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Duracell CopperTop alkaline batteries are lauded for their longevity.
By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com
For months, holiday toys and gadgets have been flashing, spinning, and flying all over TV. The commercials often end with fine print, read at our-lawyers-told-us-to-say-this speed: batteries not included. Perhaps gift tags should come with the same sort of disclaimer. Without the right batteries, even the most marvelous electronic toy is reduced to an inert hunk of plastic.
Before you dash out to pick up any old double-As, know that cheap, no-name batteries made from carbon zinc or zinc chloride cost the least but don’t represent the best value. You’re better off stepping up to a more powerful, longer lasting alkaline or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery from a brand such as Duracell, Sanyo, or Sony.
Alkaline batteries are by far the most common. They power “low-drain” devices such as clocks and TV remotes. NiMH batteries are rechargeable and designed to run digital cameras, power tools, and other “high-drain” devices. A charger costs an extra $15 to $20 up front but saves money in the long run; it can juice up spent batteries hundreds of times, keeping you from having to buy new ones. One drawback to NiMH batteries is that they lose their charge relatively quickly when not in use. Within a month they can creep down to 60 percent capacity — or even less than that if stored at temperatures higher than 70 degrees, according to Green Batteries. The exception is low self-discharge batteries, which employ new technology and come pre-charged.
NiMH and alkaline batteries can be interchangeable, but it’s best to use whichever is recommended for your device. Alkaline units produce 1.5 volts of electric charge and NiMH batteries produce 1.2 volts. The higher the capacity — as measured in milliampere hours, or mAh — the longer the battery should last. Both alkaline and NiMH batteries come in AAA, AA, C, and D. Alkaline batteries can be tossed in the garbage two at a time, while NiMH batteries must be recycled.
Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable batteries. We’ve recommended either AA or AAA for each one, but performance reviews of one size generally extend to the other as well. Note that batteries come in different size packages depending on the brand and the vendor, so consider the per-unit cost before making a purchase.
- Sanyo Eneloop pre-charged rechargeable batteries (starting at $9.50 for a 4-pack) have a capacity of 800 mAh and can be revived up to 1,500 times. These AAAs win fans for their low rate of self-discharge, which gives them a longer shelf life than other NiMH batteries. (Where to buy)
- Duracell CopperTop alkaline batteries (starting at $10 for a 20-pack) are cited in reviews for their longevity. Consumers and experts report successfully using these AA batteries in devices such as flashlights, smoke alarms, and radios. (Where to buy)
- Sony rechargeable batteries (starting at $8.60 for a 4-pack) boast a capacity of 900 mAh, and for the most part reviewers are satisfied with how long they last. These AAA NiMH batteries can be recharged up to 300 times. (Where to buy)
- Rayovac alkaline batteries (starting at $10 for a 30-pack) are another reliable AA option. Users posting reviews consider them an excellent value. (Where to buy)
More from Cheapism:
Cheap Batteries
Cheap Toys
Cheap Scooters
Cheap New Year’s
Leave a Comment:
We tried some rechargable batteries (Energizer I think, 20 AA's and 20 AAA's) and they worked ok for a few months (batteries drained and charged almost every day) but they maybe lasted 200 recharges before they wouldn't hold a charge anymore. The package said that you could recharge them around a 1000 times but we found that the batteries did not last nearly that long. Can't remember if they were NiCAD or what, but they're about 6 years old now. Spent alot of $$ on them and for the cost I think it would have been better to go with a couple 50 packs of alkaline batteries instead. Also, cheap batteries will off gas and/or leak, corroding terminals and ruining your devices, and won't last as long as their name brand counterparts. Always buy and use name brand batteries, I have never had one off gas or leak and I go through about 50 AA, 50 AAA, 20 C, and 20 D batteries a year for the last 6 years or so.
You need the NiHmi. NiCAD is junk.
Plus, WTF are you possibly using that many batteries for. Maybe you should play with your crazy vibrator and do something else for a change. I use batteries for everything.... never have I or anyone I know gone through this many batteries.
With your knowledge of batteries, I'm aghast that you haven't written an article on the function and use of them. And why would you use a term like "WTF" in response to another comment? I'm thinking night watchman (flashlight), photographer doing a lot of indoor shooting (camera flash), and several others. To get back on target, I have a couple of 4-pack AA (batteries and charger) that I got a several years ago; One gives me "hot batteries" and the other "not charged batteries". True they weren't name brand but were NiMH. Personally I would have been better off buying as needed. YMMV
I'm a photographer and I use rechargeable AAs for my speed light. It takes 4 AAs and I always have at minimum another 8 on hand in my bag. They're also used in our two wireless keyboards, my wireless mouse, my boyfriends wireless trackpad, 2 remote controls, and 4 Leapfrog items for 2 small children. It's a lot of batteries.
Yes I have a wireless Business PC setup as well as a wireless gaming PC set up. Rechargeable batteries save me 100s of dollars a year.
anyway... that should say play with it less.
LoL
I use Rayovac Rechargable. I found that these lastest longer then any other i have used. I use the 15 minute charge ones with the 15 minute charger. they work great in my DSLR camera, and other things. but really AA`s, AAA`s are all old tech. most things now you can just plug right into your tablet, or desktop to charge
After 3 years Sony rechargeable AA NiMH are working fine in a camera. Purchased the Eneloop AA NiMH by Sanyo but haven't tested them yet. If you learn how to change watch batteries yourself instead of constantly buying new watches you can save a lot. The CR2016 batteries I have from Amazon.com ended up costing about 14 cents a piece, instead of $7.00 installed by store personnel. Get cheap and learn about batteries since you will need them when we are all implanted with chips!
And the good news is Duracell and Energizer batteries are made in the United States. World class products still made in the USA! I'm not sure about the country of origin for the Sanyo, Sony and Rayovac brands that the article touts. Check those labels when selecting your batteries.
When the U.S.A makes something worth buying i will buy american. but as for batterys i will stuck with other brands that really work Duracell over priced and junk. Energizer well anybody that uses these knows they are junk. its good to buy american yes. but i am not paying double price for something that only half works
Gosh, I must not be a anybody at all. I didn't know Energizers were junk.
I don't even know what this sentence says, " but as for batterys i will stuck with other brands that really work Duracell over priced and junk." Heck, it's not even a sentence.
Gosh, I must not be a anybody at all. I didn't know Energizers were junk.
I don't even know what this sentence says, " but as for batterys i will stuck with other brands that really work Duracell over priced and junk." For that matter, I'm not even sure it's a sentence.
WARNING to travelers: Counterfeit "Duracell" batteries are ubiquitous throughout Mainland China. Many of them leak acid and will ruin your camera or other electronics after only a short period of use. I had this redheaded supervisor who put them in her vibrator, and she ended up with acid burns in a very uncomfortable area. (Thankfully, I wasn't an eyewitness to the event, but I did hear her screaming down the hall.)
Gratuitous plug for my Asia blog: http://justlooklikefrog.wordpress.com
Thats a Very important article and helpful info.
Regards
Ali khan
www.aliwaji.com
IT solutions
Warehouse clubs are good sources for economical batteries. I believe I read somewhere that the Costco Kirkland batteries are made by Duracell while the Members Mark batteries at Sams are made by Energizer. Not sure about the Berkeley and Jensen batteries at BJs.
In my experience, the Members Mark AA batteries from Sams seemed to last longer than the Costco Kirkland AA. YMMV.