Man tests every single AA battery to conclusively decide which one is the best

Published on Feb 25, 2026 at 6:12 AM (UTC-5)
by Daisy Edwards

Last updated on Feb 25, 2026 at 11:55 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by Emma Matthews

Man tests every single AA battery to conclusively decide which one is the best
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A man decided to test every single AA battery that exists to conclusively decide which one is worth your money, and he actually spent months proving it.

He bought 37 different battery packs and put them through a series of controlled lab tests and real-world trials.

Instead of trusting brand names, he measured capacity, brightness, and long-term value.

By the end, he had a clear winner and a few surprising disappointments.

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Man tests every single AA battery that exists

Any tech fan knows the panicked scramble to find a usable battery to power your brand-new gadget that comes without batteries included.

Still, this tech fan took things one step further by testing the batteries themselves to see which would be best.

To keep things fair, he ran every battery through three separate tests.

First, he used a computerized battery analyzer at 250 milliamps to establish a baseline runtime, then cranked it up to a demanding 2-amp draw to expose weaknesses under high load.

Finally, he tested each battery in a high-powered flashlight, measuring brightness in lumens and making graphs of the output as it drained.

Some batteries held steady before abruptly dying, while others gradually faded into a dim glow.

He chose a cutoff point at 55 percent of initial brightness and used that runtime, along with price and charge cycles for rechargeable batteries, to calculate overall value.

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Most people had been using the wrong type

The results showed that traditional alkaline batteries performed poorly under heavy loads and were prone to leaking, which could damage electronics.

While they were cheap and widely available, they lagged behind in nearly every test.

Nickel metal hydride rechargeables stood out as the best all-around option in his battery test.

They maintained steady voltage, handled high-drain devices far better, and delivered strong lifetime value with loads of recharge cycles, maybe thousands.

The white-wrapped Panasonic Eneloop emerged as his top overall recommendation, while Power Owl was a more budget-friendly alternative.

Lithium primary batteries impressed with excellent performance and long shelf life, but he recommended them only for niche situations like emergency storage or extreme cold.

Lithium-ion rechargeable AAs also performed well and offered strong value, though they required specific chargers and came with some limitations.

In the end, he concluded that for most people and most devices, a high-quality nickel metal hydride rechargeable AA battery was the smartest choice.

Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.