Alkaline batteries are wanted extra typically than you might suppose. They’re generally discovered within the hottest toys and inside the numerous remotes you may need across the dwelling. Nonetheless, batteries die. So when it is time to exchange them, having extras round is a godsend.
We have recognized the very best alkaline batteries available on the market by rigorously testing a variety of fashions and types. Our thorough analysis concerned intensive discharge assessments to establish the longest-lasting alkaline batteries, together with AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt choices. Moreover, we analyzed the associated fee per battery for every selection, guaranteeing that you just obtain distinctive worth on your funding.
Not one of the choices chosen are rechargeable. So, when you’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 very best batteries and the way every mannequin carried out in our assessments, beginning with Amazon’s personal model of AAA batteries.
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The competitors for the very best AAA battery was intently contested, as all competing manufacturers demonstrated related efficiency in our discharge take a look at. Affordability and reliability performed a big position in our analysis.
Amazon AAA batteries emerged as probably the most dependable throughout our discharge take a look at, exhibiting persistently repeatable outcomes throughout three totally different runs and boasting the longest common discharge time at 28 minutes, 32 seconds.
Furthermore, when you’re contemplating shopping for in bulk, this feature is, by far, the higher selection. The 36-pack is presently 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 most well-liked battery measurement, 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 rather a lot. Once more, it comes all the way 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 very best rating among the many group.
Moreover, Energizer AA Max batteries are the second most inexpensive possibility. The 20-pack is presently priced at roughly $14 on the time of this publication, equating to round 73 cents per unit. With excellent efficiency and an inexpensive value, when you’re out there for AA batteries to energy your vacation presents or every 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 is probably not your most budget-friendly possibility. 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 length achieved by different competing manufacturers. High quality typically comes at a value, and Duracell C batteries are not any exception. The ten-pack is priced at roughly $15 on the time of this publication, totaling roughly $1.56 per unit, the 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 instances and emergency devices corresponding to 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 in a position to maintain our five-motor parallel circuit for practically 18 minutes on common, the best rating on this class. Impressively sufficient, they maintained a voltage output increased than 1.2 volts all through every of the three runs. That is lots of juice.
That stated, they’re the second priciest possibility 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 increased 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 corresponding to smoke alarms, moveable electronics, instruments and even the multimeter used on this take a look at.
In our centered evaluation, we noticed the battery’s potential to keep up 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 below load but additionally stood out as probably the most cost-effective possibility, 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 3 times 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 most well-liked 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 supplied the very best worth on your cash. To evaluate battery efficiency, we used our custom-built battery take a look at rig and timed the longevity of every battery, being attentive to 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 constructive and damaging ends of the battery. As an illustration, AA, AAA, C and D batteries are rated at 1.5 volts. Should you measure voltage output instantly on the battery, the studying could also be near 1.6 volts, which is mostly signal for a brand new battery. Even batteries which can be not usable can show a price equal to or increased than 1.5 volts when measured instantly. The proper method is to check voltage output below a load situation, corresponding to 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 varieties, together with AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt. The breadboards and connections enable for parallel and collection circuit preparations, relying on battery voltage.
Elements 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 elements and the circuit association rely on the kind of battery below 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 elements 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, guaranteeing that every 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 varieties, we organized six load elements in collection. A collection association evenly distributes the voltage from the ability supply throughout all load elements. Since every of our fan motors takes at the very least 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 masses.
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 be certain our circuit association is sufficient for the kind of battery below 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 below 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.
This 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 on the lookout for the batteries that final the longest on this take a look at, however extra particularly, we’re on the lookout for batteries with as gradual a voltage drain as attainable.
Worth per unit
The price of batteries can fluctuate drastically relying on the place and whenever you purchase them. For that cause, we sought out probably the most economical supply for every battery and in contrast the worth per unit. Take a look at the desk under, which we’ll replace commonly:
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 very best quality selection.
Amazon Fundamentals AA: Impressively low efficiency, practically half the typical run instances of rivals. Nonetheless, it is the most affordable possibility.
Duracell AA: Highest value per unit, however the second-best performer and a detailed contender for the very best choose.
Rayovac AA: Second most expensive AA battery with reasonable efficiency. Not essentially the highest possibility out there.
Amazon Fundamentals C: Lowest value per unit amongst C varieties, considerably cheaper than the competitors. A sensible choice for bulk purchases.
Energizer C: Priced intently with others however missing in efficiency, securing final place with a median 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 increased price in comparison with others.
Duracell D: Falls within the median for each efficiency and value, missing any outstanding options.
Rayovac D: Essentially the most inexpensive D battery, appropriate for bulk buy with acceptable efficiency.
Energizer 9V: Exhausting to justify on account of its increased value and failure to outperform the competitors.
Duracell 9V: The most costly possibility, tying for final place with Rayovac by way of battery lifetime.
Rayovac 9V: Takes the final place in efficiency however affords 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 recognized for his or her reliability and are generally utilized in a variety of digital units.
It is not beneficial. Every measurement offers a selected voltage and capability tailor-made to sure units. Incorrect sizing could result in improper functioning or harm 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 preserve 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 essential to examine the expiration date on the packaging. Expired batteries could expertise lowered efficiency. Correctly storing them helps with longevity.
