Walmart vs Battery Junction

Almost every piece of tech you can think of runs on batteries (with a few exceptions). While most of us immediately think of the Energizer Bunny and putting the AAAs in the slot the wrong way every time (guilty as charged), there are all kinds of batteries you might need to keep your life running as it should.

Think about your phone, your computer, or a game controller. All of those need batteries! Whether you have a dead TV remote to rescue or need to replace the power source for your car, finding a solid place to grab replacement batteries will keep your life running without any frustrating power problems.

There are tons of things that need batteries, but not all are made the same. For most home-use batteries, you can find Alkaline, Nickel Metal Hydride, and Lithium Ion batteries. These use different metals and electrolytes which makes them suited for different purposes. Most household batteries for remote controls, children's toys, and flashlights are Alkaline and are easy to find in battery stores. Lithium batteries are used in devices with heavy electric currents like laptops or cordless power tools (for those of us with home workshops). So, depending on what you need, you might want to search for something specific.

There's also some question about buying for longevity - because some items (Wii remotes, anyone?) seem to eat battery power even when they aren't being used, requiring frequent replacement. From different brands like Duracell, Energizer, Rayovac, and more, you can get different lengths of use. Further, some batteries have rechargeable varieties (yep, even for AA or AAA household batteries), so you can buy a pack and change out and recharge your batteries multiple times, which may appeal to those who like recycling.

The bottom line? If you need a place to buy batteries, you'll want somewhere that offers options. There are so many different types of batteries you might need that finding a solid one-stop shop for your battery store is essential. While there used to be only a few brick-and-mortar stores that specialized in batteries, now you can find plenty of places online to grab everything you need. So, the trick is to find the best batteries for the best deals.

If you're not sure where to start, don't sweat it. We've put together a list of factors to help you sift through the top battery stores available today. Here's what we found:

• Cost. Where can you get the best value for your money? Can you buy decent multi-packs with enough batteries to keep your household running? Are there competitive discounts or deals at your chosen battery store?
• Inventory. Is your chosen battery store a one-stop shop? Can you get batteries for everyday items as well as more "big ticket" batteries like the one for your car? Make sure you choose a battery store that serves all your needs.
• Refund policies. Things happen, and sometimes batteries can stop working too early or aren't working at all. Batteries do have a shelf-life, and you might get in a situation where you need to make a return. Make sure your chosen battery store has a solid refund policy, so you feel safe making your purchases there. .
• Reputation. As with any retailer, it's a good idea to check out its reputation both on customer reviews as well as its feedback on third-party review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. It's also helpful to check out a business' rating with the Better Business Bureau too.

To help you find all the batteries necessary for your daily life, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular battery stores out there today. Now, you don't need to worry about your favorite remote going out just when you're going to start that new Netflix series, because you'll have a go-to battery store to make sure you never run low on those precious AA, AAA, or D batteries!