Alkaline batteries are bad news for any long-term application. I can’t tell you how many devices I’ve seen damaged or destroyed by them over the years, from childhood toys to household flashlights. You might get lucky but don’t count on it.
I invested in some nice, safe, leak-proof Eneloop and Eneloop Pro NiMH last year and I’ve been very happy. They offer the same form factor and fit most devices that use AA or AAA. It isn’t just flashlights. Lots of devices continue to use AA or AAA batteries, from TV remotes to wall clocks. Having safe batteries of a standard size that last a long time and can be recharged hundreds (or thousands) of times is awesome. My personal experience is only about a year long but they are supposed to have a very long shelf life too.
The NiMH have me covered for most things. I like that I could use alkaleaks in a pinch because the market is saturated with them and almost every household in the country has a few of them in a drawer somewhere. Otherwise, CR123 is good if you need to use or store them in a very cold environment.
