🏆 Editor's Choice
<p>Let's be honest — nobody gets excited about buying batteries. They're one of those annoying household essentials you only think about when the TV remote dies mid-way through Strictly, or your kid's favourite toy goes silent at the worst possible moment. But here's the thing: cheap batteries that die after a week are a false economy, and we've all been there.</p><p>The Duracell Plus AA Batteries 24 pack promises up to 150% extra life compared to standard alkaline batteries, thanks to what Duracell calls their POWER BOOST Actives technology. At £15.45 for 24, you're paying roughly 64p per battery — more than supermarket own-brand, but potentially worth it if they genuinely last longer. We grabbed a pack to put them through their paces in everything from wireless keyboards to our test-team's kids' toys.</p><p>The short version? These are solid, reliable batteries that do exactly what Duracell claims. They're not going to change your life, but they'll quietly power it without you having to think about them — which is pretty much the dream when it comes to AA batteries.</p>
You get 24 AA alkaline batteries, and Duracell's made a point of ditching the plastic packaging entirely. The batteries come in a cardboard pack that's fully recyclable, which is a nice touch. It's a small thing, but when you're buying batteries regularly, it adds up — both in terms of waste and that vague sense of eco-guilt.
Each battery is rated at 1.5V, which is standard for AA alkalines. Duracell claims these will stay fresh for up to 10 years in storage, so you can stock up without worrying about them going flat in the drawer.
Duracell bangs on about their POWER BOOST Actives, which is apparently a blend of lithium and nickel that helps deliver more consistent power output. Look, we're not chemists, but we can tell you what we noticed in practice.
We stuck a pair in a wireless mouse that usually chews through batteries every three weeks with cheap alternatives. After six weeks of daily use, they're still going strong. Our editor's kids have a set of battery-hungry racing cars that usually kill a pair of AAs in a weekend — the Duracell Plus batteries lasted through three weekends of near-constant use before showing any signs of slowing down.
Is that exactly 150% more? Hard to measure precisely at home, but they definitely outlast the budget options we've tried. The real test is whether you're replacing batteries less often, and in our experience, yes — noticeably so.
Here's something people don't talk about enough: battery leakage is a genuine problem with cheaper batteries. That white crusty stuff that ruins your devices? We've had it destroy a decent torch and a vintage Game Boy. Duracell's 'superior nylon top closure' is designed to prevent exactly this.
We can't test 10-year storage obviously, but in the few months we've had these, zero leakage issues — even in devices that sat unused for a while. Given the cost of replacing gadgets ruined by leaky batteries, this alone might justify the premium.
High-drain devices are where the Duracell Plus batteries really earn their keep. Digital cameras, kids' electronic toys, game controllers, wireless mice and keyboards — anything that draws a lot of power will benefit from the longer life.
For low-drain stuff like TV remotes or wall clocks, you probably won't notice much difference versus cheaper batteries. Those devices sip power so slowly that even budget batteries last ages.
The obvious one: price. At 64p per battery, you're paying a premium over supermarket own-brand options that might cost 25-30p each. If you're powering a lot of low-drain devices, the maths doesn't always work out in Duracell's favour.
Also, while the recyclable packaging is great, the batteries themselves aren't rechargeable. If you're using AAs constantly — think photographers or parents of toy-obsessed kids — rechargeable batteries will save you money long-term, even with the upfront cost of a charger.
These Duracell Plus AA batteries make the most sense for a few specific people. First, anyone with high-drain devices who's sick of swapping batteries every five minutes. Second, bulk buyers who want to stock up and forget about it — that 10-year shelf life is genuinely useful. Third, anyone who's had a device ruined by leaking batteries and wants peace of mind.
If you're just powering a remote control and nothing else, honestly, buy whatever's cheapest. But for everything else, Duracell Plus offers genuine value despite the higher price tag.
The Duracell Plus AA 24 pack delivers on its promises — longer life, reliable performance, and no leakage worries. At £15.45, they're not the cheapest option, but for high-drain devices and bulk storage, they're genuinely worth the extra spend. We'd recommend them to anyone tired of constantly swapping out dead batteries.
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