Batteries

So you're in the store trying to decide between a Duracell  and a no-name battery.  One is cheaper, but it's also a disposable. What do you need to consider when buying a battery? Should it be rechargeable? More expensive? How can you tell how long your battery will last? Here's a few things to remember when picking out batteries to power up your toys,  electronic equipment,  and more.

Perhaps the biggest battery debate is rechargeable versus disposable. Let's check out the facts:

Rechargeable batteries

• These are better for the environment.  Since they can be used and charged repeatedly, this results in fewer batteries in landfills.
• Buying rechargeable batteries  is easier on your wallet since there's no need to keep re-purchasing new ones.
• Keep in mind that a battery charger  must be also be purchased.
• These lose charge every day whether they are being used or not.

Disposable Batteries

• These can be handy if your rechargeable batteries run out and you do not have access to a charger.
• Make sure to dispose of these properly or they will leak. You should be able to recycle  these. This battery disposal guide has some helpful hints.
• Disposable batteries  are actually better for "low drain" items like carbon monoxide detectors  since they do not lose power daily.

Did You Know?

• Battery capacity  differs depending on what product you are trying to power.
• Words like "heavy duty"  or "high capacity"  are usually false advertising as these are the batteries with the least amount of power.
• Different batteries should be stored in different temperatures so that the charge will hold longer. For example, alkaline batteries stored at room temperature will discharge very slowly, while NiMH batteries will discharge much more quickly in the same climate.
• When buying batteries, opt for the name brands. There's a reason that you haven't heard of certain names, and chances are they and have a poor shelf life  and will not hold up.

Battery Sizes

 A breakdown of size from smallest to largest.

Sizes
AAAA batteries	AAA batteries	AA batteries	9V Battery	D Battery

Battery Types

Here's a spotlight on some frequently used batteries:

• Alkaline Batteries : These are available in rechargeable and disposable models and are one of the most commonly used.
• Lithium Batteries : These batteries are disposable and most often used in portable electronic devices.Lithium-ion batteries  have a similar function but can be recharged.
• Nickel-cadmium Batteries  (NiCD):  These rechargeable batteries are mostly used for  telephones  and power tools. 
• Nickel-metal hydride batteries  (NiMH): These rechargeable batteries are widely used in electronic and hybrid vehicles 
• Zinc-carbon batteries : Relatively cheap disposable batteries commonly used in remote controls,  toys, radios,  and many more appliances.

Top Battery Brands

• Ansmann Energy 
• Duracell 
• Energizer 
• GP Batteries 
• Panasonic 

Related Guides

• Electronics
• Personal Audio and Video

External Links

• BatteryFacts.co.uk: A battery overview.
• Wikipedia.org: A history of the battery.