# Is there an actual difference between batteries? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 7, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623 "2006-10-07T17:51:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/21 "2006-10-08T14:40:25Z")
[QUOTE=FRDE] I was told that Duracells actually contain a whole load of small batteries. As yet I’ve not cut one open to check [/QUOTE] No. Single cell only. Strange how many misconceptions can be spread about such a simple device. Advertising really does shape our perceptions, doesn’t it? Reminds me of the old joke. Q: What happens when you turn the Energizer Bunny’s batteries around backwards? A: He keeps coming and coming and coming… ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/22 "2006-10-08T16:00:30Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] I never used to think there was a difference, so I always bought the cheap kind. Then I got a digital camera. Damn thing drove me nuts; I was chewing through batteries in an hour of use. I tried to save money with disposables, but they died in 30-45 minutes, making the trouble not worth it. Finally my wife tried Duracells. And they lasted for 3 hours or more. There was a remarkable difference. I was really surprised. [/QUOTE] Use NiMH rechargables and they will last days, not hours. Digital cameras work leaps and bounds better with NiMH rechargables. You’ll burn through alkalines 10x faster, even the best alakalines. The only time to use non-rechargables is in the extreme cold when Lithium batteries make sense. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/23 "2006-10-08T16:27:28Z")
IMO, when buying devices like digital cameras, choose models with Li-Ion rechargeables and an integrated charger in the design. Otherwise, you are either feeding them an endless stream of new batteries, or going through the hassle of charging batches of rechargeable AA cells. Much easier to simply plug the device into the wall whenever convenient, or place it in a recharging cradle that comes with it in the case of some devices (cordless mice became practical when they started doing that). ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/24 "2006-10-08T16:48:47Z")
Yeah, what he said. That was one of the things that tiped me over to buying the Fuji F-10 digi camer. I even sprung for a spare battery and with a 1 GIG card and two batterys, I can go nuts with the camera a long way from a wall plug. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/25 "2006-10-08T16:56:14Z")
I remember reading that when it came to D batteries the radioshack ones where the only actual D’s. The other brands use a C battery in a D case. I just buy the cheapest batteries. I avoid buying them at places that don’t sell through their product quickly. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/26 "2006-10-08T16:58:09Z")
[QUOTE=Kevbo] Digicams draw large current surges, and thus require batteries with low internal resitance…which a few brands of alkyline cells do provide. However, NiMH rechargeables are even better. [/QUOTE] Great. Maybe someone can answer my question! I was out shooting a wedding last night, and normally I have 6 Energizer 2500 ma NiMHs in one of my camera bodies. This can usually last me through about 1200-1500 frames. However, I realized that I had left my rechargeables at home, so I picked up a bunch of the best regular alkaline Duracells I could find at the local store. I popped 'em in, fully expecting them to last me the whole night, or until my girlfriend could show up later with my batteries. (This was a friend’s wedding). I think I went through maybe 300, possibly 400, shots when the camera cut off on me, and I had to reload with another set of batteries. How is this? I thought the NiMHs were “weaker” batteries than the regular alkalines you get at the store. I admit, I’m no battery expert, but is my experience normal? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/27 "2006-10-08T17:00:19Z")
Whoops. I skipped over **Telemark’s** post. I guess the question now is why do they last longer? ---
**Author:** ![Bob55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Bob55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob55)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/28 "2006-10-08T17:29:10Z")
I too have had bad experiences with generic batteries compared to Duracell recently with my son’s vibrating chair (uses 3 C batteries). The generics would last for maybe 3 or 4 days, but the Duracell seemed to last several weeks. I’m not sure how they could be _that_ much stronger, but evidently they are. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/29 "2006-10-08T17:40:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I was told that Duracells actually contain a whole load of small batteries. Strictly speaking, if it’s not composed of many cells in series, it’s not actually a battery. If it’s just a single one, it’s a cell. But by this definition, the only true “battery” among the common sizes is the 9volt. **pulykamel** , the short answer is that different kinds of devices put different kinds of loads on a battery, and NiMH batteries happen to be best for the kinds of loads produced by a digital camera. For a flashlight, you wouldn’t see nearly as much difference: An incandescant light bulb will work fine with just about any kind of power source. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623/30 "2006-10-08T19:22:27Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] How is this? I thought the NiMHs were “weaker” batteries than the regular alkalines you get at the store. I admit, I’m no battery expert, but is my experience normal? [/QUOTE] On [this](http://dpfwiw.com/batteries.htm) page, scroll down to “Geez, Why Not Alkalines?” for an easy to understand answer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-actual-difference-between-batteries/375623.md?page=1)