'Premium' AA alkaline batteries.(Evaluation)

Publication: Consumer Reports

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COPYRIGHT 2001 Consumers Union of the United States, Inc.

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...

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