Alkaline batteries are wanted extra usually than you could suppose. They’re generally discovered within the hottest toys and inside the numerous remotes you might need across the residence. Nonetheless, batteries die. So when it is time to substitute them, having extras round is a godsend.
We have recognized the most effective alkaline batteries in the marketplace by rigorously testing a variety of fashions and types. Our thorough analysis concerned intensive discharge checks to determine the longest-lasting alkaline batteries, together with AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt choices. Moreover, we analyzed the fee per battery for every selection, making certain that you just obtain distinctive worth to your funding.
Not one of the choices chosen are rechargeable. So, if you happen to’re seeking to scale back waste over time, you are higher off wanting elsewhere. US alkaline battery gross sales reached $9.28 billion in 2024 and are predicted to extend to $9.75 billion in 2025, displaying that there is nonetheless demand for these batteries.
Learn on for our picks of the most effective batteries and the way every mannequin carried out in our checks, beginning with Amazon’s personal model of AAA batteries.
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The competitors for the most effective AAA battery was intently contested, as all competing manufacturers demonstrated related efficiency in our discharge take a look at. Affordability and reliability performed a major position in our analysis.
Amazon AAA batteries emerged as probably the most dependable throughout our discharge take a look at, exhibiting constantly repeatable outcomes throughout three completely different runs and boasting the longest common discharge time at 28 minutes, 32 seconds.
Furthermore, if you happen to’re contemplating shopping for in bulk, this selection is, by far, the higher selection. The 36-pack is at the moment priced at lower than $18 on the time of this publication, translating to roughly 50 cents per unit. Now that is true worth.
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AA batteries are possible the preferred battery dimension, given their widespread use in a wide range of digital units. They do not maintain as a lot cost as a C or D battery, which implies you are in all probability going to be changing them so much. Once more, it comes right down to bulk value and efficiency.
The 2 main AA battery manufacturers, Energizer and Duracell, stood out within the competitors, displaying related efficiency, with Energizer having a slight edge. The decisive issue turned out to be value. A single Energizer AA Max battery powered three fan motors organized in parallel for a powerful common of half-hour, 15 seconds, marking the most effective rating among the many group.
Moreover, Energizer AA Max batteries are the second most inexpensive choice. The 20-pack is at the moment priced at roughly $14 on the time of this publication, equating to round 73 cents per unit. With excellent efficiency and an inexpensive value, if you happen to’re out there for AA batteries to energy your vacation items or some other system, that is the optimum selection.
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This one was simple. Duracell outperformed its competitors convincingly. The one caveat is that this will not be your most budget-friendly choice. Since C batteries are primarily used for medium-drain units like cameras, radios, and even some intruder alarms, longevity and reliability are paramount.
In our discharge take a look at, Duracell C-type batteries powered 4 fan motors in parallel for an excellent common of 25 minutes, 42 seconds, practically doubling the typical period achieved by different competing manufacturers. High quality generally comes at a value, and Duracell C batteries aren’t any exception. The ten-pack is priced at roughly $15 on the time of this publication, totaling roughly $1.56 per unit, the very best value per unit on this class.
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D batteries are predominantly utilized in high-current drain units that require extended operating occasions and emergency devices reminiscent of flashlights, radio transmitters, and even some water heaters. It ought to come as no shock that, on this case, we significantly worth efficiency over value.
Amazon D batteries excel in efficiency. They have been capable of maintain our five-motor parallel circuit for practically 18 minutes on common, the very best rating on this class. Impressively sufficient, they maintained a voltage output larger than 1.2 volts all through every of the three runs. That is plenty of juice.
That stated, they’re the second priciest choice on our listing. The 4-pack is priced at roughly $9 on the time of this publication, translating to roughly $2.25 per unit.
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9-volt batteries ship larger voltage however possess much less general cost, leading to a shorter lifespan in comparison with their 1.5-volt counterparts. They are perfect for high-voltage, low-drain purposes reminiscent of smoke alarms, moveable electronics, instruments and even the multimeter used on this take a look at.
In our targeted evaluation, we noticed the battery’s capability to take care of excessive voltage output all through its usable life. Amazon 9-volt batteries not solely considerably outperformed different manufacturers by way of discharge time and voltage output beneath load but additionally stood out as probably the most cost-effective choice, priced at solely $1.11 per unit on the time of this publication, making it the one model we examined on this class out there for lower than $2 per unit. In our discharge take a look at, Amazon 9-volt batteries sustained our battery take a look at rig for over 36 minutes — practically thrice longer than their rivals. This makes them the clear winner throughout all metrics.
How we take a look at batteries
For this spherical of testing, we gathered 4 of the preferred battery manufacturers and examined 5 battery classes, together with AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt. Our goal was to seek out out which battery producer provided the most effective worth to your cash. To evaluate battery efficiency, we used our custom-built battery take a look at rig and timed the longevity of every battery, taking note of their voltage output over time, and in contrast the distinction in value per unit.
Battery efficiency and voltage drop
Measuring battery voltage output is extra complicated than merely sticking multimeter probes on the optimistic and adverse ends of the battery. For example, AA, AAA, C and D batteries are rated at 1.5 volts. When you measure voltage output straight on the battery, the studying could also be near 1.6 volts, which is mostly a superb signal for a brand new battery. Even batteries which are not usable can show a price equal to or larger than 1.5 volts when measured straight. The right method is to check voltage output beneath a load situation, reminiscent of when the battery is linked to a resistor or powering a tool. Meet the CNET Labs Battery Check Rig:
CNET’s custom-built battery take a look at rig accommodates 5 battery sorts, together with AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt. The breadboards and connections permit for parallel and collection circuit preparations, relying on battery voltage.
