Xtar L4 Pro
(11 reviews)
The XTAR L4 Pro charges AA/AAA NiMH and 1.5V Li-ion batteries over USB-C, and goes further: its refresh mode revives tired or deeply discharged rechargeables.
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Characteristics
- Slots: 4 (independent)
- Compatibility: AA/AAA: NiMH 1.2V and Li-ion 1.5V
- Power input: USB-C 5V/2A (cable included)
- Functions: Discharge, refresh, 0V activation
- Revives tired or deeply discharged NiMH cells
Detailed overview: XTAR L4 Pro battery charger
The XTAR L4 Pro is a smart four-slot charger built specifically for AA and AAA rechargeable batteries, whether classic 1.2V Ni-MH cells or the newer 1.5V regulated Li-ion cells increasingly used in cameras, remotes and Bluetooth gadgets. Unlike the XTAR VC4 and VC4SL already in our catalogue, which also accept cylindrical cells such as 18650 or 21700, the L4 Pro focuses purely on AA/AAA formats, which keeps it very compact (102 x 80 x 27.5mm, 87g).
Despite what the name might suggest, the L4 Pro does not plug straight into the mains: it runs on USB-C power (5V/2A) via the included cable, connected to any USB adapter, laptop, power bank or car USB port. No mains adapter is included in the box, a point several buyers flag in their reviews, so you'll need to reuse a USB charger you already own.
All four slots work fully independently: the charger automatically detects the chemistry of each inserted cell and adjusts the current accordingly, with a constant 0.5A per slot even when all four are loaded. Charging is therefore gentler and slower than on a high-power unit, but noticeably kinder to the cells.
The L4 Pro's real speciality is Ni-MH battery health: a Discharge mode for quick everyday maintenance, and a Refresh mode that intelligently runs several discharge/charge cycles to restore capacity lost to old age or the memory effect. A micro-current activation technology can even bring back cells that have dropped to 0V, which most standard chargers simply refuse to charge. The LCD screen shows the current mode, detected battery type and charge progress as bars for each slot, without the precise voltage or capacity readouts found on the VC4SL.
Multiple protections (overcharge, over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit, reverse polarity) keep the whole process safe. A smart pick for anyone who wants to maintain a stock of AA/AAA rechargeables over the long run instead of binning them at the first sign of reduced capacity.
Full specifications
Detailed characteristics (EAN: 6977699220207)
Charging capacity
| Number of slots?Number of batteries that can be charged at the same time. | 4 |
|---|---|
| Compatible formats?Accepted battery formats (AA, AAA, 18650, 21700...). | AA, AAA |
| Compatible chemistries?Recognised battery chemistries (Li-ion, LiFePO4, NiMH, NiCd...). | Li-ion, NiMH |
| Max charging current?Maximum charging current per slot, in milliamps. | 500 mA |
| Adjustable charging current?The user can manually pick the charging current. | No |
| Independent charging per slot?Each slot manages its own charge, independent of the other cells (different formats and chemistries can be mixed). | Yes |
Power input
| Power source?Built-in mains plug, USB port (Micro-USB or USB-C) or 12 V car socket. | USB-C |
|---|
Output and features
| USB output (device charging)?The charger can also act as a power bank: it uses the inserted cells to charge another device. | No |
|---|
Display and diagnostics
| Display?Type of visual feedback on charging status. | Detailed LCD screen |
|---|---|
| Automatic chemistry detection?The charger automatically adapts its charging profile to the inserted cell, with no manual setting. | Yes |
| Test / repair functions?Advanced functions beyond plain charging: real capacity measurement, internal resistance, reconditioning of worn cells, discharge cycles. | Reconditioning / revival, Manual discharge cycle |
Size
| Weight?Weight of the empty charger, in grams. | 51 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L × W × H)?Length × width × height, in millimetres. | 76.5 × 76 × 27.6 mm |
Warranty
| Warranty?Length of the manufacturer's warranty. | 2 years |
|---|
User manual / Instructions for use
Comparison
With its four slots dedicated to AA/AAA batteries, the XTAR L4 Pro naturally invites comparison with the other two XTAR chargers in our catalogue, the VC4 and the VC4SL, as well as a well-known rival on this segment, the Panasonic eneloop Pro BQ-CC65. Here's how it stacks up against them.
| Criterion | XTAR L4 Pro | XTAR VC4 | XTAR VC4SL | Panasonic eneloop Pro BQ-CC65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compatible formats | AA/AAA: NiMH 1.2V and Li-ion 1.5V | AA/AAA + cylindrical Li-ion (18650, 26650, 21700, 14500...) | AA/AAA + cylindrical Li-ion (10440 to 32650) | AA/AAA NiMH/NiCd only |
| Power input | USB-C 5V/2A (adapter not included) | USB (cable included) | USB-C QC3.0, up to 3A | Direct mains 100-240V (integrated cable) |
| Battery regeneration | Yes: discharge, refresh, 0V reactivation | No | No (measures internal resistance) | Yes: refresh and diagnostics |
| Screen | LCD (mode, type, charge bars) | LCD (voltage, current, capacity) | LCD (voltage, current, capacity, resistance) | LCD (voltage and capacity per slot) |
| Observed price | ≈ £15 | ≈ £34 | ≈ £29 | ≈ £54 |
The VC4SL remains the reference for anyone who also charges cylindrical cells like 18650s, and the Panasonic eneloop Pro keeps the edge of a direct mains plug with no cable to hunt for. But for anyone who mainly wants to maintain and extend the life of a stock of AA/AAA batteries, the XTAR L4 Pro stands out with its full regeneration toolkit (discharge, refresh, 0V reactivation) at a noticeably lower price than the Panasonic, while staying more compact and more flexible on power thanks to USB-C.
Related video
Video: XTAR L4 Pro Smart Battery Charger | In-depth Review and Test - Published on 11/05/2025
Our tester's review: Christophe Delpuech
We ran the L4 Pro for several weeks through a drawer full of AA and AAA cells of very different ages, some barely alive after months forgotten in a remote control. The Refresh mode clearly proved its worth: several cells we'd written off came back with decent capacity after a full cycle, though a deep regeneration can take the best part of a day. The four independent slots make it easy to mix formats and brands without a second thought, and the screen stays readable even though we missed the precise numeric readouts of the VC4SL. One caveat several customer reviews confirm too: there's no mains adapter in the box, just the USB-C cable, so keep a phone charger handy. Some regulated 1.5V Li-ion cells from other brands also aren't always recognised (an Err message shows up). For charging and, above all, extending the life of a stock of everyday AA/AAA rechargeables, it's a smart, affordable pick.
Frequently asked questions: XTAR L4 Pro battery charger
No, it doesn't include a mains adapter: it runs on USB-C power (5V/2A) via the included cable, which you plug into any USB charger, laptop or power bank you already own.
It charges rechargeable AA and AAA NiMH 1.2V cells as well as regulated 1.5V Li-ion cells. It does not support cylindrical cells such as 18650, unlike the VC4 and VC4SL.
It runs several discharge and recharge cycles in a row to clear the memory effect from Ni-MH cells and restore capacity close to their original level. The faster Discharge mode suits routine maintenance.
Yes, its micro-current activation technology can reactivate cells that have dropped to 0V, which many standard chargers detect as dead and refuse to charge.
Charge current is fixed at 0.5A per slot, even with all four loaded: expect roughly 2 to 3 hours for standard AA/AAA cells, longer for high-capacity cells or in Refresh mode.
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Published on 01/09/2026