Duracell = DuraLeak?

[visionguru]

Recently, I kept finding battery leaks:

• Snap-On 1/4" Techangle. 3 AAA batteries were in the battery holder, not in the torque wrench. 2 out of 3 leaked. Voltages were still more than 1.5v
• Bosch Laser distance measure. 2 out of 4 AAA leaked. Voltages were all above 1.5v.
• Coast Headlamp. 2 AA leaked. Rotted the circuit board.
• Nikon camera flash. 4 AA batteries made a mess.
• Gardner Bender voltage meter (cheap meter from Menards), just found out this morning:

Same pattern, leaked batteries are not discharged. They can still power a flashlight.

I suddenly realized that all those are DURACELL from Costco. I used to use no-name batteries, rarely had any leaks. This reminds me that last year I had to throw out some unused DURACELL because they leaked in storage. It seems that DURACELL is designed to leak, regardless of usage!

 

[RTM]

Yup, horrible pieces of ****. Hate that Costco sells them. Prefer to pay more for Energizer.

Found them leaking in my mouse, a meter, and some other toy.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Stopped using Duracell years ago, something changed and I began to have many leak issues with them. Switched to Energizer, they're not perfect but their leakage rate is about 10% that of Duracell (in my experience).

 

[KwikFab]

I've had zero leakage on both my Energizer and Duracell batteries, and some of these go in very expensive equipment (including my IR and NVGs).

Although I do make sure to buy only Made/Assembled in the US variants though. I also don't like to leave batteries in anything for too long if it sits unused.

 

[Jeepster04]

Quit using Duracell batteries many years ago due to that issue. Never again...

I dont think Ive had this issue with Energizer yet...

 

[whateg01]

It seems to me that the leaking occurs when they aren't being used but have been. I don't recall any new in the package batteries leaking. But when I have found them leaking it's in a flashlight that wasn't used for a few months. I don't use Duracell anymore for this reason. I have had others leak in the past but it seems like most nowadays are better than Duracell. I use Amazon basics and Energizer

 

[RalphInCA]

For battery powered devices that I do not use frequently, I take the batteries out and store them with the device either in a plastic bag or taped to the device.

Not taking chances on leakage ruining the device.

 

[dnschmidt]

I too refuse to use Duracell. Leaking POS in my experience.

 

[dante2]

Anytime a remote stops working I pop the cover off and hope for a cheap Chinese battery over a Leakacell. I don't have to clean the acid from cheap battery off the connections.

 

[visionguru]

I've had zero leakage on both my Energizer and Duracell batteries, and some of these go in very expensive equipment (including my IR and NVGs).

Although I do make sure to buy only Made/Assembled in the US variants though. I also don't like to leave batteries in anything for too long if it sits unused.

Those were "Assembled in USA".

I strongly suggest you check the Duracells in your equipment. My Snap-ON torque wrench battery holder is electronically disconnected, equivalent to plain storage, yet Duracell leaked. Last year, 5 or 6 Duracells leaked in my plastic storage box.

From now on, for anything worth $20+, I'll be using lithium batteres from Energizer, Amazon Basics...., anything but DiarrheaCell.

 

[Mike007]

I stopped buying Duracell easily 15 years ago due to constant leaks. Pure ****!

 

[cleaner]

Duracell has consistently demonstrated poor quality with leaking cells for well more than a decade. I have had them send me checks for two devices stored in climate-controlled environment ruined by leaking cells and have had unused cells in factory retail packaging leak as well. Stay away from them. For anything I will leave the cells in in a AA, AAA, or 9V form factor I use Energizer Lithium. To date I have not experienced a leak with the Lithium cells.

 

[Mike007]

I was selling thermostats that came with Duracells. I had so many leak and ruin the stats I would just throw the new Duracells out and install a different brand battery.

 

[Wrench-Polisher]

People learned this with 600 dollar portable weather stattions when long range shooting hobby exploded.
Use lithium batteries so they don't leak. Skip nickel stuff.

 

[alfadan]

Duracells are garbage. I had a buddy who specifically went with HF bulk batteries because they're carbon-zinc. No alkaline leakage. I wonder now if he had a good point.

 

[whateg01]

Duracells are garbage. I had a buddy who specifically went with HF bulk batteries because they're carbon-zinc. No alkaline leakage. I wonder now if he had a good point.

For some applications that may be okay. However you will be changing them more often because they do not contain the same amount of energy

 

[mikedodge]

I've had far more leakage problems with energizer then Duracell.
I don't leave batteries in expensive stuff or things that are hard to replace or clean if something erupts in them.

 

[Steve_P]

Dunno why people aren't only using rechargeable batteries in 2025- never had one leak.

 

[jimbee]

Modern alkaline dry cells are prone to leaks. For anything critical I use lithium.

 

[Oregon Dave]

Having the same leakage problem lately with Dura-cell AAA batteries purchased from Costco; no issues the previous 25 years.

