The best AAA batteries in 2024

AAA batteries (aka triple-A batteries) energy every kind of gadgets, from leisure to important. They’re discovered in dozens of gadgets, from digital cameras and drones to laser ranges and blood strain screens. These tiny powerhouses ship the identical 1.5V output as AA batteries, however they’re smaller and lighter, so the devices they’re used in will be extra compact. While all AAA batteries are the identical bodily dimension, their efficiency, sturdiness, and value can fluctuate significantly. To show you how to discover the proper mixture of energy and worth, we’ve rounded up the best AAA batteries to serve your wants.

How we selected the best AAA batteries

AAA batteries energy 1000’s of electronics, so we caught to technical specs to assist us resolve which of them had been value recommending. We started by breaking the batteries into their three sorts: alkaline, lithium, or nickel steel hydride (normally generally known as NiMH or Ni-MH). Each of those has its execs and cons, so it was vital to know how they carry out in order to decide on which was best for specific makes use of.

Then, we targeted on energy. These batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.5V, and every system makes use of that saved vitality in another way. They are sometimes known as high-drain (like drones) or low-drain (like easy alarms). When making the picks, we wished to supply options that suited all forms of devices. Value was additionally prime of thoughts whereas conducting our analysis, as loads of low cost AAA batteries can be found, and a few are a superb worth. However, high-drain gadgets can rapidly burn by them, so they’re usually a false financial system.

The best AAA batteries: Reviews & Recommendations

Our fundamental purpose with this battery information is to elucidate the several types of triple-A batteries and provides examples of the best of every sort through our prime picks. We researched all of the main manufacturers to get a complete market view. When selecting our favorites, we tried to seek out the best steadiness between efficiency and value.

Best total: Panasonic Eneloop

Specs

• Type: NiMH
• Capacity: 800 mAh
• Pack sizes: Four, 12, 16, 24

Pros

• Up to 2,100 recharge cycles
• Ready to make use of
• Durable energy storage

Cons

• Expensive
• Long charging instances

It wasn’t simple to choose the best AAA batteries total as a result of efficiency and value variations between our suggestions. However, Panasonic’s Eneloops are at the moment the longest-lasting rechargeable batteries in the marketplace, which provides them the sting over our favourite disposable mannequin. Panasonic says you’ll be able to prime up the Eneloop batteries as much as 2,100 instances. These rechargeable batteries aren’t low cost, however their sturdiness gives very aggressive long-term worth.

Panasonic’s Eneloop AAA batteries additionally overcame two notable drawbacks of many rechargeable NiMHs. First, lots of them must be charged earlier than use, whereas this set is pre-charged on the manufacturing facility utilizing photo voltaic vitality. Second, many rechargeable batteries don’t maintain their cost whereas not in use, however the Panasonic Eneloop batteries retain as much as 70 p.c of their most capability for a decade when saved following the producer’s directions.

Unlike alkaline batteries, which lose cost dramatically in tough situations, Panasonic’s Eneloop AAA rechargeable batteries nonetheless perform when the temperature hits -4 levels Fahrenheit. However, recharging the batteries as soon as they die will take a number of hours. It’s value shopping for these rechargeable batteries with a charger for those who don’t have already got one, as Panasonic’s personal mannequin has good options that cost every battery to the optimum stage individually and switch off mechanically when full cost is reached.

Best splurge: Panasonic Eneloop Pro

Specs

• Type: NiMH
• Capacity: 950 mAh
• Pack sizes: Four, 12, 16, 24

Pros

• Pre-charged
• Up to 500 recharge cycles
• High capability
• Excellent vitality retention
• Good chilly climate efficiency

Cons

• Expensive
• Not for watertight gadgets

Spending near $20 on a four-pack of AAA batteries could appear silly, however the Eneloop Pros pays for themselves over time. Unlike many NiMH AAA batteries, the Panasonic Eneloop Pros come prepared to make use of, pre-charged utilizing environmentally pleasant solar energy. Over a 12 months, they may retain as much as 85 p.c of their cost, to allow them to be trusted to carry out when required.

This makes them helpful with instruments in your emergency provides equipment or high-drain gadgets like digicam flashes and drones. Naturally, they’ll additionally energy smaller draw electronics like wi-fi keyboards and mice for months or years with out having to be topped up. Panasonic says the Eneloop Pro AAA Batteries will be recharged as much as 500 instances.

