quickly. Leave one fully charged on the shelf for a few weeks and you'll probably find it needs to be topped off before use. Newer, low self-discharge NiMH cells improved on this considerably and can retain much of their charge for a year or more, but lithium still holds a slight edge and does so in a compact package. That makes lithium a strong choice for emergency kits, seasonal activities, and occasional use.
Third, manufacturers have embraced lithium technology because it allows more flexibility in product design. Slimmer battery packs, higher capacity options, and features like USB-C charging have become much easier to implement. As consumers began expecting longer battery life and more convenient charging options, lithium batteries became the obvious choice.
That doesn't mean NiMH batteries have disappeared entirely. They still have a place in certain applications. Many rechargeable AA and AAA batteries are still NiMH, and modern low self-discharge versions can hold their charge for months. That makes them a practical choice for accessories, flashlights, weather radios, and other devices that use standard battery sizes. Some commercial and public safety organizations also continue to use older radios that rely on NiMH battery packs, simply because the equipment remains reliable and replacement batteries are readily available.
If you're using a radio powered by NiMH batteries, there's no reason to replace it just because newer models use lithium technology. A quality NiMH battery pack can still provide years of dependable service with a little basic care. And how do you properly care for it? It's simple. Avoid leaving it fully drained for long stretches.
Radios that use NiMH batteries should be just fine with what they have. For most new handheld radios, however, lithium has become the standard. Longer run times, lighter weight, lower self-discharge, and greater charging convenience have made it the preferred battery technology for today's portable radios. While NiMH helped power a generation of handheld transceivers, lithium batteries have largely taken over, and they're likely to remain the standard for years to come.