Testing double-A batteries: dollar stores vs. major brands (Marketplace)

Summary

This video investigates the performance and value of various battery brands, including those from dollar stores like E-Circuit and Panasonic, alongside well-known brands like Duracell and Energizer. The team tests battery longevity and leakage, exploring the effectiveness of cheaper options for everyday devices. They find that some dollar store batteries, particularly alkaline varieties, hold their own against premium brands. The investigation also touches on recycling practices, highlighting eco-fees and the environmental impact of battery disposal, ultimately encouraging consumers to make informed choices about battery purchases and recycling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dollar store batteries, like e-circuit and Panasonic alkaline, provide good value for money, offering comparable performance to well-known brands.
• 😀 Carbon zinc batteries, often sold at dollar stores, perform poorly in high-drain devices, lasting only a few minutes in toys and flashlights.
• 😀 Alkaline batteries generally last much longer in both low and high-drain devices than carbon zinc batteries, which are best suited for low-drain devices like remotes and clocks.
• 😀 A surprising finding was that e-circuit ultra-alkaline batteries from dollar stores held their own against major brands like Duracell and Energizer in terms of capacity per dollar spent.
• 😀 Duracell and Energizer batteries have been reported to leak, a phenomenon explained by experts as a safety measure to prevent bursts, although it can damage devices.
• 😀 Leaked batteries can damage electronics, but both Duracell and Energizer offer warranties and reimburse consumers for damaged devices.
• 😀 The bounce test for checking battery life is unreliable; even batteries with some remaining charge may bounce, leading to false conclusions about their viability.
• 😀 The eco-fees paid on battery purchases are not a tax but are used to fund recycling efforts, though there are concerns about the efficiency of battery recycling programs and the environmental impact of shipping batteries for recycling out of the country.
• 😀 Despite the lower price, dollar store alkaline batteries often provide better cost-per-capacity value than premium brands, making them a solid choice for cost-conscious consumers.
• 😀 Many consumers don't check the manufacturer's recommendations for battery usage, which leads to improper use of batteries in high-drain devices, leading to poor performance.
• 😀 Overall, for low-drain devices, dollar store batteries can be a good, inexpensive option, but for high-drain devices, name-brand alkaline batteries remain a better choice for longer-lasting power.

Q & A

What was the main objective of the battery testing conducted by Ontario Tech University and the team?

The main objective was to investigate how long various battery brands last and whether more expensive batteries offer better performance and value compared to budget-friendly options.

Which battery brands were tested in the study?

The study tested several battery brands including Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, and lesser-known brands such as E-Circuit from Dollar Tree and Dollarama.

How were the batteries tested?

The batteries were tested using a battery cycler to simulate charging and discharging cycles. Additional tests were done using battery checkers and voltmeters to assess battery health and performance.

What were the main complaints consumers had about batteries before the testing?

Consumers commonly complained that batteries didn't last as long as expected, were prone to leakage, or didn’t provide the promised 'long-lasting power' or '30% more power.'

What were the results of testing carbon zinc (dollar store) batteries?

Carbon zinc batteries, such as those from E-Circuit, performed poorly, lasting only about 7-8 hours in low-drain devices like remotes and only 6 minutes in high-drain devices like toys or flashlights.

How did alkaline batteries perform in comparison to carbon zinc batteries?

Alkaline batteries outperformed carbon zinc batteries significantly, lasting much longer in both low and high-drain devices. They provided up to 27 hours of use in low-drain devices and performed well in high-drain applications as well.

Which battery performed the best in terms of value for money?

The E-Circuit alkaline batteries offered the best value for money, providing strong performance at a lower cost compared to major brands like Duracell and Energizer.

What issue was found with some of the major battery brands, like Duracell and Energizer?

Both Duracell and Energizer were found to have leakage issues in some of their batteries. This leakage is designed to prevent burst events but can damage devices if the batteries leak inside them.

What did Duracell and Energizer suggest consumers do to avoid leakage?

Both companies recommended storing batteries in a cool environment to minimize the risk of leakage, as high temperatures can exacerbate the issue.

What role do eco fees play in battery recycling, and what concerns were raised?

Eco fees are charged by retailers to help fund the recycling of batteries. However, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of the system, particularly after a battery recycling plant in Ontario closed and batteries were shipped out of the country for recycling.

What was the final conclusion of the battery performance testing?

The final conclusion was that budget-friendly brands like E-Circuit alkaline batteries perform almost as well as the more expensive brands (Duracell, Energizer) and provide better value for consumers, especially in everyday use cases.