'Premium' AA alkaline batteries.(Evaluation)

Battery manufacturers are as tireless as a certain drum-thumping bunny in their efforts to create cells that perform better, last longer, and, not incidentally, outsell the competition. Two of their newest alkaline offerings: the latest version of the Duracell Ultra, boasting what Duracell calls "M3 technology," and the Energizer e2,with so-called "titanium technology."

Both promise longer life than standard, less expensive alkalines. Both are especially touted for use in high-drain devices such as digital and flash cameras, which consume giant gulps of power unlike the constant relative trickle required by, say, an FM headset, or the sips used by a remote control.

For this Update, we tested AA versions of those new souped-up alkalines as well as standard Duracell and Energizer AA alkalines.

Using the same tests as for our last full report on alkaline batteries in December 1999,we put the batteries through a flash test simulating the extreme electrical demands of high-drain gear, and we also tested them under moderate-drain conditions, similar to use in a portable CD player or alarm clock.

As our Ratings show, all the batteries did an excellent job in the moderated-rain tests, bolstering our belief that for most uses, it makes sense to buy batteries by price. But our tougher flash test put things in a different light: The Duracell Ultra MX1500 M3 Technology outperformed the pack, lasting about 40 percent longer than the Energizer e2 and more than twice as long as the standard Duracell. The performance of the e2 was only marginally better than the standard Energizer Advanced Formula E91.

So is the Ultra M3 the best choice for use in high-drain devices? Not if you focus solely on cost. While the Ultra M3 might save the day should a crucial photo opportunity arise when another battery is fading, its high price (99 cents each when bought in an eight-pack) is a drawback. For the cost of one Ultra M3, you can buy two or more standard alkaline cells; even if those standard cells have to be changed more often, they're still likely to be more cost-effective.

An even more economical (and environmentally sound) way to fuel power-hungry high-tech devices is to invest in rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells, the best of which are fine choices for such applications. In our July 2000 report on rechargeables, the RadioShack 23-525NiMH earned an excellent flash-test score, while the Rayovac NM715-2 NiMH turned in a very good flash performance.