Best disposable: Energizer Ultimate AAA Batteries

Specs

• Type: Lithium Iron Disulphide
• Capacity: 1,250 mAh
• Pack sizes: Four, eight, 12, 16, 18, 20, 24, 80

Pros

• Consistent energy supply
• Outstanding shelf life
• Excellent temperature vary

Cons

• Expensive
• Beware of fakes

The Energizer Ultimate is a comparatively costly selection in comparison with different AAA batteries. This six-pack is equally priced to Panasonic’s Eneloop batteries, however these aren’t rechargeable. Energizer fees two or 3 times as a lot as Duracell does for the best alkaline AAA disposable batteries, however in efficiency phrases, it has benefits over each.

A capability of 1,250 mAh provides the Energizer Ultimate AAA Batteries reliable, sturdy energy. In essence, it means they run repeatedly for longer durations of time. These are the perfect AAA batteries for high-drain gadgets like digital cameras, recreation controllers, and safety gadgets. They have an working vary from -40 to 140 levels Fahrenheit, so temperature fluctuations current no issues. The LiFeS2 chemistry provides it a shelf lifetime of as much as 20 years, and in contrast to rechargeable batteries, they don’t drain whereas being saved. They don’t leak, and Energizer says they’re as much as 30 p.c lighter than alkaline rivals.

We have learn experiences of fakes being found, significantly in massive pack sizes, so watch out for unusually low costs and solely purchase from respected Amazon sellers.

Best alkaline: Duracell CopperTop Batteries

Specs

• Type: Alkaline
• Capacity: 1,150 mAh
• Pack sizes: Two, 4, eight, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 36, 40, 56

Pros

• Reliable long-term efficiency
• Long shelf life
• Good worth for cash

Cons

• Not for high-drain devices
• Packaging is barely complicated

Duracell’s CopperTop Batteries are the best high-quality, mid-range AAA batteries you may get. They don’t match the efficiency of lithium batteries however value significantly much less. This 20-pack will set you again roughly as a lot as an eight-pack of lithium batteries. There are actually cheaper batteries round, however these “throwaway” fashions don’t supply the long-lasting energy of the Duracell CopperTops. These AAA batteries are best used in flashlights, toys, digital thermometers, rest room scales, and different medium-drain gadgets the place altering batteries repeatedly would get irritating.

Their 1,150 mAh is remarkably excessive for alkaline batteries, which implies Duracell CopperTops ship extra constant vitality than many rivals. Like all alkaline batteries, they may lose cost extra rapidly at decrease temperatures, so that you shouldn’t select them to be used in path cameras or gadgets outside for lengthy durations. Also, for high-drain gadgets, we might nonetheless advocate lithium options.

Duracell’s packaging was additionally unnecessarily obscure, with sure specs altering based mostly on what number of batteries had been in the bundle. Some say the shelf life is 10 years, whereas others say it’s 12 years. This may be a design change and makes a negligible distinction to efficiency, if any. There are only a few complaints about batteries leaking, however enormous volumes of Duracell CopperTops are offered, so in our view, the numbers don’t point out a big drawback.

Best for flashlights: POWEROWL Lithium Batteries

Specs

• Type: Lithium
• Capacity: 1,200 mAh
• Pack Sizes: Eight

Pros

• High capability
• Usable in temperatures between -40 and 140 levels Fahrenheit
• 10-year shelf life

Cons

• Only out there in one pack dimension

A flashlight is commonly used in emergencies and should have been left unattended for months. The very last thing you want when the lights exit is to be pressured to go looking in the darkish for batteries. This set of AAA batteries from POWEROWL has a decade-long shelf life, so even for those who use your flashlight sparingly over a decade, you shouldn’t want to succeed in for a second pair.

If you depend on your flashlight often, these AAA batteries have a 1,200mAh capability, as much as 30 p.c larger than a few of our different suggestions. This means you’ll be capable to use them for longer durations of time and may recharge them as soon as they’ve died. We like that POWEROWL designed its batteries to outlive a 180-degree temperature vary, so that you received’t have to fret about them conking out for those who want your flashlight in the lifeless of winter. We discover it slightly peculiar that POWEROWL solely affords one of these AAA battery in an eight-pack, so chances are you’ll want to purchase two of them relying on the scale and energy wants of your flashlights.

Best funds: Amazon Basics AAA Batteries

Specs

• Type: Alkaline
• Capacity: 800 mAh (estimated)
• Pack sizes: Four, eight, 10, 20, 36, 100

Pros

• Multiple family makes use of
• Long shelf life
• Good worth

Cons

• Modest efficiency
• Leaks not unknown

Sometimes, high-power AAA batteries are a good suggestion, however having a set of low cost AAA batteries in the junk drawer for low-power gadgets like clocks, kitchen timers, TV remotes, and small toys can be handy. There isn’t any upside in utilizing costly lithium or NiMH rechargeable batteries in these low-drain gadgets. Amazon Basics’ AAA Alkaline Batteries are the higher selection, and you may even get a pack of 100 for those who’d prefer to be sure you have some available.

