Types of Batteries

Using the right kind of batteries makes all the difference in the overall performance and lifespan of your piece of equipment. This guide will break down the various types of common battery sizes and types so you can get the most use out of your device.

Different Battery Sizes

Different battery sizes contribute to the overall effectiveness of your equipment, but it is important to understand why. Generally, the larger the battery is, the more capacity it has for energy storage. So even though a big and small battery are both rated at 1.5V, the big battery stores more energy and provides a longer battery life. Batteries are extremely useful to us as consumers because they convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy, eliminating the need for a direct power source.

Common Battery Sizes

From thermometers and timers, to automatic paper towel dispensers and neon signs, batteries are employed in some capacity in almost every environment. Although all batteries serve the same purpose of providing us with instant, portable power, a large selection of different sized batteries allows us to find the one that best suits a specific circumstance.

AA Batteries

Also known as “double A”, AA batteries are by far the most popular battery size. Used in a multitude of applications, these batteries can be purchased almost anywhere.

Double A batteries are generally what everyone pictures when they think of standard replaceable batteries. Used in everything from thermometers and staffing pagers to cordless phones, these batteries are used extensively. AA batteries measure at 1.5V, and work well for devices that require a somewhat high current draw, but are not in constant use. They can also be used for devices like clocks that are always on but use minimal energy.

AAA Batteries

Also known as “triple A”, AAA batteries are the second most popular kind of battery. They are used for small toys, thermometers, and calculators.

Triple A batteries are often used for small electronic devices such as TV remote controls, kitchen timers, graphing calculators, and bathroom scales. AAA batteries, like AA batteries, also measure at 1.5V, but generate less energy due to their smaller size. These batteries are used primarily in small devices that don’t require a lot of energy, like kitchen timers. The batteries will last a long time, while still accomplishing their purpose. These compact batteries also power portion control scales and thermometers.

AAAA Batteries

While “quadruple A”, or AAAA, batteries are not as common as their AA and AAA counterparts, these thin batteries pack a powerful punch.

These small but powerful batteries are often used in LED penlights and laser pointers. They are also frequently used in small devices such as glucose meters, hearing aid remote controls, and powered computer styluses.

C Batteries

These heavy-duty batteries are mainly used for toys, flashlights, and portable radios.

Many automatic hand sanitizer dispensers require the use of these 1.5V batteries. Perfect for heavy-duty applications where batteries require frequent use, you can be sure that your device is operating with safe, reliable power. These batteries are also frequently used in restrooms that utilize battery powered flush sensors.

D Batteries

Used for devices that require an extended period of power time, these batteries work best in large flashlights, stereos, and hands-free soap or paper towel dispensers.

Powering most automatic paper towel dispensers, D batteries are essential. These large, bulky batteries provide hours of use and power a variety of commercial, heavy-use devices, like hands-free sensor faucets, air freshener systems, and soap dispensers.

9V Batteries

Generally known for its rectangular shape, the 9-Volt battery is used in devices that require high voltage and lots of power.

9V batteries work extremely well for devices like infrared thermometers, battery powered temperature alarms, and electronic portion scales. These products may all encounter extreme temperatures from food, walk-in coolers, or other kitchen equipment. 9V batteries are exceptionally durable and offer outstanding performance, working in environments from 0 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

CR123A Batteries

Packed with power, this battery is frequently used for tactical equipment, wireless security, and home automation.

Although significantly shorter in length than a AA battery, the CR123A battery generates 3 volts—twice the voltage of a AA battery. These batteries deliver a huge amount of power while maintaining a relatively small size. Ideal for devices that require a lot of power, like LED flashlights, they ensure maximum performance. This battery will last longer than most, thanks to its large power-to-size ratio.

23A Batteries

This small battery is commonly used in small devices such as garage door openers, specialized medical devices, watches, or remotes.

Delivering 12 volts of power, it is used in applications that require infrequent but powerful bursts of energy. Previously used in photoflash film cameras, these batteries are now used primarily for garage door openers, wireless doorbells, and keyless entry devices.

CR2032 Batteries

This small round battery offers a lot of power in a compact size, making it unique compared to most other batteries.

