Problem 1: they all look alike. Problem 2: the metric most often offered as a performance indicator (mA) is hype, like megapixels and megahertz. Problem 3: the quality of the charger makes a big difference for rechargeable models. Popular Photography dumped $200 worth of AA batteries on tester Zach Honig's desk, resulting in a roundup of what's really worth buying.
The big surprise is that expensive lithium disposables are a much better deal than cheap alkalines. They lasted seven times longer in a digicam, resulting in shots that cost .16 of a cent instead of .28 of a cent.
He also likes the 15-minute chargers for rechargeable models; others, however, say these kill the batteries quicker than slow burners.
Results [Pop Photo via Gadget Lab]
