Comparing Battery Brands: Duracell, Energizer and Rayovac

We all use batteries in some manner, whether they're used in a flashlight or a remote control for our televisions. Recently, I did my own independent testing of three brands of batteries to compare them. My results were different from what I believed they would be. All the batteries I used in the tests were normal quality batteries, not the new lithium or titanium versions that are currently available for a higher price.

I tested three brands of batteries, including Energizer, Duracell, and Rayovac. Each brands had their own different prices, and types. For my tests, I used both the AAA and AA versions. The items I used to test the batteries were each the same for the different brands so there would be no differences in the tests to get the best results.

Test One - The flashlights. For the flashlight testing, I used two different flashlights. The first one was a single AAA LED flashlight from Garrity. For the tests, I turned on the flashlight, and left it on until the light diminished completely. These tests were measured with a stopwatch, which was set upon turning the flashlight on for the first time with the battery. These were my results, which actually I thought was stunning.

Duracell - This battery lasted for 7 hours and 12 minutes

Energizer - This battery lasted for 6 hours and 42 minutes

Rayovac - This battery lasted for 6 hours and 17 minutes

For the lasting time, the Duracell sure did win the cake here. I was rather stunned at the difference between the duracell and energizer batteries. I personally have always had energizer batteries in my flashlights, this part of the test made me want to start buying duracells.

Test Two - Another flashlight, but more powerful. In this test, I used a MAG-Lite triple LED flashlight that uses two AA batteries. These lights are popular for their quality, and reliability. I personally have three of these lights, and was especially interested in the results of this test.

Duracell - This set of batteries lasted for 13 hours and 16 minutes

Energizer - This set of batteries lasted for 13 hours and 11 minutes

Rayovac - This set of batteries lasted for 12 hours and 40 minutes

These results were more of what I was expecting, though myself always using energizers, was hoping to see better from them. Again the duracell outlasted the competition, but this time the results were a lot closer. The rayovac brand of batteries has seemed to lack behind the other two in this test in about the same fassion as in the first test.

Test Three - Many people these days use MP3 players every day. So, I thought it would be a good idea to test these batteries in my own personal MP3 player. I have an RCA Lyra 256mb MP3 player, which is an older style of player, but it seems to last a pretty long time on a single AAA battery. I also must state, I am using a 1GB SD Card with the player, and the manufacturers manual says that using a memory card with the player may reduce the battery life with the unit.

Duracell - The player lasted for 19 hours and 3 minutes

Energizer - The player lasted for 21 hours and 16 minutes

Rayovac - The player lasted for 17 hours and 54 minutes

The results show a new winner here. The energizer lasted for over 21 hours before shutting off the player. I was absolutely amazed with the results. I personally have been using a rechargabe AAA battery that I was lucky to get 10 hours from. I still save money with the rechargable, but the the normal batteries all lasted just about twice as long. I will also note that the volume output can have an effect on battery life, so I put the volume in the midrange for each test.

Another test - I had a set of AA E2 Lithium batteries sitting around, which I originally purchased for my digital camera. Since I changed to rechargables for it, I figured the AA flashlight test would be a good measure to see the difference in the two types of batteries.

Energizer E2 Lithium - The flashlight was still bright the NEXT DAY! I could not believe the time that the batteries had been used. After almost two days, 43 hours and 27 minutes the flashlight was officially dead. I think I found my new flashlight batteries!

The results of the tests were all different from what I expected. I personally have been using energizers for a long time, which I never had a complaint with. Out of three different tests two tests were won by the duracell brand, which may lead to myself switching brands of batteries. I must however include the prices I paid for the different sets of batteries, since it is a comparison. These are the prices I paid for the batteries.

AAA

Duracell - Pack of four cost me $3.99

Energizer - Pack of four cost me $4.25

Rayovac - Pack of four cost me $2.50

AA

Duracell - Pack of four cost me $3.99

Energizer - Pack of four cost me $4.25

Rayovac - Pack of four cost me $2.50

AA Energizer E2 Lithium

Pack of four cost me $10.99

Overall, the prices of the batteries weren't really high, but with the rayovac, I saved about 35% compared to the other two types of batteries. But, the truth is revealed in my tests, where they lasted the least amount of time in all three. The lithium batteries were also quite amazing with their more than double performance with the flashlight. Even with the higher cost, the performance is worth it. I will soon be trying the better styles of duracells, and I may write a review for those in the future. With the duracell batteries on the top of the list with two out of three wins in my testing, I will be changing my brand of batteries that I use. The duracell brand also cost me less then the energizer brand, but this pricing may not be the same in every area. I hope these tests help you to decide between brands of batteries as they did for me. I want to thank my wife for helping with all of these tests, if it wasn't for her, I would have probably been asleep when a set of batteries had died.