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Re-activateIf gadgets await you or your kids, you'll need batteries to power them. But don't just grab up the first ones you see: Batteries differ widely in performance, with some brands far outlasting others. Consumer Reports put four types of double-A batteries to the test to find out which work best (all AA battery Ratings are available to subscribers).
To test the double-As, we loaded four types of batteries into identical cameras. We then performed a series of repetitive taskes, including turning each camera on and off, zooming in and out, and of course, taking photos, until each battery died.
The winner: The Energizer Ultimate Lithium battery, which lasted for 717 shots. Next was the Energizer Advanced Lithium, which took 602 shots before it died. And in last place: the Energizer Max alkaline battery, which lasted for just 127 shots (which illustrates an important point: Don't depend just on a brand name to make your buying decision!).
A couple of buying tips: When you're buying batteries for cameras and other devices that draw bursts of quick power, we recommend that you consider rechargeable batteries, all of which scored Very Good on our tests. The lithium batteries we rated also scored highly.
For devices that draw little power, single-use alkaline batteries might be a good buy, as they have a shelf life of several years.
Learn more in the full Electronics blog post.
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