TECHBOOK has tested 11 well-known battery models. There are products from well-known manufacturers such as Varta and Duracell, but also inexpensive models from Aldi, Ikea and Rossmann.
Disposable AA batteries are still widely used. Many devices such as flashlights, clocks and RC toys rely on this type of battery. And although there are also AA-size rechargeable batteries, the disposable version is particularly popular with buyers. However, the price range between the different models is enormous. TECHBOOK has therefore tested eleven different battery brands from discounters to well-known manufacturers to find out how much power the small electricity suppliers really have.
The battery models in the test
Cheap batteries
- Aldi Activ Energy/Topcraft – 10 pieces for 1.99 euros (20 cents each)
- Ikea Alkalisk – 10 pieces for 1.99 euros (20 cents each) – discontinued in October 2021
- Rossmann Rubin – 8 pieces for 1.69 euros (21 cents each)
mid-range batteries
- Varta Longlife – 8 pieces for 4.99 euros (63 cents each)
- Energizer Alkaline Power – 4 pieces for 4.99 euros (1.25 euros each)
- Varta Longlife Power – 4 pieces for 4.99 euros (1.25 euros each)
- Duracell Plus – 4 pieces for 5.99 euros (1.50 euros each)
high performance batteries
- Duracell Ultra – 4 pieces for 6.99 euros (1.75 euros each)
- Varta Longlife Max Power – 4 pieces for 5.90 (1.48 euros per piece)
- Varta Ultra Lithium – 4 pieces for 6.25 euros (1.56 euros each)
- Energizer Ultimate Lithium – 4 pieces for 5.99 euros (1.50 euros each)
A majority of the tested models in our test are conventional alkaline manganese batteries. In order to find out whether supposedly high-performance cells based on lithium iron sulfide are worthwhile, we also tested two different models with this chemical composition.
Different battery chemistry
Alkaline-manganese batteries are the most common. But there are also other types such as zinc-carbon. However, lithium iron sulfide is considered to be the most powerful battery chemistry. This type of battery is generally recommended for use in digital cameras and flashes due to its higher load capacity.
test setup
In order to get meaningful results for the test, we consulted the physicist D. Schicke (M.Sc.). With his support, we have established a test procedure in which we measured the battery voltage at five consecutive points in time. Based on an initial measurement before the start of the test, we measured after two, five, seven and ten hours.
For the test, we decided on a practical, everyday variant with an LED camping lamp with three battery slots. We measured the battery condition with a conventional digital volt meter. This enabled us to determine how quickly each battery model lost its voltage.
After the initial measurement, we looked at all other measurements to see how much voltage was lost across all three cells. To do this, we averaged the three measurements to find out the average voltage. This gave us a good picture of how the batteries work together to provide energy even after several hours of operation. Because even if one cell were to lose a lot of voltage, the other two could compensate for this loss.
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Measurement results
We divided the test into five measurement points as described. A preliminary measurement to show the resting state voltage, and then four more measurements after two, five, seven and ten hours.
First measuring point
In the preliminary measurement, all higher-priced models from Varta, Energizer and Duracell showed a voltage of 1.63 to 1.64 volts. Cheaper battery models from Aldi, Ikea and Rossmann start with a slightly lower voltage of between 1.6 and 1.62 volts. Our two models of the lithium iron sulfide type are out of line. Since these are intended for particularly power-hungry devices, they have a comparatively high voltage of 1.79 volts (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) and 1.84 volts (Varta Ultra Lithium).
Tip: Please click to enlarge the image.
Second measuring point
The rapid drop in voltage within the first two hours, which can be observed in all models in the battery test, is particularly remarkable.
Above all, the high-priced models from Varta (Longlife Power and Longlife Max Power) show good performance with the alkaline manganese cells. Both models reach an average of 1.22 volts in the second measurement. The Duracell Ultra and Duracell Plus are also at the front with 1.2 and 1.22 volts respectively. It is followed closely by Ikea Alkalisk with 1.19 volts and Rossmann Rubin with 1.17 volts. Varta Longlife and Energizer Alkaline Power are also on a similar level with 1.16 volts and 1.15 volts. The Activ Energy model from Aldi brings up the rear with just under 1.1 volts.