Parts embrace two breadboards, one for 1.5-volt batteries and one for 9-volt, six motor followers that may be organized conveniently both in collection or in parallel, a swap for every circuit, one multimeter for voltage readouts, a chronometer and 5 battery slots for every kind of battery: AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt.
The testing logic is straightforward however revealing. To get the total image, let’s refresh ourselves with a little bit of digital fundamentals. The variety of energetic load parts and the circuit association depend upon the kind of battery beneath take a look at. For the 1.5-volt group (AAA, AA, C and D batteries), we organized the circuit hundreds in parallel, rising the variety of hundreds based on the capability of the battery. This ensures that, whatever the energy supply and variety of hundreds, all load parts are uncovered to the identical quantity of voltage from such an influence supply — on this case, any of the 1.5-volt batteries. For instance, AA batteries are examined utilizing three motors in parallel, making certain that each one three motors get 1.5 volts every.
We use parallel association on our take a look at rig. From left to proper, the 1.5-volt battery supply (both AAA, AA, C or D), a voltmeter and motor array. The setup permits two motors to be energetic always, permitting the addition of as much as 5 motors.
For the 9-volt sorts, we organized six load parts in collection. A collection association evenly distributes the voltage from the facility supply throughout all load parts. Since every of our fan motors takes not less than 1.5 volts to run, utilizing a 9-volt battery offers 9-volt/6 hundreds = 1.5-volt per load.
Six motors are organized in collection. The 9-volt battery offers equal voltage distribution (1.5-volt) throughout every of the hundreds.
Having established the fundamentals, we proceed to testing. First, we guarantee to attach our multimeter probes in parallel and take an preliminary voltage studying. Then, we make certain our circuit association is enough for the kind of battery beneath take a look at and flip the swap to on. We begin our timer and monitor the take a look at, recording knowledge readouts for voltage output beneath load each minute till the final fan stops spinning. We run a “final man standing” competitors. In our take a look at logic, the battery that sustains the load association the longest wins. The voltage drop permits us to see how effectively the battery maintains a excessive voltage output given the take a look at circumstances. On this regard, the slower the drop in voltage, the higher.
Listed here are the outcomes, beginning with an general have a look at the typical discharge time for every battery we examined. Longer bars point out batteries that lasted longer in our take a look at rig.
Here is a extra detailed have a look at these outcomes, with the particular, minute-by-minute dip within the common voltage readings for every battery throughout every take a look at. Once more, we’re searching for the batteries that final the longest on this take a look at, however extra particularly, we’re searching for batteries with as gradual a voltage drain as doable.
Value per unit
The price of batteries can differ vastly relying on the place and whenever you purchase them. For that purpose, we sought out probably the most economical supply for every battery and in contrast the worth per unit. Try the desk beneath, which we’ll replace recurrently:
Different alkaline batteries we have examined
Duracell AAA: Second-highest value per unit however a detailed contender for finest efficiency. Not a nasty deal.
Energizer AAA: Lowest efficiency among the many choices, and the second most inexpensive. Not the highest quality selection.
Amazon Fundamentals AA: Impressively low efficiency, practically half the typical run occasions of rivals. Nonetheless, it is the most cost effective choice.
Duracell AA:Â Highest value per unit, however the second-best performer and a detailed contender for the most effective choose.
Rayovac AA: Second most expensive AA battery with average efficiency. Not essentially the highest choice out there.
Amazon Fundamentals C: Lowest value per unit amongst C sorts, considerably cheaper than the competitors. A good selection for bulk purchases.
Energizer C: Priced intently with others however missing in efficiency, securing final place with a mean run time of solely 4 minutes.
Rayovac C: Priced equally to rivals, providing low efficiency however not the worst.
Energizer D: A possible splurge choose with nice efficiency however larger price in comparison with others.
Duracell D: Falls within the median for each efficiency and value, missing any exceptional options.
Rayovac D: Essentially the most inexpensive D battery, appropriate for bulk buy with acceptable efficiency.
Energizer 9V: Arduous to justify as a result of its larger value and failure to outperform the competitors.
Duracell 9V: The most costly choice, tying for final place with Rayovac by way of battery lifetime.
Rayovac 9V: Takes the final place in efficiency however gives higher pricing than the competitors.
Rayovac AAA (out of inventory): Most costly AAA battery with room for enchancment in efficiency, rating second to final.
Alkaline batteries FAQ
Alkaline batteries are disposable batteries that use MnO2 (manganese dioxide) and Zn (zinc) as electrodes to generate electrical energy. They’re identified for his or her reliability and are generally utilized in a variety of digital units.
It isn’t really helpful. Every dimension offers a particular voltage and capability tailor-made to sure units. Incorrect sizing might result in improper functioning or injury to your digital units. I would not danger it.
Retailer them in a cool, dry place at room temperature, avoiding excessive temperatures and particularly humidity. Correct storage helps keep their efficiency over time. All the time take batteries out of toys and electronics you do not plan on utilizing for a very long time.
Alkaline batteries sometimes have a shelf lifetime of a number of years, but it surely’s necessary to examine the expiration date on the packaging. Expired batteries might expertise lowered efficiency. Correctly storing them helps with longevity.
