Before delving into the different chemical compositions of batteries, a quick lesson on how they work is in order. Each battery, regardless of type, should specify its milliamp-hours (mAh) or amp hours (aH). These measurements indicate a battery’s capacity, which is how much charge a battery can hold. Battery capacity will be important to keep in mind as you read about the different types of batteries and their advantages and disadvantages.
Alkaline
Alkaline batteries are by far the most popular battery type as they come in almost every standard battery size and have a capacity of over 2,500 mAh. This standard range makes them perfect for everyday moderate- to heavy-use devices.
Alkaline batteries have a shelf life of up to ten years and do well in gadgets that tend to heat up, making them perfect for outdoor devices and extended-use devices. They’re also popular due to their low cost.
However, alkaline batteries tend to leak, which can render the machine unusable. In addition, they work poorly in high-drain devices.
Lithium
Lithium batteries are very different from lithium-ion batteries as they are not rechargeable and have a different composition. Lithium batteries are popular due to their everyday use, unlike lithium-ion batteries, which are not available in consumer sizes.
Lithium batteries last much longer with a shelf life of up to twelve years and are great for heavy usage. These batteries also function well in high temperatures, much like an alkaline battery.
Unfortunately, they are much more expensive and don’t come in C or D sizes. They are also extremely flammable, making them difficult to dispose of.
Silver Oxide
Silver oxide batteries are button batteries that are great for small devices. They have an extremely long lifespan. Silver oxide batteries are perfect for compact devices and have a high energy capacity for their size, clocking in at an average of 50 mAh.
However, they are expensive, which makes them unpopular for high-drain gadgets.
Zinc-Air
Zinc-air batteries are another type of button battery that requires exposure to oxygen to work. They’re inexpensive and have made toxic mercury batteries obsolete.
However, zinc-air batteries cannot be used in devices that reach high temperatures or outdoor machines, as they are sensitive to heat and humidity.
Zinc-Carbon
Zinc-carbon batteries are easy to find in any size you need and are very inexpensive. However, their low energy density makes them inefficient, so you cannot use them for high-drain devices. Much like zinc-air batteries, zinc-carbon batteries are susceptible to heat and humidity, giving them a maximum shelf life of three years.
This article only covered non-rechargeable batteries available to the public, so this is certainly not an exhaustive catalog. But hopefully, this list of different types of batteries and their advantages and disadvantages will help you on your way to deciding what you need for your device.
