Batteries: choose the right one for the job.(Product/service evaluation)

When the camera won't flash or the flashlight flickers, you might decide to buy the cheapest batteries on the rack. But batteries that perform well in one kind of device can be duds in others.To help you determine what's best for your gear, we tested three types of nonrechargeable AA batteries.

How we tested. An outside lab simulated two situations. One test reflected use in a typical digital camera, where the flash drew brief but intense bursts of power. It consisted of alternating high and low current draws over 5 minutes, with a 55-minute break between cycles. The second test simulated use in a low-current device, such as a CD player that might be on steadily for an hour and off for 23. We counted the number of flashes and hours of playing time each battery provided before its charge dropped below a specified level.

What we found. The one lithium model we tested was better than all other types and was noteworthy in the camera-flash test. It cost more per battery than the others but was least expensive to use, providing up to six times more flash photos than the average alkaline.

Nickel oxyhydroxide batteries are solid performers in digital cameras but aren't the best choice for portable CD players, flashlights, toys, clocks, and remote controls, which draw low or moderate energy over sustained periods. Alkalines are a very good, economical choice for those devices.

CR's take. You can't go wrong with the Energizer e2 Lithium. Good alternatives include the Panasonic Digital Extreme, Rayovac, and Kirkland Signature alkalines, which are cheaper to buy. (Kirkland comes in only a 48-pack, but alkalines usually have a shelf life of several years.) Batteries that are rechargeable, of course, will be least expensive in the long run.

Battery safety tips

With nonrechargeable batteries, take a few simple precautions: