Review: Sunbeam High Performance Battery Tester

The Sunbeam High Performance Battery Tester tests nine-volt and 1.5-volt batteries, such as "AAA", "AA", "C" and "D" cells. This Sunbeam battery tester is a small gray unit with three red LED indicator lights and a corded "test wand". It weighs 1.1 ounces (31g) and measures roughly 2" wide, 2.25" long, and 1" thick.

When testing batteries, one to three LEDs light up to indicate that the battery remains completely charged, holds a 20-50 percent charge, or has fallen under 20 percent. If the battery is (very) dead, none of the LED lights will turn on. The Sunbeam High Performance Battery Tester can test both rechargeables and alkalines.

To test a 9-volt battery, I only had to place both contacts on top of the battery tester. Other batteries require the user to hold the battery on top of the tester and touch its other end with the "test wand". A recessed area on the back stores the wand and its cord.

A downside of the Sunbeam High Performance Battery Tester is that it requires three LR44 (same as AG13) batteries. Fortunately, Sunbeam included them and they still work. However, the battery compartment proves difficult to open; I had to use noodle-nose pliers.

The battery tester appears to provide fairly accurate indications. It produces similar readings to my old Cortland battery tester. However, I will continue using the Cortland because it doesn't require extra batteries to operate, unlike the Sunbeam with its LR44s.

The brief instructions on the back of the package contain a warning about lead contained in the tester; it states that lead causes "cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm." It also indicates that the LR44 batteries have mercury in them.

The inexpensive Sunbeam High Performance Battery Tester is available at some dollar stores, Amazon.com, eBay.com, and other retailers. According to the package, it comes with a one-year manufacturer's limited warranty.