The Best 9-Volt Batteries for Your Devices

These 9-volt batteries power many of the important devices that we rely on, such as smart home products, medical devices, smoke detectors, and more. Due to their long, dependable lifespan, they’re a battery that many people take for granted despite the fact that they rely so heavily upon them.

We made this guide to showcase the best 9-volt batteries out there so that you’ll have a reliable source of power when you need it most.

Buying Guide for 9-Volt Batteries

Why buy 9-volt batteries?

Your devices need them, so you have to have them. You can use 9-volt batteries for a wide array of applications that call for a greater amount of power than lesser batteries can provide. 9-volt batteries are also an ideal choice for low-drain devices (such as your trusty smoke alarm), as these batteries tend to last for a long time without the need for you to replace them.

What should you look for in 9-volt batteries?

• Battery Life: Nobody likes constantly changing batteries. Although 9-volt batteries are known for longevity, the difference between changing your smoke detector batteries every six months and every two years is stark. Additionally, finding 9-volt batteries that offer excellent battery life will make it less likely that your devices will fail during an emergency when you need them most.
• Shelf Life: A battery’s shelf life determines how long it can hold its charge while being kept in storage. If you like to keep a stockpile of batteries available for whenever you need them, your batteries’ shelf life becomes incredibly important. 9-volt batteries tend to sport a shelf life of between a few years and a decade. For dependable batteries with an extra-long shelf life, paying a little extra is the norm.
• Dependability: Some batteries are simply better than others at providing steady, dependable power. If your batteries can’t provide steady power to your device, you’ll notice your electronics powering off randomly, flickering, or just not behaving as they should be. Thus, for medical equipment, smoke detectors, and other important electronic devices, a battery’s dependability should be a primary factor to consider.

Should you invest in rechargeable 9-volt batteries?

Depending on the application, using rechargeable 9-volt batteries could be a great cost-cutting measure or a minor annoyance. For high-drain devices that burn through 9Vs like nobody’s business, investing in high-quality rechargeable batteries can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially when compared to using budget 9Vs with poor battery life. However, low-drain devices that require replacement batteries less frequently are another story. For these applications, high-quality, long-lasting 9-volt batteries are your best bet and will save you the frustration of having to recharge and change your batteries every few months.

Our Picks for the Best 9-Volt Batteries

Pros: These Energizer batteries are great for providing dependable, long-lasting power for devices ranging from outdoor surveillance systems to digital cameras and smart home gadgets. Compared to more budget-friendly options, the battery life really is night and day. Additionally, these batteries perform really well in extreme temperatures, and their 10-year shelf life is just about as good as it gets.

Cons: Since they sport such a great battery life (even when compared to other lithium batteries), perhaps it’s not surprising that these are one of the most expensive 9-volt batteries on the market. Additionally, due to their squared edges and unique design, these batteries might not be a great fit for certain vintage electronics.

Bottom Line: These batteries will save you a trip around the house to change your smoke detector batteries every year and should perform admirably for three or four years, depending on your device. However, some people would just prefer less expensive batteries and wouldn’t mind changing them more frequently.

 

Pros: Alkaline batteries such as these aren’t known for world-beating battery life, but these budget-friendly 9-volt batteries definitely impress compared to other budget options. They are also one of the best-constructed budget 9-volt batteries that you’ll come across, and are thus known to resist leaks and corrosion with the very best of them.

Cons: These batteries are simply not designed to be used outdoors in a freezing cold setting. So, if that’s what you need, go for a lithium option instead. Additionally, they tend to die fairly quickly in high-drain devices, especially when compared to quality lithium batteries.

Bottom Line: As far as budget 9-volt batteries go, these ones outperform the standard bearers in terms of battery life and overall dependability. There are definitely longer-lasting batteries out there, but at this item’s price point, this is just about as good as it gets.

 

Pros: These rechargeable 9-volt batteries from EBL perform well above average in terms of battery life compared to other rechargeable options when used with low-drain devices. The charger itself also includes some nice safety features to prevent overvoltage and overheating. As a cherry on top, this product also comes with a nifty hexagonal battery case to keep your 9-volt batteries safe and sound while not in use.

Cons: When using a demanding high-drain device, these will have a shorter battery life than a high-quality lithium single-use 9V. So, while this might be OK if you’re doing some work outside, it can become quite a problem if you’re in the middle of a gig and your mic powers down. Another issue is that the batteries don’t “lock in” as securely as one might like when they’re being charged.

Bottom Line: If you go through multiple packs of 9-volt batteries a week due to the demands of work, a rechargeable option of this caliber is an excellent way to save money and always have additional batteries on hand. However, for demanding applications and situations where you can’t afford to stop your work and replace a battery, these could leave something to be desired.

 

Pros: Despite their budget-friendly price, this 24-pack of 9-volt batteries features a fantastic shelf life. They’re also more dependable than most budget 9Vs, so you won’t have to worry about the performance of the devices that you use them in.

Cons: Budget 9-volt batteries are never known for exceptionally long battery life, and these are no exception. However, for the price, the battery life is about what you’d expect. Additionally, owing to the fact that these are alkaline batteries, you won’t want to use them in extremely cold temperatures.

Bottom Line: When you buy bulk batteries on a budget, dependability and cost-effectiveness should be your top considerations. In this regard, the Tenergy 9-Volt Alkaline Batteries are definitely worth the cost of admission. Will they wow you with their longevity? Unsurprisingly, no. However, they will outlast most rechargeable 9-volt options when being pushed to the limit with high-drain devices and will perform surprisingly well in low-drain devices given their low price.

 

Pros: Rayovac isn’t necessarily a brand that’s known for long-lasting batteries, but these score points for their well-above-average lasting power, especially when utilized in high-drain devices. In terms of dependability, they also perform well, so you won’t have to worry about your smoke detector chirping due to a sporadic decrease in voltage output.

Cons: In terms of shelf life, these batteries are below average, so don’t expect good results if you plan to buy them in bulk and save some for a rainy day. Additionally, their performance in low-drain devices is pretty mediocre, so there are likely more cost-effective alkaline options out there for your low-drain electronics.

Bottom Line: While these aren’t top-of-the-line 9-volt batteries, they are a great option for those who don’t want to venture to the budget rack or spend an arm and a leg. Compared to other alkaline options out there, these have the lasting power and dependability to make them well worth the investment, especially when used in high-drain devices.

Final Thoughts

Most people are unaware that battery performance can vary wildly based on your battery choice, the device it’s powering, and even external factors such as the temperature it’s being used in. Since so many devices that we rely upon utilize 9-volt batteries for power, purchasing them from time to time is pretty much unavoidable. However, by making an educated choice when shopping for batteries, you can keep costs down and maximize performance based on your unique needs.