Batteries Duracell Optimum
This year, a new generation of Duracell Optimum batteries appeared on sale, on the packaging of which it is stated that they have 30 times more battery life (of course with an asterisk). I bought them, tested and compared with other batteries.
What is definitely innovative about these batteries is the packaging. The cardboard box has a window through which one battery is visible. The boxes open like books.
Each battery has a “seat”. It is suggested to insert used batteries back, but turn the other side so as not to be confused with new ones.
The batteries themselves are striped, the charge indicator, which is in the former top model Duracell Ultra, is missing.
The first thing that surprised me about these batteries was the initial voltage without load. For Duracell Optimum AA, it is 1.699-1.7 V, for Duracell Optimum AAA – 1.683-1.685 V. This is significantly higher than for all other alkaline batteries (1.6 – 1.62 V).
Battery weight AA 24-24.2 g, AAA – 11.2-11.3 g.
The batteries were manufactured in January 2022. On AAA, the expiration date is indicated until 03.2031, on AA until 03.2032. Batteries are made in Belgium.
I tested these batteries with a chemistry analyzer. Yarostanmash ASK2.5.10.8. To test the capacity and load capacity, two copies of the batteries were discharged in two modes:
– discharge with a current of 100 mA to 0.9 V. The test shows what maximum energy the battery can give;
– discharge up to 0.9 V with a resistance equivalent of 3.9 ohms for AA and 5.1 ohms for AAA. This test shows how batteries are suitable for powerful loads (toys with motors, blood pressure monitors and other medical equipment).
Chinese batteries Pairdeer Premium, which I recently toldgive more energy, so the miracle did not happen.
I compared Duracell Optimum batteries in mWh output (average of two) with the most expensive alkaline batteries. Two Duracell Ultra battery test results are included in the comparison, as it turned out that 2020 batteries differ from 2022 batteries not in favor of the latter.
Let’s start with AA. Blue columns – discharge with a current of 100 mA to 0.9 V, red columns – discharge up to 0.9 V with a resistance equivalent of 3.9 Ohm.
Duracell Optimum is in third place between the two Duracell Ultras. They give a little more energy than the “new” Ultra and a little less than the “old”.
C AAA is still more interesting. Blue columns – discharge with a current of 100 mA to 0.9 V, red columns – discharge up to 0.9 V with a resistance equivalent of 5.1 Ohm.
Duracell Optimum was in 4th place, slightly ahead of the “old” Ultra and by 10% “new”.
Due to the higher voltage, the discharge curves of the new Duracell are different from conventional alkaline batteries. For example, the graph of the discharge of AA batteries with a current of 100 mA to 0.9 V in comparison with Pairdeer Premium.
It is possible that for some devices a higher supply voltage will be an advantage and they will work longer with Duracell Optimum batteries, but of course, we are not talking about the fact that they will work longer “at times”.
I compared Duracell Optimum with “classmates” – expensive batteries, but it makes sense to compare with cheaper ones. This is how it compares to the popular AA alkaline batteries.
Duracell Optimum is ahead of everyone, but the difference from GP Super is 16%, and from nameless batteries from Fix Price stores 36%, only the price differs not by a third, like capacity, but by almost seven times.
Comparison of AAA batteries, as always, looks more interesting.
GP Super is only 4% behind, unnamed from Fix Price by 17%.
The new Duracell Optimum batteries have a higher voltage and indeed give more energy than most batteries on the market, but the difference is not at all “at times”, but in some cases by a few percent. Whether it is worth buying them is up to you.
Peace for everyone!
© 2022, Alexey Nadezhin
