Right, let's talk C batteries. Not the sexiest topic, granted, but when your torch dies during a power cut or your kid's favourite toy goes silent, you'll appreciate having proper ones to hand. We ordered this 6-pack of Duracell Plus C batteries for £9.69 to see if the brand that went to the moon still justifies its premium price tag in 2024.
Here's the thing about Duracell — they've been the gold standard for decades, but supermarket own-brands have gotten seriously good lately. So we put these through their paces in everything from LED torches to radio alarm clocks over six months. The short version? They're still bloody reliable, even if they're not always the best value pick.
We've had these Duracell Plus C batteries powering various bits and bobs around the house since spring, and honestly, we're impressed by how consistent they've been. Our main test device was a Roberts DAB radio that gets used for about 4 hours daily — after three months, it's still going strong with the original pair.
The 6-pack comes in Duracell's new eco-friendly cardboard packaging, which is a nice touch. No more wrestling with that impossible plastic clamshell nonsense. Each battery is individually wrapped, and you get the full MN1400 alkaline cells with Duracell's trademark copper top.
The 100% life guarantee sounds like marketing fluff, but it's actually based on their performance against IEC battery standards. In plain English, these should last as long as any premium alkaline C battery you can buy. The 10-year shelf life is genuinely useful too — we've all got that drawer full of batteries we're not sure about.
We tested these in a chunky LED torch, the aforementioned DAB radio, and our editor's son's remote control car. The torch has been living in the boot of a car through summer heat and winter cold — six months later, it's still bright as the day we installed them. The RC car is more demanding, and even with regular weekend thrashing sessions, we're only just thinking about replacements.
The leak prevention technology seems to work. We deliberately left a pair in an old camping lantern for the full test period, and there's no sign of that white crusty residue that cheaper batteries sometimes leave behind. Small mercy, but anyone who's had to clean battery acid out of electronics will appreciate this.
Duracell has made a proper effort with the packaging here. The cardboard is fully recyclable, and they've ditched the plastic entirely. It's not just greenwashing either — the packaging actually works better than the old clamshells. You can open it without needing scissors or risking your fingers.
Let's be honest — at £1.61 per battery, these aren't cheap. Aldi's own-brand C batteries cost about half the price and, in our experience, last about 80% as long. For most people, that's probably the smarter buy. The Duracell brand premium is real, but so is the price difference.
Also, while the individual wrapping is good for storage, it creates more waste when you're installing them. Minor gripe, but worth mentioning.
These make sense for three types of buyer: people who need absolute reliability (think emergency kit or security equipment), those who buy batteries infrequently and want maximum shelf life, and anyone who's had bad experiences with cheaper brands leaking in expensive devices. For everyday use where you don't mind changing batteries slightly more often, there are better value options out there.
These Duracell Plus C batteries do exactly what they promise — deliver reliable, long-lasting power without the leak risks of cheaper alternatives. Whether they're worth the premium depends on your priorities, but for critical applications or infrequent battery buyers, they're still the safest bet.
As an Amazon Associate, Smart Trends earns from qualifying purchases.
Was this review helpful?
