Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries Review

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Energizer Ultimate Lithium 1As a gadget lover, we all know that most of our gadgets require batteries.  The problem is that most of the batteries out there doesn’t last as long as you wanted.  That’s why Energizer has created the Ultimate Lithium Batteries in AA & AAA.  Do they last longer than other batteries?The packaging on these batteries is similar to any other battery packaging you’ve seen.  Energizer says these batteries are the “World’s Longest Lasting AA Battery in High-Tech Devices”.  They also say that it lasts 9 times longer in digital cameras versus Energizer Max.

These Energizer batteries are made out of lithium.  And the fine print on these batteries show something different from the other batteries that I have.  These Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries are Made in USA.  Most of the batteries that I have are either Made in Japan or Germany.  So it’s nice knowing these “bunnies” are born in America. Energizer states that these batteries are “33% lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries”.  I don’t have a scale to test their claim, but they do feel lighter when compared with the batteries that I own.  These batteries also have a shelf life of 15 years – which I’ll take their word for it.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium 2So how does the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries stand up against the other competitors?  I tested it against 3 different rechargeable batteries and 2 different standard batteries.  I used 2 of each type and did a battery drain test on a TerraLUX Lightstar 100 flashlight which takes one AA battery.  The LED flashlight is set to high at 100 lumens and left on until completely turned off.  Manufacturer’s approximate run time on high is listed as 2 hours.

Energizer Ultimate Lithium 6 hr 5 min 6 hr 27 min
Energizer Rechargeable Ni-MH 2300 mAH 3 hr 44 min 3 hr 32 min
Sanyo Eneloop Rechargeable Ni-MH 2000 mAH 2 hr 43 min 2 hr 41 min
Energizer Alkaline Battery 3 hr 52 min 4 hr 10 min
Rayovac Alkaline Battery 3 hr 24 min 3 hr 24 min 3 hr 5 min

From the battery drain test, these new Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries definitely last considerably longer than the others.  I understand that I didn’t test it against other lithium batteries.  But I will definitely choose the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries for my next battery purchase.  MSRP for a 4-pack AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium is $9.99.

 

Product Information

Price:$9.99
Manufacturer:Energizer
Pros:
  • Long lasting
  • 15 year storage life
  • Lightweight
Cons:
  • None

27 thoughts on “Energizer Ultimate Lithium Batteries Review”




  1. Gadgeteer Comment Policy - Please read before commenting
    1. Richard Holladay

      I use a lot of these in my Metal Detectors (8 at a time) and have purchased in bulk here in the UK – NO – they are not all made in the US – everyone I bought stated clearrly Made In Singapore (which is not some hick town in the US) for Energizer Holdings, Inc, (or in some instances Energizer Brands LLC)
      MO 63141.
      Recently some have inexplicably drained whilst others retain power – havequeried this with Energizer UK

  2. Those were accurate results from my drain tests. The longevity of the batteries all depends on what you’re using them for.

    1. Read the wording carefully on both packages.” Last longer.” Doesn’t say what it last longer then! It’s all a sales tactic to get the consumer to purchase and no liability to the company’s using the catch all frase. If you want good batteries buy the Rayovac Fusions they last longer than any of the batteries and I’ve never experienced a leaker. The lithium’s are the worst. Don’t waste your money on those. Duracell’s are guaranteed to leak. I’ve done all my own independent testing and the winner is the Rayovac Fusion by far.

    1. Many batteries hold power well while not being used. When they start taking 4,000 pics a month see how long the lithium last. Not long at all cause they are the first to go out between all energizers, Duracell’s, and Rayovacs. Don’t waste your money. The Duracell’s are guaranteed to leak so save your headache there. The Rayovac Fusion is the best battery and will last the longest.

  3. I was wondering the same so I conducted my own test using Duracell Copper Top, Rayovac Fusion and Energizer Ultimate Lithium. The results were quite surprising. The experiment was done in a one LED light. The most expensive battery by far (ENERGIZER LITHIUM) was the first to go. The DURACELL COPPERTOP lasted 33 percent longer and the RAYOVAC FUSSION lasted 52% longer. As far as I’m concerned ENERGIZER LITHIUM is one BIG SCAM. False advertising as far as my experiment went. 9 X longer then what ??? I will stay away from Lithium batteries from now on.

  4. Scott – I use Energizer Lithiums in my Canon Speedlites, they last about 2-3 times longer than any other normal battery I have used. Camera flashes push the batteries to their limits and demand strong bursts of power every discharge, this is what lithium is good for, whereas flashlights require lighter more regulated power consumption and would be suited to non lithium batteries. Different batteries for different reasons.

  5. its amazing how little info there is on consumer sized lithium batteries online, especially direct comparison tests like yours. thanks for sharing data. Almost double compared to a decent quality alkaline module is good enough ti gibe me a clearer picture 😉

  6. Personally, longevity is important, but leaking is now my priority for AA and AAA batteries. In side by side storage, the Duracell Coppertop started leaking only a couple years (long before expiration date) after purchasing new/fresh, whereas the Energizer Max (with 10 year leak guarantee) and Rayovac, showed no leaking from either new/fresh or used batteries. I mentioned my Duracell’s leaking to my sons (in 3 different States), and after they checked their devices (remotes, flashlights, clocks), were surprised to discover their Duracell’s had or were in the process of leaking as well. — In past, Duracell was a good battery, but from talking with others, the only guarantee Duracell’s come with is, “They’re guaranteed to leak”. [Feb2018]

    1. Agree. Duracell is almost guaranteed to leak. Yeah, they will fix or replace stuff. Like everyone has time to send their items to Duracell.

