BATTERY BRANDS RANKED FROM WORST TO BEST

4. Varta

Varta batteries are generally nothing special. Available in various pack sizes online, from as few as four to as many as 48, Varta offers competitive pricing and is considered by many customers as a standard, reliable brand.

Testing also revealed average results across the board. Most Varta batteries use a common alkaline manganese chemical mixture, typical of non-US alkaline AA batteries. According to battery testing site Lygte, Varta batteries scored about average in terms of capacity and performance. User reviews, however, were more positive, with many customers noting that the batteries lasted as expected. In short, Varta batteries are reliable for the price.

Varta also offers rechargeable batteries, which received more mixed reviews, with some customers reporting issues. That said, they are often compared to other reputable brands like Eneloop, and professional tests suggest they perform well but without any major distinction. They are a solid option and a well-known brand outside the U.S.