Guide Note

A battery is a contained electric energy source. It has a metal casing, two types of metals and a chemical solution inside capable of transferring electrons and thus producing a current.

Fast Facts

Common uses: Powering electronic devices
Made from: Casing, metals and an acid
Price range: $2-$950
1st modern battery: Voltaic Pile
Inventor: Alessandro Volta
Invented: 1800
Disposable: Alkaline, mercury, zinc-carbon
Rechargeable: Lead, nickel, lithium ion
Sales: $48 billion annually
Top Selling Brand: Duracell

Care

Keep batteries in a cool dry place. Protect them from exposure to heat. Batteries should be contained and organized so that the don't contact with something that may drain them of power.

Never recharge a disposable battery, it may overheat and explode.

Buying Guide

Batteries come in two varieties disposable and rechargeable. Disposable batteries are much cheaper and easier to find in stores. Over time they are more expensive because they can not be reused. Disposable batteries are also less environmentally friendly.

Using rechargeable batteries will save more money over time. They are also a greener alternative as less batteries end up in landfills. They do cost more than regular batteries and they also require a charger which adds to the cost.

Top Brands

Categories

Technology | Products | Computers and Electronics | Home and Garden

View Note History

Batteries

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Batteries
MadeHow.com: How Batteries Are Made
Howstuffworks: How Batteries Work
ConsumerSearch: Battery Reviews
RadioShack: Battery Finder
Amazon.com: Batteries
Google Video: Build a Lemon Battery (Time: 6:47)

Household Batteries

Household Battery Information and Tips

Wikipedia: Rechargeable Battery
Wikipeida: Battery History and List of Sizes
EPA: Battery Waste Regulations
Grinning Planet: Are Rechargable Batteries Worth It?
Battery University
Zbattery.com: How to Care for Your Batteries
Zbattery.com: Battery Memory Effect

Household Battery Guides

NIJ: Battery Guide
RadioShack: Battery Guide
Michael Bluejay: Battery Guide
Zbattery.com: How To Choose the Very Best Batteries

Household Battery Reviews

Consumer Reports: Best AA batteries, 11/06
Zbattery.com: Battery Comparison Test
Climber.org: Battery Life
ScanShack: Battery Reviews (Radio)
CNET/MP3 Insider: The Truth About Battery Life

Household Battery Manufacturers

Duracell: Batteries
Energizer: Batteries
Rayovac: Batteries
Maxell: Batteries
Sanyo: Batteries

Household Battery Retailers

Best Buy: Alkaline, Lithium and Rechargeable Batteries
Wal-Mart: Batteries
Target: Batteries
Circuit City: Batteries and Chargers
Zbattery.com: Alkaline Batteries
Batteries Plus: Alkaline and Rechargeable Batteries
Batteries.com: Alkaline Batteries

Car Batteries

- Please see Mahalo's Guide to Car Batteries
Wikipedia: Car Battery
Consumer Reports: How to Choose a Car Battery
eHow: How to Jump-Start a Car
eHow: How to Replace a Car Battery

Cell Phone Batteries

Cell Phone Battery Information and Tips

CNET: Cell Phone Battery Life Charts
CNET: Save Your Cell Phone Battery Life
wikiHow: How to Make Your Cell Phone Battery Last Longer
Cell Power: Cell Phone Battery Tips
IncTechnology.com: Maximizing Your Cell Phone Battery Life

Cell Phone Battery Retailers

eBatts.com: Cell Phone Batteries
AtBatt.com: Cell Phone Batteries
Batteries.com: Cell Phone Batteries
Best Buy: Cell Phone Batteries
BatteryMart.com: Cell Phone Batteries
Batteries Plus: Cell Phone Batteries
Zbattery.com: Cell Phone Batteries

Laptop/Notebook Batteries

Laptop Battery Information and Tips

PC Pitstop: PC Battery Safety
CNET: Power to the people: Guide to Laptop Batteries
LIVEdigitally: 10 Tips on Maximizing Laptop Battery Performance
Macworld: Laptop Battery Smarts

Laptop Battery Retailers

Best Buy: Laptop Batteries
AtBatt.com: Laptop Batteries
Batteries Plus: Laptop Batteries
Zbattery.com: Laptop Batteries
BatteryMart.com: Laptop Batteries
eBatts: Laptop Batteries
Circuit City: Laptop Batteries & Travel Accessories
Batteries.com: Laptop Batteries
B&H: Mac Laptop and PC Laptop Batteries

Camera/Camcorder Batteries

Camera Battery Guides and Reviews

Imaging Resource: The Great Battery Shootout
CNET: Digital Camera Battery Buying Guide

Camera Battery Tips

About: How To Conserve Camcorder Battery Power
Videomaker: Camcorder Battery Care
Yahoo! Tech: Maximizing Your Digital Camera's Battery Life
CNET: Improve your digital camera's battery life
Ken Rockwell: Getting Great Battery Life
Digital Camera HQ: Batteries for Digital Cameras

Camera Battery Retailers

Circuit City: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries and Chargers
B&H: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries, Power & Accessories
eBatts.com: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries
AtBatt.com: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries
Batteries Plus: Camcorder and Digital Digital Camera Batteries
Batteries.com: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries
Zbattery.com: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries
BatteryMart.com: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries
Best Buy: Camcorder and Digital Camera Batteries

Battery Price Comparisons

NexTag: Battery price comparisons
Google Product Search: Battery price comparisons
mySimon: Battery price comparisons
Shopzilla: Battery price comparisons

Battery Coupons and Deals

DealCatcher: Battery deals
dealnews: Battery deals
Yahoo! Shopping: Battery deals
CouponCabin: Battery deals
FatWallet: Battery deals

Related Searches

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