Batteries...name brand or store brand

[britfish]

We always buy Duracell but I was wondering if maybe I am wasting money. How do you find the store brand batteries measure up? I saw CVS was having a sale on their brand and was considering trying them.

 

[ilovemk76]

We always buy Duracell but I was wondering if maybe I am wasting money. How do you find the store brand batteries measure up? I saw CVS was having a sale on their brand and was considering trying them.

rechargeable

 

[midwestdee]

Consumer Reports has done features on this issue, I can't remember when. I buy brand name on sale with coupons. We tried rechargeable eons ago, but frankly, it was an expensive pain in the neck that just didn't work for us. If you are really well organized, and use bucket loads of batteries all the time, it might work for you, but it is really expensive to get on the rechargeable band wagon only to find out it just isn't for you. For basic items, you are probably fine with going with store brand.

 

[Fire14]

Other than the batery eating camera, I've had equal luck with both Duracell and Costco brand.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I use CVS almost exclusively. I stock up when the bigger packages are one sale BOGO free. I THINK they last as long as the duracell, but how would I really know? Never had a total dud of a battery.

FWIW--mostly we use batteries in kids' toys and Wii remotes at our house.

Tried rechargeable, more for the environment than for cost-savings, but DH and babysitters kept throwing them away anyway so I switched back.

 

[ilovemk76]

We use the quick charge rechargeables and they work great. I would not put them in a smoke detector. We only use AA and AAA. We use them in our thermostats, remotes, toys, toothbrushes and the like. The 4 battery quick charges is not expensive and will charge in about 15 minutes. We even use them in our camera. They will last for days using the flash.

 

[disneychic2]

I usually use Energizer batteries. I don't mind store brand for a lot of things, but for some reason I've always been leery of batteries. Afraid they would leak or something I guess. Since CVS batteries are probably made by Duracel or Energizer, they would probably be fine.

 

[Gina]

From what I've read in several places, CVS has the worst batteries.

"It's sad but true. CVS excels on some products and drops the ball on others. Recent Consumer Reports research shows that CVS brand batteries are some of the worst batteries on the market. They hold charge about half the time of the top store brand batteries, yet only offer about 25 - 30% off the price. These batteries may cost less, but you will eventually spend more money because you have to replace them more often."

Here's the link to that particular article, but do a quick search and you'll find plenty more:
http://www.savings.com/blog/post/Billeater-What-to-Buy-at-Your-Local-CVS-Pharmacy.html

Here's one more:
http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2011/04/5-buy-cvs/

 

[sksjasams]

I always buy Rayovac batteries and have been very happy with them. They are less expensive than duracell or energizer, but IMO just as good.

I do buy packs of batteries at the dollar store when I need cheap batteries for toys we are selling at a garage sale or on craigslist.

 

[lovehoney]

Costco's Kirkland brand have been great for us.

 

[JB2K]

Other than the batery eating camera, I've had equal luck with both Duracell and Costco brand.

Both are good brands of batteries -- but...

...digital cameras of any type were not meant for garden variety alkaline batteries. You'll get more bang for your buck if you use lithium or rechargeable batteries.

 

[Fire14]

Both are good brands of batteries -- but...

...digital cameras of any type were not meant for garden variety alkaline batteries. You'll get more bang for your buck if you use lithium or rechargeable batteries.

Correct but convincing DH of that is another thing. It's his camera so it's his issue, Mine does use rechargeables.

 

[3boymthr]

rechargeable

 

[Lyric]

Kirkland, always! Well, always unless I am using a camera that accepts storebought batteries... I only go with Lithium in those cases.

A long time ago I was pondering the options at Costco and one of their salespeople walked by. According to him, Kirkland batteries are manufactured by the same manufacturer as one of the big battery companies. Don't know if that is true, but they seem to work just as well!

 

[poohbear22]

I use Rayovac batteries almost exclusively in everything from toys to cameras. We have some Rayovac recharchables as well that we mainly use for toys and remotes. We have been very pleased with the logevity of all the batteries.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Consumer Reports has done features on this issue

Yes, several times, and they always recommend the Costco (Kirkland) brand batteries.