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Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries

Buy the Energizer Ultimate Lithium for cold weather, long storage, cameras, flashlights and any device you want to leave alone for years. Buy the Amazon Basics Alkaline for everyday low-drain items like remotes, clocks and toys where you swap cells often. The Energizer is lighter, holds charge far longer and works down to -40°F, but it is a premium cell. The Amazon Basics is a plain alkaline that does the basics and no more.

  • Choose the Energizer Ultimate Lithium if your device sits unused for long stretches, runs in freezing conditions, or needs steady power in a camera or flashlight.
  • Choose the Amazon Basics Alkaline if you are stocking remotes, clocks, toys and other low-drain devices you replace regularly.

Prices

  • Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA: $12.50 at B&H Photo-Video-Audio (checked today)
  • Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries: $9.99 at Amazon (checked today)
  • Difference: the Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries is $2.51 cheaper than the Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA today
Energizer
Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA

5(1 rating)
$12.50at B&H Photo-Video-AudioChecked 5 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit B&H Photo-Video-Audio
Pros
  • Works from -40°F to 140°F
  • Up to 20-year shelf life
  • About 33% lighter than alkaline
  • Steady power in cameras and flashlights
  • Low leak risk
Cons
  • Premium cell, so you pay more per battery
  • Overkill for clocks and remotes
  • Sold per battery, so count your order
Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Alkaline AA

Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries

Amazon Basics Alkaline AA

$9.99at AmazonChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Simple alkaline cell for low-drain devices
  • 20-count pack covers a household
  • Fine for remotes, clocks and toys
  • Easy to find and replace
Cons
  • Short shelf life compared with lithium
  • Loses power in cold weather
  • Can leak and damage contacts
  • Struggles in high-drain devices

What separates them

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAAmazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries
ChemistryLithium iron disulfideAlkaline
CapacityAbout 3500 mAhStandard alkaline capacity, lower than lithium
Shelf lifeUp to 20 years at 21°CRoughly 5 to 10 years
Operating temperature-40°F to 140°FPoor performance below freezing
WeightAbout 15 g, roughly a third lighter than alkalineHeavier standard alkaline cell
High-drain performanceHolds voltage under 2.5 A continuous drawVoltage sags under heavy load
Leak riskLow; lithium cells rarely leakAlkaline cells can leak and corrode contacts
Pack formatSold per battery in bulk packs20-count pack

Price history

$41.00$9.99
Nov 3Nov 10
  • Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA: lowest $11.39 on Nov 3 at Target; $11.40 on Nov 9.
  • Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries: lowest $9.99 on Nov 3 at Amazon; $9.99 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA

  • The Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $14.87Checked 5 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $11.40+ $6.99 shippingChecked 5 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioNew

    In stock

    $12.50+ $10.90 shippingChecked 5 h ago
    Visit B&H Photo-Video-Audio

Also available at

  • JCB Products Professional Batteries, LLC. Since 2015.Check price at JCB Products Professional Batteries, LLC. Since 2015.
  • StaplesCheck price at Staples
  • REICheck price at REI
All 3 stores and price history →

Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries

  • eBayNew

    In stockSold by vendeurpro1

    $20.99Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $9.99Checked 1 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecEnergizer Ultimate Lithium AAAmazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries
Battery sizeAAAA
Voltage1.5 V1.5 V
Count4 pack20 pack
Battery typeLithium—
Capacity3500 mAh—
ChemistryLithium/Iron Disulfide—
Storage lifeup to 20 years—
Operating temperature-40F to 140F—
Height50.50MM—
Width / Diameter14.30MM—
TerminalFLAT—
Dimensions (LxWxH)14.5 x 14.5 x 50.5 mm—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecEnergizer Ultimate Lithium AAAmazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries
Weight0.85 lb—
Battery chemistryLithium—
Diameter0.55 in.—
Overall height1.96 in.—
Package quantity24—
Shelf lifeup to 25 years—
Temperature tolerance-40°C to 60°C—
Weight vs alkaline33% less than a standard alkaline battery—
Battery weight15g—
Lithium content

What reviewers say

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA

Owners of the L91 generally rate it as the AA to trust in cold, long-storage or high-drain gear, and many report it outlasting alkalines by a wide margin. The recurring complaint is price, plus the fact that it is a throwaway cell.

What people mention
  • RuntimePraisedOwners say it outlasts alkaline AA by a wide margin in cameras, headlamps and other high-drain devices.
  • Cold weatherPraisedUsers report it keeps devices running below freezing, where alkalines slow down or quit.
  • Shelf lifePraisedBuyers trust the 20-year rating and report cells still working after years in storage.
  • PriceCriticisedThe main complaint is cost per cell, several times that of a standard alkaline AA.

Amazon Basics Alkaline AA Batteries

Owners of Amazon Basics alkaline cells generally treat them as a cheap, dependable standby for remotes, clocks and toys. The recurring complaints are shorter run time in high-drain gear and leakage when cells sit in a device too long.

What people mention
  • ValuePraisedBuyers say the price per cell is hard to beat for everyday use.
  • Battery lifeMixedThey last well in remotes and clocks but run down fast in high-drain devices.
  • LeakageCriticisedSome owners report leaking cells after long storage inside a device.
  • BuildMixedCells feel lighter and less sturdy than Duracell or Energizer.
Reviews
  • Best AA and AAA Batteries 2026: Keep fans and torches powered up

Questions and answers

Which is better for cold weather?
The Energizer Ultimate Lithium. It is rated from -40°F to 140°F, while alkaline cells lose much of their output below freezing.
Which lasts longer in storage?
The Energizer. It keeps usable charge for up to 20 years at 21°C; alkaline cells are typically good for about 5 to 10 years.
Is the Energizer worth stepping up to?
Yes for cameras, flashlights, outdoor gear and devices you leave idle for months. No for remotes and clocks you replace often.
Which is better for a digital camera?
The Energizer. Lithium holds voltage under load, so the camera shoots longer and recovers flash faster than on alkaline.
Will the Amazon Basics leak?
Alkaline cells can leak if left dead in a device for a long time. Remove them from anything you store unused.
Are they the same size?
Yes. Both are standard AA cells at 1.5 V and fit the same compartments.

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More comparisons

  • Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer AA Max Alkaline Batteries
  • Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer AA Alkaline Batteries E91
  • Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer MAX AA Batteries (16 Pack)
  • Amazon Basics Alkaline AA vs Energizer MAX AA Batteries (16 Pack)

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best AA batteries
less than 1 g
—
Battery descriptionLithium iron disulfide, AA battery—
Model numberL91—
Dimensions14.5 x 14.5 x 50.5 mm—
Battery voltage1.5V—
Battery capacity3Ah—
External diameter14.5mm—
multipack_quantity1—
size1 Pack—
colorSilver—
number_of_pieces4—
Rechargeable BatteryNo—
Battery Chemistry TypeLithium—
Leak ResistanceLeak resistant construction—
Device CompatibilityDigital cameras—
Battery Diameter14.5 mm (0.6 in)—
Battery Height50 mm (2.0 in)—
Button CellNo—
Battery LongevityLong-lasting—