Batteries

Batteries

Everyday power for household devices, remotes, torches, smoke alarms, clocks and small electronics, and the first thing to get right is the format. AA batteries and AAA batteries cover most of what is in a house, from remotes and wall clocks to torches and children's toys. C and D cells turn up in older torches, radios and some door chimes and are worth keeping in the drawer because they are the ones people run out of. Button cell and coin cell batteries run watches, car key fobs, kitchen scales, thermometers and glucose meters, and they are identified by a code printed on the cell itself rather than a size name, so check the old one before ordering. The 9V block is what most smoke alarms take, and a long life lithium version lasts considerably longer than an alkaline in that job. Then the chemistry. Alkaline is the standard choice for anything low drain and occasional, and holds its charge on the shelf for years, which is exactly what an emergency torch or an alarm needs. Rechargeable NiMH batteries suit high drain devices used constantly, game controllers, wireless mice, camera flashes and children's toys, where the same cells can be cycled hundreds of times, and a charger pays for itself quickly in a house with several of those. Lithium cells hold up better in cold conditions, which matters for anything kept in a shed, a garage or a car.

Duracell and Energizer cover alkaline and rechargeable cells across AA, AAA, C, D, 9V and coin formats, with JCB and Lloytron on everyday multipacks, rechargeable cells and chargers. For torches that take them see Lamps & Torches, for alarms see Home Safety, and for the wider outage range see Power Cut & Emergency Essentials.