At 3 volts, the CR2032 battery is commonly used in watches, calculators, toys, and different medical devices. These batteries provide long-lasting, reliable power and have a very high weight-to-power ratio. Used in wrist watches and slim, compact thermometers, this battery is practically weightless while providing hours of use.

Battery Types

When choosing batteries, there are lots of things to consider. Different chemical constructions offer unique benefits depending on where the battery is being used. Outlined below are common battery types, along with the pros and cons of each.

Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are one of the most commonly used battery types. They offer the highest energy density of any other battery cell, meaning they store more energy than other batteries, such as alkaline. Lithium batteries are only sold in AA, AAA, and 9V sizes; however, their mAh ratings exceed every other non-rechargeable battery. One AA lithium battery ranges from 2,700-3,400 mAh, and will last a long time, even under heavy-use.

Pros

Last up to 4x longer compared to other battery types
Light-weight for portable devices
Ideal for heavy-use
Function well even in extreme temperatures, working well in outdoor devices like flashlights
Shelf life is 10-12 years; great for use in emergency devices, as the batteries will not leak or explode

Cons

Much more expensive than other battery types
Highly flammable; require special disposal at specified locations and cannot be thrown away
Don’t come in bigger battery sizes like C or D

Alkaline Batteries

Alkaline batteries are economical, easy to dispose of, and extremely popular. They normally have a capacity rating of over 2,500 mAh, great for moderate to heavy-use devices. Unlike lithium batteries, almost every standard size battery offers an alkaline construction, making it perfect for most devices.

Pros

Great price for quality
Last longer due to potassium hydroxide construction
Shelf life is 5-10 years
Function well even in extreme temperatures, working well in outdoor devices like flashlights
Lead, mercury, and cadmium-free is good for the environment, and the batteries don't need to be disposed of in a specific way

Cons

Heavy and bulky, without additional voltage
May not work well in high drain devices
Will sometimes leak, causing the device to become unusable

Carbon Zinc Batteries

Carbon zinc batteries are extremely inexpensive, but have a very low energy density. Oftentimes, these batteries won’t be able to supply enough power to a high-drain device beyond merely turning it on.

Pros

Inexpensive and easy to find
Multiple different shapes and sizes are readily available

Cons

Low energy density
Unable to perform well in extreme temperatures
Will not be able to efficiently power high drain devices
Shelf life is 2-3 years

different sized silver oxide button batteries

Silver Oxide Batteries

Silver oxide batteries are commonly used in wrist watches and other small devices. Because the battery is constructed of real silver, it is often sold only in button cells where the amount of silver is insignificant to the overall cost of the product.

Pros

High energy-to-weight ratio
Exceptionally long operating life
Flat construction works well in compact devices
Provides up to twice the amount of energy capacity compared to similar alkaline button type batteries

Cons

Expensive material deters use in high power applications

Zinc Air Batteries

Zinc air batteries are unique in their construction, as they generate electrical power through exposure to oxygen. This makes them unfit for wrist watches, but perfect for hearing aids. Activating the battery requires a user to remove a sealing tab from the battery, enabling airflow.

Pros

High energy density for devices like hearing aids
Inexpensive
Act as a replacement for highly toxic, and mostly obsolete, mercury batteries

Cons

Sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity
Dry out once exposed to outside air, reducing battery life

Rechargeable Battery Types

Rechargeable batteries are a cost-effective solution that work to save you money in the long run. Best paired with devices that use high power frequently, rechargeable batteries come in many different shapes and sizes. Although consumer sizes, like AA and AAA batteries are commonly used, lithium-ion batteries are the ones that are most prevalent. These batteries power laptops, cell phones, and portable electronic devices as well as medical equipment and power tools.

Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion batteries, also frequently referred to as li-ion, are the most popular and regularly used batteries in today’s world. Although you may not realize what kind of battery powers your mobile phone or laptop, chances are it’s a li-ion battery. These batteries are a type of rechargeable battery and can be recharged over and over again. They do not require regular maintenance, and provide an extremely high energy density. Li-ion batteries are not available in consumer sizes because they could explode if placed in a regular device used to recharge batteries. Instead, they require a special kind of charger with a specific lithium-ion charge algorithm.

