This is a list of popular commercially available battery types. For a full list of battery types that have ever existed and ones that are still on the drawing board see this Wikipedia page.
| Primary Cells (disposable) | Secondary Cells (rechargeable) |
|---|---|
|
|
Comparison of Primary (disposable) batteries
Zinc Carbon
- 1.5 volts per cell
- Cheapest per unit to produce (often sold with appliances and devices)
Alkaline (aka Alkaline-manganese)
- 1.5 volts per cell
- more energy at higher loads than zinc carbon
- can leak and corrode
- 40% more energy than Li-Ion (rechargeable lithium) but not as strong on loading
- voltage decreases during discharge
Lithium iron disulfide
- can deliver 3 volts+ but 1.5 volt versions exist as replacements for AA and AAA sizes
- higher capacity and lower resistance compared to Alkaline
- up to 15 years shelf life at room temperature
- air transport shipping restrictions
- air travel hand luggage restrictions
- consistent voltage during discharge
Lithium-thionyl chloride (LTC)
- Not available to consumers due to power
- 3.6 volts3.3
- Temperature range – 0°C to 200°C (32°F to 392°F)
- Specific Energy – 500Wh/kg (twice Lithium Ion)
- Only safe for moderate discharge
Lithium manganese dioxide (Li-M)
- 3.3 volts
- Specific energy – 280Wh/kg
- good at moderate loads and high pulse currents (e.g. flash photography)
- Temperature range – 30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F)
- often used in meter sensing, medical devices, road toll sensors and cameras
Lithium sulfur dioxide
- 2.8 volts
- Specific energy – 330Wh/kg
- -54°C to 71°C (-65°F to 160°F)
- Cheap to manufacture
- Shelf life (room temperature) – 5 to 10 years
- Popular with the military