AA Relative Merits ?

[DonK]

Looking to purchase a bulk pack of AA batteries. I note 3 popular options

Duracell Copper Top (China)

Duracel Pro Cell (red / black) - made in USA

Energizer zero mercury (source country not stated)

Just wondered if there were any pros and cons that I should be aware of - the made in USA Duracells are slightly cheaper than the made in China ones - is that because they are inferior in some way ?

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Looking to purchase a bulk pack of AA batteries. I note 3 popular options

Duracell Copper Top (China)

Duracel Pro Cell (red / black) - made in USA

Energizer zero mercury (source country not stated)

Just wondered if there were any pros and cons that I should be aware of - the made in USA Duracells are slightly cheaper than the made in China ones - is that because they are inferior in some way ?

We're kind of into ahhh...rechargeabe batteries here, so Sanyo Eneloops and a decent charger will probably serve you well.

As far as alkalines go, they all leak, so you might as well just shop for price if you're going to go 'single use'.

What are you going to be using them for?

Also, if you have some money to burn, get the lithium Energizer Ultimates. They don't leak, have a ~15 year shelf life, do well at the temperature extremes and last longer.

Chris

 

[mvyrmnd]

A tip offered by another CPF'er once was to buy batteries from a specialist shop. Handling of the batteries in transit is critical to avoiding leaks. Bulk stores don't care for them and treat them roughly, and you will end up with a dead device. Specialist stores treat them with respect and you will significantly reduce your risk of leaks.

Over time, though, LSD rechargeables are the way. It might cost you a bit to get set up, but they pay for themselves over the years.

 

[DonK]

Thanks

I have some Eneloops and Sony rechargeables that I use in cameras and flashlights - just use the regular batteries in slow drain devices such as mice, remote controls etc etc. Some people say Eneloops are better than Sony, I have noticed no difference !

In fact I could use rechargeables in these too - but there always comes a time when you need a battery or two in a hurry and you have none charged, so it is just a matter of having something handy in an emergency.

I use the Energizer lithiums for cold situations - my bike lights in winter time, and those lights stored in my vehicles over wintertime too. I found that rechargeables and regular alkalines just don't work well at all when you get below 30F. Energizer lithiums seem to handle those conditions well, and are worth the extra $ for that reason. I bought mine in Sams club for about $20 per dozen.

I can get Energizer alkalines at Sams too, but they don't sell Duracell, hence my question about which are best.

 

[SaraAB87]

If you are going to buy at Sam's why not get their house brand bulk pack (member's mark I think it is) I am willing to bet they are rebranded energizers and if you are not satisfied you can bring them back. Most of us here are into rechargeable batteries and it is of the popular opinion that alkalines do nothing but leak and will ruin stuff regardless of brand, so try to use them as little as possible.

 

[DonK]

Thanks, I've not noticed the own brand batteries in Sams - they always seem to have a massive energizer display. No Eneloops for sale there :-)

I really like the Eneloop batteries - the newest ones are advertized to be OK down to -20C, so that is something. 1500 charge cycles is impressive, but unlikely to be reached given their claimed 10yr life (apparenlty limited by time, not just cycles).

I use a lot of CR123 batteries - what I'd really like is an Eneloop 18650 - I doubt we'll ever see that, though the technology seems to have improved markedly in recent years !

 

[Shadowww]

I use a lot of CR123 batteries - what I'd really like is an Eneloop 18650 - I doubt we'll ever see that, though the technology seems to have improved markedly in recent years !

Uh, why you'd want a Eneloop 18650? the 18650's (high quality ones, by Panasonic, Sanyo and similar good manufacturers) already have very low self discharge rate.

 

[DonK]

Yes, what I meant was that it would be nice to be able to buy a good 18650 that is ideally (safely) configured by the manufacturer (protected). At the moment it seems to be hit or miss - aftermarket vendors are purchasing brand name cells and adding protection as they see fit. If we had a branded Eneloop 18650 we could buy with confidence and life would be easy (safe)

 

[SaraAB87]

The Sam's batteries are in a black package with black batteries last I saw them. These are usually on the same display as the energizer's but you get twice as many batteries and the cost is slightly less. I wouldn't get the energizer's at Sam's, the rechargeables are junk from what I have experienced.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

The Sam's batteries are in a black package with black batteries last I saw them. These are usually on the same display as the energizer's but you get twice as many batteries and the cost is slightly less. I wouldn't get the energizer's at Sam's, the rechargeables are junk from what I have experienced.

I don't know if you're referencing the Energizer NiMH rechargeables in your last sentence, but I use a couple quads of their Japanese made 2350 mAh AA batteries and they do decently well. I use them exclusively in my Philips Pronto LCD remote and my RF keyboard and even with them being charged up on a Rat Shack IC3 15min charger for the first few years of their life, they still test out pretty well.

Now, the newer 2500 mAh cells, I don't think are Japanese made, so maybe that's the problem?

Don't get me wrong, they're still a HSD type battery, but they're also not some of this Chinese dreck we're seeing, either.

Chris

 

[SaraAB87]

I had a pack of energizer AA rechargables that were the non LSD type years ago and they were terrible, wouldn't hold a charge worth nothing. I was using other rechargables from Walmart at the time that were working just fine for me. I actually just quit using those Walmart batteries a few months ago. I have never tried the LSD energizer kind kind, but with eneloops around I don't need to. I have a set of duracell 2650's I think that are still good and hold a charge, I also have a set of regular duracell AAA's that I picked up at Target after Xmas for 5$ on sale and they are great too. Neither of these are white top or LSD but they are fine. My uncle also has the energizer rechargables and hates them, I fear I may have to have the battery talk with him soon! I did see a pack of duraloops at a drug store the other day and I was tempted I must admit.

For a battery that is advertised to be the best, energizer certainly isn't, but their lithium cells seem really good.