Lithium and alkaline batteries are two of the most popular battery choices for flashlights available on the market.
Both of these battery types come with their own set of pros & cons, thus, we have compiled a detailed guide, in which we have put together all the different aspects of both of these battery types.
That being said, let’s jump right into the matter, and check out the details.
Differences Between Alkaline & Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries and alkaline batteries are two popular battery types for flashlights, and both of these battery types have varying characteristics, features, and come with their own set of pros and cons.
Below, we have put alkaline and lithium batteries against each other, so you can know which one works and which one does not work for you.
Difference | Alkaline Battery | Lithium Battery |
Weight | Heavy | Lightweight |
Operating Temperature | Normal | Extreme |
Shelf-Life | 4-6 Years | 10 Years |
Battery Capacity | 900mAh | 3000-4000mAh |
Lifespan | Single Usage | 800-1000 Charge Cycles |
Pros & Cons of Alkaline Battery
● Easily Available
● Plenty of Brands
● Available in Different Sizes
● Excellent Shelf Life
● Non-Rechargeable
● Low Battery Life
● Low Working Temp.
Pros & Cons of Lithium Battery
● Exceptional Working Temperature
● Superior Lifespan
● Fantastic Shelf Life
● Excellent Battery Backup
Weight
The alkaline batteries come in various sizes and shapes and are relatively heavier than the corresponding lithium-ion battery.
In order to be more precise, alkaline batteries are thrice heavier than lithium-ion batteries with the same amount of battery backup.
Hence, lithium-ion batteries are often used instead of alkaline batteries in flashlights due to their lightweight, and compact size.
Composition
Zinc is the main component of alkaline batteries, and it’s the zinc anode that makes the chemical reaction causing the storage of the power juice, on the other hand, lithium-ion batteries, as the name indicates, are entirely made out of lithium.
It’s the reason, that lithium-ion batteries are lighter than conventional alkaline batteries.
Voltage
The Voltage is another crucial thing that you should be looking at in a battery, and both of these battery types do come with varying. The alkaline batteries can provide you with 1.5V, and the lithium-ion batteries do provide double the voltage at 3.0V.
Battery Backup
The battery backup provided by lithium-ion batteries is far superior as compared to alkaline batteries.
The AA Alkaline batteries have a storage capacity of up to 900mAh, on the other hand, the lithium-ion batteries do come with a capacity in the range of 3000-4000mAh, which is quite amazing.
Lifespan
Lithium-ion batteries also excel in the lifespan range, as they provide far superior performance as compared to normal alkaline batteries.
The lithium-ion batteries can provide you with recharge cycles of up to 800-1000, while the alkaline batteries are single-time usable, which means you can only use them once.
Usage
The usage of lithium and alkaline batteries is entirely different. Alkaline batteries are used in penlights, and other lightweight flashlights, on the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are used for heavy-duty flashlights, where you need some serious performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Alkaline Vs Lithium Battery, Which One is Better for Flashlights?
Lithium-ion batteries are better for flashlights as compared to alkaline batteries as they are more lightweight, compact, have better battery backup, and better lifespan.
Are Alkaline Batteries Rechargeable?
There are alkaline batteries that are rechargeable, however, not all alkaline batteries are rechargeable, which you should keep in your mind.
What Type of Batteries is Best for Flashlights?
Lithium-ion batteries are the best type of batteries for flashlights due to their compact size, lightweight, excellent battery backup time, and superior lifespan.
Summing It Up
In this blog post, we have put the alkaline, and lithium batteries against each other. Lithium and alkaline batteries are two of the most popular type of batteries available in the market.
Lithium batteries are superior to alkaline batteries due to a variety of different reasons including size, weight, battery backup, and charging cycles.
Alkaline batteries also have some pros, as they are very cost efficient, and you have numerous sizes readily available in the market.
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