What's the un-leakiest battery? (non rechargeable ie CHEAP)

No. The HD part is marketing hype. Carbon zinc are junk.

Yes, some people use the term alkaleaks, because alkalines sometimes do.

Over many decades I have had many leaking alkalines. Most often in items that were not used often. Many times found a non-working light after it had sat in a drawer or some other storage for a time. Battery operated Xmas deco lights are bad for leaving alkies in one year to the next

Maybe because [we] can’t answer the poll, … why?
==> no choice in the poll fits as a correct answer to the question.

The “least worse” might be Alkaline though.

PS, you will find a lot of inforation in previous threads, for example where you wrote this:

That seems to fit the use case you laid out in your early response above.

right
i don’t want to buy more cr123a lights for this
i know what i am asking

Well, I suggest the experiment —- buy three sub-$2 cheapie light, load with the three kinds of cheap cells you asked about, put them in your car’s glove compartment, and check back in a couple of years. I’d guess the answer to your poll will turn out to be “None of the above”

But in line with our host’s rule about avoiding divisive subjects, that’s enough from me. Bless your heart, I hope you find the answer you’re looking for.

yeah i don;t want the BEST answer, i already know that

i want the NEXT BEST answer, lalso - if anyone knows

wle

Get alkalines as they are the best out of the three battery types you initially asked about. They can still leak, but will perform much better than the other two.

To me, it is now a no-brainer that alkies are the best of the three choices given.

My first transistor radio, circa 1956, was ruined the year after I got it because the zinc cased cells that share the same chemistry as todays carbon-zinc cells leaked crap inside. I had left it at home with batteries inside over a summer 2 month absence. I was very upset.

That leak and damage was repeated with many assorted devices until I got smarter and switched to using alkalines. But even then I encountered a leak here, a leak there. Usually, the leaks and damage occurred with devices that were left sitting in a drawer or on a shelf and not used. Sometimes I could scrape and clean and salvage the item. Not always. Over the years I do believe alkalines have improved.

About 10 years ago I decided that I would use nothing but Energizer primary lithium AA and AAA cells unless I was using an Eneloop rechargable. That got an extra nudge because of the cold weather increase in performance. I have not had any of those cells leak.

We have two old wall clocks that don’t like eneloops for some reason. I use the primary energizer in them.

My anecdotal evidence would suggest strongly that primary lithium are best for disposable and that the next best would be alkalines. But they are still only next best.

I even switched the few workshop tools that run off a 9 volt battery to using the primary lithium versions after a timber moisture meter came close to being ruined by a alky 9 volt.

I should correct myself. It appears that the cells sold as Heavy-duty are actually different than the other NON-HD types. They both use a zinc case but the chemicals in the HD last longer and provide a more stable voltage according to Wiki. But Wiki also states they leak because the chenical reaction uses up the zinc, thins the zinc case.

that seems like the best answer:
alkaline - unleakiest of the 2
heavy duty
regular duty - leakiest

Carbon cinc cells regenerate their charge/energy when not used. For this reason, they can provide way longer service life if used from time to time, particularly if drained faster than at slow pace. For this reason I remember obtaining better service time per money unit out of carbon-cinc cells when I had my old gameboy. This was also due to the fact that alkalines were noticeably more expensive than carbon-cinc cells long ago (90's).

If you care about leakage problems, it could be a good idea to wrap any carbon-cinc or alkaline batteries in heat shrinkable tube, like li-ion cells. May be of some help.

I use Energizer L91/L92 (aa/aaa) cells for lights that need to be ready to go but in long term storage. I also use these in other gear such as my DMM. Great cells and bear storage well when a CR123 isn’t the choice.

Honestly speaking, non-rechargeable cells are not designed for any significative amount of power delivery or discharge rate. This means they are not the best option for flashlight usage, and although they can be 0K it is best to minimize the use of high mode. I am, for example, speaking of the popular BLF/Sofirn C01S and many other flashlights in this market sector like the Skilhunt E3A, Astrolux A01 and etc.

You may want to try NiZn batteries (example). Some electronic equipment can be picky about voltage, like my kitchen balance which cuts-off at ≈2.5V, but accepts voltages waaay above 3V without problems (can power it up with a li-ion cell, LoL). This means these equipment cannot use the full energy of alkalines or NiMH cells, but will work much better with NiZn.

I have a handful of off-brand Chinese alkies that are ~10 yrs. old that haven't leaked. I consume them in vampire lights, checking often for the beginnings of puking their guts. I've never seen that kind of long-term stability from any of the common American brands. Duracell is the worst IMO at leaking. Had an entire sealed pack of 8 CVS alkies that leaked in under one year, with expiration date of 2024.

slmjim

I just bought 100 AA and 100 AAA of the Amazon basics branded alkalines, I got them for $20 AUD on sale so about 14 USD and they have a 10 year no leak guarantee. I think they are made in Japan.

Got them for emergencies and to keep in emergency lights.

Honesty for an emergency your best off with Eneloops.
Yes they cost a bit extra but that no leak guarantee is barely worth the paper its written on. When you have leaks Amazon will probably replace them but in an emergency you need them now. Plus not sure if Amazon will replace the ruined device like Duracell/Energizer used to.

My emergency lights use Eneloop. And when i test and recharge them every year or two they are still above 90% charge and no leaks a decade later.

For my purpose alkalines work out better and cheaper. I do have a solar charging system but it’s easier for non flashlight people to do it this way.
Plus an EMP could take out the charging system while the batteries should be fine.

I had a whole carton of Rayovac AA alkalines leak before I even removed them from the carton.

I have the most confidence in maxell batteries and it never occurred to me to leak.
I have several copies of maxell zinc carbon batteries about 30 years old that have no traces of leaks.

Hey, wle! Sorry I can't help you.

I'm one of the forgetful ones who always has alki's go bad on him. Doesn't matter what brand they are. Unfortunately, the story would not be any different with the other chemistries listed in the survey. I'm just too busy/distracted/flaky to notice that another year has gone by without me having checked all the things I own that have batteries in them.

So—in my case—your survey asks, "What type of gooey mess do you prefer?"

That's a tough choice. Anyway, I hope you found something you like.