[ramses0]

Same, but different. I have bought maybe hundreds of rechargeable AA/AAA batteries over the last ten years, and chased as exclusively as possible devices without built-in rechargeable batteries.

Anything with a built-in battery is nearly always e-waste within 3 years, while I've had AA/AAA devices that are 5-10 years old that are fine.

Pop the batteries out when in storage, never need to wait for it to recharge (just rotate in new batteries), use disposable batteries from the corner shop in an emergency.

[turnsout]

Exactly. I still use portable flash units (speed lights) that are now well over 20 years old, while a lot of the newer units have built-in batteries that will fail in just a few years. And it's an extreme example, but I still use my Game Boy DMG, which is a 36 year old device.

All electronic devices are eventually e-waste, but devices that use AA/AAA can last decades longer. I only buy something with a lithium ion battery when there is almost literally no alternative (essentially phone and laptop).