What types of batteries exist?
A watch, your smartphone, the kitchen scale, the remote control for your TV set, your laptop, hoverboard, or the smoke detector on the ceiling: they all operate on - completely different - batteries. In this article we help you keep an overview and give you an idea of what is available on the market.
What types of batteries are there?
There are various ways to categorize batteries.
Disposable versus Rechargeable
Disposable batteries are also called single-use or primary batteries. You can only use them once. When a disposable battery is depleted, it cannot be recharged and you must take it to a collection point. We mainly use disposable batteries for electronic devices that consume little power such as your TV remote, wall clocks, and calculators. These batteries lose their capacity (self-discharge) a bit slower than rechargeable batteries. We therefore also use them in devices like smoke alarms and flashlights.
Rechargeable batteries are found in laptops, mobile phones, cameras, tablets, etc. Whenever they run out, we can simply recharge them. Did you know that you can extend the lifespan of your batteries by charging them in the right way? A rechargeable battery can be charged up to 1000 times and thus turns out to be more cost-effective for certain applications.
Available formats
- The most well-known battery is the AA battery (also sometimes called a penlite or mignon battery). It is the typical cylindrical battery found in toys, remote controls, computer mice, bicycle lights, flash units, and compact cameras.
- The smaller sibling of the AA is the AAA battery or the triple A battery. This pencil battery or micro battery is used for the same applications as the larger variant.
- Finally, in the A series, you have the very fine AAAA battery. This is suitable for very thin applications such as flexible flashlights and for a stylus pen to write on a tablet.
- We'll stay in the 'mini-department' of the battery world. The flat button cell has a slim design, with the poles very close to each other. This battery is ideal for devices such as kitchen scales and alarm clocks.
- The more block-shaped 9 Volt battery is recognizable by its protruding poles. It can be used in devices like smoke detectors, older remote controls, and wireless microphones.
- A battery pack comes in two versions, the 'bare' and 'dressed' version. This type of battery is mostly used in industrial settings.
- A traction battery is used for electric vehicles and vessels. You can find this type of battery in forklifts, pallet jacks, and sweepers.
This was just a selection from the range of batteries based on their size. But as you might guess, the list is even longer.
Battery composition
Everything about the precise workings of a battery can be found here. But from that, we learn that a battery must have specific compositions to be able to deliver energy. Here are the most common types of batteries:
- A zinc-carbon cell is mainly used for applications that require little energy, such as a wall clock or remote control. This is a disposable battery.
- An alkaline battery is also a disposable type that can be used for toys. This battery delivers more than three times the energy of the zinc-carbon cell mentioned above.
- The lithium-ion battery is currently the most popular type, containing a lot of energy and is rechargeable. You can find them in your smartphone and laptop.
- Finally, the lead-acid battery is installed in the combustion engines of many cars. This battery was invented in 1859 and was the first battery that could be recharged.
How should you recycle the different types of batteries?
No matter what batteries you use, if they are used or no longer rechargeable, it's best not to leave them lying around the house. After all, they contain valuable metals that can be given new life in a number of surprising applications. Moreover, they can start to leak over time.
Fortunately, there are more than 23,000 collection points where you can drop off your batteries!
