Alkaline vs. Lithium Batteries: Which Is Better?

You’re going to be going on a camping trip soon and find yourself needing to buy a battery to power your things. You’re stuck between buying two different types. 

Alkaline vs. Lithium, what’s the difference? You can see from the price tag that the lithium option is more expensive, but why is that? Do they have some special features that alkaline batteries don’t? 

If so, is it worth missing out on some of those features to save a little money? We’ve got the answer to all your burning questions and more. Check out this guide to learn the differences between these two battery options.

Lithium Batteries at a Glance

To explain lithium batteries, we’ll have to get into a little anatomy. You see, every battery has a negative and positive terminal. When you use lithium batteries, all the ions go from one side of the terminal to the other. 

As the battery charges, the ions move back over to their original spot for reuse. This battery’s recharging feature isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from the rest. 

They also use different materials than other batteries you can buy. They’re made with metallic lithium instead of manganese and zinc. 

What Are Their Benefits?

While any battery on the market can handle your needs, there are tons of benefits of reaching for a lithium battery. The fact that they can recharge is only one of those benefits. 

They’re Reusable

Unlike most other types of batteries, after you drain your lithium one, you can recharge it and use it again. This being said, that doesn’t mean your lithium batteries will last forever. 

They’re durable, but the more you have to recharge them, the more wear and tear you put on them. Most lithium batteries start to show their age after three years or so. 

They’re Lightweight

Lithium batteries are found in most of the electronics that you can buy. They’re lightweight, so you won’t struggle to hold your phone for long periods. 

If you’re going on a camping trip, a generator that uses a lithium battery will be easier to carry around than one that uses an alkaline one. 

They’re Customizable

Most alkaline batteries that you buy in stores come in standard regular sizes. That means they don’t fit in all forms of electronic devices. 

Lithium batteries are a little more customizable. You can get a large bulky one from https://www.endurobattery.com/ or buy one that’s small enough to fit inside your watch. 

They’re Better for the Environment

As alkaline batteries break down, they tend to leak gross chemicals that can damage the inside of your electronics. If they can ruin an entire controller, you can imagine what they can do when sitting in a landfill. 

Alkaline batteries also aren’t rechargeable, so you have to throw them in the garbage after a while. Thanks to their limited use, there’s also a huge demand for them, which doesn’t do wonders for the environment. 

Alkaline Batteries at a Glance

Alkaline batteries work a little like their lithium counterparts. The difference is that the ions only travel in one direction. That means once you drain the battery, that’s it. 

There are some rechargeable alkaline batteries on the market. These models are made with cadmium and nickel instead of manganese and zinc. 

It’s important to keep in mind that the reliability of rechargeable alkaline batteries is shaky at best. If reusability is the feature that you’re looking for in a battery, lithium is the better choice. 

What Are Their Benefits? 

After reading up on all the benefits of lithium batteries, you may be wondering if you should even bother with the alkaline ones. While they aren’t as reliable as the lithium ones, they still have their own charm. 

Recyclable

Alkaline batteries can only do damage to the landfills if you allow them to get there in the first place. When your batteries go out, instead of tossing them in your garbage can, look for a place where you can recycle them. 

You can recycle lithium batteries as well, but it’s much more of a pain. 

Lower Fire Hazard 

If you damage a lithium battery, there’s a good chance that it could explode into flames. If you’re going to take a lithium battery onto a plane you have to place it in your carry-on or risk your suitcase catching fire when it goes through customs. 

While there’s still a risk that your alkaline batteries could become engulfed by flames, it’s not likely. 

Cost-Effective

The thing about lithium batteries is that they’re out of most people’s budget. Alkaline batteries are single-use, and they aren’t made with any expensive materials. 

This makes them much easier on your wallet if you’re on a budget, depending on how you look at them. They have the cheapest upfront cost, but you’ll have to buy them more often than lithium batteries. 

Alkaline batteries may not be that expensive, but their price does rack up when you have to buy a lot of them. 

Your Complete Guide to Alkaline Vs. Lithium Batteries

Alkaline vs. Lithium batteries, which ones are better for your everyday needs? That depends on what you want out of your batteries. Lithium ones come with a larger price tag, but they’re rechargeable and good for the environment. 

Alkaline batteries are single-use, but they’re easy on the wallet, and they’re less of a fire hazard. 

Your electronics aren’t the only things that need batteries to function. Your car needs one as well. Visit the Car Repair section of our blog to learn more.