Batteries have materials in them that produce an electrical current. The chemistries of these materials vary, as each one provides different performance variables at different costs.
From a very general point of view, batteries come in two basic types: single use and rechargeable. Single-use batteries are just as their description suggests: as you use them, they deteriorate and eventually die. Rechargeable batteries, however, may be recharged and used again.
We will go through the most common battery chemistries and compare their performance characteristics. We recognize that many others exist, but we will concentrate on only the most common kinds of consumer batteries.
Remember how batteries operate: from a very basic perspective, a reaction between the chemicals frees up electrons which are used to power things.
Single-Use Battery Chemistries
The two most common kinds of single-use battery chemistries are carbon- zinc (or zinc-carbon or standard) and alkaline.
-- In carbon zinc batteries, the anode is zinc and the cathode is manganese dioxide, with an acidic paste serving as the electrolyte and carbon electrode running down the middle.
-- Alkaline batteries are structured differently and may have a different electrolyte.
Rechargeable Battery Chemistries
There are three common rechargeable consumer battery chemistries on the market today: nickel-metal hydride, nickel-cadmium and lithium ion. They work similarly to other batteries (i.e., chemical reactions produce voltage), but differ in that the effect is reversible and, therefore, the batteries can be “recharged”.
-- Nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries contain a nickel hydroxide cathode, a cadmium anode and a potassium hydroxide electrolyte.
-- Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) uses a metal hydride instead of the cadmium.
-- Lithium ion batteries use a lithium cobalt oxide anode and a carbon or other metallic cathode.
Battery Characteristic Comparisons
Each of these battery types has factors that are appealing, as well as some negative characteristics. We will look at several factors for both basic kinds of devices. A word of warning: comparing batteries is actually a fairly complex thing. There are a number of potential variables that cannot easily be addressed. Our chart is meant to be a guide and not an advertisement for a particular brand or device; they all have their own best applications.
For single use batteries, the most important characteristic is probably the number of milliamp hours (mAh), which is essentially how much current the device can provide over time. From a very general and simplistic standpoint, the higher the number, the longer the battery will last.
For rechargeable batteries, the mAh data is important, but so is the length of time it takes to charge and the number of times you can charge the device before serious degradation occurs. There are other characteristics, of course; especially when it comes to rechargeable devices.
There are a number of battery comparison charts on the Internet and we have culled much of our information from these sources. Additional information can be found at some of the websites we have listed at the end of this page.
Battery comparison data, culled from a number of sources:
The data above comes from a number of sources and in many cases these numbers vary significantly. We do not guarantee (and will not certify) the accuracy of these numbers; they come from sources outside our company. The sources for some (not all) of the above information include:
Battery University -- a very informative discussion of battery chemistries and performance
Energizer Corporation -- the data sheets on their products provide an amazing amount of data on their products' manufacture and design
Copyright 2006, Enable IPC. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without the express, written permission of Enable IPC. Original artwork by Janet Catmull.
