I have often wondered if the claims of a battery manufacturer are true. Is one brand of battery better than another? I have devised a way to determine which locally available battery is best. I am choosing to test the 'AA' sized cell, as this is the size I use most often. I will acquire four cells of each brand and then submit these cells to a test that will drain each unit totally. The end result will provide me with a quantifiable value that can be compared to other cells under test.
My test setup is a machine that operates a counter. When a cell is attached, a switch is thrown and an electric motor drives a mechanical counter. When the cell has been drained, the motor stops running and the counter stops. I record the value, label the dead cell and a fresh cell is fed into the machine. I will be testing four of each brand to ensure good results.
My results;
Type | Count | Price, ea. | Purchased |
Energizer Lithium | 1812 | $4.37 | IGA |
| Energizer Lithium | 1807 | $4.37 | IGA |
| Energizer Lithium | 1795 | $4.37 | IGA |
| Energizer Lithium | 1771 | $4.37 | IGA |
| Duracell Copper Top | 1457 | $1.07 | Canadian Tire |
Energizer (regular) | 1404 | $1.17 | Canadian Tire |
| Duracell Copper Top | 1400 | $1.07 | Canadian Tire |
| Duracell Copper Top | 1400 | $1.07 | Canadian Tire |
Kirkland Alkaline | 1400 | $0.31 | Costco |
Kirkland Alkaline | 1390 | $0.31 | Costco |
Kirkland Alkaline | 1380 | $0.31 | Costco |
Energizer (regular) | 1380 | $1.17 | Canadian Tire |
Energizer Titanium | 1370 | $1.49 | Canadian Tire |
Kirkland Alkaline | 1358 | $0.31 | Costco |
| Duracell Copper Top | 1357 | $1.07 | Canadian Tire |
President's Choice Long Life | 1337 | $1.25 | Loblaws |
Energizer Titanium | 1332 | $1.49 | Canadian Tire |
Energizer (regular) | 1320 | $1.17 | Canadian Tire |
InfiniCell | 1285 | $1.25 | The Source |
Energizer (regular) | 1284 | $1.17 | Canadian Tire |
President's Choice Long Life | 1284 | $1.25 | Loblaws |
InfiniCell | 1260 | $1.25 | The Source |
President's Choice Long Life | 1260 | $1.25 | Loblaws |
InfiniCell | 1253 | $1.25 | The Source |
Truly Power Plus | 1242 | $0.20 | Zellers |
Energizer Titanium | 1235 | $1.49 | Canadian Tire |
Eveready Gold | 1234 | $1.32 | Canadian Tire |
Eveready Gold | 1220 | $1.32 | Canadian Tire |
Eveready Gold | 1200 | $1.32 | Canadian Tire |
Truly Power Plus | 1183 | $0.20 | Zellers |
President's Choice Long Life | 1183 | $1.25 | Loblaws |
InfiniCell | 1178 | $1.25 | The Source |
Truly Power Plus | 1176 | $0.20 | Zellers |
Eveready Gold | 1170 | $1.32 | Canadian Tire |
Truly Power Plus | 1164 | $0.20 | Zellers |
Energizer Titanium | 1133 | $1.49 | Canadian Tire |
Panasonic Alkaline | 1112 | $0.15 | Dollar Store |
Panasonic EVOLTA | 1110 | $1.25 | Future Shop |
Panasonic Alkaline | 1106 | $0.15 | Dollar Store |
Power Fist Alkaline | 1100 | $1.00 | Princess Auto |
Power Fist Alkaline | 1100 | $1.00 | Princess Auto |
Power Fist Alkaline | 1089 | $1.00 | Princess Auto |
Power Fist Alkaline | 1085 | $1.00 | Princess Auto |
Panasonic EVOLTA | 1083 | $1.25 | Future Shop |
Panasonic EVOLTA | 1070 | $1.25 | Future Shop |
Panasonic Alkaline | 1051 | $0.15 | Dollar Store |
Panasonic Alkaline | 1026 | $0.15 | Dollar Store |
One of my goals for this test setup was to provide a relatively heavy current draw. I wanted to simulate the effects of todays electronic devices, such as digital cameras or Radio Controlled toys. To achieve this I have inserted a 10 ohm resistor across the motor. This resistor alone, when connected to a 1.5V AA cell, draws 150 mA. This causes a heat dissipation of 225 mW or about a 1/4 Watt. With the motor running in the circuit too, the total current draw is greater than the resistor alone. I included the motor because I needed a way to figure out how long an AA cell would last. This is why I made the gearing system to drive the mechanical counter. As the counter operates, it continually increases its count. When the combination of the resistor and motor has finally depleted the stored energy in the AA cell, the counter stops. I now have a quantifiable result I can use to compare against other AA cells. As each cell is submitted to the same conditions, my results should provide a reliable means of determining which is the best.
There is also a matter of value for your money. If I have two cells that finish with the highest numbers, I will have to decide which one would be more economical. For example, the Kirkland AA and the Duracell Copper Top AA both have results in the region of 1400 counts. As it costs about $4.00 for a package of four of the Duracell brand and you can get a package of Kirkland cells, 40 in a package, for $10, I would consider the Kirkland cells to be the better value.
My testing is done purely out of scientific curiosity and I am not seeking to defame nor to promote any particular brand or manufacturer. Any results posted here are my own opinion and are open to interpretation.
