BATTERIES - where to buy them?!!!

[k8943]

Around there workshop there's all kinds of stuff that still requires batteries.

Maybe AA or AAA in a multimeter, 9v in an RJ cable continuity tester, a button cell in a digital calipers.....

Thing is I've never really figured out where - or what - to buy.

In regulars shops they seem horrendously expensive (maybe there's an eco-tax?). And experience says paying the price is no guarantee it's good.

Find a deal on Amazon on something branded and maybe there's a catch? It's a fake or was stored badly?

Then there's Aliexpress and the possibility of getting 100 no name brand cells for peanuts and swapping them out quickly....

Do people measure cell voltage after purchase to check "it's good"?

Are there certain stand out brands or strategies? What offers the best quality / price? (don't mind swapping them out regularly and keeping a store..)

All ideas welcome!

[edavid]

If you have an Ikea nearby, you can buy good alkaline batteries there.

Otherwise Amazon is fine.

For 9V, you can also buy Li-ion batteries from China that work great.  I like EBL brand.

For coin cells, yes, check the voltage when you get them.  That is a good indication of quality and freshness.

[rdl]

I've been using EBL 9 volt for a while now with no problems. The NiMH are kind of wimpy but the Li-ion are pretty close to alkaline. For AAA or larger, only use re-chargeable low self discharge NiMH type.

[retiredcaps]

If you are looking at nimh, Amazon Basic AA/AAA rechargeables that are Made in Japan are rumored to come from the same factory in Japan as Eneloops.

Same for Ikea ladda rechargeables.

See

http://eneloop101.com/batteries/rewrapped-batteries/

and (member HJK here)

https://lygte-info.dk/info/indexBatteriesAndChargers%20UK.html

and (member tom66 here)

http://www.batteryshowdown.com/

PS. I only use eneloops in expensive meters.

[retiredcaps]

Oh and avoid buying any nimh on ebay.  They are mostly fake with over inflated claims of 3000 or 5000 mAh for an AA cell.  You will be lucky to get 1/10th of that.

For 9V, I buy them locally from any big box store when they are on sale.  I need them for some meters and smoke detectors.

[Gyro]

Yes, Ikea according to this pretty comprehensive battery comparison...

http://www.batteryshowdown.com/


EDIT: Oops, retiredcaps beat me to it! 

[retiredcaps]

Your typical ebay posting ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302080640509

They claim AAA has 1800 mAh.  You would be lucky to get 1/10th of that in this cheap cell.

Unfortunately, 206 people suckered in.

And yes, back in 2008, I was stupid enough to buy "2500" mAh nimh batteries from ebay until I discovered Eneloop.  So today, I use Eneloop or some repacked version of it like Ikea ladda.  In fact, I bought some laddas nimh last month for various purposes.

[drussell]

I've had good luck with the Costco Kirkland Signature ones...  Not sure who's making them for Costco.  I generally use those or Duracell ProCells since I can get those by the case wholesale.

[Richard Crowley]

Several people on YouTube claim that Amazon Basic rechargeable AA cells are really re-labeled Eneloop
Amazon Basic are less expensive when they are on special.

For primary (not-rechargeable) cells, I try to get them from someplace with good turnover.
Costco, Ikea, B&H, etc.  More dodgy at your local convenience store.

I have heard rumors that Costco AA cells are Energizer or Duracell. (or perhaps whichever has a the better deal at the moment?)

[rsjsouza]

I don't know in Belgium, but around here I have been relying on the bland Ray-o-vac for years - I haven't had a leak.


Energizer and Duracell all leaked.

I have good experiences with the occasional "GP" as well that comes with a new toy/gadget here and there.

[Buriedcode]

I go with supermarket own brands.  Fraction of the price of *ahem* Duracell... same capacity, and don't seem to leak more (or less) often.  I've never understood how Duracell can get away with their claims by comparing them to Zinc batteries - which are very hard to find these days.

[tpowell1830]

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-alkaline-batteries-aa

[Stray Electron]

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-alkaline-batteries-aa

   I didn't know that there were any Radio Shacks left, they all disappeared around here several years ago.  They sold THE worst crap on the market. I quit buying anything from them 20 years ago. Now I usually pick up a large pack (24 batteries IIRC) of batteries from Harbor Freight for a few dollars.  Hell, if you get one of their coupons they'll even give you a free pack for buying anything so buy a pack and get a pack free. In my experience their batteries work as good as the Energizer or Duracell brands that are usually sold in the U.S.  Yes, there are "better" batteries but they're not worth the extra cost except for special uses.  Odd size batteries are usually expensive in the US but are available on Amazon for much less.

[Richard Crowley]

I didn't know that there were any Radio Shacks left, they all disappeared around here several years ago.

I don't think there are any physical shops remaining. But they are apparently still doing business online.

