Best Alkaline Batteries for 2024 [CNET]

Not sure what alkaline batteries are best for you? We’ve tested some strong brands so you can choose the one perfect for you.

Whether you’re powering up new gadgets around the house or topping up your child’s favorite toy, the reliability of the batteries you’re using and the amount they cost remain huge deciding factors. We know the importance of finding a reliable cell and getting the best value for your money, and with the number of sizes and options on the market, finding the right one can be difficult.

And so, to help, our comprehensive battery performance experiment is here to guide you through the maze of options, shedding light on the best batteries in each category. In our tests, we evaluated the performance of AA, AAA, C, D and 9-volt batteries across four renowned brands to declare winners in each category and provide the knowledge you need to make informed purchase decisions. Join us as we reveal the method behind our testing procedure and unveil the champions in battery performance.

How we test batteries

For this round of testing, we gathered four of the most popular battery brands and tested five battery categories, including AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt. Our objective was to find out which battery manufacturer offered the best value for your money. To assess battery performance, we used our custom-built battery test rig and timed the longevity of each battery, paying attention to their voltage output over time, and compared the difference in price per unit.

Battery performance and voltage drop

Measuring battery voltage output is more complex than simply sticking multimeter probes on the positive and negative ends of the battery. For instance, AA, AAA, C and D batteries are rated at 1.5 volts. If you measure voltage output directly on the battery, the reading may be close to 1.6 volts, which is generally a good sign for a new battery. Even batteries that are no longer usable can display a value equal to or higher than 1.5 volts when measured directly. The correct approach is to test voltage output under a load condition, such as when the battery is connected to a resistor or powering a device. Meet the CNET Labs Battery Test Rig:

Components include two breadboards, one for 1.5-volt batteries and one for 9-volt, six motor fans that can be arranged conveniently either in series or in parallel, a switch for each circuit, one multimeter for voltage readouts, a chronometer and five battery slots for each type of battery: AAA, AA, C, D and 9-volt.

The testing logic is simple but revealing. To get the full picture, let’s refresh ourselves with a bit of electronic basics. The number of active load components and the circuit arrangement depend on the type of battery under test. For the 1.5-volt group (AAA, AA, C and D batteries), we arranged the circuit loads in parallel, increasing the number of loads according to the capacity of the battery. This ensures that, regardless of the power source and number of loads, all load components are exposed to the same amount of voltage from such a power source — in this case, any of the 1.5-volt batteries. For example, AA batteries are tested using three motors in parallel, ensuring that all three motors get 1.5 volts each.

For the 9-volt types, we arranged six load components in series. A series arrangement evenly distributes the voltage from the power source across all load components. Since each of our fan motors takes at least 1.5 volts to run, using a 9-volt battery provides 9-volt/6 loads = 1.5-volt per load.

Having established the basics, we proceed to testing. First, we ensure to connect our multimeter probes in parallel and take an initial voltage reading. Then, we make sure our circuit arrangement is adequate for the type of battery under test and flip the switch to on. We start our timer and monitor the test, recording data readouts for voltage output under load every minute until the very last fan stops spinning. We run a “last man standing” competition. In our test logic, the battery that sustains the load arrangement the longest wins. The voltage drop allows us to see how efficiently the battery maintains a high voltage output given the test conditions. In this regard, the slower the drop in voltage, the better.

Here are the results, starting with an overall look at the average discharge time for each battery we tested. Longer bars indicate batteries that lasted longer in our test rig.

Here’s a more detailed look at those results, with the specific, minute-by-minute dip in the average voltage readings for each battery during each test. Again, we’re looking for the batteries that last the longest in this test, but more specifically, we’re looking for batteries with as gradual a voltage drain as possible.

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Price per unit

The cost of batteries can vary greatly depending on where and when you buy them. For that reason, we sought out the most economical source for each battery and compared the price per unit. Check out the table below, which we’ll update regularly:

Other alkaline batteries we’ve tested

Duracell AAA: Second-highest price per unit but a close contender for best performance. Not a bad deal.

Energizer AAA: Lowest performance among the options, and the second most affordable. Not the best quality choice.

Amazon Basics AA: Impressively low performance, nearly half the average run times of competitors. However, it’s the cheapest option.

Duracell AA: Highest price per unit, but the second-best performer and a close contender for the best pick.

Rayovac AA: Second most costly AA battery with moderate performance. Not necessarily the top option available.

Amazon Basics C: Lowest price per unit among C types, significantly cheaper than the competition. A good choice for bulk purchases.

Energizer C: Priced closely with others but lacking in performance, securing last place with an average run time of only 4 minutes.

Rayovac C: Priced similarly to competitors, offering low performance but not the worst.

Energizer D: A potential splurge pick with great performance but higher cost compared to others.

Duracell D: Falls in the median for both performance and price, lacking any remarkable features.

Rayovac D: The most affordable D battery, suitable for bulk purchase with acceptable performance.

Energizer 9V: Hard to justify due to its higher price and failure to outperform the competition.

Duracell 9V: The most expensive option, tying for last place with Rayovac in terms of battery lifetime.

Rayovac 9V: Takes the last place in performance but offers better pricing than the competition.

Rayovac AAA (out of stock): Most expensive AAA battery with room for improvement in performance, ranking second to last.

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