My stock of AA alkalines is running low, and I still prefer them for some things. When I give a flashlight as a gift to somebody who doesn’t know much about flashlights or batteries, I like to stick a cheap alkaline in it. And for maximum brightness, compared to a good NiMH, a good alkaline cell is usually brighter. And for maximum runtime, a good alkaline cell beats even my Eneloops. Not to mention other applications like my wireless mouse or a portable radio. And I even if I am using Eneloops in a flashlight, I like to keep some alkalines on hand as a backup.
Where I live, decent or good batteries are extremely expensive. So, I’d like to pick up 10 or 20 cheap AA alkalines of decent quality from China, since shipping from China is usually free. Something equivalent to Rayovac would be fine for me, preferably at the same price or cheaper than the big value packs that they sell at Walmart or Home Depot. Any suggestions?
This site shows the 30 pack I got last Black Friday at Lowes. Regular price is $9.97. On BF last year they were $4 and they had hundreds. This is an old link from last year, they might have this same deal this BF
Problem is that there are no big stores like Lowes or Home Depot or anybody else with a volume discount here. So, my best bet is to order something from China.
I have very limited experience on Alkaline AA’s in general.
Once, I ordered D-size “NACCON” -batteries from China.
In my tests, they held more than 10’000mAh, so I guess they are not the worst…
As an alternative option, I can buy a big pack from one of these US sales and ship it to you if it would end up being a better value. Just an idea to think about.
Consumer report rated these as one of the best aa batteries around and I see them listed for a 48 pack for $15.10. Also listed 40 pack of Duracell Coppertops for $17.43.
Nice deals that you guys have found! Those are really incredibly good prices on what appear to be very good batteries. United States definitely has the lowest prices on technology. Outside of the States, though, options are much more limited.
Thanks very much for offering, I really appreciate the gesture. Unfortunately, shipping is also prohibitively expensive… It pretty much has to be from China, since the country has a big enough economy to make technology cheap, and because the government subsidizes international shipping.
OK, I ended up going with these from Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310504719485
With shipping it worked out to be $0.72/ea, not too bad. At least it’s a known good brand. I am still interested in those Naccon batteries from China. I might give them a test as well.
Caution on old familiar battery names, Companies die and name get sold. Big Lots, like a dollar store only more dollars, carries Rayovac and a few other Chinese sourced weigh nothing batteries. I do not trust them, but assume some are OK.
One of the big office supply stores etc with a good sale on a real name brand is what I have in mind. I wanted badly to go all rechargeable, but when a NiCd dies it is a pain in the wallet compared to a 24 pack that sells for $5 or $10.
It pretty much has to be from China, since the country has a big enough economy to make technology cheap, and because the government subsidizes international shipping.