Are single-use double-A batteries from the dollar store actually worth it? For this test, Marketplace teamed up with researchers from Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ont., to test 240 of these disposable batteries from six brands.
The brands were Energizer, Duracell, Canadian Tire’s Noma, Walmart’s Great Value, E-Circuit from Dollar Tree, as well as Panasonic batteries from both Dollarama and Dollar Tree.
In the tests, which simulated different energy drain at continuous levels, Energizer and Duracell lasted the longest. But it was E-Circuit alkaline, a brand imported by and sold at Dollar Tree, that held its own against the more well-known brands, lasting nearly as long and costing only $1.25 for a pack of four.
Ontario Tech engineering assistant professor Xianke Lin supervised the tests.
“Usually people think it's cheap and shouldn't have the best value, but [E-Circuit alkaline] turns out to be the best capacity per dollar you spend,” Lin said.
Lin noted that the results should not be used as a proxy for all battery performance because the test can’t perfectly simulate how batteries are used in real life.
Carbon zinc (or zinc carbon) batteries did not do well in the tests. Experts say you should take a close look at the packs when buying, read the manufacturers’ recommended use or you may want to avoid carbon zinc batteries altogether.
Panasonic, one of the manufacturers of carbon zinc batteries, says carbon zinc is an established technology that provides “great performance and value” in recommended devices.
Dollar Tree did not respond to questions about the carbon zinc batteries, but did acknowledge they’re sold and their products overall fit the low-priced needs of its customers.
Dollarama says it offers “a selection of Panasonic carbon zinc and alkaline battery pack options to our customers, thereby providing them with access to a range of options within our low fixed price points, depending on their need.”
To read more: https://www.cbc.ca/1.6403542
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: http://bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: http://bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Find CBC News on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1sA5P9H
For breaking news on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1WjDyks
Follow CBC News on Instagram: http://bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Subscribe to CBC News on Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3leaWsr
Download the CBC News app for iOS: http://apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: http://bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.
The brands were Energizer, Duracell, Canadian Tire’s Noma, Walmart’s Great Value, E-Circuit from Dollar Tree, as well as Panasonic batteries from both Dollarama and Dollar Tree.
In the tests, which simulated different energy drain at continuous levels, Energizer and Duracell lasted the longest. But it was E-Circuit alkaline, a brand imported by and sold at Dollar Tree, that held its own against the more well-known brands, lasting nearly as long and costing only $1.25 for a pack of four.
Ontario Tech engineering assistant professor Xianke Lin supervised the tests.
“Usually people think it's cheap and shouldn't have the best value, but [E-Circuit alkaline] turns out to be the best capacity per dollar you spend,” Lin said.
Lin noted that the results should not be used as a proxy for all battery performance because the test can’t perfectly simulate how batteries are used in real life.
Carbon zinc (or zinc carbon) batteries did not do well in the tests. Experts say you should take a close look at the packs when buying, read the manufacturers’ recommended use or you may want to avoid carbon zinc batteries altogether.
Panasonic, one of the manufacturers of carbon zinc batteries, says carbon zinc is an established technology that provides “great performance and value” in recommended devices.
Dollar Tree did not respond to questions about the carbon zinc batteries, but did acknowledge they’re sold and their products overall fit the low-priced needs of its customers.
Dollarama says it offers “a selection of Panasonic carbon zinc and alkaline battery pack options to our customers, thereby providing them with access to a range of options within our low fixed price points, depending on their need.”
To read more: https://www.cbc.ca/1.6403542
»»» Subscribe to CBC News to watch more videos: http://bit.ly/1RreYWS
Connect with CBC News Online:
For breaking news, video, audio and in-depth coverage: http://bit.ly/1Z0m6iX
Find CBC News on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1WjG36m
Follow CBC News on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1sA5P9H
For breaking news on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1WjDyks
Follow CBC News on Instagram: http://bit.ly/1Z0iE7O
Subscribe to CBC News on Snapchat: https://bit.ly/3leaWsr
Download the CBC News app for iOS: http://apple.co/25mpsUz
Download the CBC News app for Android: http://bit.ly/1XxuozZ
»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»
For more than 75 years, CBC News has been the source Canadians turn to, to keep them informed about their communities, their country and their world. Through regional and national programming on multiple platforms, including CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC Radio, CBCNews.ca, mobile and on-demand, CBC News and its internationally recognized team of award-winning journalists deliver the breaking stories, the issues, the analyses and the personalities that matter to Canadians.
- Category
- World
- Tags
- batteries, dollar store, alkaline batteries
Sign in or sign up to post comments.
Be the first to comment