I'll only use Kirkland or Member's Mark batteries. They're made by one of the big manufacturers anyway. However, I must admit I do prefer rechargeable internal batteries when it comes to lights.

I also buy Kirkland and Member's Mark when it comes to detergent. I know Costco and Sam's Club don't have their own detergent manufacturing factory so one of the main manufacturers is rebranding it for them.

I’ve used lots of alkaline batteries over the years. Many AA, some D, and a 9V battery for my Fluke multimeter. Mostly Duracell, but some Energizers. None have ever leaked.

You guys are doing something horribly wrong to suffer so many leaks.

I only buy energizers now.

Duracell and Kirkland have both leaked on me. Just found some Duracells this weekend doing that…fortunately before it got too bad. Was hoping the recentish package change by Costco signaled a new manufacturer as they used to be supplied by Duracell.

quote:

You guys are doing something horribly wrong to suffer so many leaks.

You might be using your devices more actively. Alkaline batteries are more prone to leak when not in use. Most if not all manufacturers recommend complete removal from the device if not expected to be used for an extended length of time.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Costco's Kirkland Signature brand AA and AAA batteries are manufactured by Duracell.

THIS, there was a period of time when I had a lot of issues with AA AAA Duracells leaking, about 5 years ago. The current ones are good from Costco and don't leak. The kirkland batteries are also good and use them a lot and no leakers. IF the Duracells are in date and destroy something Duracell will warranty that item.

quote:

You guys are doing something horribly wrong to suffer so many leaks.

Maybe so, if storing them in their factory package, in a drawer, in my air conditioned house is horribly wrong.

^^^^^
You bought them from Sid’s Mobile Discount Hardware Store?

I’ve never had a Duracell or Enegizer battery leak. I buy ‘em from local drugstores, grocery stores, and Amazon.

The lovely bride used to buy Duracells at Costco. I refuse to use them. Instead, I use eneloop rechargeables in devices that work with them and Lithium Ion in devices that won’t.

Except flashlights. My son, the flashlight geek, got us all switched over to flashlights that use rechargeable Lithium batteries. I see no need to go back.

ETA: Around here, they are not called alkaline batteries. They are called Alka-Leaks and avoided. If you have better luck with them, good for you, and I hope your good fortune lasts.

^^^^^^
Thank you for the good fortune wishes.
So far my good experience with Duracell and Energizer alkaline batteries has lasted about 30 years with hundreds of batteries.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
^^^^^
You bought them from Sid’s Mobile Discount Hardware Store?

I’ve never had a Duracell or Enegizer battery leak. I buy ‘em from local drugstores, grocery stores, and Amazon.

I’ve bought them from several places including the local True Value hardware. And from Amazon and Walmart. Does it strike you as the least bit odd that so many of us have reported issues with leaking Duracell batteries? No, we’re all obviously doing something wrong.

I see that I need to apologize for the fact that my Duracell and Energizer AA, D, and 9V alkaline batteries refuse to leak.

This post is that apology.

I usually associate ‘leaking’ if batteries are left in whatever device for extended periods. I understand that’s not always the case.

Especially if it’s a higher end device, longer periods between use, I try to take the batteries out.

I refuse to use Duracell. I suspect Kirkland is Duracell, relabeled, as both are on the same shelf unit. Some internet sources claim Duracell makes them: https://www.housedigest.com/16...ade-by-duracell-usa/

I purchase Panasonic from Amazon. Always buy Japanese quality items if available.

Amazon Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries for all non-critical, low discharge, chip controlled
devices (like remotes, multimeters, thermostats, etc). Basically everything that isn't a children's toy that is prone to being left on.

Eneloop Low Self Discharge NiMH batteries for "important" things like my camping stuff, flashlights, headlamps, GPS and etc.

Alkaline--Amazon during their Prime Day or Black Friday Sales, or Duracell when Costco has them for sale--for all the children's toys that don't have a low voltage cutoff. The NiMH are not particularly expensive anymore, but I hate letting them get fully drained and damaging the cell, and now I have a potentially weak cell mixed in with my other batteries.

I date and serialize every NiMH with a sharpie when I buy them.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I’ve had Duracells leak in their packaging before ever being installed in a device. I remember a time when that didn’t happen. Their product has become shitty over the past 15 or 20 years.

I wished I had read this thread. Just minutes ago, I had a pack of Duracell C batteries leaked in the original packaging. Stupid me, I turned around and bought the same thing again on Amazon.

I was headed to Costco to buy the Duracell's advertised but decided not to after reading this thread. Instead, happened to be walking thru Home Depot and saw a Brick of 60 AA batteries for 10.97 which I have used before so bought them. Stocking up for Holloween and Christmas decor.

Thinking these might be a knock off brand of another battery company I searched the label for a manufacture. China!

At least they have worked for me before with no issues.

I too have had gadgets ruined by leaking Duracells, almost all of them AAs. A few years ago I started using Energizers instead and haven't had any of those leak so far. Maybe Duracell's case design is just more prone to leakage? I dunno. I've never tried the Kirkland batteries.

I bought some Eneloop AAs and AAAs a few months back. So far they seem fine but I haven't had a chance to really evaluate them yet. I use either them or the Energizers for things that tend to go through batteries regularly. Things that might go years on a set of batteries, they get lithiums.

As I understand it, most all of the AA and AAA can leak with the cheaper ones being more prone to it. From what I've read, even the Eneloops and lithium types can as well.

I've gotten into the habit of not keeping batteries in my more expensive things (night vision, GPS, Sordin muffs, etc...). It only takes a second to throw a battery in and no risk of finding out they are damaged when you need them.

Thanks guys. Yes, for me Energizer, Panasonic and Rayovac alks. have not leaked like the duracells of more recent production (last 5 years or more) do.

Thanks for all the discussion.

Any alkaline will leak in certain circumstances. The factors are the environment, the age, the voltage, and the construction of the battery.

There's no good reason to use alkaline in many devices. Carbon zinc, lithium and NiMh is the way to go. That said sometimes alkalines are needed. I use Panasonic mfg in Brazil or Thailand alkalines, and Panasonic carbon zinc mfg in Poland. Panasonic/Sanyo is still my most used 18650 and 21700 too. I think Panasonic has done a pretty decent job of carrying on the battery division they bought from Sanyo several years back.