What type of battery should I buy?

You can buy AA and AAA lithium batteries (all the brands except Philips, Rayovac and Duracell) but you are most likely to see them as button or coin cells for things like watches. They are more expensive than alkaline batteries. Disposable zinc air batteries are a popular choice.

What types of batteries are covered in this guide?

This guide covers household batteries like AAs and AAAs, as well as button cells and hearing aid batteries. It does not cover lithium-ion (Li-on) battery packs for laptops and mobile phones, or car batteries. All the brands also make powerbanks and battery chargers for rechargeable batteries.

Are lithium ion batteries sustainable?

Lithium ion batteries, which are typically used in EVs, are difficult to recycle and require huge amounts of energy and water to extract. Companies are frantically looking for more sustainable alternatives that can help power the world's transition to green energy.

What types of batteries are available?

Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, N, 9 Volt and button/coin batteries. Lithium-metal AA, AAA, 9 Volt, button/ coin batteries. NiMH AA, AAA, C, D & 9 Volt. Mostly button batteries and power banks (as well as phone/laptop batteries). Other sizes like AA/AAA are just coming onto the market.

Which rechargeable batteries are recycled?

In a step forward since our last battery guide, three brands of rechargeable batteries now get an extra half a Product Sustainability mark for using recycled content: Energizer: 15% recycled content in AA and AAA rechargeable batteries and 7% in C, D, and 9-volt. Varta: 21% recycled content in Recharge Accu Recycled AAA and AAs.

How can a battery be sourced locally and less destructive?

More abundant materials like sodium and sand are being looked at which can be sourced locally and less destructively. Other technologies such as metal-air batteries, solid-state batteries and the use of silicon are all vying to try and increase capacity, and also safety, while reducing production costs.