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Product review
July 2025

Disposable AA batteries

We tested 1.5V disposable AA batteries to see which lasted longest.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium
July 2025

Energizer

Ultimate Lithium

Price
Prices are what we paid per battery. They may be cheaper in bulk packs but check the expiry date.
Score
89
The Energizer Ultimate Lithium is the top performer of all the batteries we tested. It's an excellent all-round battery that's ideal for high-drain devices and it has an excellent shelf life. Being lithium, it's a good choice for cold weather use. But it's very expensive.

Test results

  • 88
    Performance (low-drain)
  • 90
    Performance (high-drain)
  • 90
    Energy (low-drain)
  • 90
    Energy (high-drain)

Good points

  • Excellent high-drain performance.
  • Good low-drain performance.
  • Excellent high-drain endurance.
  • Good low-drain endurance.
  • Excellent low- and high-drain energy.
  • Excellent shelf life.

Bad points

  • Very expensive.

Model

  • Type
    Lithium

Specifications

  • Time to fully discharge (low-drain) (hrs:mins)
    56:44:00
  • Time to fully discharge (high-drain) (hrs:mins)
    5:09
  • Expected shelf life
    19 years

More info

  • Availability

Member reviews

4 Member reviews

Long life at great expense
Pros

Doesn't need replacing quite as often as alkaline batteries

Cons

Over 5 times the cost per hour under high drain as the best performing (#8) battery, 7 times the cost under low drain.
Lithium going to landfill...
Extended shelf life not a real advantage, better to use fresher batteries and keep a small stock regularly replenished.

Recommend it?

No, this product has too many drawbacks.

Alan and Kathryn R.

Used 3 - 6 months

Rechargeable NICAD
Pros

These are excellent lasting, but the price is the killer. I use a lot of Eneloop NIMH, which are a lot cheaper option. However, they are not suitable for all applications, being 1.2 volts, as opposed to alkaline 1.5. Especially in an LCD display, which are difficult to read in some lighting situations using NIMH.

Cons

Price

Recommend it?

Maybe, it depends on what you're after.

Leo S.

Used 1 - 3 months

much more expensive than quoted!
Pros

if they last 10 years this is a good buy

Cons

just bought at Countdown. 2 batteries ( AA) cost TWENTYFIVE DOLLARS!!!

Maybe they read your review and increased the price????

Recommend it?

Maybe, it depends on what you're after.

Thorsten S.

Used 1 month or less

Cheaper in NZ
Pros

These batteries appear cheaper here than on Amazon.

Cons

Still expensive.

Recommend it?

Maybe, it depends on what you're after.

B A S.

Used 3 - 6 months

Have you used this product? Share your opinion with Consumer members

See all 4 member reviews

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