Nikon D3400 Battery Charging with USB-C
- Nathaniel Stephan
- November 21, 2025
Table of Contents
The original Nikon D3400 battery was the EN-EL14, but it can also use EN-EL14 batteries.
There is no way to charge the battery in the camera. The battery cannot be charged via the USB port, it’s only for data.
The Nikon MH-24 is the EN-EL14 battery charger. I would rather have a third party USB-C charger as a replacement.
Newer third party replacement batteries can have built-in USB-C charging. That removes the need to have a dedicated charger for the D3400.
Even with that feature, two USB-C rechargeable batteries are cheaper than a Nikon battery.
I like third party batteries because of how much cheaper they are. From testing I’ve done, they have ~90% of the capacity of an OEM Nikon battery. I would expect one with USB-C charging to be ~85% because of the space taken up by electronics.
The only time I would recommend OEM Nikon batteries is for professional use.
Nikon D3400 Battery
The EN-EL14 is still being sold by Nikon.
The previous version, the EN-EL14, has been discontinued.
However, OEM Nikon EN-EL14 batteries are expensive compared to the value of the Nikon D3400.
Multiple third party batteries will be cheaper than an official Nikon battery. It’s important to buy them from a Nikon dealer because there are lots of fakes out there.
Newer batteries have integrated USB-C charging. That means no special charger and they can be charged with a power bank.
How to Charge the Battery
The USB port will not charge a battery in the Nikon D3400. The USB port is only for data transfer.
A Nikon MH-24 battery charger needs to be used. Third party chargers can have USB-C charging.
There are newer third party batteries with built-in USB-C charging. I would expect the capacity to be 10% lower because of the room taken up by the USB-C port.
Keep in mind that third party batteries will be a fraction of the cost of an OEM Nikon battery. You can buy two or more and it will still cost less.
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Nikon EN-EL14a
- Original battery
- Highest quality
- Expensive
See current price and information:
Battery with USB-C Charging
See current price and information:
What’s the difference between EN-EL14 and EN-EL41a
| Battery Model | Voltage | Capacity | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN-EL14 | 7.4V | 1030mAh | 7.7Wh |
| EN-EL14a | 7.2V | 1230mAh | 8.9Wh |
The Nikon EN-EL14a has a larger capacity compared to EN-EL14 batteries. They have the same physical dimensions.
The EN-EL14 battery has been discontinued. Nikon is no longer selling them new.
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL14 and EN-EL14a compatibility
How long does a Nikon D3400 battery last?
The Nikon D3400 has a CIPA of 1200 shots with a battery. Using live view will reduce that.
Approximately 60 minutes of video can be recorded at 1080p60.
As a battery goes through charge cycles, the maximum capacity will be reduced. In my experience, third party batteries degrade faster than Nikon camera batteries.
Nikon does not provide information on how many charge cycles EN-EL14 batteries are rated for. Generally lithium-ion batteries are good for 400-500 charge cycles.
Battery Grip
When the Nikon D3400 was originally released, there was no battery grip. Nikon has not made one as it’s an entry level camera, with a low original price.
There is no official battery grip for the Nikon D3400.
Third party options do exist, but I have not tested any.
Signs of Battery Failure
If a battery is draining quickly, it may be failing. This happens because lithium ion batteries slightly degrade with each charge cycle.
After hundreds of charge cycles, the reduction in capacity is noticeable.
If a battery is swollen or puffing out, that is a sign the battery is no good. Especially if it will not fit in the D3400’s battery compartment.
Batteries should not spin on flat surfaces. It’s a bad sign if it spins like a top.
The final thing to look for is if the battery is hot to the touch during charging. That’s a sign of high internal resistance, which happens with old or damaged batteries.
Battery Disposal
Lithium ion batteries are a fire risk. That remains true for transportation and sanitation workers.
Many types contain heavy metals that can cause water pollution.
It’s important to dispose of them properly at a recycling facility or hazardous waste collection point.
