Rechargeable batteries, storage batteries, secondary cells, or accumulators are a type of electrical batteries which can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, while non-rechargeable or primary batteries are supplied fully charged, and discarded once discharged.
Rechargeable batteries initially cost more than disposable batteries, but have a much lower total cost of ownership and environmental impact, as they can be recharged inexpensively many times before they need replacing.