Years ago I raced RC cars competitively and we always used alkalines in the controllers. We had a variety of battery testing and analyzing equipment and Energizer always came out on top. Sad to see they have lost their mojo, but I'm glad someone is carrying the torch to test and compare batteries.
I used to work for Rayovac in Madison, WI when they were more than just a brand name owned by Energizer. I always thought they were the best value as far as alkaline batteries go. The R&D team at Rayovac was outstanding. It's interesting to see that they outlast the batteries of the company that bought them out. They're still my first choice.
I use Energizer due reduced risk of leakage. Duracell have a bit more energy capacity but a ruined device due to leakage is a cost also that must be factored in. If the leakage isn't bad, some can be fixed with vinegar, but some devices are ruined. Curious why you find such capacity variation, since alkaline chemistry is well understood....maybe different optimization or cost issues...
ALL alkaline batteries leak! They are disposable batteries for disposable devices. I'll never use alkaline batteries in any device worth more than the batteries themselves. Energizer Ultimate Lithium and Eneloop rechargeable NiMH batteries don't leak. Those are the only ones I'll use in AA applications.
Are you talking the Thunderbolt Edge or the Thunderbolt Magnum? I’ve seen the Edge for $5.99 with a 20%. If they can get down to $5 that would be even better
Interesting seeing a Harbor Freight branded battery doing so well. I keep a stash of Thunderbolt Edge and Magnum on hand. I buy whichever one is on sale but have never done a comparison test between the two. Unlike some of the better know brands I've never had one leak so far -- knock on wood.
I saw a video about two towns that were pretty close together and both of them had battery factories in them. They were the main employers in the area and many families had members that worked in one factory and another worked in the other town. One of the factories made Rayovac batteries, I can't remember what the other one made. But Energizer bought both of them and then had meetings with the employees telling them how valuable they were and the future looked good blah blah. Close to Christmas they announced that they were closing both plants. And raising the prices of the batteries. The two towns were devastated as they were both very small towns and the battery factories provided most of the jobs in the area. Typical Wall Street. I've had far more taken from me by guys in three piece suits than guys with a ski mask and hoodie.
I had thought the Amazon Basics were really good, but after watching this video and another, they don't seem to be as good as I thought. The RayOVacs seem to be consistently quite good, and the prices still seem to be decent, so I'll probably stock up on those in the future.😁
I switched to the Thunder bolt Edge 2 years ago because they cost less and last longer. So far, I have not had a Leak problem with them either unlike all the Duracell and Costco batteries that have leaked in the past.
I haven’t tested any of those since the bulk of my battery use is for holiday decorations. Keeping enough chargers to meet the pace of demand would be a nightmare for me.
@kev-reviews I think you would be very surprised with the economics, charge speed, and performance of the NiMH. Most support 1000x charge cycles or more.
Good job! Your results are exactly what I expected within the same chemistry, a few cells changing positions but keeping the overall trend because all alkalines have "ballpark" voltage strengths. Now if you switch to carbon-zinc (heavy-duty), nickel-metal hydride, or lithium disposables, you'll end up seeing a MUCH wider difference between methods, than staying within the same chemistry, because the loss or gain in voltage is significant to the total energy most devices require. If you do this, it will be interesting how revealing your cost value comparison shakes out, all chemistries considered. Many people want alternatives to alkaline due to leakage.
@@kev-reviews This is true. I didn't mean to say these are all leak proof alternatives, just that the carbon-zinc has a different voltage profile. It would be revealing to compare a carbon-zinc cell to an alkaline in the Opus, then also do a comparison in the CD player. I suspect you would find loss in reported run time would be much greater for the player than it would be for the mA*h measurement. If I was to rank the cost/time of running the four cells I mentioned in power-hungry devices, rechargables are cheapest (over many charges), then lithium primaries, then alkalines, then carbon-zinc most expensive. Thanks again for sharing your excitement and data!
Another vote here against Duracells. You just look at them and they start to sulfate. Too bad they sell them at Costco. I will give the Thunderbolt Edge a chance, maybe put them in a donor electronic that won't make me cry if it gets ruined. Ha ha, maybe the cheap Harbor Freight soap bar LED lights. Thank you for the testing!
Menards' regular price on Rayovac High Energy is $15.98 for a 48 pack (before 11% rebate!). They also have a brand called Promier for around $6 for 24 alkalines (before rebate) that look like super cheap Chinese batteries.
