Received my Maxell's from Amazon ($13.97 for pack of 48) today and put one right on the discharger. Total capacity = 1,251mAh, for 2 hours 28 minutes of run time. Here is a graph comparing to the other similar performing cells:
Graph comparing to the better performing cells:
Photos of the Maxell's (they are made in China):
So far it might be the best performer for the price depending on how cheap you can buy the Panasonics. I'm still interested in the Amazon Basics.
I am in the slow group, but I cannot read the graphs. What do I need to do?
FWIW, I decided to buy a pkg of AA and AAA Sunbeam Alkalines from the local $ store. Price was $1 for four.
Here is the result of the AAA test along with other alkys.
Tank 007 e09 Hi
Thunderbolt 1hr 29 min
Energizer 1hr 58min
Ray O Vac 1hr 39min
Duracell 1hr 17min Sunbeam alk 1hr 40min
Results of AA test Sunbeam vs others.
Super Light Hi
Thunderbolt 2hr 46min 2nd test 3hr 26min
Duracell 6hr 30min 2nd test 5hr 45min
Energizer 4hr 20min Sunbeam alk 4hrs 40min
The Sunbeam alkaline compares favorably with others, except the AA Duracell. In the case of the AAA the Sunbeam alky showed up to be a good battery, and for $.25 ea.
This thread keeps getting better and better. I was also pretty impressed with the Sunbeam alkalines. Inexpensive compared to the big brands and the run times were very comparable. My hope is that they are consistent from batch to batch, as much as can be expected.
Has anyone determined what is the best bang for the buck in the Alkaline batteries? I have not put pencil and calculator to the paper, but it appears that the Sunbeam is about the best considering the cost of $0.25 ea. I still have trouble separating the colors in the charts, and I cannot tell how the Maxell performed. The run about $0.333 EA if bought in bulk on ebay. While the Panasonic appears to be tops, the cost of close to a buck ea makes them not the best buy, I think.
The Maxells run $13.97 for a 48 pack on Amazon, which is $0.29ea. The Panasonic's run 3 for $1 at the dollar store IF you can find the "2+1free" packages (which I frequently do), so that's $0.33ea. The Harbor Freights at $4.99 (w/coupon) for 24 are a good buy if you don't need high performance ($0.21ea). The Rayovac's are a very good alternative to Duracells, but I am not sure what a bulk pack is running to figure the cost - cheaper than Duracell anyway.
One conclusion is to avoid Energizers altogether! If they all perform like the one I tested, then they are not worth the extra expense! Another conclusion, don't be afraid of the Dollar Store Sunbeams (if not needing high performance). Amazon sells "Panasonic Platinums" at $11.99 for 24 ($0.50ea) but I have no idea how good they are and don't plan to buy and test them.
I don’t buy very many primaries anymore, but when I do it’s Energizer Lithiums for the flashlights in my car, or Rayovacs for Tv remotes, etc. The rayovacs I get are at a local Farm and Fleet store. They’re usually $4.98 for a 24 pack. Another good place to get cheap cells is woot.com. They regularly have sales on huge quantities of batteries, usually Sony. One time it worked out to about $0.10 each.
Woot.com shows Maxell LR6 AA Alkaline Battery - 48 Pack Box 723443 for $9.99 + free shipping. that is 21 cents ea. I could not be sure I was reading the charts correctly, but did the Maxell show about as well as the Panasonic, Gary? What were the three best in your tests?
Thanks,
Jerry
The maxell has about the same capacity as the Panasonic, but with more voltage sag. It's the next best cell to the Panasonic. Top 3 of the ones I've tested thus far in decreasing order are:
1) Duracell
2) Rayovac
3) Energizer Max
The Energizer I rule out simply due to its higher cost for the mediocre performance. The Panasonic has higher voltage than the Energizer, but less capacity. It's still a good alternative, so you might swap #3 to be the Panasonic.
Thanks, Gary. That is helpful.
For whatever reason the AAA Duracells I bought recently have not lived up to their reputation, but the AA Duracells have. But at the price I am liking the cheaper cells like the Sunbeam.
I had thought that your graph showed the Maxell close to the Panasonic.
Jerry
This thread is amazing. What I take away the most is that the variance between Alkaline batteries is little. In most cases the more expensive batteries win, naturally, but the cheap batteries that come in at a fraction of the cost seemed to hold their own, come close or in some cases beat the expensive ones. I think at this point cheap Alkalines get you the best Cost per mAH. Sure you can spend 4x more and get 15% more capacity (maybe) but what a waste.
I’ll note that as of July 2016, the Harbor Freight Thunderbolt Alkaline batteries are $7.99 for 24 AA’s (on harbor freight’s website), which works out to $0.34 per battery. There’s probably also tax and shipping needed. I couldn’t find those batteries on Amazon and there is no Harbor Freight local to me.
But the Sunbeam Alkalines AA’s can still be picked up for $0.25 per battery at the local dollar store (I just bought 4 packs). Additionally, I found on Amazon a 48 pack of Sunbeam Alkalines for $10.58 (Amazon Prime, free 2 day shipping) which works out to $0.22 per battery. That’s a very good deal in my opinion.
The Maxell 48 pack of AA’s are $15.98 on Amazon which works out to $0.33 per battery. Comparable to the Harbor Freight Thunderbolt’s.
Honestly I think due to the availability of Sunbeam’s, being able to pick them up cheap online or at your local dollar store, they’re the best all around deal.
There is also Amazon’s Basic AA. Aug 01, 2016: AA $13.49/48 ct. $10.99/36 ct. $6.99/20 ct. You’ll also find Sunbeam at Big Lots stores if you have them near you. Along with various brands AA (Duracell, Panasonic, etc.) re-packaged in Big Lot’s retail outer clam shell; actual individual batteries are still marked per original manufacturer; at a lower price than big box stores.