Commonly Used Household Battery Glossary

AA Battery

A standard cylindrical battery, often 1.5V. Arguably the most widely used battery in various household devices like remote controls, flashlights, smart devices, and toys.

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AAA Battery

Smaller than AA batteries, also 1.5V. They are commonly used in devices like TV remotes, flashlights, headlights, non-contact thermometers, clocks, and small electronic devices.

The use of AAA batteries is growing fast because of the trend of consumers preferring smaller devices. 

C Battery

Larger than AA and AAA batteries, typically 1.5V. Mostly used in devices that require more power, such as searchlights, camping lantern lights, radios, and some toys.

D Battery

A large cylindrical battery, usually 1.5V. Mostly used in high-drain devices like large searchlights, radios, specialty electronic devices, and some motorized toys.

9V Battery

A rectangular battery with a voltage of 9 volts. Mostly used in smoke detectors, walkie-talkies, wireless microphones, and some specialty electronics such as tollroad infrared devices.

Button Cell (Coin Cell) Battery

Small, round 3V batteries. They are often used in watches, calculators, hearing aids, and small electronic devices such as car key remote controllers. Examples include CR2032 and LR44.

Lithium-ion Battery

A rechargeable battery that is commonly used in smartphones, laptops, cameras, and cordless tools. Known for high energy density and long cycle life.

Cylindrical Lithium-Ion batteries are also used in energy-demanding devices such as flashlights, vapes, handheld power tools, electric vehicles, power banks, portable powers, and electrical energy storage systems.

Typical sizes of cylindrical Lithium-ion batteries are 18650, 21700, 16340, etc. 

They have a voltage between 3.2V to 3.7V. 

NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) Battery

A type of cylindrical rechargeable battery commonly used in high-drain devices like digital cameras, camera flashlights, game consoles, toys, and cordless phones. It offers a good balance between cost and capacity.

NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium) Battery

An earlier type of cylindrical rechargeable battery. Mostly used in power tools and older electronics. 

Not so widely used nowadays.

NiCd is durable, but It has a serious memory effect.

Alkaline Battery

At present the most common type of disposable battery. It is available in 5 common sizes AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V. 

Also available in smaller cylindrical sizes such as A23 and A27.

Compared to Zinc Carbon Battery, it has a long shelf life and high energy output. 

In theory, the shelf life of the alkaline battery can go up to 10 years.

However, the actual self-life depends on storage conditions and exposure to elements.

Humidity, direct sunlight, and heat reduce the shelf life of alkaline batteries.

Zinc-Carbon Battery

An inexpensive and primitive type of battery that has a history of more than 140 years. They are available in 5 common sizes namely AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V.

At present mainly used in low-drain devices such as clocks and remote controls.

Disposable Lithium Battery

A non-rechargeable battery that is made with metallic lithium, and comes with very long battery life. Available in 5 sizes: AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V.

Mainly used in cameras, smoke detectors, and other devices requiring a long-lasting power source. 

Typically a few times more lasting than an alkaline battery.

Disposable Lithium Battery can be used in extreme weather conditions. Operating temperature -40 to 60 Celsius. Very lightweight.

Rechargeable Battery

A battery that can be recharged and used multiple times.

Typically between 300-2000 times. 

They help to reduce waste and save money over time. 

Common types include lithium-ion, NiMH, and NiCd.

Primary Battery

A non-rechargeable battery, meant for single use. Examples include alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries.

Secondary Battery

A rechargeable battery, designed to be used multiple times. Examples include lithium-ion, NiMH, and NiCd batteries.

Battery Charger

A device used to recharge rechargeable batteries. 

Available in different types for various battery chemistries like lithium-ion and NiMH.

Smaller chargers can charge 2 AA or AAA batteries.

A bigger and more complex charger is built to charge all common sizes AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V in one device.

Some big chargers can charge up to 24 AA and AAA batteries in one go.

Not all chargers are built with the same charging rate. Some come with a higher charging rate ( fast charger), and some with a low charging rate ( basic charger).

mAh (Milliampere-Hour)

A unit that measures the energy capacity of a battery. A higher mAh rating indicates a longer battery life.

A higher mAh means the battery has a higher capacity, just like a car has more liters of gasoline in it. Last longer.

Battery Voltage

The electrical potential difference in a battery. 

Common household batteries provide 1.5V, 3V, 9V, etc.

Common AA and AAA rechargeable batteries provide 1.2V.

Battery Capacity

The amount of electric charge a battery can store.

It is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh).

Battery Life

The length of time a battery can power a device before it needs to be replaced or recharged.

Memory Effect

A phenomenon in some rechargeable batteries (notably NiCd) where they lose their maximum energy capacity if they are repeatedly recharged after being only partially discharged.

Battery Shelf Life

The length of time a battery can be stored before its charge depletes or it becomes unusable.

Self-Discharge

The natural loss of charge in a battery over time, even when not in use. 

Rechargeable batteries typically have a higher self-discharge rate than disposable ones.

Nowadays most common low-self discharged rechargeable batteries can hold at least 80 percent of their capacity after 12 months of non-usage.

Battery Recycling

The process of properly disposing of used batteries to prevent environmental harm and recover materials for reuse.

Battery Charging Rate

The speed at which a rechargeable battery is charged, typically measured in amperes (A) or milliampere-hours (mAh). 

A higher charging rate (mAh) means a faster charge. 

A higher charging rate may charge the battery faster but could generate more heat, thus potentially reducing the battery’s lifespan. 

Power Delivery (PD)

A technology and standard for fast charging that allows devices to deliver higher power levels over a USB connection, enabling faster charging for compatible devices. 

Power Delivery can adjust the power output to meet the needs of different devices, providing anywhere from a few watts to over 100 watts, depending on the device and the charger. 

This technology is most commonly used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops

Wireless Charging

A method of charging devices without the need for physical cables, using electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between a charging pad or station and a compatible device. 

This technology is commonly used in smartphones, smartwatches, and some other electronics. 

Wireless charging typically works through the Qi standard, which allows for charging over short distances. 

It offers a convenient way to charge a device. 

However, the charging rate is often lower compared to wired charging.

Battery Charging Cycle

One charging cycle is counted when a battery is fully charged to 100% and then discharged back to 0%. 

Partial charges and discharges accumulate over time to form a full cycle. 

The lifespan of rechargeable batteries is often measured in the number of charging cycles they can undergo before their capacity begins to reduce. 

For example, a battery rated for 300 cycles will maintain its performance for about 300 full charge/discharge cycles before its capacity begins to degrade.