Lithium vs Alkaline batteries: What's the difference?

Should I buy an alkaline batteries or lithium battery? This is a question that you are likely to ask when it comes to buying batteries. While both batteries can do the job, they have different features. In this guide, we are going to analyze the differences between lithium vs alkaline batteries.

What is a lithium battery?

This is a type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions are the main components. This battery is often referred to as a lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery. These batteries are used in portable electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and even power tools.

These batteries contain lithium ions which can be recharged from other sources. This is the main reason why they are known as lithium batteries. As the battery is recharged, the lithium ions are moved back to the anode and cathode. This process helps in creating a chemical reaction that produces electricity.

What is an alkaline battery?

This is a type of rechargeable battery in which alkaline ions are the main components. This battery has a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries. The alkaline ion battery is also known as the AAA battery.

These batteries have a greater capacity for storing energy than other types of batteries. The alkaline battery is often used in electronic devices such as calculators, watches, and hearing aids. These batteries can be recharged by using an external power source or by using a charger that comes with the device.

What are the differences between alkaline batteries and lithium batteries?

Back to the main topic, we are going to break down the differences between these two types of batteries.

Design and construction

Lithium batteries have a lot of components, whereas alkaline batteries are made from a single piece of metal. This makes the lithium battery more expensive to produce and more difficult to manufacture.

On the design aspect, we are mainly focusing on the size and shape of the batteries.

There is no defined size or shape of the batteries. It all depends on the application areas and the requirements of the manufacturer.

Environmental impact

The alkaline batteries are made from a mixture of zinc and manganese dioxide, which has high environmental impacts. On the other hand, lithium batteries are made from a mixture of lithium metal and graphite, which does not have any environmental impacts because it does not contain any toxic materials.

Chemistry

Alkaline batteries are made of Zinc, Manganese, and Aluminium or Calcium. Lithium batteries are made of Lithium metal and Oxygen. The alkaline battery has more zinc and less manganese and aluminum than the lithium battery. This is why alkaline batteries are less expensive to manufacture than lithium ones.

Alkaline batteries also have a lower energy density than Lithium ones do.

Performance

Lithium batteries have little to no memory effect. This means that if you fully charge a lithium battery and then use it for some time, you can use it again without any problem.

Alkaline batteries have a memory effect that causes them to lose their full capacity and power after being used for a certain period of time. The performance differs with different types of lithium-ion batteries and even with different brands of the same type of battery.

Capacity

The total capacity is the maximum amount of energy that a battery can store and discharge at the same time. The higher the capacity, the longer you can use your battery without having to recharge it.

Lithium batteries have higher capacities than alkaline batteries. This is because lithium batteries have a higher energy density than alkaline batteries.

Weight

The weight of a battery is the amount of weight that a battery takes up in its packaging. Generally, lithium batteries are lighter than alkaline ones. This also makes them more portable and can be used in a wide range of applications where the weight of an object is a sensitive issue.

Cost

Lithium batteries are much more expensive than alkaline ones. This is because lithium batteries have a higher energy density than alkaline batteries. The higher the weight of a battery, the higher its cost will be.

The price of lithium-ion batteries has decreased in recent years as production costs have fallen and demand has risen. The price of lithium-ion batteries has decreased by about 50% since 2012, and it will continue to decrease in the future as production capacity increases further.

Energy density

The higher the energy density, the more energy a battery can store. This means that lithium batteries have a high energy density. Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density than alkaline batteries which take up less space and weigh less.

Safety

Lithium batteries are safer than alkaline batteries because they do not pose a fire risk. Lithium-ion batteries do not contain any toxic chemicals and are very safe to use.

The alkaline battery contains hazardous chemicals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and sulfuric acid which is very dangerous to use if it leaks inside the body, causing damage to the internal organs of humans and animals.

Lithium batteries are also safer because they do not contain any of these hazardous chemicals.

Temperature

Lithium-ion batteries have a high temperature resistance. Lithium-ion batteries can operate in a wide range of temperatures from -20 °C to high temperatures without experiencing any lag in the performance.

On the other hand, alkaline batteries can only operate in a very limited temperature range. A very low temperature range can negatively affect the performance of the battery.

Vibration Resistance

Lithium ion batteries have high vibration resistance. They are able to withstand high vibrations without losing their charge and can provide stable output for long periods of time.

Lithium batteries are also resistant to shock and vibration since they do not contain any toxic chemicals.

Alkaline batteries have low vibration resistance, especially when the battery is being charged and discharged rapidly, leading to possible damage to the cell structure.

Alkaline batteries are not very resistant to shock or vibration because they contain toxic chemicals that can ignite if the battery is exposed to a spark, heat, or pressure during charging and discharging.

Cycles

The lithium battery has a long cycle life, which means that it can be used in many cycles without having to replace it often. The lithium battery has a very long cycle life and the alkaline battery does not have this feature, so alkaline batteries are usually replaced after two years of usage.

Efficiency

The lithium battery is more efficient than the alkaline battery because it has a higher energy density. This means that the lithium-ion battery can hold more energy than a comparable amount of the alkaline battery.

Is a lithium battery the same as a lithium-ion battery?

Many people tend to confuse these two types of batteries. Of course, this is expected given their names. But the two types of batteries are not the same. The two kinds of batteries have different functions and operate at different voltages. For this reason, it is necessary to differentiate between them.

Lithium batteries are characterized by primary cell construction. This means that they are single-use only. You cannot recharge them when the battery power is depleted.

On the other hand, ion batteries feature secondary cell construction. This means that they can be recharged and discharged repeatedly.

This is the reason why lithium batteries are referred to as single-use batteries.

Can I replace the AA alkaline battery with lithium?

Yes, you can. You can use a lithium battery in place of an AA alkaline battery. You just have to make sure that the lithium battery is compatible with your device.

The voltage supply should also be the same with the battery you are using.

Can you mix lithium battery with alkaline battery?

No, you cannot. The lithium batteries and alkaline batteries are different. What is more, lithium batteries do not work in any device with alkaline batteries?

The lithium battery can only be used in devices that support its use. We recommend that you use a specific type of battery at any given time.

Can I use a lithium battery in my flashlight?

Yes, you can use a lithium battery in your flashlight. You just have to make sure that the lithium battery is compatible with your device and has the same voltage supply as the one inside your flashlight.

If you are using a flashlight that uses AA batteries, then make sure that the voltage of the AA alkaline battery matches with the voltage of your flashlight’s LED light source (lithium or Ni-MH). This is for safety reasons.

Which is a better battery alkaline or lithium?

It’s up to you which battery you prefer. The batteries are not the same. They have different characteristics and, like anything else, they are not entirely equal.

Since we have covered all the differences between these two batteries, it will be easy to decide.

However, the correct choice is up to you. You need to take into account the characteristics of your device and your needs:

– How long will the battery last?

– How many times can I recharge it?

– Can I use it on my device?

– Is it protected against overcharging?

– Can I charge it with my TV or power bank?

We recommend that you try both types of batteries and choose the one that fits your needs best.

And in case you need more assistance, contact us. We at ICRFQ are a reliable supplier and sourcing agents of lithium batteries in China.