The 10 Best C batteries  Sep 2023

Batteries can be classified as primary and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are good for one use. Once the charge stored in them is expended, they must be disposed of. Secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries.

• Carbon-Zinc: These were the first dry cells that were created in 1886. These produce a 1.5 V potential between the + and – ends of the battery. They are still employed in low-drain devices, as well as in toys that are used only occasionally. They have a short shelf life, because the zinc shell tends to react with the ammonium chloride paste in the cell, making it corrode and leak.

• Alkaline: These cost less than the lithium ion battery. They're best in devices that don't use a lot of power, but that you use often, like a remote control or wall clock.

• Rechargeable batteries: When you buy rechargeable batteries, they'll typically have no charge. You'll have to get a battery charger to start using them. There is a limit to the number of times that you can recharge them. These can employ a number of combinations:

  • Lithium-ion: These offer greater stability than alkaline batteries, since they're less likely to leak, and keep their charge longer. So they're better in appliances and toys that you don't use very often. It's suggested to use them for devices that use a lot of power, like digital cameras, that drain a lot of battery power for their flash.

  • Nickel Cadmium (NiCd): These provide 1.2 V, which is a slightly lower voltage than the standard 1.5 V. Even so, they typically will work with most devices that require 1.5V batteries, since the 1.5 V battery only provides that voltage initially, and then settles down to an average of 1.0 Volts. These have an advantage over NiMH and Lithium-ion batteries, because they perform well in portable tools, because they can totally discharge without damaging the battery. Lithium-ion batteries may get damaged if they stay uncharged for too long.

  • Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH): Once charged, these can hold their charge for 12 months when not in use. The total lifetime of the battery is 5 years.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Suggested not to overcharge batteries: It's recommended to take batteries out of the charger if they're fully charged. Not all chargers cut off the recharging when the batteries are fully charged.

• Number of times that they can be recharged: The Rayovac batteries can be recharged up to 300 times without any significant degradation. The Duracell batteries can be recharged 400x. And the Energizer batteries can be recharged up to 1000 times.

• Shelf life: A concern when buying disposable, non-rechargeable batteries is that maybe they're old and won't have much charge left in them. There should be an expiration date on the batteries. It's best to get alkaline batteries, which can have as much as a 10 year guarantee. Rayovac makes an alkaline battery with increased density and optimized chemistry to improve conductivity.

• Charge rate: This is how long it takes to charge up your batteries. A battery is rated in milliampere-hour, abbreviated mAh. A charger is rated in milliamperes of output power, mA.

  For a 100 mA charger, the charging time in hours = 12/1000 x mAh of the battery.

  If your recharger is rated at 500 mA, divide the answer by 5.

  Thus, if your battery is rated at 3000 milliampere-hours, and the recharger is rated at 500 milliamperes, it will take (12/1000 X 3000)/5 = 7.2 hours to charge your battery.

• Battery recycling: All batteries should be disposed of separately from the general household waste. For example, NiCd batteries contain cadmium, which is a known carcinogen. It is important to dispose of batteries where the materials can be recycled, and not leak into the environment.

Duracell—was founded in 1924 by Samuel Ruben and Philip Rogers Mallory, as the P. R. Mallory Company. Their headquarters is presently in Bethel, Connecticut. The name “Duracell” is a contraction of the words “durable cell”. They originally made mercury batteries, but over the years developed alkaline batteries, lithium batteries and NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries. They also make rechargeable battery chargers, USB battery packs, and batteries for special uses.

Tenergy—was founded in 2004 in Fremont, California. They make power providing solutions for power backup and storage, data management, the medical field, the military, transportation and consumer electronics. They make rechargeable and primary batteries, chargers, and battery accessories.

Energizer—is a manufacturer of batteries and other power-providing solutions, as well as portable flashlights and lanterns. They were founded in 1896 as the American Electrical Novelty and Manufacturing Company. They presently have their headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

Rayovac—is a division of Spectrum Brands, which was founded in 1906 as the French Battery Company, in Madison Wisconsin. They make batteries under the brand names Rayovac and Varta, as well as making home appliances. They make all-purpose batteries, rechargeable batteries, lithium batteries, lantern batteries, and more.