  7. I did my own independent testing on Duracell, Energizer and Rayovac fusion. I will agree that at one time Duracell was a quality battery every one of the flashlights, automatic shades, etc. etc. leaked. I won’t touch another Darcelle. Also while Duracell and Energizer advertise that there batteries last the longest, that is a flat out lie . The Rayovac Fusion will outlast any of them including the lithium. Unfortunately they’re hard to fine but you can get them online and sometimes at your Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target and Walmart. They don’t leak and they last longer. They also cost less. I love the Rayovac Fusion batteries.

  8. I have an Oregon scientific Model BAR338PA LCD/ceiling projection Alarm / wireless outdoor temp / weather info clock which operates on 4 (AA) batteries and also plugs in to the wall outlet (for the projection part only). I’ve had this clock for about 20 years. On 3/25/2018 I decided to try the Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries in my clock. My past experience when using regular energizers or Duracell or Costco Alkaline batteries is that I get approximately 2-3 months of in the clock before it stops working and requires fresh batteries. (In the past, I never actually wrote down the date of installation, but I did with these Ultra Lithium because I was excited not to have to change the batteries as often and wanted to gauge how long they worked to see if it was worth spend the extra money.)

    Sadly, today is 4/30/18, and the Ultra Lithium batteries have run out of juice. Honestly I don’t know when they died, because I’ve been away for the past 2 weeks, so they could have died between 4/17 and 4/30, which is far less than the 2-3 months I get out of other batteries I’ve used in the past.

    I won’t be wasting my money on these batteries, at least in this clock. Maybe when used in other devices they may perform better.

  9. 9v Energizer lithium lasted 2 years and 4 month in a smoke detector that has probably been triggered twice in that time (burnt toast). I wrote the installation date on the battery so I know the life is accurate. No better than a standard alkaline battery. Complained to Energizer and they were not interested. $16 each in Australia, don’t waste your money. Smoke detectors with inbuilt, unchangeable lithium batteries are sold here with a 10 year life warranty so it must be possible.

  10. My experience with the 9V Lithium Enigizer batteries is abysmal, several have failed in less than 8 months in smoke alarms (my previous alkalines) often lasted 2 years. The so called 10 shelf life is total BS as the load of my smoke alarms is only 10 micro amps which is bugger all far a lithium battery, an old style zinc battery lasts 12 months.
    My dealing with their customer service department also left a lot to be desired, after admitting they had a faulty batch, they offered to pay for the 3 that had already failed at 3/4 of the price I actually paid.
    Definitely do not buy these batteries at these inflated prices, and check where made, the Singapore ones are crap.

  11. I’ve tried the Energizer Lithiums in some of my electronics because they were supposed to last longer and not leak. I’ve found, however, that the Energizers will go dead, even when not in use, in a very short period. Won’t be using them again…

  12. I’m guessing ‘Scott’ works for Rayovac? In my experience Rayovacs are cheap batteries comparable to Panasonic and Everready. If it’s a device your life may depend on (hearing aids, blood glucose meters, etc.) pay the little extra and go with the brand YOU trust and have had experience with, not some guy on the internet trying to get you to buy Rayovac

  13. I had an Energizer AA Li battery experience thermal runaway in a cable box remote. The remote was sitting on the end table and became quite hot to the touch. Only one of the 2 batteries installed were hot. Removed it to a safe place and the next day it had cooled off. It tested at 1.38v verses 1.76 volts for the other battery. Both had been in the remote for more than a few weeks.

  14. I purchased a 9v battery and when tested it only read 7.4v,it’s been on the shelf for two years and the use by date had two years to go ,Can someone tell me if this is normal to have a 1.6v drop ?

  15. In my opinion and experience, these single AA LED flashlights typically use a buck circuit of some type to try to maintain constant power (W=IE) to the LED. I would not use any of them as a test platform in this kind of test.
    Unfortunately, the mechanical switch in the flashlight can vary in resistance by a LOT each time it is used, and it can vary even while it is providing power to the circuit. In general, I’ve seen poor quality switches. This means the load on the cell can be unreliable over time and comparisons between cells in this type of device can be misleading.

  16. I confirm that there is a problem with the Energizer ultimate Lithium AA batteries I have been purchasing since May 2020. I have brought up the issue with Energizer and have been issued over $70 in coupons for close to $450 in batteries purchased. The issue is that a single cell when used in an 8 cell trail cam device will go into an accelerated reaction state where the cell will reach up to 135 degrees centigrade. This state had been observed in our lab using a Flir IR Camera.

    It is my suspicion that these cells fail when used in large arrays (meaning anything more than a 4 or 6 gang series config)… but no confirmation from Energizer regarding this theory.

    Despite reporting this to Energizer, my objective was not to get refunds, but to find out why their cells were failing in the field, and getting them to admit there have been production issues with the product. Fact is, when these cells work, they work well, and I want good cells. However, despite many promises, they never follow up with any conclusive response. In the end, I switched all our battery purchases to Duracell Ultimate.

    As for the $70 in coupons, I let them expire. I have no need for more faulty cells. Sorry Energizer, but your client care is pitiful, and you are taking money from an unsuspecting public by continuing to sell these cells.

    1. Interesting. I see that Reconyx recommends them for their Hyperfire 2. Great specs but $400! You have any luck with NiMh batteries? I’m looking at the Eneloop ones. BTW, I’m looking for a good, decently priced trail cam. Recommendations?

  17. I purchased 24 Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries about 2 years ago partly because I had an outdoor temperature sensor that had them and they had lasted 4 years. The replacements lasted less than a year. The other devices I put them in were mouse, keyboard, and trail cam. They lasted only slightly longer than Alkaline batteries. After reading comments on here I checked the package and found out they were made in Singapore. Hard to check where they are made when buying online. Never again.

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