So many types of battery. So confused.

[novetan]

Hi,

I always come here for help and it never disappoint me. Am so confused with so many kind of batteries. So am going to quote the market leading brand, which is Eveready super heavy duty, Energizer alkaline, Duracell Everyday, Duracell Alkaline.

May I ask what type is suitable for my

• normal wall clock
• small bedside alarm clock
• fan, TV remote include a few other household remote
• Omron blood pressure measuring device.

Also in the market some unbranded Alkaline battery. What are they good for?

Tks

 

[eyoungren]

Hi,

I always come here for help and it never disappoint me. Am so confused with so many kind of batteries. So am going to quote the market leading brand, which is Eveready super heavy duty, Energizer alkaline, Duracell Everyday, Duracell Alkaline.

May I ask what type is suitable for my

• normal wall clock
• small bedside alarm clock
• fan, TV remote include a few other household remote
• Omron blood pressure measuring device.

Also in the market some unbranded Alkaline battery. What are they good for?

Tks

I think by 'types of battery' you are meaning BRANDS of battery, correct?

If so, don't worry about it. Most of the battery brands out there are all made by one or two companies. Just get whatever is cheapest.

 

[novetan]

I think by 'types of battery' you are meaning BRANDS of battery, correct?

If so, don't worry about it. Most of the battery brands out there are all made by one or two companies. Just get whatever is cheapest.

I'm refering to types, not brand. If just getting the cheapest one works, then is a no brainer and I don't need to ask here. Normally the cheap one leaks easily and can damage the gadget. Aren't you aware? For eg, there is a difference between alkaline and non alkaline. Am just not sure which one is apporpriate for each application.

Sorry, your reply wouldn't help a thing

 

[headlessmike]

There are essentially two main types of non-rechargeable 1.5V batteries: carbon-zinc and alkaline. Zinc-carbon batteries are cheaper and often labelled super heavy duty or something similar while alkaline batteries will typically always say alkaline on them. For low power draw cases like remotes or quartz clocks, the usable life of the two types is comparable, but for higher power draws alkaline is superior. Both types can leak, though alkaline batteries are less prone to leaking due to age and hence have a longer shelf life. There is no real reason to pick zinc-carbon over alkaline as a consumer. And, as eyoungren mentioned, the brand doesn't really matter either as there are only a few actual manufacturers around and the technology is very mature.

I've moved entirely away from non-rechargeable batteries and only use Ni-MH rechargeable cells in all of my devices that require AA or AAAs.

 

[eyoungren]

I'm refering to types, not brand. If just getting the cheapest one works, then is a no brainer and I don't need to ask here. Normally the cheap one leaks easily and can damage the gadget. Aren't you aware? For eg, there is a difference between alkaline and non alkaline. Am just not sure which one is apporpriate for each application.

Sorry, your reply wouldn't help a thing

I wish you would have written what you just wrote in your original post. It would have helped me realize that I cannot help you and I wouldn't have wasted your time.

Good luck!

 

[Herdfan]

I grew up with my parents buying nothing but EverReady, now known as Energizer. When I had my own place, I would usually buy Duracell, but now I buy the cheap Ray-O-Vac alkalines at Home Depot. Can't really tell much idfferenc ein performance.

But I do always buy alkaline as they do last longer. Some products recommend or require them.

 

[Mousse]

High drain devices--portable radios, DVD players or flashlights--I use NiMH (Eneloop brand) or Lithium if available.

Low drain devices--remote controls, deadbolt keypads--I use alkaline. Brand doesn't matter.

 

[novetan]

High drain devices--portable radios, DVD players or flashlights--I use NiMH (Eneloop brand) or Lithium if available.

Low drain devices--remote controls, deadbolt keypads--I use alkaline. Brand doesn't matter.

Tks.

This what I needed the advise. Then whats the super heavy duty for. Do you concur its not suitable for low drain devices?

I understand some may thought a battery is a battery. Actually is not. Over powered battery may damage your gadget slowly.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Stop throwing away batteries and money. Get decent rechargeables and be done with it.

 

[Bandoholic]

You can’t go wrong with eveready or Duracell alkaline, they will last the longest.

 

[headlessmike]

This what I needed the advise. Then whats the super heavy duty for. Do you concur its not suitable for low drain devices?

Super heavy duty batteries allow manufacturers to save a few cents when including batteries with their product. They work, but there is no reason to buy them over alkalines.

I understand some may thought a battery is a battery. Actually is not. Over powered battery may damage your gadget slowly.

You are over thinking this. A battery is a battery and you won’t damage any gadgets by going with one type over another. The only reason to chose one type over another for different applications is that they might last longer. You can use rechargeable batteries in low-power devices just fine, but the batteries will drain on their own faster than alkalines. So, for example, alkaline batteries might last years in a low-power device like a remote while rechargeable ones might only last a few months before needing to be recharged. They’re not going to damage anything though. As I already mentioned, I use rechargeable batteries in everything and they work great.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Duracell AA batteries are quite good, and so Eveready. I don't use any rechargeable AAA and AA batteries. While I do have some rechargeable flashlights, the most reliable have been non-rechargeable flashlights, radios, and headlamps that have standard Alkaline batteries. When one loses most of its capacity, just replace it with another.
---------------
Rechargeable flashlights at home, or any other place where one can recharge them when needed are fine. All depends on the period of time one is spending outdoors away from an electrical outlet, or a power station. Still, it is a lot faster and dependable for one to replace 1-6 AA or AAA alkaline cells than it is to charge any rechargeable cell. When working afield I take a supply of alkaline AA and AAA cells.

 

[senseless]

Battery leakage has been a big problem for us. Alkalines used to rarely leak, but I’ve noticed a quality decline over the years. Energizers are much better, in my experience.

 

[fibercut]

I always decided back in Day to use LED cheaper flashlight that took two AA batters and lasted about 8 years!