Harbor Freight becoming the Hyundai of tools. Remember what a joke Hyundai is and not so much anymore? You can say the same for Harbor Freight. Not everything is great, but there is a lot of really good, reliable stuff there now.
Already hit them up. My haul is in this video: RAYOVAC is RAYOBAD? Made in Belgium Rayovac Batteries vs USA Rayovac Batteries - Major Difference! th-cam.com/video/tw6foh9YDpI/w-d-xo.html
also some way the battery's are used determines do you need cheap or the longest lasting and sadly both Eveready and Duracell outsourced which means they not necessarily the manufacturer any more just slap the lable of x y z brand . now some outsourcing comes with strict methods and materials . but if not strictly testing china especially cheats not sure how other asian country's are. odd case i bought an alarm clock with the big old style bells but it clearly stated use only carbon zinc not alkaline AA so i buy 8 for 1.25 dollar tree also use them in my hurricane lamps that take 3 AA since only used 1 or 2 x year i have stopped leaving batteries installed i remove them rubber band together so they stat together
I usually stock up around Christmas for my year supply of AAA, AA, D & 9 Volt alkaline batteries at big box store. Now one nogoodnic manufacturer had all.of the batteries turned so its impossible to tell what country they are made in. I refuse to purchase or use any safety or test equipment, LED'S electrical supplies & batteries from lying cheating lack of quality control communist china. The two Wal-Mart's near me never have the battery assortment in one locations. They might have AA'S in 3 locations, D's in camping etc.
Years ago I raced RC cars competitively and we always used alkalines in the controllers. We had a variety of battery testing and analyzing equipment and Energizer always came out on top. Sad to see they have lost their mojo, but I'm glad someone is carrying the torch to test and compare batteries.
I used to work for Rayovac in Madison, WI when they were more than just a brand name owned by Energizer. I always thought they were the best value as far as alkaline batteries go. The R&D team at Rayovac was outstanding. It's interesting to see that they outlast the batteries of the company that bought them out. They're still my first choice.
those members mark batteries look to be a winner to me, good run time, available and not to expensive.
I use Energizer due reduced risk of leakage. Duracell have a bit more energy capacity but a ruined device due to leakage is a cost also that must be factored in. If the leakage isn't bad, some can be fixed with vinegar, but some devices are ruined. Curious why you find such capacity variation, since alkaline chemistry is well understood....maybe different optimization or cost issues...
ALL alkaline batteries leak! They are disposable batteries for disposable devices. I'll never use alkaline batteries in any device worth more than the batteries themselves. Energizer Ultimate Lithium and Eneloop rechargeable NiMH batteries don't leak. Those are the only ones I'll use in AA applications.
The thunderbolts can routinely be bought for around $5. When the coupon does come out its normally set to limit 4 per purchase.
Are you talking the Thunderbolt Edge or the Thunderbolt Magnum? I’ve seen the Edge for $5.99 with a 20%. If they can get down to $5 that would be even better
Interesting seeing a Harbor Freight branded battery doing so well. I keep a stash of Thunderbolt Edge and Magnum on hand. I buy whichever one is on sale but have never done a comparison test between the two. Unlike some of the better know brands I've never had one leak so far -- knock on wood.
Bought a bunch of them with no limit on Black Friday at $3.69.
I saw a video about two towns that were pretty close together and both of them had battery factories in them. They were the main employers in the area and many families had members that worked in one factory and another worked in the other town.
One of the factories made Rayovac batteries, I can't remember what the other one made. But Energizer bought both of them and then had meetings with the employees telling them how valuable they were and the future looked good blah blah. Close to Christmas they announced that they were closing both plants. And raising the prices of the batteries. The two towns were devastated as they were both very small towns and the battery factories provided most of the jobs in the area. Typical Wall Street. I've had far more taken from me by guys in three piece suits than guys with a ski mask and hoodie.
Best test.👍🏻Can do more videos?
I had thought the Amazon Basics were really good, but after watching this video and another, they don't seem to be as good as I thought. The RayOVacs seem to be consistently quite good, and the prices still seem to be decent, so I'll probably stock up on those in the future.😁
I switched to the Thunder bolt Edge 2 years ago because they cost less and last longer. So far, I have not had a Leak problem with them either unlike all the Duracell and Costco batteries that have leaked in the past.
What about rechargeable NiMH batteries
I haven’t tested any of those since the bulk of my battery use is for holiday decorations. Keeping enough chargers to meet the pace of demand would be a nightmare for me.