Amazon says the shelf life for these batteries is 10 years, and so they comprise no poisonous parts. which makes them simple to recycle. The batteries’ minimal fuss-free packaging is one other plus. Amazon doesn’t seem to offer a capability ranking for its alkaline AAA batteries however does for its rechargeable model. Our estimate relies on that determine, and in our expertise, is prone to be inside 50 to 100 mAh. We wouldn’t advocate them for medium- or high-drain electronics like drones.

What to think about when purchasing for the best AAA batteries

There are many components to weigh when deciding which AAA batteries are best in your wants. Below, you’ll discover those we thought of most vital when deciding which to incorporate in our information.

Power

All AAA batteries ship 1.5 volts of energy, so deciding that are the best AAA batteries for specific gadgets largely comes right down to the sort, or in different phrases, the chemical substances used to carry the cost. These are the principle forms of AAA batteries, together with their benefits and drawbacks.

• Alkaline. Alkaline AAA batteries mix graphite, magnesium, potassium, metal, and zinc. They are thought of environmentally pleasant as a result of they’re comparatively simple to recycle. Shelf life (how lengthy they may final if left unused) is from seven to 10 years. They are the most cost effective AAA batteries and are really helpful for low-drain gadgets like distant controls, clocks, and blood strain screens. Alkaline batteries can leak, which may harm gear, however it’s now not a standard drawback. Rechargeable alkaline AAA batteries do exist however are usually outperformed by different sorts.

• Lithium. There are a number of forms of lithium AAA batteries. The most typical disposable sorts are merely known as lithium. They have a shelf lifetime of 10 or extra years and usually final three to 5 instances so long as alkaline AAA batteries in use. As a consequence, lithium AAA batteries are really helpful for high-drain gadgets. They can even stand up to temperatures from under freezing to over 100 levels Fahrenheit. The one disadvantage of lithium batteries is that they’ll sometimes produce an excessive amount of energy for some devices, so it’s vital to test the system producer’s suggestions earlier than utilizing them.

  The most up-to-date improvement in non-rechargeable AAA batteries is Lithium iron disulfide (Li-FeS2). They are exceptionally sturdy and have as much as 20 years of shelf life. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) are each rechargeable battery sorts and are usually used for car and marine batteries. Lithium-ion AAA batteries can be found, and plenty of have the benefit of being rechargeable through USB somewhat than needing a separate charger. However, they’re costly.

• NiMH. Most AAA rechargeable batteries are nickel steel hydride. While initially dearer than alkaline or lithium disposable batteries, they are often recharged lots of and even 1000’s of instances. They work properly in high-drain gadgets. Shelf life is often round 5 to seven years. Though invariably marked as 1.5V, nominal voltage is normally 1.2V.

  However, energy is delivered very constantly somewhat than different forms of batteries that may drop rapidly. In many instances, this received’t make a substantial amount of distinction, however once more, it’s value checking the recommendation of your gadget’s producer. Also, the cost drains away whether or not used or not, so some want common charging. You can both purchase AAA rechargeable batteries with a charger or supply the charger individually.

Capacity

While the voltage of AAA batteries is inside a reasonably slim vary, it could even be value contemplating the milliAmp hours (mAh) ranking. This has an influence on how lengthy the battery can provide vitality. Technically, a milliAmp hour is a thousandth of an amp, equipped constantly for one hour. In actual phrases, if in case you have two 1.5V AAA batteries, one rated for 750 mAh and the opposite for 1,000 mAh, then the second will ship its cost for considerably longer.

FAQs

Final ideas on the best AAA batteries

Rechargeable, non-removable lithium-ion batteries could energy our smartphones, tablets, and laptops, however they received’t be changing the necessity for AAA batteries anytime quickly. This compact, cost-effective energy supply remains to be vital to maintain round the home, if for no different cause than to make sure your TV distant and flashlights are usable at a second’s discover. We’re happy that we may advocate a number of wonderful rechargeable AAA batteries, as they provide the best steadiness of sustainability and value.

Why belief us

Popular Science began writing about know-how greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” once we printed our first difficulty in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Here in the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of gadgets in the marketplace proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise masking and reviewing client electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however once we’re reviewing gadgets exterior of our instant wheelhouses, we do our best to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the very best suggestions. We know we don’t know every little thing, however we’re excited to dwell by the evaluation paralysis that web buying can spur so readers don’t must.