Which? Don't Buy batteries

Don't waste your money on a sub-standard battery. Which? regularly tests the latest AA and AAA batteries to not only highlight the best, but also uncover the worst. 

We can help you save money and time before you set out to find the perfect battery for your needs – one that won't fizzle out before its time, giving you value for your money. 

What makes a Don't Buy battery

Don't Buy AA and AAA batteries often don't last that long, no matter what device you're using them with and how much power they're draining. To find this out, we test them in different draining scenarios, mimicking devices like clocks where they should last for a long time, to energy guzzlers like remote control toys.

With a wide range of batteries available, typically at varying prices, it can be enticing to pick up what's currently on sale and just hope for the best. However, we've found own-brand Best Buy batteries that are some of the cheapest you can get, but which are still better than big-name rivals. 

• Energy-intensive devices like baby monitors, powerful torches and Bluetooth speakers burn through batteries quickly. The best offer the longest amount of use per battery.
• Good batteries also offer notably longer life in medium-drain devices like video game controllers and low-drain devices like clocks. Some batteries are longer lived in these lower-drain devices, so we test this too.
• Lithium batteries are pricey but long-lived while alkaline batteries are cheaper with smaller capacities. We find the best of both chemistries. 

With our expert advice you can avoid overpriced Don't Buys and spend your hard-earned money on a battery that will last.

Join Which? now to find out which batteries we've named as Don't Buys. Already a member? Log in now.

How we test batteries

Every year, we analyse more than 1.5m pieces of data in our disposable batteries tests, including the latest batteries from Duracell, Energizer and Panasonic, as well as own-brands you'll see in the shops. 

We test the batteries in the most and least power-hungry conditions you’re likely to use them in. This helps to identify which batteries are the longest-lasting across a range of different devices.

• We test AA and AAA batteries on nearly 100 unique criteria to ensure we investigate the full capabilities of every battery.
• Every battery is scored out of 100, so you can see immediately at a glance which are the best and worst.
• There is no bias and our independent tests cover a wide range of brands and prices, so you can be sure we'll always recommend the right battery for you and your needs.

If we declare a battery to be a Don't Buy, it's definitely one to avoid. No matter how temptingly cheap they are or how much they've been discounted in a sale, they're not worth the hassle.

Which? is independent – we work for you, the consumer, so you can be sure that our product recommendations are influenced only by our test results. We buy all the products that we test ourselves, so our advice helps you to make the right choice first time and avoid costly mistakes.

Our reviews will help you to avoid a bad choice when buying a battery. Join Which? for instant access to our Best Buy and Don’t Buy recommendations.