Best AA and AAA batteries: tried and tested

Put a set of our Best Buy AA disposable batteries in your most power-hungry devices and they'll last more than three hours longer than the worst. For AAA batteries, our Best Buys last an hour and a half longer than the worst. 

In a medium-drain device, you'll get an amazing 14 extra hours from our Best Buy AAs, and four additional hours from our Best Buy AAAs.

Our rigorous lab tests for alkaline and lithium batteries simulate a range of devices with different power needs. These include low-power devices such as a clock or smoke alarm, medium-power devices such as a video-game controller, and high-power devices like a digital camera.

Testing shows that some batteries are better in high-power devices, but not so good in low-power devices. This means you can use our results to choose the best batteries to suit the type of device you want to use them in, which will save you money.

The AA and AAA batteries we've tested

The biggest brands and the most popular batteries are listed below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the battery test results below. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and recommendations below.

The AA and AAA batteries we tested

All the batteries we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best AA batteries from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Aldi Activ Energy

Available from Aldi (£2.65 pack of 10)

Most recently tested September 2021

Type Alkaline

Duracell Plus AA

Most recently tested September 2022

Type Alkaline

Duracell Plus AAA

Most recently tested September 2022

Type Alkaline

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA

Most recently tested September 2022

Type Lithium

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAA

Most recently tested September 2022

Type Lithium

Invest in a set of the best rechargeable batteries and you'll save money, especially if you have energy-hungry devices

GP Lithium AA

Most recently tested December 2019

Type Lithium

GP Lithium AAA

Most recently tested October 2018

Type Lithium

Tesco Extra Long Life AAA

Available from Tesco (£3 pack of four)

Most recently tested September 2022

Type Alkaline

Varta Longlife Power AA

Most recently tested September 2021

Type Alkaline

Varta Longlife Power AAA

Most recently tested September 2021

Type Alkaline

More batteries from our tests

Here’s how the rest of the batteries from our test measured up, listed in alphabetical order.

How we test AA and AAA batteries

How long will the batteries last? 

Different devices consume energy at different rates. For example, TV remotes consume less energy than digital cameras. We test disposable batteries in three different conditions that mimic the range of devices you’re most likely to use them in – so you know which will power your devices for the longest.

• High-drain tests measure how long batteries last in the most power-hungry devices. Examples include digital cameras and high-powered torches.
• Medium-drain tests mimic items such as video-game controllers, which consume moderate amounts of energy with continued use.
• Low-drain tests show how batteries last in devices such as clocks and smoke alarms – these use a small and steady amount of power over a long period.

We time how long it takes each battery to run down to 1V (when most devices stop working) and their end voltage (when all devices stop working). Of course, our tests can’t simulate every single device that uses batteries. So we also calculate the amount of energy each battery contains, taking into account all our test results.

Will the batteries leak and cause damage?

If you've ever left your batteries in a gadget, then found out later that they've leaked, then you'll understand why we perform a leakage test. At worst, a leaking battery can damage your device to the extent that it no longer works, if the leaked electrolyte corrodes the contacts of the device.

We discharge four of each disposable battery, store them, and then check each week for any signs of leakage. The image below shows batteries being put through our leakage test. 

We regularly revisit the AA and AAA batteries on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do so.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

Which? Don't Buy AA and AAA batteries

Our tests uncover the best and the worst. If a product performs so poorly that we think you should avoid it, we call it a Don't Buy. We've tested two AA and three AAA batteries that we've named Don't Buys.

Don't buy batteries typically perform poorly in high and medium-drain scenarios, while also being less energy efficient. This means they'll have to be replaced more often than our Best Buys.

Log in or join Which? to reveal those batteries we've named Don't Buys.

Alkaline vs lithium batteries: which is better?

Alkaline batteries are the most widely available from manufacturers (both big names and own brands) and are the cheapest upfront. While the best alkaline batteries are competitive at powering high and medium-drain devices, we typically find they're best suited for low-drain gadgets. 

Our tests show that for all but the very best alkalines, lithium batteries are commonly a better investment for high-drain devices. Lithium batteries are lighter and more dense than alkaline batteries, allowing them to have greater capacity. Our tests show they can give you two to three hours' more power than alkaline. 

However, they're the priciest option upfront (they can cost upwards of five times more than own-brand alkaline batteries), but consistently perform far better in energy-hungry devices. They also have an exceptional shelf life, with estimates of more than 15 years, making them ideal to stockpile for devices you might need in an emergency, such as a torch in a power cut. 

Are rechargeable batteries better than disposables?

Newer generations of rechargeable batteries continue to improve; we've found four Best Buy AA and three Best Buy AAA rechargeables. Check out our rechargeable battery guide to compare 10 AA and 14 AAA batteries. 

For many energy-guzzling devices, rechargeable batteries will inevitably offer greater long-term savings if you decide to invest in them. They will also help to reduce your environmental footprint as there will be less waste from dead disposable batteries. 

However, rechargeables degrade over time, as capacity dwindles after multiple cycles of use. And for some devices – particularly low-drain gadgets such as TV remotes and clocks – rechargeables are a less viable option, as they still struggle to maintain their charge over long periods of minimal use.

How to dispose of batteries

When your batteries are out of juice, the best thing to do is take them to your local recycling centre or shop and put them in the battery bin there. Any shop that sells a certain amount of batteries per year (and the threshold is low) is obliged to have a collection point for old batteries. From here, they will be recycled and the useful chemicals will be extracted.

There may also be collection points in local libraries and town halls. Some councils also have kerbside pick-ups for batteries if you put them in a bag on top of your bin.

To find your nearest battery-recycling points, type in your postcode into recyclenow.com.