Test ran many brands; chose Dura-cell for performance and longevity; since the leakage issue, tried Harbor Freight's Thunderbird Edge; first battery that matches Dura-cells longevity and no leakage issues after ~6 mo.'s.

 

[reader2580]

I use lithium batteries in pretty much anything that uses batteries. The cost isn’t really that high on an annual basis. One wrecked item could easily exceed the extra cost of lithium batteries.

I try to remove batteries from anything that is only used every few months.

 

[MOS3522]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/remember-when-you-spent-extra-for-duracell-batteries-because-they-didnt-leak.537818/

 

[Ohio Andy]

People learned this with 600 dollar portable weather stattions when long range shooting hobby exploded.
Use lithium batteries so they don't leak. Skip nickel stuff.

That's where I am too... Not had a lithium leak on me, but I only buy lithium when they are available.

 

[whateg01]

That's where I am too... Not had a lithium leak on me, but I only buy lithium when they are available.

How would you buy them if they weren't available?

 

[Ohio Andy]

How would you buy them if they weren't available?

Maybe I should say when possible I buy.... I think it is C or D I did not easily find. AA, AAA, and 9 V I have.

 

[Qualitytools]

They have sent me checks for damaged light multiple times. They’re not great

 

[JABgj]

I tossed Duracell some years ago after losing a few devices and seeing others with the same issue.

 

[ronkz650]

They will leak 100 times if installed in 100 things. Not so bad if a flashlight whatever, but in equipment that cost $1000s of dollars a little more serious. Every time I see them in a big display such as Costco I look for the puddle of acid on the floor. Other brands such as the Energizer leak sometimes too, but not 100% of the time. Use Duracell they will leak every time. 75% of the time they leak in the packaging even though the use by date may be 5yrs away. Sad. Cheapest Chinese battery at Harbor Freight rarely leaks vs Duracell. I'm referring solely to alkaline batteries. Huge expense in ruined equipment if you use any of them, but by far Duracell leads the pack in bad.

 

[rharman]

Modern alkaline dry cells are prone to leaks. For anything critical I use lithium.

I use lithium batteries in pretty much anything that uses batteries. The cost isn’t really that high on an annual basis. One wrecked item could easily exceed the extra cost of lithium batteries.

I try to remove batteries from anything that is only used every few months.

That's where I am too... Not had a lithium leak on me, but I only buy lithium when they are available.

I, too, long ago switched to Energizer Ultimate Lithium wherever possible.

Just bought a 4-pack of 1500 lumen flashlights from Costco. Have to set a reminder to swap out the included Duracell batteries in a year or less. They're hybrid but I'm sure the rechargeable battery would be dead every time I needed to use one.

 

[captaindiode]

Prior to a regulation passed in 1996, alkaline batteries contained a small amount of mercury to prevent the build up of pressure inside the battery. Today batteries without mercury are more likely to build enough pressure to overcome the seals and leak. This is especially true in devices that are infrequently used. If the leakage (a base) is neutralized with an acid such a white vinegar, then many times the device can be saved. Be sure to flush away the vinegar after cleaning up the corrision.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

After reading this thread, I checked My new battery supply. Out of 39 batteries; there was only one Duracell, and the only battery which had started leaking. It is now powering the trash can.

 

[whateg01]

... Every time I see them in a big display such as Costco I look for the puddle of acid on the floor.

That would be interesting to see - acid leaking from an alkaline battery

 

[tez929rr]

I went to Eneloop after losing a couple of nice flashlights to this problem. Mostly buying Streamlights that take lithium batteries now.

 

[Max]

Prior to a regulation passed in 1996, alkaline batteries contained a small amount of mercury to prevent the build up of pressure inside the battery. Today batteries without mercury are more likely to build enough pressure to overcome the seals and leak. This is especially true in devices that are infrequently used. If the leakage (a base) is neutralized with an acid such a white vinegar, then many times the device can be saved. Be sure to flush away the vinegar after cleaning up the corrision.

I don’t buy the darn things anymore. I use NiMH (eneloop), beware fakes) and lithium.

 

[bluedog225]

F duracell. And the rebranded Kirkland. What a disaster.

rechargeable, envelop, or take em out.

and shame on Costco.

 

[Mr_B]

Duracell have turned into complete garbage .
I won't use them as leak even from new stored in retail packing box .

 

[dscheidt]

For some applications that may be okay. However you will be changing them more often because they do not contain the same amount of energy

Carbon zinc batteries (they’re labeled “heavy duty “ or similar) are both lower energy density and can supply lower power (they have higher internal resistance); however they don’t leak. For low draw, intermittent use applications, they work well, and that’s why they are typically supplied with remote controls.

 

[whateg01]

Ordered some Amazon batteries this morning and Amazon AI pops this up on the screen ...

 

[ATC]

Yup, been known for years. I only use Energizer Max

 

[Notgrownup]

We sell Pro Cell at work . Been selling them for years and have not had any complaints. We sell them to nursing homes for all the devices. I use them at home .