Which batteries last longest? (2024)

By Jennifer Warnick and Shawn Maclauchlan

Published: May. 10, 2012 at 10:10 PM EDT

Which batteries last longest? (1)

Tired of throwing away money on batteries that don't seem to last?

I bought 11 different brands ofAA batteries and put them in identical flashlights to shed some light on which ones last the longest. I'm testing major labels, drug store brands, and a fewI found at the Dollar Store.

Iturned the flashlights on and waited. The first to go was the Panasonic alkalines. They lasted a minute shy of two hours. The Rayovacs that came with the flashlight were next. They only lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Panasonic Plus gave out at 2:45. 3 hours and 33 minutes is when the Evereadys died.

The Dollar Store's longest-lasting battery was Sunbeam. These batteries are 25 cents each and lived four and a half hours.

Nine minutes later, Walgreen's batteries went dark— which hurts when you've paid 98 cents for each one.

The Dollar Store batteries were inexpensive and nowI see why. The one ray of light was the Sunbeam brand.

The drug store brands fared much better, but with a pricetag around a dollar a battery, they're much more expensive.

CVS batteries outshined manyI tested — they clocked in at five hours and nine minutes. But the Energizer you thought would keep going and going only lasted two minutes longer than CVS.

And then there were two: Kirkland and Duracell. Both weakened at the same time , but Duracell beat Kirkland by five minutes with a total lifespan of 5 hours and 56 minutes. The coppertop came out on top.

Kirkland's price is what sets them apart. They are 27 cents per battery versus 94 cents for the name brands. I'd hate to pay three times as much for a five minute difference.

Here isthe complete breakdown of cost versus longevity:

Store Brand Price # in Package Cost per Battery Hours Lasted
Costco Kirkland $12.79 48 $0.27 5:51
Walgreens Walgreens $3.99 4 $0.98 4:39
Dollar Tree Eveready Gold $1.00 4 $0.25 3:33
Sunbeam $1.00 4 $0.25 4:30
Panasonic Alkaline $1.00 4 $0.25 1:59

Panasonic Super
Heavy Duty

$1.00 2 $0.50 2:46
CVS CVS $4.39 4 $1.10 5:09
Walmart Duracell $3.77 4 $.0.94 5:56
Energizer $3.77 4 $0.94 5:11
Rayovac Came with
Flashlight
2 n/a 2:15
Rite Aid Rite Aid $4.49 4 $1.12 5:27

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

Which batteries last longest? (2024)

FAQs

Which type of battery lasts the longest? ›

The lithium-ion batteries that dominate today's residential energy storage market have a usable life (70% capacity or more) of 10-15 years, which is roughly double the lifespan of the lead-acid batteries used in the past. However, the lifespan of a lithium-ion battery also depends on its chemistry and how you use it.

Which battery has the longest life? ›

Mastervolt Lithium Ion batteries have a lifespan of more than 2000 cycles, which is three times longer than most standard lead-acid batteries. They have an extremely long lifespan due to aspects such as the battery management, very low self-discharge, the lack of memory effect and a discharge of up 20 %.

What's the longest lasting battery you can buy? ›

The only result in this test which didn't surprise us was the winner of the longest life battery in the form of the Energizer Ultra Lithium. We've known for some time this baby was packed with power, and lasts forever. If you need a battery that you just don't have to change very often, these are the ones.

Which lasts longer, Energizer or Duracell? ›

Energizer AA batteries last longer than Duracell AA batteries unless using a flashlight. On the other hand, Duracell AA batteries have a life expectancy of up to six hours longer than Energizer in flashlights.

Which battery is best for long lasting? ›

Longevity and cost

Lithium ion batteries normally offer a cycle life of between 300 to 500 cycles, which translates roughly into a time period of around two to three years. LiFePO4 batteries have a far longer cycle life of approximately 3000 cycles, which means they will last for seven years or more.

What are the best batteries for long term use? ›

Lithium, an exceptionally light metal, gives lithium batteries the highest energy density of any battery cell. Thus, they can store more energy than alkaline batteries or any single-use battery of a comparable size. And they are superb performers in extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.

Which one has the best battery life? ›

Phones with best battery life 2024 - buyer's guide
  • Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. Specs.
  • Apple iPhone 15 Plus. Specs.
  • Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Specs.
  • Sony Xperia 5 V. Specs.
  • Nothing Phone (2a) Specs.
  • Samsung Galaxy A15. Specs.
  • OnePlus 12R. Specs.
  • OnePlus 12. Specs.
Apr 18, 2024

What batteries have a long shelf life? ›

Typically, modern alkaline batteries, and other primary batteries such as the 3.6–3.7 -volt lithium batteries, can be stored for up to 10 years with moderate capacity loss. As with all batteries, they should be kept away from extreme temperatures and should never be frozen.

What is the longest working battery? ›

It was a battery designed to propel a hanging metal ball quickly back and forth, between two small bells. Today, 175 years after it was manufactured, the Oxford Electric Bell, as it is often referred to, is still ringing—in fact, it is said to have rung over 10 billion times.

Are Amazon batteries as good as Duracell? ›

I tested the AA size Amazon brand battery to find out the actual usable capacity as compared to the AA Duracell Procell battery. The results showed that the Amazon battery is about 88 percent the capacity of the Duracell. If you calculate the cost per unit capacity, the batteries are almost identical.

What battery lasts decades? ›

Betavolt, a Chinese startup, has announced that it has developed a revolutionary battery capable of powering smartphones for an impressive 50 years without requiring recharging.

Do Duracell batteries really last longer? ›

Zinc-Carbon and Alkaline batteries are different battery types. The have a similar voltage and come packaged identically, however the amount of stored energy varies greatly. As you can see, alkaline batteries, such as Duracell, can store up to 5 times more energy in the same volume.

Is Rayovac as good as Energizer? ›

Energizer vs Rayovac

Performance: Energizer is known in the industry at the longest lasting AA battery but tests have shown that Rayovac batteries perform just as long as Energizer batteries. Price: In addition, price was an important factor.

What is the most lasting AA battery? ›

Lithium Energizer® Ultimate Lithium batteries

Which battery is better NiMH or lithium? ›

Automakers favor lithium-ion batteries for their high energy density and voltage capacity as well as their light weight. These packs also tend to hold a charge better than nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) units and have a longer life.

What battery lasts longer lead acid or lithium? ›

Service life

Lithium-ion batteries last 3-4 times longer than lead-acid batteries, without losing effectiveness over time.

Which batteries last longer, alkaline or lithium? ›

While it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, lithium batteries tend to outlast alkaline batteries by up to 6 times longer. Some manufacturers' lithium batteries can hold their power and last up to 20 years when properly stored.

Which battery lasts longer lithium ion or lithium polymer? ›

3. Which battery is better lithium or polymer? Lithium-ion batteries are generally more effective and prevalent than lithium-polymer batteries. They have better density and high power capacity than lithium-polymer batteries, and they also last longer on average.

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