The Best AA Batteries You Can Buy

We owe a lot to our batteries. After all, they keep the TV remote flipping. Really, there’s a sea of devices they power for hours on end, and it’s only until the darn things stop working do we even remember how vital a spare pair of batteries is to our daily lives. This is especially true of those classic AAs, a pair that has become so unanimous with devices that you’ve mistakenly bought them for the wrong device now and again. AA batteries take up 60% of the alkaline market, so of course you’ll buy them on a whim. If you’re in the market for a new pack of AAs, then here are a few options that we recommend.

Finding the Right Juice for Your Devices

Consider these factors ahead of your purchase:

• Battery Count: Battery packs can be purchased in a wide range of counts, so it’s up to you to decide realistically how many you actually need. Buying in bulk never hurts: you have more for the next time the radio goes kaput, or you can toss them in the emergency kit. However, if you’re also looking to save a penny here or there, buying with a reasonable amount in mind is your go-to. Smaller packs ranging from counts of 8 to 24 spare users plenty of time between their next trip to the convenience store without overdoing it.
• Life Span: You should also consider the battery life of a pack when it is and isn’t in use. Typically, most modern AAs have a worthwhile shelf life of up to 10 years per pack. However, the catch here is that while most of these batteries can survive that decade-long wait, they aren’t quite packing the same amount of juice as they did at check out. Look to that 10-year shelf life as the standard for your battery power considerations.
• Environmental Considerations: Another vital factor you should consider when picking your next pack of AAs is their effect on the world around you. We are trapped in a cycle of single-use batteries, but eco-friendly and rechargeable options offer users a way to break that chain. If this is something that you’re passionate about, then make sure to buy with your eco-footprint in mind.

Top Choice: Energizer AA Batteries

Right up there with the titans of battery brands, this 24-pack of Energizer MAX alkaline AA batteries boasts a shelf life of up to 10 years and a battery life, when in use, of up to 50% longer than other standard battery packs. Whether you have 12 remotes that need two batteries apiece, six toys that need four batteries each, or just feel the need to stock up, this a moderately-sized bundle with plenty of power. In addition to being Energizer’s longest-lasting MAX AA, each battery here is leak-resistant for up to two years while in use.

Best Value: Amazon Basics AA Alkaline Batteries

Costing you no more than a few cents each per battery, Amazon Basics’ AA Alkaline Batteries come in an oversized 48-count while providing users with anything but basic service. These AA batteries are fueled by a 1.5-volt performance, so they’re capable of reliable performance across a wide range of compatible devices. Like other dependable options, this pack of batteries possesses a 10-year leak-free shelf life, which is ensured to its fullest degree by an air- and liquid-tight seal lock construction. These batteries are also shipped to users in a Certified Frustration-Free Packaging, allowing easy access and even easier storage in your emergency stock.

Best Rechargeable Option: Energizer Rechargeable AA-AAA Battery Charger

For an energy user who would prefer to conserve rather than throw away single-use pairs one by one, this Energizer Rechargeable Battery Charger might just save you from making another poorly timed trip to the convenience store. It includes four AA batteries already, so you’re getting a dual bundle here: the battery pack and the ability to sustain them for months to a year. It takes just four hours for these batteries to achieve a full charge, with the Charge Status Indicator system visually and audibly alerting users when the batteries are ready for use. Among its most prominent safety features, the charging port utilizes an automatic safety shut-off design to prevent overcharge, maximizing battery life in the long run.

Best Eco-Friendly option: Fuji EnviroMAX Alkaline Batteries

“Eco-friendly battery” can seem like a contradiction, but this two-pack of Fuji EnviroMAX Alkaline Batteries understands how to cut down on its environmental footprint. Capable of lasting just as long as traditional name-brand batteries while doing so in a considerate manner, these batteries are constructed from basic elements of the Earth and contain no traces of harmful substances often associated with batter packs, like mercury or cadmium. Their use and disposal emit no compounds that affect the ozone, while the packaging itself is made from 75% recycled materials. You’re here for the 24-pack of AAs, but as a bonus, you’ll also receive a 24-pack of AAA batteries that are equally strong and easy-going for the environment.