Pros

Small and thin with superior energy density; most smartphones use li-ion batteries
Quick to recharge, and fairly low self-discharge. A li-ion battery loses less than 5% of its full charge per month, compared to NiMH at up to 20% per month.
Does not require a prolonged charge when new, compared to other rechargeable batteries. One charge is all you need.
Maximum performance and efficiency offset high initial costs making it consumer friendly
Environmentally friendly and safe

Cons

Not available in regular household sizes
Requires protection circuit to prevent over-heating and limit voltage
Overall capacity will slowly deteriorate over time, causing the device to lose its charge quicker
Use a specific type of charger, requiring a user to purchase one or have one on hand

NiCd

NiCd batteries, or nickel cadmium, are a popular choice for toys, digital cameras, or other high-drain devices like flashlights. They come in standard sizes, like AA, AAA, C, and 9V. NiCd batteries are unique compared to other batteries, such as alkaline, in that they will maintain a steady voltage up until the battery is depleted. With 1.2V per cell, it does not have a high voltage, but the powerful delivery makes up for this. For example, you can tell when a flashlight is dying, as the lightbulb will slowly dim. With NiCd batteries, the brightness will remain constant, until the battery’s power is depleted.

Pros

Inexpensive and easy to find
Low internal resistance ensures the battery charges and discharges quickly
Delivers at full capacity

Cons

Does not store well over long periods of time
A full-discharge is required before recharging or the battery will lose its capacity
Over-charging will cause the battery’s capacity to decline
Contains toxic metals and is not environmentally friendly
Uses a specific type of charger, requiring a user to purchase one or have one on hand

NiMH

Although NiMH batteries are labeled as high-density, this can come at the expense of a reduced cycle life. They have a high energy density, but can only be recharged about 500 times. While they will certainly pay for themselves over time, they may not be the best choice for applications like smoke alarms, TV remotes, or clocks. All of these devices draw very low energy, and a NiMH battery is best used within a 30-day period. Like NiCd batteries, NiMH batteries will deliver at full capacity until almost all of the energy has been discharged.

Pros

High energy-to-volume ratio, compared to NiCd
Environmentally friendly
Delivers at full capacity

Cons

Ship in a discharged state and require a full charge before use
Over-charging will cause the battery's capacity to decline
Discharges at a very high rate and must be recharged before use
Doesn't perform well in high-rate discharge devices

Specialty Batteries

These large, heavy batteries are used for heavy equipment that require huge amounts of energy. They are commonly used in lawn mowers, power tools, and generators and provide long-lasting power in between charges.

12V; 12 Volt Battery

Large, block-shaped, and heavy, this battery provides hundreds of amps of electrical current and is commonly used in cars and other industrial equipment. Compared to some of the bigger voltage batteries, it might not make sense that a car is able to function with only 12 volts while other heavy equipment requires much more than just 12 volts. This is because heavy equipment and cordless power tools all require a charge after their energy has been depleted. Cars use an alternator which acts as a generator to keep the car's battery powered, eliminating the need for an external charger.

22V; 22 Volt Battery

At 22 volts, this battery is used to power heavy equipment and high-power cordless tools like drills and electric saws. Because cordless power tools are compact, but require a great deal of energy, 22V batteries are perfect for the job. They deliver high power for an extended period of time, such as when installing electrical appliances.

44V; 44 Volt Battery

With an enormous voltage rating of 44 volts, this battery powers equipment that consumes power, like cordless power washers, leaf blowers, and self-propelled lawn mowers. All of these use up a huge amount of energy because not only are they in constant use, they are also high-powered.

deconstructed electronic with batteries and wiring

How Batteries Work

Before getting into the different chemical constructions of the different types of batteries, it’s important to have some general knowledge about how batteries work since they are measured a bit differently than other electrical appliances.

Capacity: Capacity refers to the amount of charge a battery holds. It is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), or amp-hours (aH). A battery’s mAh is normally listed on the side of the battery, and you can figure out how long you can expect the battery to last using this simple equation:

Amp Hours (aH) / Amps (A) = Hours (H)

For example, a 2,500 mAh AA alkaline battery could power a device that draws 250 mA of current for 10 hours. However, if the load draws 25 mA of current, the battery will last 100 hours. The overall life of your battery depends on what you use it for, but a general rule of thumb is that the higher mAh a battery has, the longer it will retain its energy.

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