The two lithium-iron sulfide models remain a special feature here as well. With 1.47 volts (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) and 1.46 volts (Varta Ultra Lithium), both are significantly stronger than the alkaline competition. In both cases, however, the batteries are extremely hot during the measurement, so that you can hardly touch them. We’ll see what that entails in a moment.
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Third measuring point
After the second measuring point (two hours), the average voltage of our test candidates hardly changed. This is because the greatly reduced voltage of a single cell is compensated for by the other two.
While we were able to record a real voltage drop at the second measurement point, the values at the third measurement only drop moderately after five hours. The batteries lose between 0.1 and 0.2 volts on average. Aldi Activ Energy emerged as the surprising winner in this round with a value of 1.063 volts. After the batteries crashed quickly in the second measurement, they appear to have stabilized. The other candidates are all between 1.01 and 1.05 volts. Outliers and taillights are the lithium cells, which have been so strong up to now. Both Varta and Energizer have dropped below 1 volt. Energizer only reaches 0.89 volts and Varta 0.9 volts. In comparison, both deliver a significantly weaker light than the competition.
Fourth and fifth measuring point
The last two measurements (after seven and ten hours) provide a relatively consistent picture. None of the models loses more than 0.13 volts (determined by Varta Longlife Power). We were able to determine the lowest loss in the Energizer Alkaline Power with 0.002 volts, which finally reached a respectable value of 1.003 volts. The worst performers were the lithium models, which only managed 0.85 volts (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) and 0.843 volts (Varta Ultra Lithium). In both cases the light was so weak that it could hardly be seen in sunlight.
The Aldi Activ Energy batteries delivered a surprising test result with 1.063 volts after ten hours of operation, followed by Duracell Plus with 1.015 volts. Ikea Alkalisk and Energizer Alkaline Power also made it with 1.006 volts and 1.003 volts, respectively, just over one volt. This is followed by Duracell Ultra (0.973 volts), Rossmann Rubin (0.95 volts), Varta Longlife Power Max (0.946 volts), Varta Longlife Power (0.926 volts) and Varta Longlife (0.903 volts).
| model | output voltage | Tension after 2 hours | Tension after 5 hours | Tension after 7 hours | Tension after 10 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varta Long Life Power | 1.635V | 1.22V | 1.056V | 0.94V | 0.926V |
| Duracell Ultra | 1.627v | 1.2V | 0.953V | 0.95V | 0.973V |
| Energizer Alkaline Power | 1.621v | 1.15V | 1.006V | 1.003V | 1.013V |
| Varta Longlife Max Power | 1.6435V | 1.22V | 1 v | 1.036V | 0.946V |
| Aldi Active Energy | 1.618v | 1.1v | 1.07v | 1.073v | 1.063V |
| DuracellPlus | 1.625V | 1.22V | 1.013V | 1.016v | 1.015V |
| Varta Longlife | 1.64V | 1.16v | 0.963V | 0.916V | 0.903V |
| Energizer Ultimate Lithium | 1.793v | 1.471v | 0.886V | 0.883V | 0.85V |
| Varta Ultra Lithium | 1.837v | 1.4643V | 0.9V | 0.86V | 0.843V |
| Ikea Alkalisk | 1.6V | 1.19v | 1.01v | 1.01v | 1.006V |
| Rossman Ruby | 1.61v | 1.17v | 1.026V | 0.986V | 0.95V |
Conclusion: Aldi batteries surprise in the everyday test with high performance
For everyday objects with low voltage such as toys, lamps, remote controls and the like, it is not worth using expensive branded batteries. The models from Varta, Duracell and Energizer only have more power in the first five hours. After that, all tested models level off at a similar level. Surprisingly, the cheap discounter batteries from Aldi are at the top of the list in terms of performance in our runtime test. The counterparts of the drugstore Rossmann and the furniture store Ikea do just as well as the expensive competition in the long run.
This is also noticeable in the wallet. AA batteries from Ikea, Rossmann and Aldi cost 20 cents each. Brand manufacturers, on the other hand, charge between one and two euros per battery. With just ten batteries, this means a price saving of eight to 18 euros.
However, the higher output voltage of the expensive branded models brings an advantage in certain exceptional situations. If really high voltage is required from a device, you should use models from Varta, Duracell and Energizer. We’re talking about exceptions. These battery hogs from the ’90s and early ’00s, like digital cameras and handheld consoles, have been powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for years. There are few devices today that justify using the expensive AA batteries.