Primary cells Primary (non-rechargeable)
zinc–carbon (
dry cell) AA batteries have around 400–900
milliampere hours capacity, with measured capacity highly dependent on test conditions, duty cycle, and cut-off voltage. Zinc–carbon batteries are usually marketed as "general purpose" batteries.
Zinc-chloride batteries which store around 1,000 to 1,500 mAh are often sold as "heavy duty" or "super heavy duty".
Alkaline batteries from 1,700 mAh to 2,850 mAh cost more than zinc-chloride batteries, but hold additional charge. AA size alkaline batteries are termed as LR6 by IEC, and AM-3 by JIS. Non-rechargeable
lithium iron disulfide batteries are manufactured for devices that draw more current, such as
digital cameras, where their high cost is offset by longer running time between battery changes and more constant voltage during discharge. The capacity of alkaline batteries is greatly reduced as the discharge current increases, however the capacity of a Li-FeS2 battery is not affected by high discharge currents nearly as much as alkaline batteries. Another advantage of lithium disulfide batteries compared to
alkaline batteries is that they are less prone to
leak. This is particularly important in expensive equipment, where a leaking alkaline battery can damage the equipment due to the corrosive electrolyte coming into contact with sensitive electronics. Lithium iron disulfide batteries are intended for use in equipment compatible with alkaline zinc batteries. Lithium-iron disulfide batteries can have an open-circuit voltage as high as 1.8 volts, but the closed-circuit voltage decreases, making this chemistry compatible with equipment intended for zinc-based batteries. A fresh alkaline zinc battery can have an open-circuit voltage of 1.6 volts, but a lithium iron disulfide battery with an open-circuit voltage below 1.7 volts is entirely discharged.
Rechargeable cells 1.2 volt NiMH rechargeable cells in AA and AAA Rechargeable batteries in the AA size are available in multiple chemistries:
nickel–cadmium (NiCd) with a capacity of roughly 600–1,000 mAh,
nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) in various capacities of 600–2,750 mAh and
lithium-ion. NiCd and NiMH provide 1.2 V; lithium-ion chemistry has a nominal voltage of 3.6–3.7 volts, and AA-sized cells of this voltage are coded 14500 rather than AA. AA-sized lithium-ion cells with circuitry to reduce the
voltage to the 1.5V of standard replaceable cells are also made. NiMH and lithium-ion AA/14500 cells can supply most of their capacity even when under a high current drain (0.5A and higher), unlike alkaline and zinc-chloride ("Heavy Duty"/"Super Heavy Duty") cells which drop to a small fraction of their low current capacity before even reaching
1 C. A Li-ion 1.5V AA-size battery, sold by the Chinese company Kentli as "Kentli PH5" since 2014 (with similar batteries later available from other suppliers), is a AA-sized battery housing containing a rechargeable 3.7 V Li-ion cell with an internal
buck converter at the positive terminal to reduce the output voltage to 1.5 V. The Kentli batteries expose the normal 3.7 V Li-ion electrode in a ring around the AA electrode to allow charging by a special charger. It supplies the same 1.5 V as a fresh disposable alkaline AA cell, but with virtually no drop over the discharge cycle, unlike other disposable or rechargeable cells. Its lithium-ion chemistry provides a low self-discharge of 3% per month. Its capacity at 250 mA drain is 1,700 mAh at 1.5 V, less than other chemistries, limited by the low efficiency of the step-down converter. Some later Li-ion AA batteries advertise their energy in
milliwatt-hours (mWh) instead of the usual capacity in
milliampere-hours (mAh), so a customer's attention is drawn to the figure, typically a claimed 3,000 or more, which is in reality 2,000 mAh. By 2023, several brands of 1.5 V Li-ion rechargeable batteries in both AA and AAA sizes (with voltage converting circuitry in even the small AAA casing) were available. They use various charging methods, without the special Kentli ring third electrode. Some have special chargers—a charger for a 1.2 V cell will not provide sufficient voltage—but do not use a third electrode. Others have a USB port built into the cell itself.
Nickel-zinc cell (NiZn) rechargeable 1.65 V AA and AAA cells are also available, but not widely used. They require a charging circuit capable of supplying that voltage.
Comparison == Use ==