We compared two alkaline AA multipacks at almost the same price: the 12-pack Duracell Plus and the 48-pack Amazon Basics.
What we looked at
Pack size, cost per battery, stated life and leak protection, shelf life, and price. Both are non-rechargeable alkaline batteries.
The verdict
If you want the Duracell name with a stated up to 150% extra life from Power Boost Actives, a nylon top closure against leakage and plastic-free packaging, the 12-pack Duracell Plus is the brand pick, at £11.95, about £1.00 a battery. If you just want plenty of AAs, the 48-pack Amazon Basics costs £11.70, about 24p a battery, with a stated 10-year leak-free shelf life.
A 12-pack of Duracell Plus with a stated up to 150% extra life, at about £1 a battery.
A 48-pack of AA alkaline batteries with a stated 10-year shelf life, at about 24p each.
DURACELL Plus AA Alkaline Batteries (12 Pack) 1.5V, LR06 — Brand Pick
Intended for: Marketed as everyday AA alkaline batteries with Power Boost Actives, a unique blend of lithium and nickel, stated to give up to 150% extra life, with a nylon top closure to help prevent leakage.
What we liked
- Up to 150% extra life claimed with Power Boost Actives, per the listing (footnoted to a digital camera test)
- Superior nylon top closure to help prevent leakage
- Unused batteries stated to stay fresh for up to 10 years in storage
- Plastic-free, 100% recyclable packaging
- Brand-name AA cells for gaming controllers and digital cameras, per the title
Worth knowing
- Costs about £1.00 per battery, compared with about 24p for the Amazon Basics 48-pack
- Only 12 batteries in the pack
Best for
- Buyers who want a well-known brand for cameras and controllers
- Anyone who wants a smaller pack
- Households that value the extra-life claim
Not ideal for
- Anyone who goes through lots of AAs and wants the lowest cost per battery
Amazon Basics 48-Pack AA Alkaline High-Performance Batteries, 1.5 Volt, 10-Year Shelf Life — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a 48-pack of AA 1.5-volt alkaline batteries with a 10-year leak-free shelf life, for game controllers, toys, flashlights, digital cameras and clocks.
What we liked
- 48 batteries for £11.70, about 24p each
- Stated 10-year leak-free shelf life with an air- and liquid-tight seal
- Improved design with dual crimps and a new zinc composition, per the listing
- For game controllers, toys, flashlights, digital cameras, clocks and more
Worth knowing
- The listing makes no extra-life claim
- Not rechargeable
Best for
- Anyone who wants lots of AAs for less
- Households with many battery-powered devices
- Buyers who want a long stated shelf life
Not ideal for
- Buyers who specifically want the Duracell brand and its stated extra-life claim
- Anyone who only needs a few batteries
