Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)
Used for portable radios, cellular phones, video cameras, power tools and some biomedical instruments. NiCds have a good load characteristics, are economically priced and are simple to use.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
Used for cellular phones and laptop computers where high-energy is of importance and cost is secondary.

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Available only in limited supply and presently used for some video cameras, cell phones, high volumes applications . When readily available, this chemistry will replace some NiCds for high energy-density applications, but at a higher cost.

Lithium Polymer (Li-Polymer)
When commercially available, this battery will have the highest energy density and lowest self-discharge but its load characteristics will only suit low current applications.

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA)
Used for biomedical equipment, wheel chairs, UPS systems and other heavier applications where energy-to-weight ratio is not critical and low battery cost is desirable.