How often should flashlight batteries be replaced? (2023)

How long do flashlight batteries last?

Depending on the power draw, LED flashlight batteries can last 1.5 to 7 hours on high and up to 50 hours on low.

Alkaline AA batteries

With an average power of about 2,500 mAh, you can expect a regular AA battery to perform consistently for 2 hours on high-powered devices. Brands like Duracell promise 10-20 hours of use on low-powered devices like flashlights.

When using 3W LED flashlights powered by AAA batteries, you'll expect them to last for about 30 minutes. There's a way to triple the run time by using AA batteries, which I'll show you by hooking up an AA battery holder to it.

While in storage, it's best to take your lithium-ion batteries out of your flashlight, especially if they will be in storage for long periods of time (for more information on lithium-ion batteries and how to best care for them, check out our blog on the subject, here).

As a very general estimate, a low-lumen flashlight (under 50 lumens) will run for about 20-50 hours. A flashlight with 50-150 lumens will run for about 6-12 hours on it's highest setting, and high lumen flashlight or headlamp (over 150 lumens) will run about 2-8 hours on their highest settings.

Service life

High-quality AA lithium batteries can last for up to 24 months on continuous use under normal conditions, and different factors can affect the battery life and draining power.

Frequently Asked Questions About Batteries

Energizer MAX_® AA, AAA, C, and D cells last up to 10 years in storage, while our 9V lasts up to 5 years in storage. Energizer_® EcoAdvanced_® AA and AAA last up to 12 years in storage.

The battery life in these two brands differs. Energizer lasts three times longer in clocks than the Duracell, but Duracell takes the crown by lasting two times longer when used in flashlights. To ensure that our environment is not harmed, both brands support the Call2Recycle program.

Re: batteries in a flashlight

A AAA battery typically can provide 1000 mAh which at 20mA is (more or less) 1000/20 or 50 hours.

But experts say that the batteries you can buy at dollar stores are lower quality, Kiplinger reports. The carbon-zinc batteries that dollar stores typically sell don't last as long as the alkaline name brands.

What brand of AA battery lasts the longest?

Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries, World's Longest-Lasting AA Battery, 10 Pack.

What type of battery lasts the longest? Duracell batteries were the longest lasting in this test. Now, this could vary based on which size of battery you are using. Duracell might have the best AA batteries (which were used in this test), while another brand could have longer lasting batteries of a different kind.

Don't just store your used batteries anywhere in the house (and certainly not in the device itself), but use a collection cube. Place it in a dry and well-ventilated place. Used batteries should be stored at room temperature, so do not put the box in the refrigerator or nearby the oven.

Charge levels

The Nickel-based batteries (like the eneloop batteries) can be stored at any state of charge. The Lithium Ion ones must be stored at 30-50% maximum charge for the best results. But it's better to store when they are fully charged when you're not going to recharge in a few months.

Most car batteries that are in good condition will last at least two weeks without needing you to start the car and drive to recharge it.

Maintenance isn't difficult, but very important. If you take good care of your flashlight or head torch, it can last 10 to 20 years.

Lithium, an exceptionally light metal, gives lithium batteries the highest energy density of any battery cell. Thus, they can store more energy than alkaline batteries or any single-use battery of a comparable size. And they are superb performers in extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.

Lithium-ion batteries last for 15–20 years, 3 times longer than the 5–7 years for lead-acid batteries.

Lithium Batteries:

Can last up to 6X longer than an alkaline battery. Performs even in extreme temperatures ranging from -40℉ to 140℉ Can hold power for up to 20 years in storage. Weighs approximately 33% less than an alkaline battery.

Should I replace my battery after 5 years?

After three years, it's normally time to install a replacement. After four or five years, most car batteries will be almost completely unreliable. Old car batteries can present a number of safety and reliability issues. Luckily, it's easy to identify if your car's battery is nearing the end of its lifespan.

AA batteries last way longer than AAA batteries. Another reason AAA batteries don't last as long as AA batteries are that their charge storage capacity is much smaller than AA batteries. This goes on to say that the electrochemical materials in AAA batteries are not as much as those in AA batteries.

Technology. Duracell uses North American alkaline battery technology, while Amazon Basics uses Japanese alkaline technology. Both are considered high-quality technologies, and tests have shown that there is little difference in battery performance between the two.

Energizer vs Rayovac

Performance: Energizer is known in the industry at the longest lasting AA battery but tests have shown that Rayovac batteries perform just as long as Energizer batteries.

It's thinking more short-term. If you buy the more expensive batteries, you pay more up front but they last longer. In the end, there's not that big a difference – it's the same amount of energy per price.

The long-lasting performance of a Duracell battery is possible due to the modern technologies inside the battery. The primary technologies are: Duralock and High Density Core. Duralock keeps active materials inside the robust case and prevents leakage.

Many people are hesitant to buy knock-off or store brand batteries because they never seem to last as long as the big-name brands like Energizer or Duracell. Well, that won't be the case with Kirkland batteries, because they're actually made by Duracell.

It depends. In Consumer Reports' Ratings of AA batteries, our technicians found real differences among well-known names and value brands. And in the case of energy-hungry devices such as digital cameras, you're probably best off with a brand, such as Energizer Ultimate—a top performer in our battery tests.

