anyone try the new Costco AA and AAA batteries?

[CarLuver]

i used to get them but in recent years i got a lot of leakers. i noticed that they are in a new design now. i wonder if they changed vendors . anyone try them out yet?

https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-alkaline-aaa-batteries,-48-count.product.100796711.html

 

[dishdude]

Interesting, the old ones were made by Duracell which also has an issue with their batteries leaking. I wonder if they changed vendors.

 

[MalibuRam65]

I’ve been Using BJ’s whole sale Batteries they’ve been great. I used Costco batteries years ago never had a leak problem. Hopefully the new design help with that

 

[GON]

Interesting, the old ones were made by Duracell which also has an issue with their batteries leaking. I wonder if they changed vendors.

Yes, the old Costco batteries were made by Duracell, in the USA, and horrible leakers.

Goes to show how a massive advertising campaign can negate such a poorly made battery.

 

[GON]

I used Costco batteries years ago never had a leak problem.

You are unbelievably lucky. Most every Costco/ Duracell AA AAA I have owned in the past decade were leakers. I kept thinking it was a onetime batch issue, but the leaking continued. I had no choice but to migrate to rayovac and energizer.

 

[Vercingetorix]

I’ve switched to rechargeables or lithiums and have no problems with leaking batteries. Duracell and Kirkland alkalines taught me all about cleaning contacts with vinegar.

 

[Dave9]

Haven't tried them but wouldn't know for years if I did. I only have a few (3?) clocks that take 1 x AA, run for years on one, and would put alkalines in them once daylight savings times goes away so I don't have to tend to them twice a year. In the meantime, if having to take them off the wall anyway to change the time, can just swap in a freshly charged LSD MiMH while doing so.

Otherwise, switched to using LSD NiMH for everything else. I mean I'll use the included alkalines that come with a TV/etc. remote control but once those are exhausted, switch to LSD NiMH.

I've never had a major brand LSD NiMH leak, but there was this time ~18 years ago, I got some generic non-LSD NiMH from a surplus electronics site that were leaking, still sealed in the retail blister pack... so it is possible, but a lot less likely.

 

[mccandish]

We were just out at Costco and they still carry Duracell - don't know about the Kirkland branded ones although both list a 12-year guarantee that would seem to still point to Duracell as their supplier. Duracell has new packaging which calls out "New Ingredients" so who knows? We also have a Sam's Club membership and purchase our batteries there (Energizer, which lists a 10-year guarantee).

Duracell and Rayovac both leak just sitting in the package in my experience. Energizer has never caused a problem (knock wood). If Duracell has new battery chemistry, let's hope it's fixed their "current" problems.

 

[Spartanfool]

i used to get them but in recent years i got a lot of leakers. i noticed that they are in a new design now. i wonder if they changed vendors . anyone try them out yet?

https://www.costco.com/kirkland-signature-alkaline-aaa-batteries,-48-count.product.100796711.html

I bought some AA recently, so I can't yet comment on the longevity or leakage. I can say they are different (either new design or new vendor). They look like they are specifically designed to minimize leakage.

 

[PimTac]

Duracell and Rayovac both leak just sitting in the package in my experience. Energizer has never caused a problem (knock wood). If Duracell has new battery chemistry, let's hope it's fixed their "current" problems.

Interesting because RayoVac is Energizer.

 

[GON]

Just a fyi, a few years ago I studied the Kirkland aa and aaa batteries at Costco. After about five minutes, I could not find a single difference whatsoever between the Kirkland battery and it's Duracell counterpart, except the label.

 

[mccandish]

Interesting because RayoVac is Energizer.

I believe Energizer purchased Rayovac in 2019, so maybe Rayovac quality will get better. These Rayovac were some odd type of chemistry that leaked a clear blue fluid (both in the package and inside my electronics). I've never had that happen with an Energizer.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Energizer has never caused a problem (knock wood).

I've had plenty of Energizers leak.

Energizer, Duracell, Rayovac... they all leak.

https://www.howtogeek.com/813619/why-do-alkaline-batteries-leak/

 

[brianl703]

The leaking problems with alkaline batteries seemed to start when they removed the mercury from the formulation. In the 80s, if you saw a leaking battery, it wasn't an alkaline, it was one of those cheap "heavy duty" carbon-zinc batteries.

 

[PimTac]

I believe Energizer purchased Rayovac in 2019, so maybe Rayovac quality will get better. These Rayovac were some odd type of chemistry that leaked a clear blue fluid (both in the package and inside my electronics). I've never had that happen with an Energizer.

I had that blue stain too. I used to be a RayoVac user but quit buying them because of that.

The Energizer batteries I have used of late have been decent. The country of origin varies. Japan, Singapore, lots of places.

 

[PimTac]

This thread just reminded me to check my old Maglite 3D flashlight. The Energizers have been in that for a year. Still good.

I bought this flashlight about 40 years ago. The only thing I’ve done to it is change out the bulb for the LED one.

 

[tyman]

We have a pack of their new AA for our kids toys. They seem to be working fine but we’ve only had them like 2 months now.

 

[tyman]

Just a fyi, a few years ago I studied the Kirkland aa and aaa batteries at Costco. After about five minutes, I could not find a single difference whatsoever between the Kirkland battery and it's Duracell counterpart, except the label.

Yeah it’s common internet knowledge that Duracell made them.

https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/costco-batteries/

Much to my surprise, the Costco CEO recently divulged that Kirkland batteries are actually made by Duracell.

 

[jstert]

aldi house-brand batteries are nicely priced and work fine, so far.

 

[TheLastWord]

I bought some AA recently, so I can't yet comment on the longevity or leakage. I can say they are different (either new design or new vendor). They look like they are specifically designed to minimize leakage.

What id's the looks to minimize leakage? I buy lots of these batteries.