Consumer Reports rates AA batteries

[was.lost.but.now.found]

No surprises - they ranked four different groups, lithium, nickel oxy-hydroxide, alkaline and rechargeable. Eneloop and Sony Cycle Energy topped out at "good" and both got a recommended rating.

I'd provide a link but since it's subscription only my deep link will likely fail.

 

[sed6]

Here are the links, dunno if they'll work for non-CR subscribers...

The article

The ratings

 

[Black Rose]

Article shows, ratings do not.

 

[joeparker54]

Screen-shot it for us yo!:naughty:
no surprise that KS received high marks for the third year now. Though I am curious how rayovac's newer alkaline cells placed on the list (or if they were even on the list for that matter).

 

[brted]

Screen-shot it for us yo!:naughty:
no surprise that KS received high marks for the third year now. Though I am curious how rayovac's newer alkaline cells placed on the list (or if they were even on the list for that matter).

One reason they pick KS as a best buy is CR is basing the price on a 4-pack of batteries, but KS is only available in a 48-pack. So the KS cells price per pair is $0.46 whereas the next lowest priced cell is Rayovac alkaline at $1.50. Then they do a cost per 50 shots in a digital camera.

The print version of CR has price per pair and cost per 50 shots, so I am posting what I derived to be their total number of shots (and avoiding copyright issues, I hope since this didn't appear in their article).

Lithium
Energizer Ultimate          676
Energizer Advanced          563

NiOx
Duracell PowerPix           214

Alkaline
Panasonic Evolta            238
Duracell Ultra Advanced     234
Kirkland Signature          209
Duracell                    205
Panasonic Digital Power     203
Rayovac                     163
Walgreens Ultra             162
Enrgizer Max                158
CVS Long Lasting             92

The clusters of data are interesting and seem to indicate that KS, Duracell, and Panasonic are very similar. Then Rayovac, Walgreens, and Energizer are very similar.


For rechargeables it was interesting that they only seem to have tested LSD cells except for "Duracell" when they don't say what kind of Duracell it was. They mention that higher capacity cells take more pictures, so maybe the online version has more data? They tested Eneloop, Sony Cycle Energy, Rayovac Hybrid, Duracell, and Kodak Precharged and gave "Very good" to the first two (256-510 shots), and "Good" to the others (128-255). Of course, they all could have gotten between 250 and 260 shots and gotten those results. I can't backfigure the actual number because they didn't post that kind of data for rechargeables.

 

[palomino77]

They tested Eneloop, Sony Cycle Energy, Rayovac Hybrid, Duracell, and Kodak Precharged and gave "Very good" to the first two (256-510 shots), and "Good" to the others (128-255). Of course, they all could have gotten between 250 and 260 shots and gotten those results. I can't backfigure the actual number because they didn't post that kind of data for rechargeables.

Does this mean they all got between 250 and 260 shots?:thinking:

 

[brted]

Does this mean they all got between 250 and 260 shots?:thinking:

No. It just means those groupings aren't real precise. Some could be at the top end of "good" and some could be at the low end of "very good" and not be very far apart. I'd rather see the actual numbers, but they don't post those. Actually, reading the article again, they say the Eneloops and Cycles got "more than 350 shots" so that's at least 100 more than the others.

Also I like this line: "For flashlights, remote controls, and other devices drawing little power, consider single-use alkaline batteries." They must not know about *real* flashlights.

 

[ltiu]

Lithium
Energizer Ultimate          676
Energizer Advanced          563

For the price difference of around 33%, I am very happy Advanced's performance very close to Ultimate's.

 

[Mr Happy]

One thing I'll mention is that in dollar stores round here you can find alkalines with brands like Sanyo or Panasonic at $1/4AA. Since these are "name" brands, albeit not American names, I suspect these might the best value of all. On the rare occasions that I need alkalines these days, those are the ones I go for. However, I already have a large enough stock to run my clocks for years to come, so my need is very rare indeed.

 

[ltiu]

One thing I'll mention is that in dollar stores round here you can find alkalines with brands like Sanyo or Panasonic at $1/4AA. Since these are "name" brands, albeit not American names, I suspect these might the best value of all. On the rare occasions that I need alkalines these days, those are the ones I go for. However, I already have a large enough stock to run my clocks for years to come, so my need is very rare indeed.

I have seen "Sony" branded batteries. Don't know if brand name = quality.

At $0.25 each, dollar store batteries are indeed great deals. But I typically look for even better "on-sale" deals that drop to $0.10 each.

But buyer beware. These on-sale batteries are usually off-brands with poor quality records.

 

[qwertyydude]

Costco batteries always have an amazing price, it's just about the lowest price you can get at about 25 cents a piece. It won't drop down to 10 cents a piece but they're at least good reliable cells.

 

[ltiu]

Costco batteries always have an amazing price, it's just about the lowest price you can get at about 25 cents a piece. It won't drop down to 10 cents a piece but they're at least good reliable cells.

Sadly, few have access to Costco and even fewer have Costco memberships.

 

[joeparker54]

KS cells can also be found on ebay and amazon, albeit for twice as much money, but ~$20 shipped still isn't a bad price.

 

[Nite]

I just bought a four pack of sony Cycle 13$ based on this to add to my lacrosse and eneloop collection. its price on amazon has jumped by two dollars since this

(Merry Xmas CPF) came out.

Eneloops and sony cycle are by far the best for Rechargeables.

the sony are now 15..and eneloops are no longer on sale 9.99 for 4 etc.
I need 2 check good deals area to buy more of both of these
where can we buy lacrosse AA rechargeables?

Hardly anyone ever (except you and I) are going to carry spare AA cells to a wedding in their tuxedo pocket, in addition to their AA camera!

My advice to anyone using these in a mini digi camera, buy the highest rated longest lasting cells like the 7x energizer lithiums so you dont need spares. they are like a quarter the weight of the newest heaviest NimH cells... and if u drop it it wont hit as hard. they wont leak. they wont freeze.

Nimh heavy, alkaline, not so heavy, lithium, light

 

[ltiu]

They never tested Rayovac 4.0. Too bad.

I think the Rayovac 4.0 are different from the Rayovac Hybrids.

 

[Mr Happy]

They never tested Rayovac 4.0. Too bad.

I think the Rayovac 4.0 are different from the Rayovac Hybrids.

We have been told by someone close to Rayovac that they are in fact the exact same cells.

 

[ltiu]

We have been told by someone close to Rayovac that they are in fact the exact same cells.

Good, thanks for the info.

Also, does this mean these are the same as Duravacs? Duracell Pre-Charged with black tops Made in China?

Interesting, cells packaged as Rayovac Hybrids are being sold at regular price around $10 (pack of 4) but those packaged as Rayovac 4.0 are being sold for regular price around $6 (pack of 4).

 

[Turbo DV8]

Sadly... even fewer have Costco memberships.

That's what friends who do have Costco memberships are for.

 

[n3eg]

More fun: Check out the "unenlightened" liquidator stores. I've found perfectly good lithiums on a pegboard hook with everything from carbon zinc on up, all priced 99 cents a pack. Although they recognize rechargeables with higher prices, I've found 8AA/4AAA+charger Eneloop packs for $22 there.

My non-techie wife can't handle the extra weight of NiMH in her camera, so right now I'm staring at a 4AA Energizer Ultimate pack with a bright red 99 cent sticker to give her.

 

[ltiu]

More fun: Check out the "unenlightened" liquidator stores ...

For example?