@kev-reviews I think you would be very surprised with the economics, charge speed, and performance of the NiMH. Most support 1000x charge cycles or more.
The problem would be trying to keep up with the charging during my Christmas decor season. Too many batteries in play at the same time
Great video❤
Good job! Your results are exactly what I expected within the same chemistry, a few cells changing positions but keeping the overall trend because all alkalines have "ballpark" voltage strengths. Now if you switch to carbon-zinc (heavy-duty), nickel-metal hydride, or lithium disposables, you'll end up seeing a MUCH wider difference between methods, than staying within the same chemistry, because the loss or gain in voltage is significant to the total energy most devices require. If you do this, it will be interesting how revealing your cost value comparison shakes out, all chemistries considered. Many people want alternatives to alkaline due to leakage.
I thought carbon-zinc batteries were the most prone to leakage
@@kev-reviews This is true. I didn't mean to say these are all leak proof alternatives, just that the carbon-zinc has a different voltage profile. It would be revealing to compare a carbon-zinc cell to an alkaline in the Opus, then also do a comparison in the CD player. I suspect you would find loss in reported run time would be much greater for the player than it would be for the mA*h measurement. If I was to rank the cost/time of running the four cells I mentioned in power-hungry devices, rechargables are cheapest (over many charges), then lithium primaries, then alkalines, then carbon-zinc most expensive. Thanks again for sharing your excitement and data!
Another vote here against Duracells. You just look at them and they start to sulfate. Too bad they sell them at Costco. I will give the Thunderbolt Edge a chance, maybe put them in a donor electronic that won't make me cry if it gets ruined. Ha ha, maybe the cheap Harbor Freight soap bar LED lights.
Thank you for the testing!
HDX from home depot are great also
Wait. Can you do a video about batteries?
Menards' regular price on Rayovac High Energy is $15.98 for a 48 pack (before 11% rebate!).
They also have a brand called Promier for around $6 for 24 alkalines (before rebate) that look like super cheap Chinese batteries.
Thanks for sharing. We don’t have Menards down here ☹️. Can you tell me where the package says they are made? Are they the USA rayovac or overseas?
@@kev-reviews I just bought some today: "Made in the USA with US and global parts"
@@kev-reviews Checked again today and it looks like they are being replaced with the 12-year Belgian made version.
Fudge. That’s what I feared. They’re likely slowly transitioning away from the US mfg. Hopefully that’s just for the larger bulk packs
Harbor Freight becoming the Hyundai of tools. Remember what a joke Hyundai is and not so much anymore? You can say the same for Harbor Freight. Not everything is great, but there is a lot of really good, reliable stuff there now.
Years ago an old mechanic once told me Honda used to get laughed at in the US back when they first came here.
@@kev-reviews I've heard that too! Goes to show, keep at it, keep improving and ignore the haters.
The edge are on sale for 3.69 till Sunday. Better hurry up and stock up lol
Already hit them up. My haul is in this video:
RAYOVAC is RAYOBAD? Made in Belgium Rayovac Batteries vs USA Rayovac Batteries - Major Difference!
th-cam.com/video/tw6foh9YDpI/w-d-xo.html
also some way the battery's are used determines do you need cheap or the longest lasting and sadly both Eveready and Duracell outsourced which means they not necessarily the manufacturer any more just slap the lable of x y z brand . now some outsourcing comes with strict methods and materials . but if not strictly testing china especially cheats not sure how other asian country's are. odd case i bought an alarm clock with the big old style bells but it clearly stated use only carbon zinc not alkaline AA so i buy 8 for 1.25 dollar tree also use them in my hurricane lamps that take 3 AA since only used 1 or 2 x year i have stopped leaving batteries installed i remove them rubber band together so they stat together
I’ll rather have the power and length than length and no power
Remember when the mere concept of Made in China was better than Made in the USA was laughable at best? Uhggggg
Voniko i bought died within minutes of use Total junk
I usually stock up around Christmas for my year supply of AAA, AA, D & 9 Volt alkaline batteries at big box store. Now one nogoodnic manufacturer had all.of the batteries turned so its impossible to tell what country they are made in. I refuse to purchase or use any safety or test equipment, LED'S electrical supplies & batteries from lying cheating lack of quality control communist china. The two Wal-Mart's near me never have the battery assortment in one locations. They might have AA'S in 3 locations, D's in camping etc.