Is Walmart a good place to buy batteries?

If you can get free in-store pickup, Walmart may be a better buy. However, while you may find low prices online at Walmart, you can expect to pay shipping fees if in-store pickup isn't available. While Walmart's prices are great on off-brand batteries, name brands come with bigger price tags.

AA batteries start off with 1.5 volts of energy, but the voltage goes down as the batteries are used up. Once the batteries dip below 1.35 volts, they appear to be dead, even though they still have a lot of juice left.

Consumer Reports magazine gave Kirkland Signature the BEST BUY rating in AA Alkaline battery ratings, even though it came in THIRD in the ratings. Seven batteries were recommended (listed here), six were not recommended (see magazine).

The only result in this test which didn't surprise us was the winner of the longest life battery in the form of the Energizer Ultra Lithium. We've known for some time this baby was packed with power, and lasts forever. If you need a battery that you just don't have to change very often, these are the ones.

We quickly came to the conclusion the the data supports that the RAYOVAC BRAND last longer than Duracell and Energizer. this also proves that even thought Duracell costs more, they do not last the longest. We suggest to purchase Rayovac over all other brand of batteries.

Bottle Supplied (BS) – dry AGM batteries are shipped with the electrolyte stored in a plastic container. The battery is filled with electrolyte from the container when it's ready to be activated.

Putting masking tape on batteries is one way to prevent them from touching. Ziplock bags are another way. "Putting them in plastic bags with all the negatives up, all the positives up, or however you want to do that," Dill said. "Make sure they're tight, so they don't roll around in that."

Recommended storage is around 40 percent state-of-charge (SoC). This minimizes age-related capacity loss while keeping the battery operational and allowing for some self-discharge. Nickel-based batteries can be stored in a fully discharged state with no apparent side effect.

Most unused alkaline batteries will last between five and 10 years, while Ni-MH batteries have a shelf life of three to five years of non-use. Lithium-ion batteries, which power devices like cell phones, have a low self-discharge rate and could keep a partial charge for up to four years before being depleted.

Can I leave my battery charger on all winter?

Make sure you don't leave them hooked up to a charger all winter! This can be dangerous, and will damage your batteries. Once charged, the self discharge rate of the batteries will keep them up to snuff until June for sure.

Most battery manufacturers do not recommend storing batteries in the fridge. While the cooler temperature might lengthen the battery life, the moisture from inside the refrigerator could damage the battery in other ways. If you opt to keep batteries in the refrigerator, store them inside a sealed air-tight plastic bag.

Most garages are not climate controlled and change temperature along with the weather outside, because of this the garage doesn't make for a great battery storage area. Instead, store batteries in a cool dry place.

If left uncharged any longer, the battery capacity reduces significantly, and in some cases, it may reduce the battery capacity completely. Another consequence of shunts forming inside battery cells is causing a partial electric short.

If you leave full battery for few months - it may self-discharge and when voltage drop to "almost empty voltage" - it will start degrading and loosing capacity. If it is stored near empty state - it will degrade and loose capacity.

Leakage happens when a battery is left in a device for too long, especially when it's not used. As that device is left unused, it still periodically 'checks' for the remaining power. That puts a certain amount of stress on the battery, putting it at a greater risk for leakage.

New Flashlights

8 Charges, allowing for a Battery Life of 8 seconds. Can be used to temporarily blind the Killer. Increased Aim accuracy of +20 %. Decreased Battery Depletion rate of -11 %.

It comes with 12 AA batteries (DURACELL of course), but in high intensity mode the battery endurance is only about 2.5 hours, but is 30+ hours in low intensity mode.

Microdrop LED lights constructed on thin uncoated wire should last over 100 hours with a fresh set of 3 AA batteries or 2 round C-style batteries and standard LED battery light sets with thicker insulation and LED lenses should last about 18-24 hours on a set of 3 AA batteries.

Survivors in Dead by Daylight have access to an assortment of different items to deter killers or help fellow survivors through trials. These items include flashlights which are handy items that have the ability to blind killers and even stun them when carrying downed survivors.

What flashlight has the longest run time?

AceBeam L19: Longest Range Tactical Flashlight of 2021.

DuraLock uses more active ingredients and a triple corrosion-resistant exterior that makes them last up to 10 years. When it comes to rechargeable batteries, Duracell batteries use Ion Core Technology, which allows for a longer-lasting charge. In comparison, Energizer batteries use: Power seal technology.

This Duracell "AAA" Alkaline Battery has a guaranteed shelf life of 10 years. Stock up and make sure you have an extra set of long lasting batteries for all of you electronic devices. Sold individually.

For example, a 2,500 mAh AA alkaline battery could power a device that draws 250 mA of current for 10 hours. However, if the load draws 25 mA of current, the battery will last 100 hours.

Lithium batteries can be used in some quality flashlight as an alternative to standard batteries. Lithium-Ion or Lithium batteries last considerably longer than other batteries. Not only is their shelf-life and run time longer, but they also produce more energy for brighter lights.

Under proper conditions, AA NiMH batteries lasts for about 500 to 1000 charges. This is equivalent to 2-3 years of use.