I use battery charge controller for rechargeable 18650 batteries to maximize the current storage. Rechargeable batteries are more efficient in respect of performance. In my experience
aa aaa batteries are a much better choice for low-drain devices that draw small amounts of power over a longer period of time. This is because alkalines start with a slightly higher voltage that decreases faster than rechargeable batteries. An alkaline battery will die much faster at the end of its life, while a rechargeable battery will hang on at a lower voltage for longer, resulting in performance issues such as dimming lights or a clock that can't keep time.