Their primary benefit to me was the test connectors they had in the shops. You could take in your random gadget and try all the power connectors to see which one fits properly. Alas, something you can't do online.   

[tpowell1830]

https://www.radioshack.com/products/radioshack-alkaline-batteries-aa

   I didn't know that there were any Radio Shacks left, they all disappeared around here several years ago.  They sold THE worst crap on the market. I quit buying anything from them 20 years ago. Now I usually pick up a large pack (24 batteries IIRC) of batteries from Harbor Freight for a few dollars.  Hell, if you get one of their coupons they'll even give you a free pack for buying anything so buy a pack and get a pack free. In my experience their batteries work as good as the Energizer or Duracell brands that are usually sold in the U.S.  Yes, there are "better" batteries but they're not worth the extra cost except for special uses.  Odd size batteries are usually expensive in the US but are available on Amazon for much less.

I have tried these batteries and get about half the life (anecdotal) of a Duracell, but the OP only wanted sources, so RS is a cheap source of batteries. These batteries are fine for remote controls and low current systems, like my wall clock. The ad (link) said $12.00 for 36 batteries, but sometimes they have sales for $9 for 36.

[drussell]

I have tried these batteries and get about half the life (anecdotal) of a Duracell, but the OP only wanted sources, so RS is a cheap source of batteries. These batteries are fine for remote controls and low current systems, like my wall clock. The ad (link) said $12.00 for 36 batteries, but sometimes they have sales for $9 for 36.

The Costco and IKEA ones are just as cheap, or cheaper, though, and generally last a smidgen longer than a Duracell.  (Which is weird because there is convincing evidence that the Costco ones are made by Duracell.)  Here in Canada, the Costco ones are $13.49 (that's about $10 USD) for 48 and IKEA $3.49 for 10.  That's Canadian dollars, regular price (current online price.)  IKEA sometimes puts them on sale, too, of course.  Thats why I like those Costco ones, a pretty good bargain for top quality cells.

Given the exchange rate, I guess we're actually getting a pretty good deal on those here.  In the US, it looks like Costco has 72 packs for $21 USD and IKEA says $2.99 for 10, but at that regular price it is still more than Costco if you have a membership or some Cash Cards to use online 

[edavid]

OP is in Belgium, so he is not going to be shopping at Costco or Radio Shack 

[IanB]

In the USA I get alkaline batteries from Dollar Tree. In the UK I get them from Poundland. Not only are they inexpensive they are less likely to leak. Surely there is some similar kind of shop where you live?

[Kjelt]

I make a difference between energy need:

Ultralow energy need like remote controls of sometimes used equipment:
These are IME the highest risk leak causing devices. I have no good solution for these except eneloops (expensive) which not always work due to the lower voltage. Best solution I have found is replace all batteries first of january and write it on the calendar.

Low energy need (batteries once per two years or less):
  -  lithium energy
  -  A quality alkaline like Duracell/Panasonic BUT label the date and preventively replace every two years !

High energy need (replace < 1 year):
  -  Eneloop if applicable ( can be had online at Conrad and others)
  - Lithium energy lasts a bit longer but expensive

[rsjsouza]

OP is in Belgium, so he is not going to be shopping at Costco or Radio Shack 

Nor Harbor Freight.

[NottheDan]

The Costco and IKEA ones are just as cheap, or cheaper, though, and generally last a smidgen longer than a Duracell.  (Which is weird because there is convincing evidence that the Costco ones are made by Duracell.) 

Why is that weird? Duracell produce various lines of batteries and their Industrial AA batteries outperform their consumer ones in my experience.

[sokoloff]

I didn't know that there were any Radio Shacks left, they all disappeared around here several years ago.

I don't think there are any physical shops remaining. But they are apparently still doing business online.

I saw one open in Clermont, FL two weeks ago. I was on a tight schedule to meet someone, so couldn’t stop in, just snapped a quick nerd selfie in front.

[malagas_on_fire]

I have a mixed batteries , for example AA NIMH for the portable scope from LIDL and energizer, AAA nimh from leroy merlin on DMM and 9V alkaline batteries energizer or duracell ultra for DMM as well.

For coin cell usually are from LIDL or GP.

The leakage it also depends on storage conditions and some duracell batteries ( long lasting) are not as good as generic where the ultra remains very good and more expensive.   

[Gyro]

Yes, Lidl NiMH are pretty good - especially if you can find them 30% off in the 'leftovers' area.

[madires]

I'd suggest to take the cheapest alkaline batteries from Aldi, Lidl, Ikea or whatever discounter you have in your area. Best bang for the buck. They won't last as long as premium cells but they have a much better price-performance ratio. Some online shops, e.g. Reichelt, offer  packs of industry grade cells for a reasonable price.