Portuguese Prepper
Eneloop vs. Energizer Lithium: Stop destroying your gear with alkaline batteries
The single most common failure in emergency kits is not dead batteries, but leaking batteries.
Standard alkaline batteries (like Duracell or Amazon Basics) contain corrosive chemicals that eventually eat through the casing and destroy the electronics of your $100 GPS or flashlight.
For preparedness, you must switch to one of two superior chemistries: Panasonic Eneloop (Ni-MH Rechargeable) for daily use, or Energizer Ultimate Lithium (Primary Lithium) for long-term storage.
Alkalines leak over time; Lithiums and Ni-MH generally do not.
Energizer Lithium works in freezing temps (-40°F).
Eneloops can be recharged 2,100 times.
The “Doomsday” Battery: Energizer Ultimate Lithium
Energizer Ultimate Lithiums are disposable, but they are technically superior to everything else. They weigh 30% less than alkalines, hold a charge for 20 years on the shelf, and never leak.
They are expensive (~$2.50 per battery), but they are mandatory for Bug Out Bags or car kits that sit untouched for years. If you need a flashlight to work in 2035, load it with these.
The “Daily Driver”: Panasonic Eneloop
Eneloops are Low Self-Discharge (LSD) Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries. Unlike old rechargeables that died in a drawer, Eneloops hold 70% of their charge for 10 years.
They are the most economical choice for devices you use frequently, like handheld radios or lanterns during a blackout. Pair them with a solar charger, and you have infinite power.
Which battery fits your device?
The “Vampire” Warning
Even if you use lithium batteries, never leave batteries inside a device for 5+ years if possible. “Parasitic drain” from electronic switches can kill the battery eventually. The safest storage method is to tape the batteries to the outside of the device.
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