Which is better for a trail camera or outdoor sensor?

The Ultimate Lithium. It keeps working below freezing and holds current through long idle periods between triggers.

Which lasts longer in storage?

The Ultimate Lithium, rated up to 20 years at 21°C. Alkaline cells degrade faster and are more prone to leaking over time.

Is the Ultimate Lithium worth stepping up to for everyday use?

Only for devices that sit unused or run in the cold. For remotes, toys and flashlights, the MAX does the job for less.

Which is better for a smoke detector?

The Ultimate Lithium, because of its long shelf life and steady low-drain output. Check your detector's manufacturer guidance first.

Are these the same size?

Yes. Both are standard AA cells at 1.5 V and fit the same compartments.

Which handles high-drain devices better?

The Ultimate Lithium. It delivers up to 2.5 A continuous, where alkaline voltage sags under heavy load.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer MAX AA Batteries

Buy the Ultimate Lithium for devices that sit unused for long stretches, run outdoors in cold, or draw hard current: it holds charge for up to 20 years and works from -40°F to 140°F. Buy the MAX for everyday household loads like remotes, toys and flashlights, where a fresh alkaline is enough and you want a big pack on hand. Owners and reviewers consistently rate the MAX highly for value in ordinary use, while the Ultimate Lithium is the one people reach for in trail cameras, GPS units and smoke detectors.

Choose the Ultimate Lithium if your device sits idle for months, lives in a cold place, or needs a steady high-current burst.
Choose the MAX if you are stocking everyday electronics and want a large pack of standard AA alkalines.

Prices

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA: $12.50 at B&H Photo-Video-Audio (checked today)
Energizer MAX AA Batteries: $9.90 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the Energizer MAX AA Batteries is $2.60 cheaper than the Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA today

	Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA	Energizer MAX AA Batteries
Chemistry	Lithium iron disulfide (Li/FeS2)	Alkaline
Shelf life	Up to 20 years at 21°C	Roughly 10 years in storage
Weight per cell	About 15 g, roughly a third lighter than alkaline	About 23 g
Cold and heat tolerance	Rated -40°F to 140°F	Standard alkaline range, weaker in deep cold
High-drain performance	2.5 A continuous, 4 A pulse	Best in low and moderate drain
Leak resistance	Lithium cells rarely leak	MAX is formulated to resist leaks, but alkaline can still leak in dead devices
Pack format	Sold per cell in bulk packaging	16 or 24 pack
Everyday value	Premium cell, best saved for demanding gear	Cheap per cell for remotes, toys and flashlights

Spec	Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA	Energizer MAX AA Batteries
Battery size	AA	AA
Battery type	Lithium	Alkaline
Voltage	1.5 V	1.5 V
Capacity	3500 mAh	11,000 mAh
Battery weight	15g	23 g
Model number	L91	MAX, E91
Battery voltage	1.5V	1.5 V
Battery capacity	3Ah	3000 mAh
multipack_quantity	1	1
size	1 Pack	AA
Rechargeable Battery	No	No
Battery Chemistry Type	Lithium	Alkaline

Spec	Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA	Energizer MAX AA Batteries
Device Compatibility	Digital cameras	Toys, Flashlights
Battery Diameter	14.5 mm (0.6 in)	0.6 in
Battery Height	50 mm (2.0 in)	1.9 in
Button Cell	No	No
Suitable Device Type	High-drain devices	Everyday electronics, Demanding devices, Flashl…
Typical Battery Uses	Household electronics	Household electronics
Typical Users	Professionals	Non-stop family
Outer Material	Steel (up to 10% Recycled, excluding 9V)	Steel (up to 10% Recycled)
Discharge Rate

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer MAX AA Batteries

Prices

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA vs Energizer MAX AA Batteries

Prices

Energizer MAX AA Batteries

What separates them

Price history

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